Indian Foreign Service

Indian Foreign Service Overview

The Indian Foreign Service (IFS) is a prestigious civil service under the Ministry of External Affairs, focusing on international diplomacy and relations. It requires proficiency in foreign languages and involves training at the National Academy of Administration and the Institute of Foreign Services. IFS officers represent India in various countries, including the USA, UK, Australia, and African nations, handling diplomatic missions and fostering international relations.

Selection:

UPSC Exam.

The first phase of Training in Massorie Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration and the Institute of Foreign Services (3 months training). The next phase is in New Delhi Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Studies. Then on the job training at New Delhi MEA ( with a desk attachment in any division). Then a compulsory foreign Language Study. They will be sent to that country for Language training as a third seceratary. After training has to clear the exam at SFL.Two Third of their lifetime is spent at abroad and one third at MEA.

IFS Roles and Responsibilities abroad

They are called diplomats. Type of offices were our diplomats work are mainly three type. High commission or Embassy, Consulate General and Permenant Mission. High commission is the diplomatic offices at Commonwealth countries the office at other countries are called embassy. When there are countries with more than one major cities we have a seond office called Consulate General. For example in US washington D.C. we have embassy and in several other cities like Newyourk, Chicago etc. India has a consulate General. We have diplomatic mission in different international organisation and this cmes under permanent mission.

Roles and Responsibilities of IFS officers

Represent India in the country of their posting. Friendly relationship between the country and India and also the citizens of that country and Indians in that country. If any changes in one country effect India then this has to be reported to India. Negotiantions in agreements between two countries done by this diplomats. Take care of the Visa, Passport related issues of Indians living in that country.

Positions of IFS officers

1. Third Secretary - before compulsory language certificate completion.

2. Second Secretary -

3.First Secretary

4.Counsellor

5.Deputy chief of Mission / Deputy High Commissioner

6.Ambassador / High Commissioner / Permanent Representative respectively in Embassy, High Commission, Permanent Mission.

If any officer is working in Consulate General their designations will be vice consul, consul, consul General.

Posting

Different cities are rated as A*,A,B,C etc.

London, New York etc. belong to A*. Rome, Paries etc. go to A category. Moscow, Cairo etc. to B. Kabul, Islamabad etc. belongs to C* category.

Salary and Allowance:

Salary as per 7th pay commission + Foreign Allowance when they are abroad plus housing Fully furnished. Several visits under Government expense (business class after certain grade), transportation allowances. They have diplomatic passports.

IFS officers position under MEA

1. Under secretary (entry level)

2. Deputy secretary

3.Director

4.Joint Secretry

5.Additional Secretary

6.Secretary

7.Foreign Secetary of India (highest position)

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