How to fill the services in DAF Form (Sequencing of Services)
Prelims Course
Services Under UPSC Civil Services Examination
The UPSC CSE recruits candidates for 24 services, categorized into All India Services, Central Civil Services (Group A), and Group B services. Below is an in-depth explanation of each service, including merits, demerits, and work profiles, along with guidance on filling the preference order.
All India Services
1. Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
- Work Profile:
- Policy implementation at the district, state, and central levels.
- Roles include District Magistrate (DM), Secretary, Commissioner, etc.
- Merits:
- High authority and visibility.
- Direct impact on governance and development.
- Fast promotions and opportunities for inter-departmental roles.
- Demerits:
- Heavy political interference.
- High stress and long working hours.
2. Indian Police Service (IPS)
- Work Profile:
- Maintaining law and order, heading police forces, and working with intelligence agencies (e.g., CBI, NIA, IB).
- Merits:
- High leadership opportunities in law enforcement.
- Prestigious postings in national agencies.
- Demerits:
- High-stress job with physical risks.
- Constant political pressure.
3. Indian Forest Service (IFoS)
- Work Profile:
- Conserving forests, wildlife, and implementing environmental policies.
- Merits:
- Field-oriented work with less political interference.
- Good work-life balance.
- Demerits:
- Limited scope for policymaking beyond environmental issues.
- Field postings in remote areas.
Prelims Course
Group A Services
4. Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
- Work Profile:
- Representing India in embassies, consulates, and international organizations.
- Merits:
- Global exposure and diplomatic privileges.
- Lucrative perks and living standards.
- Demerits:
- Long postings abroad may affect family life.
- Limited domestic role.
5. Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS)
- Work Profile:
- Auditing central and state government accounts and public sector undertakings.
- Merits:
- Limited public interference and predictable work environment.
- Exposure to financial governance.
- Demerits:
- Desk-oriented work.
- Lower visibility than IAS/IPS.
6. Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS)
- Work Profile:
- Managing central government accounts, budget planning, and treasury management.
- Merits:
- Stable and structured career.
- Limited public dealing.
- Demerits:
- Desk-oriented work.
- Limited authority compared to IAS/IPS.
7. Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) (IRS-IT)
- Work Profile:
- Direct tax administration, tax collection, and investigations into tax evasion.
- Merits:
- Powerful role in tax enforcement.
- Opportunities for leadership in revenue collection.
- Demerits:
- Comparatively lower recognition than IAS/IPS.
- Investigative work can sometimes be politically sensitive.
8. Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Indirect Taxes) (IRS-C&IT)
- Work Profile:
- Administering customs, GST, and indirect taxes.
- Merits:
- Metropolitan postings.
- Exposure to trade and revenue generation.
- Demerits:
- Limited policymaking influence.
- Lesser visibility compared to IAS/IPS.
9. Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS)
- Work Profile:
- Managing the accounts of defense services, including budgeting and financial planning.
- Merits:
- Stable work environment with defense-related exposure.
- Minimal political interference.
- Demerits:
- Desk-oriented work with limited field exposure.
- Slower career progression compared to IAS/IPS.
10. Indian Ordnance Factories Service (IOFS)
- Work Profile:
- Managing production and supply of arms and ammunition for defense services.
- Merits:
- Exposure to manufacturing and logistics management.
- Stable job profile.
- Demerits:
- Limited career visibility outside the defense sector.
- Factory-based postings.
11. Indian Postal Service (IPoS)
- Work Profile:
- Managing postal services, logistics, and postal banking operations.
- Merits:
- Opportunity to modernize traditional services.
- Balanced workload and predictable career path.
- Demerits:
- Lesser prestige compared to IAS/IPS.
- Slow career progression.
12. Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS)
- Work Profile:
- Managing railway operations, including traffic and commercial services.
- Merits:
- Opportunities for leadership in one of India’s largest organizations.
- Nationwide exposure.
- Demerits:
- Frequent transfers.
- Operational challenges and long working hours.
13. Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS)
- Work Profile:
- Financial management and auditing within the Indian Railways.
- Merits:
- Stable work environment.
- Exposure to financial governance in a critical sector.
- Demerits:
- Limited authority compared to operational roles.
- Desk-oriented work.
14. Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS)
- Work Profile:
- Managing HR and personnel policies within Indian Railways.
- Merits:
- People-centric role with opportunities for staff welfare.
- Stable work environment.
- Demerits:
- Limited operational exposure.
- Lesser visibility compared to other Group A services.
