Career as Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS)

 

The Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) comes under Group ‘A’, one of the career options available for successful candidates of UPSC civil services examination. This service is responsible for the accounting functions of the defence department. The Controller General of Defence Accounts is the head of the Defence Accounts Department.

Functions:

The main function is to provide financial advice, payment, and internal auditing and accounting functions for the Army, Air Force, Navy, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Ordnance Factories, Canteen Stores Department, Border Road Organisation and other allied organisations.

Apart from departmental postings, the IDAS officers can also be appointed into other governmental organisations/ministries/departments. They can also be sent overseas as part of the Indian Army’s UN peacekeeping missions.

Training:

The initial training is for a period of 4 months at LBSNAA. The next training will be conducted at CENTRAD located in New Delhi. After completion of training at National Institute of Financial Management, Faridabad; the trainees will have final training at National Academy of Defence Financial Management Institute located at Pune. It takes a total time period of 24 months to complete the training.

Career Prospects:

1. Soon after induction of IDAS cadre officers, they will be posted as Assistant Controlling Officer of Defence Accounts. The postings are usually at municipal towns having cantonments.
2. Going further, the IDAS cadre officers will be promoted as Deputy Controlling Officer of Defence Accounts. In this position, the postings are generally at State Capital Cities.
3. At senior roles, the IDAS cadre officers would be working at Command Headquarters.

 

Grades and Pay Scales:

This Group “A” service has a very structured hierarchy and attractive pay scales associated with every grade.

Below table gives extensive details on the grades and pay scales of IDAS-

Grade	Designations in different offices				Pay Scales
	HQ	PCDA/CDA	Factory Side	Integrated Financial Advice (IFA) Side
Junior Time Scale	Assistant Controller General of Defence Accounts (ACGDA)	Assistant Controller of Defence Accounts (ACDA)	Assistant Controller of Finance and Accounts (ACFA)	Deputy Integrated Financial Advisor (Dy IFA)	15600-39100 + Grade Pay 5400
Senior Time Scale	Senior ACGDA	Deputy Controller of Defence Accounts (DCDA)	Deputy Controller of Finance and Accounts (DCFA)	Senior Dy IFA	15600-39100 + Grade Pay 6600
Junior Administrative Grade (JAG)	Deputy CGDA	Joint Controller of Defence Accounts	Joint Controller of Finance and Accounts	Joint IFA	15600-39100 + Grade Pay 7600
Non Functional Selection Grade of JAG	Senior Deputy CGDA	Additional Controller of Defence Accounts	Additional Controller of Finance and Accounts	Additional IFA	37400-67000 + Grade Pay 8700
Senior Administrative Grade	Joint CGDA	Controller of Defence Accounts (CDA)	Controller of Finance and Accounts (CFA)	IFA	37400-67000 + Grade Pay 10000
Higher Administrative Grade	Principal Controller of Defence Accounts	Principal Controller of Finance and Accounts	Principal IFA	67000 (annual increment @3%) – 79000
Higher Administrative Grade +	Additional CGDA	——	——	——	75500 (annual increment @3%) – 80000
Apex	Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA)	——	——	——	80000 (Fixed)