What is the Full Form of IFS ?

The Full form of IFS is Indian Foreign Service. It is equally prestigious as that of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in the Indian Democracy and administrative setup. The defined services were intentionally created to handle various external and internal affairs of the country in multiple missions abroad or the Ministry of foreign affairs. It is the administrative, diplomatic civil service under Group A and Group B.

What is IFS?

IFS is deemed to be the Central Civil services of the executive branch in the Government of India. The high commissioner, permanent representative of India to the United Nations, Consul General, the ambassador, and the Foreign Secretary are some of the offices, which are under the members of this service. IFS is validated and relied upon to manage and conduct diplomacy in the foreign relations of India. It is an entrusted authority of entire diplomats serving in more than 180 Indian Diplomatic Missions and International organisations around the world.

Even the headquarters of the Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi and the Prime Minister’s Office are under the surveillance and service of the IFS. The regional passport offices are also held by the positions of President’s secretariat and several ministries that are held in the deputation. The position of foreign secretaries of India is headed by the administrative services of the Indian Foreign services.

Historical Background of IFS

• 1783 – On September 13, 1783, the board of directors of East India Company planned to make a directorial committee to reduce the pressure on Warren Hastings administration in conducting “secret and political business” of the same.
• 1843 – Edward Law, The Governor of General of India, carried out the administrative reforms, organising the secretariat of the Government into four departments and reforms – Home, Finance, Foreign and Military. The secretory level officers headed this.
• 1944 – On September 30, 1944, an idea of organizing a separate diplomatic to manage external activities of the Government of India, originated from a normal date was recorded by Lieutenant General T.J. Hutton.
• 1946 – On October 9, 1946, on the glittering evening of Indian Independence, the Indian Foreign Service was finalised by the Indian Government formed for the Indian Diplomats, secular, consular and commercial representation overseas.

When it comes to presentation of one’s own country on international level and territory, members of IFS stands responsible for the same. It is unlike various other civil services as it is to deal with the country external affairs like diplomacy, trade and cultural affairs and concerns.

Recruitment and Selection

After its formation, the Indian Foreign services recruited its officers for the first time in the year 1948 under the combined Civil Service Examination, which is genuinely administered by the Union Public Service Commission. As of now also, the UPSC is the governing body in the selection procedure. The entire selection procedure is of 12 months in which the only rank of toppers can guarantee their selection in the IFS as it is understood to be a heaven borne service. Currently, the intake of 25-30 candidates intake annually is there in Indian Foreign Service. The present cadre strength of the IFS is of 600 officers that are crewing around in 162 hospitals in Indian missions of the Home Ministry.