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Both positions have their own perks and advantages. The better choice depends on the personal interest and aptitude of candidates.
Who is the senior among IAS and IPS?
The seniority depends on the rank of the officer. Generally, IAS officers are senior to IPS officers.
How is the job different from IPS?
The IAS focuses on administrative roles, policy formulation, and governance, whereas the IPS deals with law enforcement, policing, and maintaining public order.
Do IAS officers get better promotion than IPS officers?
Yes, IAS officers have an advantage in promotion over IPS officers.
Is an IAS job better than an IPS job?
Neither job is inherently better; it depends on individual interests and career goals. IAS officers work in administration and policy, while IPS officers focus on law enforcement and security.
Difference Between IAS and IPS, Which is Better in IAS vs IPS
Knowing the difference between IAS and IPS will help in choosing the most suitable service. Read on to learn the difference between IAS and IPS services in UPSC.
Anil Solonki16 May, 2025
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Difference Between IAS and IPS: Are you planning to appear for the UPSC CSE 2025 exam with a dream of joining a prestigious service? Or someone with a curious mind wondering about the difference between IAS and IPS. Well, to begin with, these are the two most coveted civil services in India. The origin of these services can be traced back to the making of the Indian Constitution, when Article 312 mentioned the All India Services (AIS). Sardar Vallabhbhaiemphasised the importance of AIS civil servants in governance by calling them the ‘Steel Frame of India’.
The two most popular services in India are the IAS and IPS. The full form of IPS and IAS is Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Administrative Service (IAS ), respectively. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is entrusted with the responsibility for the selection of IAS and IPS. Theselection process is similarand involvesprelims, mains, and thepersonality test. The difference between IAS and IPS lies in the training, roles, responsibilities, ranks, functions, etc.
IAS vs IPS
IAS and IPS are both popular choices among UPSC Civil Service aspirants. Those who are more inclined to administration prefer the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), while those who are concerned with law and order prefer the Indian Police Service (IPS). Once candidates are finalized for the UPSC interview, they have to fill out DAF 2 and opt for their preferred service. Knowing the difference between IAS and IPS becomes essential at this stage. Have an overview of IAS vs IPS to make a better decision:
IAS vs IPS Overview
Aspect
Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
Indian Police Service (IPS)
Selection
UPSC Rank
UPSC Rank
Physical Fitness Criteria
There are no strict physical fitness criteria for the IAS
Candidates must pass the physical fitness criteria to be allotted an IPS post
Training
Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA), Hyderabad
Uniform
No, Formal
Yes, It's a Uniform Service
Promotion
Assistant Collector to the Cabinet Secretary
Assistant Superintendent of Police to Director General
Role
Administrative, Policy Execution, Public Service
Law and Order Maintenance, Public Order, Crime Prevention
IAS vs IPS Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility for both IAS and IPS is almost identical, as both are part of the Indian Civil Services. Key criteria include:
Age: 21-32 years (general), with relaxations for reserved categories.
Education: A bachelor's degree from a recognized university.
Nationality: Must be an Indian citizen.
Attempts: 6 for general, 9 for OBC, unlimited for SC/ST.
However, the Physical fitness standards are more rigorous for IPS than for IAS. Since IPS officers are involved in fieldwork and policing. The following IPS Physical Eligibility Criteria must be met by candidates:
Criteria
Parameter
Height Requirement (Male)
165 cm
(160 cm for SC/ST)
Height Requirement (Female)
150 cm
(145 cm for SC/ST)
Chest (Male)
84 cm (with 5 cm expansion)
Chest (Female)
79 cm (with 5 cm expansion)
Vision
6/6 or 6/9 (better eye), 6/12 or 6/9 (worse eye)
Other Physical Requirements
No colour blindness, night blindness, or squint. No flat feet, knocked knees, or varicose veins.
Last Rank to Become IAS vs. IPS
After getting selected for the UPSC Civil Services, a candidate’s final service allocation—whether IAS, IPS, or another service—depends primarily on their rank, category, and service preference. Here are category-wise last ranks that were allotted to IAS and IPS services based on the 6th Iteration of UPSC 2023 service allocation data:
Category
IAS Last Rank
IPS Last Rank
General
78
232
EWS
278
517
OBC
435
636
SC
567
865
ST
625
858
IAS vs IPS Training
After selection and service allocation, the candidates are sent for training in both services. This training phase lasts for two years, and there is a difference between IAS and IPS training. Initially, both IAS and IPS are sent to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) training academy, Mussoorie (Uttarakhand). However, after three months of training, the IPS officers are trained in the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA), Hyderabad (Telangana).
IAS Training
The IAS officers continue their training in LBSNAA after three months of foundation training. The IAS officers are trained in various aspects of administration, management, policy-making, etc.
Upon completion of the IAS Training, they are posted in a district.
The top-ranking officer is awarded the President's Gold Medal.
IAS officers learn about public administration, resource management, and policy implementation during their training phase in LBSNAA.
IPS Training
Following foundation training in LBSNAA, candidates are sent to SVPNPA, Hyderabad,for IPS Training . Some candidates skip the foundation course if they appear for the UPSC exam again. These candidates can directly join the SVPNPA, where more rigorous training awaits them.