15. Indian Trade Service (ITrS)
- Work Profile:
- Promoting foreign trade and negotiating trade agreements.
- Merits:
- Exposure to international trade and commerce.
- Opportunities to represent India in global forums.
- Demerits:
- Narrow specialization.
- Limited authority in domestic administration.
16. Indian Corporate Law Service (ICLS)
- Work Profile:
- Enforcing corporate laws, managing company affairs, and regulating financial markets.
- Merits:
- Key role in corporate governance and economic regulation.
- Exposure to financial systems.
- Demerits:
- Limited visibility compared to IAS/IPS.
- Specialized role with limited diversity.
17. Indian Information Service (IIS)
- Work Profile:
- Managing information dissemination for the Government of India through media.
- Merits:
- Creative work environment.
- Interaction with the media and public outreach.
- Demerits:
- Limited policymaking exposure.
- Desk-oriented roles.
18. Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES)
- Work Profile:
- Managing defense lands and cantonment boards.
- Merits:
- Stable work with exposure to real estate management.
- Limited public interaction.
- Demerits:
- Lesser visibility and slower career progression.
- Limited diversity in roles.
19. Indian Railway Protection Force (IRPF)
- Work Profile:
- Ensuring the safety and security of railway passengers and property.
- Merits:
- Law enforcement experience in a specific sector.
- Opportunities for leadership in security management.
- Demerits:
- Physically demanding and high-pressure job.
- Frequent transfers.
Group B Services
20. Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service (AFHQCS)
- Work Profile:
- Administrative support to armed forces headquarters.
- Merits:
- Exposure to defense policy implementation.
- Stable and predictable career.
- Demerits:
- Desk-oriented roles with limited field exposure.
- Less recognition compared to other services.
21. Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli Civil Service (DANICS)
- Work Profile:
- Administrative roles in Union Territories.
- Merits:
- Field-level responsibilities in smaller territories.
- Stable career path.
- Demerits:
- Limited authority compared to IAS.
- Lesser scope for national-level policymaking.
22. Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli Police Service (DANIPS)
- Work Profile:
- Police administration in Union Territories.
- Merits:
- Opportunities for leadership in smaller jurisdictions.
- Stable postings.
- Demerits:
- Lesser authority compared to IPS.
- Limited career growth.
23. Pondicherry Civil Service (PCS)
- Work Profile:
- Administrative roles in Puducherry.
- Merits:
- Close-knit governance with limited scope.
- Field postings in smaller territories.
- Demerits:
- Limited diversity in roles.
- Constrained career progression.
24. Pondicherry Police Service (PPS)
- Work Profile:
- Law enforcement in Puducherry.
- Merits:
- Leadership roles in smaller regions.
- Stable career.
- Demerits:
- Limited exposure compared to IPS.
- Fewer promotional opportunities.
Preference Order
A general preference sequence can be as follows: (MUST NOT BE FOLLOWED AS IT IS – EACH CANDIDATE HAS HIS/HER ON ORDER)
- IAS
- IFS
- IPS
- IRS (IT)
- IRS (C&IT)
- IA&AS
- IDAS
- IRTS
- IRAS
- IRPS
- IPoS
- ITrS
- ICLS
- IIS
- IDES
- IOFS
- DANICS
- DANIPS
- PCS
- PPS
- AFHQCS
- IRPF
The specific order may vary depending on individual interests and priorities.
- Understand Your Priorities:
- If you aim for top administrative roles and policy-making, prioritize IAS.
- For a globally dynamic role with international exposure, choose IFS as your second preference.
- If law enforcement and public security fascinate you, go for IPS.
- Those interested in revenue collection and investigation can prioritize IRS-IT and IRS-C&IT.
- Consider Work-Life Balance:
- IAS and IPS come with high responsibilities but limited personal time.
- Services like IA&AS, ICAS, IRPS, IRAS and IPoS offer stability and better work-life balance.
- Specialization-Oriented Roles:
- If you are passionate about trade or foreign policy, choose ITrS or IFS.
- For auditing and financial management, prefer IA&AS or ICAS.
- All India Services First:
- Always prioritize IAS, IFoS, and IPS as these are All India Services with higher visibility and authority.
- Think Long-Term:
- Your preferences should align with your long-term goals. Don’t choose a service just because it’s easier to get; think about whether the work profile suits you.
Conclusion: “Remember, your preferences reflect your ambitions and interests, so choose wisely. Consult with mentors, research work profiles, and align your choices with your goals. Good luck filling your DAF and moving closer to your dream career!”