The officers who run districts, police forces and forests across India mostly come from three services: the IAS, the IPS and the Indian Forest Service. These are called All India Services. They are recruited by the Centre but work for both the Centre and the States. The Constitution deals with them, and with other government services, in Part XIV. Exams ask about Articles 309 to 312, the doctrine of pleasure and how a new All India Service is created. This post explains them in simple words. It ends with 15 previous year questions.
Key Points (Quick Revision)
- Services under the Union and the States are covered in Part XIV of the Constitution.
- Article 310 - civil servants hold office during the pleasure of the President or the Governor.
- Article 311 - protects civil servants against arbitrary dismissal, removal or reduction in rank.
- Article 312 - a new All India Service can be created after a Rajya Sabha resolution passed by two-thirds of members present and voting.
- There are three All India Services today: IAS, IPS and Indian Forest Service.
1. Types of government services
Public services in India fall into three groups:
- All India Services - common to the Centre and the States. Officers are recruited by the Centre and allotted to State cadres.
- Central Services - work only under the Union government, such as the Indian Foreign Service, Indian Revenue Service and Indian Railway services.
- State Services - work only under a State government, such as State civil services and State police services.
Central and State services are further divided into groups such as Group A, B and C, based on rank and pay.
2. Article 309 - recruitment and service rules
Article 309 lets Parliament and the State Legislatures make laws on the recruitment and conditions of service of people working for the Union and the States.
Until such a law is made, the President (for Union services) and the Governor (for State services) can make rules on these matters. Many service rules in India are made in this way.
3. Article 310 - doctrine of pleasure
Under Article 310, members of the defence services and civil services of the Union hold office during the pleasure of the President. Members of State services hold office during the pleasure of the Governor.
This idea comes from British practice, where servants of the Crown served at the King's pleasure. In India, the pleasure is not absolute. It is limited by Article 311 and other parts of the Constitution, and it is exercised on the advice of the Council of Ministers.
4. Article 311 - safeguards for civil servants
Article 311 gives two main protections to civil servants:
- A civil servant cannot be dismissed or removed by an authority lower than the one that appointed him or her.
- A civil servant cannot be dismissed, removed or reduced in rank without an inquiry, after being told the charges and given a reasonable chance to be heard.
The inquiry is not needed in three cases:
- When the person is punished for conduct that led to a conviction on a criminal charge.
- When the authority records in writing that holding an inquiry is not reasonably practicable.
- When the President or Governor is satisfied that an inquiry is not expedient in the interest of the security of the State.
These safeguards apply to civil servants, not to members of the defence services.
5. Article 312 - creating All India Services
Article 312 deals with All India Services:
- The Rajya Sabha must first pass a resolution, supported by two-thirds of members present and voting, saying that a new service is needed in the national interest.
- Then Parliament can create the service by law and regulate its recruitment and conditions.
- The IAS and IPS are treated as services created by Parliament under this Article, since they existed when the Constitution began.
- The 42nd Amendment (1976) allowed an All India Judicial Service. It cannot include posts below the rank of district judge. This service has not yet been created.
The Rajya Sabha has this role because it represents the States. A new All India Service affects State administration, so the States' House must agree first.
The main law for these services is the All India Services Act, 1951. In 1961, the Rajya Sabha passed a resolution for new services, and the Indian Forest Service was created in 1966.
6. The three All India Services
| Service | Earlier form | Cadre controlling ministry | Training academy |
|---|---|---|---|
| IAS | Indian Civil Service (ICS) | Ministry of Personnel (DoPT) | LBSNAA, Mussoorie |
| IPS | Indian Police (Imperial Police) | Ministry of Home Affairs | SVPNPA, Hyderabad |
| Indian Forest Service | Imperial Forest Service | Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change | IGNFA, Dehradun |
Officers are recruited mainly through the UPSC - IAS and IPS through the Civil Services Examination, and the Indian Forest Service through its own main exam. Some posts are also filled by promotion of State service officers.
7. Control by Centre and States
- Officers are appointed by the President and allotted to a State cadre.
- They work under the State government day to day, and may go on central deputation.
- The State can take some disciplinary action, such as suspension, but major penalties like dismissal or removal are imposed by the Central government.
Because of this joint control, All India Services are said to strengthen unity and uniform standards of administration. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel called the civil services the "steel frame" of India. His address to probationers on 21 April 1947 is remembered as Civil Services Day.
8. Previous year questions
- Which Part of the Constitution deals with services under the Union and the States? – Part XIV
- Which Article contains the doctrine of pleasure? – Article 310
- Which Article gives safeguards to civil servants against dismissal? – Article 311
- Under which Article can a new All India Service be created? – Article 312
- Which House must pass a resolution to create a new All India Service? – Rajya Sabha
- What majority is needed for that Rajya Sabha resolution? – Two-thirds of members present and voting
- Which Amendment allowed an All India Judicial Service? – 42nd Amendment, 1976
- Which posts cannot be part of the All India Judicial Service? – Posts below district judge
- How many All India Services are there at present? – Three
- In which year was the Indian Forest Service created? – 1966
- Which ministry is the cadre controlling authority of the IPS? – Ministry of Home Affairs
- Who called the civil services the 'steel frame' of India? – Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
- When is Civil Services Day observed? – 21 April
- Which Act governs the All India Services? – All India Services Act, 1951
- Who imposes major penalties such as dismissal on an IAS officer? – The Central government
9. How to revise this topic
Start with the Articles: 309 service rules, 310 doctrine of pleasure, 311 safeguards, 312 All India Services.
Next, fix the Article 312 process: Rajya Sabha resolution by two-thirds present and voting, then a law by Parliament.
Then learn the three services with their ministries and academies: IAS - DoPT - Mussoorie; IPS - MHA - Hyderabad; IFoS - Environment Ministry - Dehradun.
Finally, remember the dates: All India Services Act 1951, Indian Forest Service 1966, 42nd Amendment 1976, Civil Services Day 21 April.
10. Frequently Asked Questions
What are the All India Services?
All India Services are services common to the Centre and the States. There are three at present: the Indian Administrative Service, the Indian Police Service and the Indian Forest Service.
How is a new All India Service created?
Under Article 312, the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution by two-thirds of members present and voting that the service is needed in the national interest. Parliament then creates it by law.
What is the doctrine of pleasure?
Under Article 310, civil servants hold office during the pleasure of the President or the Governor. In India this is limited by the safeguards in Article 311.
What protections does Article 311 give?
A civil servant cannot be dismissed or removed by an authority lower than the appointing authority, and cannot be dismissed, removed or reduced in rank without an inquiry and a fair hearing, except in a few cases.
Has the All India Judicial Service been created?
No. The 42nd Amendment of 1976 allowed it, for posts not below district judge, but it has not yet been created.
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