Due to the responsibility of law enforcement and security, the IPS officers receive higher physical training and study of law and order.
Candidates who top the training receive the Prime Minister’s Baton.
The main purpose of IPS training is to develop skills essential for police officers.
IAS vs IPS Job Profile
After training is completed, the IAS and IPS are posted in the designated cadre. There is a significant difference between the IAS and IPS portfolios. While IAS officers look after administrative governance, IPS officers have to ensure public safety. The difference between IAS and IPS roles and responsibilities is as follows:
IAS Officers' Roles and Responsibilities
The IAS officers are responsible for administering the allotted department or district. Their duty is to supervise the work in their respective domain. They are provided with executive powers by the government. The role of the IAS officer is:
Formulate and implement government policies.
Manage the department for efficient service delivery.
Keep law and order.
Initiate and supervise development-related activities.
Play a leadership role during crisis management.
Address public grievances and supervise public service.
IPS Officers' Roles and Responsibilities
The primary responsibility of IPS officers is to look after the security and law enforcement aspects of the country. They maintain law and order in the country by leading the police force. The roles and responsibilities of IPS officers are:
Maintain public order and peace in the area.
Lead and manage the police force for citizens’ security.
Take charge of the investigation and prevention of crime.
Respond during emergencies to ensure safety.
IPS officers also have to look after public safety.
Perform duties related to security management, such as narcotics control.
IPS vs IAS Salary
Initially, the difference between IAS and IPS salaries is nil. The pay scale during the probation period is the same for both IAS and IPS officers. The entry-level salary of IAS and IPS is INR 56,100. This salary scale changes as per the 7th Pay Commission.
IAS Salary
The IPS vs IAS salary difference starts with the promotional scale. IAS officers enjoy comparatively more promotional opportunities than their counterpart IPS officers. The rank-wise salary of IAS officers is provided here:
IAS Salary
IAS Officer Rank
Salary
SDM, Undersecretary, Assistant Secretary
INR 56100
ADM, Deputy Secretary, Undersecretary
INR 67,700
District Magistrate, Joint Secretary, Deputy Secretary
Divisional Commissioner, Principal Secretary, Additional Secretary
INR 1,82,200
Additional Chief Secretary
INR 2,05,400
Chief Secretary and Secretary
INR 2,25,000
Cabinet Secretary of India
INR 2,50,000
IPS Salary
As evident, the IAS and IPS perks and benefits depend on the posting and rank they hold. The IPS officer promotional opportunities are limited due to the nature of their job profile, creating a difference between IAS and IPS salary.. The IPS officer's salary is depicted in the table below:
IPS Salary
IPS Officer Rank
Salary
Deputy SP
INR 56100
Additional SP
INR 67,700
Superintendent of Police
INR 78,800
DIG
INR 1,31,100
IG
INR 1,44,200
Additional Director General of Police
INR 2,05,400
DGP
INR 2,25,000
DG
INR 2,50,000
Difference Between IAS and IPS Officer Rank
There is a difference between IAS and IPS promotion. The ranks of IAS and IPS officers are different. While IAS officers start with the rank of Assistant Collector, IPS officers start their career as Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP). The difference between IAS and IPS ranks is as follows:
IAS vs IPS Officer Ranks
IAS Officer Rank
IPS Officer Rank
Assistant Collector
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP)
Additional Collector
Additional Superintendent of Police (Addl. SP)
Deputy Collector
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)
Collector / District Magistrate
Superintendent of Police (SP)
Additional Secretary
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police
Joint Secretary
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP)
Special Secretary
Additional Commissioner of Police (Addl. CP)
Secretary
Joint Commissioner of Police (Joint CP)
Principal Secretary
Inspector General of Police (IGP)
Chief Secretary
Additional Director General of Police (Addl. DGP)
Cabinet Secretary
Director General of Police (DGP)
Post-retirement benefits of IAS and IPS
After having such a great career, the IAS and IPS officers enjoy several post-retirement benefits, such as gratuity. These benefits ensure they live a comfortable life after retiring. However, given such vast experience and expertise, the government and private sector are always looking to rehire IAS and IPS officers. Generally, experienced IAS and IPS officers are offered positions like advisor to the government, head of the statutory body, tribunal head, governor , etc. Some even join politics and become MLAs, MPs, and ministers. Today, famous IAS and IPS officers, such as Kiran Bedi ma'am and Ashwini Vaishnaw sir, are working even after retirement to serve the nation in a different role.
IAS or IPS: Who is More Powerful?
Some might consider IAS the most powerful post in India, but IPS has its own advantage in terms of law enforcement. The IAS has more power in the administrative aspect, and the IPS has more power in law-related matters. However, in general, the IAS is considered more powerful as it functions in various departments and ministries at the administrative level. On the other hand, IPS officers are limited to police departments. Therefore, they can exercise power in a limited space. Also, IAS officers are involved in policy making, which can have a significant impact on all other civil services, including IPS. This makes IAS a top choice among candidates selected in the UPSC CSE exam.
