Are IAS Officers Appointed as DMs Directly? Learn About the Posting Process for Cabinet Secretary Position

Every year, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Examination (CSE) through which candidates are selected for the prestigious Indian Administrative Service (IAS). The selection process comprises three stages: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Interview. Candidates who perform well in all these stages become IAS officers.

Initial Postings and Training:

IAS officers are not directly posted as District Magistrates (DM). Instead, they are assigned to various positions in different states across the country. Before becoming a DM, IAS officers undergo training and work in multiple roles for which they receive specialized training.

Training Location:

Selected IAS officers undergo their initial training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand. The training begins with a 4-month foundation course where officers are acquainted with the fundamental aspects of administration.

Training Phases:

During the training, candidates are taken on a Bharat Darshan tour for 40-45 days to understand the country's diversity. Additionally, a 15-week academic module is included. Afterward, they receive district-level training where they work in various capacities, including as Sub Divisional Magistrates (SDMs), gaining firsthand administrative experience.

Initial Postings:

After completing the training, IAS officers are initially posted as Chief Development Officers (CDOs) in districts. This posting typically lasts for about three years and serves as a crucial foundation for their administrative career.

Progression to DM:

Following their tenure as CDOs, IAS officers are then posted as District Magistrates (DM). This promotion usually occurs after approximately five years of service, during which officers gain extensive administrative experience.

Further Career Progression:

DMs work on various developmental projects and gain valuable experience before being considered for higher positions. They may later serve as Commissioners or Secretaries in different departments at the state level. The highest-ranking IAS officers may even serve as Chief Secretaries, the highest-ranking civil servant in a state.