Difference Between IAS and IPS Officers: The UPSC CSE is one of the most prestigious and toughest examinations in India. It fills up vacancies for reputed posts including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and the Indian Police Service (IPS). Both job profiles attract lakhs of aspirants every year owing to their popularity, responsibilities, and various opportunities for nation-building. However, IAS and IPS officers have different roles, career growth, and responsibilities, which can help aspirants decide which service aligns best with their professional goals.
The key difference between IAS and IPS is that the candidates concerned more about the administration prefer IAS and aspirants whose inclination is more toward law prefer IPS. Aspirants shortlisted for the UPSC interview round will be required to fill out DAF 2 and choose their preferred service. Here we have provided a detailed guide on the comparison of IAS and IPS, including their salary, career opportunities, and selection trends over the years.
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What is IAS?
IAS stands for Indian Administrative Service, one of the prestigious services in the country often considered as the backbone of government. The key responsibilities of an IAS officer are preparing policies, participating in the administration and ensuring all the government schemes are implemented properly. Operating at the district, state, and national levels, these individuals play a crucial role in shaping the development of the nation.
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What is IPS?
IPS stands for Indian Police Service, one of the reputed posts wherein the officers are responsible for maintaining care of law and order, internal security, and public peace. They served as leaders in different law enforcement agencies including state police forces, central armed police forces, and intelligence agencies. IPS officers also represent the country in international security collaborations.
IAS Vs IPS Officer: Overview
Both IAS and IPS officers are selected through the UPSC CSE which is held in three rounds such as preliminary exam, mains exam, and Personality Test (Interview). Clearing all these rounds is essential to getting appointed as an IAS or IPS officer. Here are the key highlights of the difference between IAS and IPS Officer shared below for reference purposes.
| Aspect | IAS | IPS |
| Selection | UPSC Rank | UPSC Rank |
| Physical Fitness Criteria | No strict physical fitness criteria | Clearing physical fitness criteria is a must |
| Training | Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration | Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy |
| Roles and Responsibilities | Administrative, policy-making | Maintaining law and order, Law enforcement |
| Hierarchy and Ranks | Assistant Collector to Cabinet Secretary | Assistant Superintendent of Police to Director General |
| Uniform | Formal business attire | Distinctive police uniform |
IAS Vs IPS Officer: Why and When to Choose?
Candidates who are interested in governance, public administration, and policymaking can choose the IAS service. IAS officers usually have more administrative powers compared to IPS officers. Going by the selection trends over the last 5-10 years, it is found that IAS generally requires a higher rank owing to its popularity and perceived reputation. IAS service has consistently been the top choice for the aspirants, followed by IPS and other services such as IIFS, IRS, and others. Some of the main reasons behind choosing IAS include impacting millions of lives through their policymaking and implementation across sectors, securing central Government career opportunities and job security & prestige.
Aspirants who are passionate about law enforcement, justice, and internal security and are more inclined towards public safety and discipline can choose IPS service. Some of the major reasons to choose IPS service are direct public interaction to maintain law and order, challenging roles like crime prevention and counter-terrorism and leadership roles in security. IPS is the perfect service for candidates interested in working in active and field-oriented roles.
UPSC Trends: IAS Vs IPS Selection Trends
The final selection rank for IAS and IPS positions fluctuates annually. In 2024, the last rank for candidates selected for IAS was around 594, while for IPS it was 867. This variability represents the immense competition and highlights how factors like vacancy availability and the number of applicants directly affect the final cutoff ranks. Here are the category-wise UPSC selection trends for IAS and IPS officers shared below for reference purposes:
| Year | IAS (Number of Candidates Selected for each category) | IPS (Number of Candidates selected for each category) |
| 2022 | General – 75 EWS – 18 OBC – 45 SC – 29 ST – 13 Total – 180 | General – 83 EWS – 20 OBC – 53 SC – 31 ST – 13 Total – 200 |
| 2021 | General – 72 EWS – 18 OBC – 49 SC – 27 ST – 14 Total – 180 | General – 83 EWS – 20 OBC – 51 SC – 26 ST – 20 Total – 200 |
| 2020 | General – 72 EWS – 18 OBC – 49 SC – 28 ST – 13 Total – 180 | General – 80 EWS – 20 OBC – 55 SC – 30 ST – 15 Total – 200 |
| 2019 | General – 72 EWS – 18 OBC – 52 SC – 25 ST – 13 Total – 180 | General – 60 EWS – 15 OBC – 42 SC – 23 ST – 10 Total – 150 |
| 2018 | General – 91 OBC- 48 SC – 27 ST – 14 Total – 180 | General – 75 OBC- 42 SC – 24 ST – 9 Total – 150 |
IAS Vs IPS Officer: Salary Structure
Choosing between IAS and IPS depends on the aspirant’s preferences, career goals, and personality traits. Upon getting appointed for the post, the entry-level salary of both IAS and IPS officers shall be Rs 56,100 per month based on the 7th pay commission guidelines and the highest salary can go up to Rs 2,50,000 per month on the basis of their rank and experience.
IAS Vs IPS Officer: Job Profile
The key difference between an IAS and an IPS officer in terms of job profile is that an IAS officer undertakes administrative duties whereas an IPS officer maintains public safety. Check the job profile of IAS and IPS officer shared below for the reference purpose:
| IAS Officer | IPS Officer |
| Implementing government policies and schemes Advising ministers on policy decisions Handling developing projects and enhancing the quality of life in their designated areas. Managing financial administration in ministries or departments. | Maintaining law and order and ensuring public safety. Leading and supervising subordinate police officers. Investigating crimes and implementing legal procedures to serve justice. Collaborating with intelligence agencies to collect information to maintain national security |
IAS Vs IPS Officer: Career Progression
The promotion hierarchy is different for IAS and IPS officers. In simpler terms, IAS officers begin their careers as Assistant Collectors whereas IPS officers start as Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP). The key differences between IAS and IPS in terms of career progression are shared below:
| IAS Officer Rank | IPS Officer Rank |
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