Difference Between IAS and PCS – IAS vs PCS Full Form, Salary
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: November 14th, 2023
Difference Between IAS and PCS: IAS officer works directly under the state/central government, while the PCS is a state service of the executive branch of the Uttar Pradesh Government. IAS officers are appointed to the post of commissioner, collector, head of public sector units, etc. and take up administrative responsibilities. On the other hand, PCS is the feeder service for Indian Administrative Service in the state.
IAS and PCS both are civil services, but various factors like roles, responsibilities, salary, etc., create a difference between the two. IAS stands for Indian Administrative Service, while PCS full form is Provincial Civil Service. In this article, we will cover the difference between IAS and PCS and represent the comparative analysis between IAS and PCS, which would be important from the IAS exam point of view.
Table of content
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1.
Difference Between IAS and PCS Officer
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2.
IAS, PCS Full Form in Hindi
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3.
Differentiating Factors between IAS and PCS Officers
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4.
Difference Between IAS and PCS Officer – Selection Process
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5.
IAS vs PCS Officer – Roles and Responsibilities
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6.
Difference Between IAS and PCS Officer – Designations
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7.
IAS Officer vs PCS Officer – Salary
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8.
Who is an IAS Officer?
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9.
Who is a PCS Officer?
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10.
Key Difference Between IAS and PCS Officer
Difference Between IAS and PCS Officer
A significant difference between IAS and PCS is that IAS full form is Indian Administrative Service, whereas PCS full form is Provincial Civil Service.
Difference between IAS and PCS PDF
IAS officers are selected through a process called Civil Services Exam, conducted by UPSC. PCS officers are chosen through the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission, which is the UPPSC full form.
- IAS officers hold many key roles in various departments of the Indian government and also in Public sector undertakings.
- PCS is a state-level civil service under Group A and Group B of the state service of the Executive Branch of the Govt. of Uttar Pradesh.
The table illustrates a brief difference between IAS and PCS officers based on various categories, briefly explained below. IAS and PCS officers may seem similar, but they have distinct functions in Indian society.
IAS vs PCS
| Difference Between IAS and PCS Officer | ||
| Criteria | IAS Officer | PCS Officer |
| IAS PCS Full Form | IAS full form – Indian Administrative Service | Full Form of PCS Officer – Provincial Civil Service |
| Recruitment modes | Through the promotion of State Civil Service officers to IAS Through the selection of non – State Civil Service officers Through UPSC or Civil Services Exam |
Through the UPPSC PCS Exam or Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission Recruitment Through promotions from UP Lower Provincial Civil Service to PCS Officers |
| Designations held | District Magistrate/District Collector/Deputy Commissioner SDO/SDM/Joint Collector/ Chief Development Officer (CDO) |
Additional divisional commissioner Additional District/City Magistrate Sub-Divisional Magistrate Deputy Collector |
| Salary | The basic per month salary of an IAS officer is Rs.56,100 | The entry-level PCS officer salary is Rs.56100-132000 (Pay Level 10) |
| Appointed by | The President of India appoints the IAS Officer | The Governor of Uttar Pradesh appoints the PCS Officer. |
IAS, PCS Full Form in Hindi
IAS Full Form in Hindi है – भारतीय प्रशासनिक सेवा, आईएएस को भारत की विख्यात केंद्रीय सिविल सेवा माना जाता है। PCS Full Form in Hindi होता है प्रांतीय/राज्य सिविल सेवा। राज्य सरकार हर साल PCS के लिए परीक्षा का इंतज़ाम करती है। किसी भी PCS अफसर का पद सरकार के आश्रित होता है।
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Differentiating Factors between IAS and PCS Officers
IAS (Indian Administrative Service) is a branch of the Indian Civil Service that covers the federal level. It is the highest position among executive services in India. In comparison, Provincial Civil Service (PCS) is a department that covers the state level.
A PCS official is part of an administrative service similar to IAS. Both IAS and PCS officers differ from each other based upon the following criteria that are broadly explained below.
- Selection Process
- Roles and Responsibilities
- Designations
- Salary
Difference Between IAS and PCS Officer – Selection Process
A noteworthy difference between IAS and PCS officers is that the IAS officers are selected through the Civil Services Examination conducted by UPSC. In contrast, the PCS officer is recruited through the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission Recruitment (UPPSC PCS Exam).
- IAS officers are also recruited through the promotion of State Civil Services officers and the selection of non – State Civil Service officers.
- The PCS officer gets promotions from Uttar Pradesh Lower Provincial Civil Service.
- However, the majority of PCS officers are recruited through a direct exam.
IAS vs PCS Officer – Roles and Responsibilities
IAS officers are responsible for maintaining law and order, implementing policies, collecting revenue, supervising of expenditure of public funds, handling daily affairs of the government, and making contributions at various levels for the formulation and implementation of policy.
PCS officers are responsible for collecting land revenue and function as courts in the case of any crime and revenue matters. They also maintain law and order and implement various policies at Union and state levels. In addition, PCS officers handle the daily proceedings of the government.
Difference Between IAS and PCS Officer – Designations
The designation held by the IAS officers in their career includes – the District Magistrate/Deputy Commissioner/District Collector, Chairman Board of Revenue, Divisional Commissioner, Member Board of Revenue, and SDO/Chief Development Officer (CDO)/SDM/Joint Collector.
The designations held by PCS officers are Additional District Magistrate, Deputy Collector, Additional divisional commissioner, City Magistrate, Additional City Magistrate, and Sub-Divisional Magistrate.
IAS Officer vs PCS Officer – Salary
There is a considerable difference between IAS and PCS salaries. The basic IAS Salary per month starts at Rs. 56,100 (excluding (TA, DA, and HRA) and reaches Rs. 2,50,000 for a Cabinet Secretary. In contrast, as per the 7th Pay Commission, the entry-level salary of a PCS officer ranges from Rs.56100-132000.
Apart from the salary, various allowances like TA, DA, HRA and Medical allowances are given to the IAS officers. PCS officers are also given the House Rent Allowance, Dearness Allowance, and Transport Allowance.
Who is an IAS Officer?
IAS is among the three All-India Services of India, along with IFoS and IPS. IAS full form is Indian Administrative Services. During British rule, it was known as the ICS or Indian/Imperial Civil Service.
- After independence, ICS was transformed into IAS.
- The IAS officers hold important positions in the administrative machinery of the Government.
- The officers are the bureaucratic backbone of the parliamentary system of Government.
- IAS Officers can be a part of the state secretariat, central secretariat, and district administration.
- The Cabinet Secretary of India is the highest-ranking IAS officer.
- To become an IAS officer, candidates must graduate from a renowned university.
Who is a PCS Officer?
PCS stands for Provincial Civil Service. It is an administrative, civil service that comes under Group A and B of the Government administrative branch of Uttar Pradesh.
- A PC officer can hold several posts at district, sub-divisional, state and division levels.
- Their major responsibilities are to achieve revenue management and maintain law and order.
- Candidates who wish to become a PCS officer must have a bachelor’s Degree from any renowned university or equivalent qualification up to the final date of application.
- One-third of Uttar Pradesh state’s total IAS officer strength is dedicated to PCS officers (SCS quota).
- PCS is among the three feeder services to its respective All India Services, including the Provincial Forest Service (PFS) and Provincial Police Service (PPS).
Conclusion:
Key Difference Between IAS and PCS Officer
The key difference Between IAS and PCS officers is that IAS officers are responsible for providing public services and governance at India’s state, national and local levels. In contrast, PCS Officer oversees the management and day-to-day proceedings of the government, including drafting and enactment of policy, etc.
