Indian economic service

The Indian Economic Service (IES) is a special group in the Indian government that broadly supplies economic advisement and assistance with policy formation. [http://finmin.nic.in/the_ministry/dept_eco_affairs/ies/ies_index.htm] It was organized in 1967 and is administered by the Department of Indian Affairs. The Union Public Service Commission of India conducts exam to select competent candidate. To compete in the examination, you must have a postgraduate degree in economics. This is an organised Group 'A' Service consisting of a specialized cadre of officers trained in economic analysis, policy formulation and its implementation. The role of the IES can be broadly categorized in terms economic advice, economic administration, implementation of development programmes, besides dealing with other areas such as economic reforms, regulation, price fixation, and monitoring and evaluation apart from their responsible role in almost all administrative matters concerning staff and general public. The IES officers provide the requisite inputs in this regard, in all sectors of economic activity.

The Department of Economic Affairs is the Cadre Controlling Authority of the IES. The Cadre Authority is advised by the Indian Economic Service Board, which is headed by the Cabinet Secretary.

Cadre Strength

The sanctioned strength of the IES Cadre is 501 officers, consisting of 461 duty posts and 40 leave reserves. The duty posts are spread over 35 Ministries/Departments of Government of India.

Cadre Structure

"'Higher Administrative Grade +

Principal/Chief Adviser--- (Equivalent to the level of Secretary to the Govt. of Idia)"'

Total nos of posts; 2

Senior Economic Adviser / Senior Adviser--- (Equivalent to the level of Addl. Secretary to the Govt. of Idia)

Total posts; 10

"'Senior Administrative Grade - Economic Adviser / Adviser/Dev. Commissioner etc.--- (Equivalent to the level of Joint Secretary to the Govt. of Idia)"'Total nos of posts; 50

"'Non-Functional Selection Grade-- (Director/ Additional Economic Adviser/Additional Commissioner (Equivalent to the posts of Director in the Government of India) and Junior Administrative Grade Joint Director/ Deputy Economic Adviser/Deputy Commissioner/Deputy Adviser) {Equivalent to the posts of Deputy Secretary to the Government of India}"' Total nos of posts; 161

"'Senior Time Scale(Deputy Director/ Assistant Adviser/ Senior Research Officer) {Equivalent to UNder Secretary to the Govt.of India}"'Total nos of posts; 136

"'Junior Time Scale(Assistant Director/ Research Officer) {Equiv. to level of SDM/ADM/MD in a state Government}"'Total nos of posts; 102