Consider the following statements regarding the All-India Services (AIS): 1. Officers chosen for these services serve only in the administration of the Union government. 2. An IAS officer serving as a District Collector is under the ultimate disciplinary control of the Central government. 3. States can neither take disciplinary action against nor remove these officers from service. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is 2 only Explanation The All-India Services (AIS) are central to India's administrative structure, comprising the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Forest Service (IFoS). Officers of these services are recruited by the Union government but allocated to various state cadres, where they serve under both the Union and state governments. This dual control mechanism is a defining feature of the AIS. Statement-wise Analysis 1. Statement 1: Officers chosen for these services serve only in the administration of the Union government. Incorrect. Officers of the All-India Services are recruited by the Union government but are allocated to state cadres. They serve under both the Union government and the respective state governments to which they are allocated. For instance, an IAS officer may serve as a District Collector in a state or as a Joint Secretary in a Union Ministry. 2. Statement 2: An IAS officer serving as a District Collector is under the ultimate disciplinary control of the Central government. Correct. While All-India Service officers serve in state administrations and are subject to the immediate control of the state government, the ultimate disciplinary authority, including dismissal or removal from service, rests with the Central (Union) government. This ensures uniformity in service conditions and protects officers from arbitrary actions by state governments. 3. Statement 3: States can neither take disciplinary action against nor remove these officers from service. Incorrect. State governments can initiate disciplinary proceedings and impose minor penalties on All-India Service officers serving under them. However, they do not have the authority to remove or dismiss these officers from service. Major penalties, such as dismissal, removal, or reduction in rank, require the approval of the Union government. Key Takeaway All-India Service officers are recruited by the Union government, serve in state cadres, and are subject to the ultimate disciplinary control of the Union government, although state governments can initiate disciplinary actions and impose minor penalties.

Consider the following statements regarding the All-India Services… - NCERT Class 11 Political Science MCQ

NCERT Class 11 Political Science — Chapter 2: Federalism

mcqmedium

Consider the following statements regarding the All-India Services (AIS):

Officers chosen for these services serve only in the administration of the Union government.
An IAS officer serving as a District Collector is under the ultimate disciplinary control of the Central government.
States can neither take disciplinary action against nor remove these officers from service.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

NCERT textbook question

From NCERT Political Science: Indian Constitution at Work · Page 162

Options

A1 and 2 only
B1, 2 and 3
C2 only
D2 and 3 only

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is 2 only

Explanation

The All-India Services (AIS) are central to India's administrative structure, comprising the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Forest Service (IFoS). Officers of these services are recruited by the Union government but allocated to various state cadres, where they serve under both the Union and state governments. This dual control mechanism is a defining feature of the AIS.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1: Officers chosen for these services serve only in the administration of the Union government.
Incorrect. Officers of the All-India Services are recruited by the Union government but are allocated to state cadres. They serve under both the Union government and the respective state governments to which they are allocated. For instance, an IAS officer may serve as a District Collector in a state or as a Joint Secretary in a Union Ministry.
Statement 2: An IAS officer serving as a District Collector is under the ultimate disciplinary control of the Central government.
Correct. While All-India Service officers serve in state administrations and are subject to the immediate control of the state government, the ultimate disciplinary authority, including dismissal or removal from service, rests with the Central (Union) government. This ensures uniformity in service conditions and protects officers from arbitrary actions by state governments.
Statement 3: States can neither take disciplinary action against nor remove these officers from service.
Incorrect. State governments can initiate disciplinary proceedings and impose minor penalties on All-India Service officers serving under them. However, they do not have the authority to remove or dismiss these officers from service. Major penalties, such as dismissal, removal, or reduction in rank, require the approval of the Union government.

Key Takeaway

All-India Service officers are recruited by the Union government, serve in state cadres, and are subject to the ultimate disciplinary control of the Union government, although state governments can initiate disciplinary actions and impose minor penalties.

Your note

More from Chapter 2: Federalism

Which statement best describes the Indian Constitution's approach to federalism?

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Consider the following statements regarding the evolution of state boundaries in India: 1. At the time of independence, the provinces were organized primarily based on linguistic distinctiveness to ensure cultural homogeneity. 2. The integration of princely states involved their merger into existing provinces or the creation of new administrative units. 3. The renaming of states, such as Mysore to Karnataka, reflects the constitutional flexibility regarding the identity of constituent units. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Which of the following is a subject under the Union List?

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Which of the following is a subject under the Concurrent List?

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In India’s federal distribution of powers, “Prisons” fall within the competence of which list?

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