The Indian Trade Service (ITS) is a Group ‘A’ central service that prospective candidates can get into on clearing the UPSC civil services examination. ITS service was started in 1977. Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) handles the Indian Trade Service (ITS). Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) comes under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The main mandate of the ITS is to take care of India’s foreign trade and commerce.
Functions:
- Implementing the provisions of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992; Safeguard Measures (Quantitative Restrictions) Rules, 2012; Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), 2009-2014; Handbook of Procedure, Volume-I, 2009-2014; ITC (HS) Classification of Export and Import Items, 2012; and Handbook of Procedure, Volume-II (Standard).
- Formulating policy in international trade.
- Promoting exports.
- Implementing trade policy.
- Negotiating international trade deals and commercial diplomacy.
- The officers can also be sent on deputation to work in other ministries and departments and also to international organisations like World Bank, ADB, UN organisations, etc.
Training of Probationers:
The ITS officers’ training takes place in two stages:
- Foundation Course Training – at any of the national academies including LBSNAA.
- Probationary Professional Training at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), New Delhi for 8-9 months.
Career
Options :
- Under the Ministry of Trade and Commerce, the ITS cadre officers start with the role of Under Secretary, later they get promoted to Deputy, Joint and Additional Secretary Levels.
- ITS cadre officers also get the opportunity to serve on deputation with foreign missions, WTO and UN.
- Indian Trade Service (ITS) cadre officers get the opportunity to serve at Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FICCI).
Grade,
Designation, Salary:
Indian Trade Service (ITS) offers an
attractive salary and ladder of growth for its cadres. Candidates interested in
the field of trade and commerce must opt for this Service.
The below table gives information on the salary associated with various designations in ITS
|
Grade |
Designations |
Salary |
|
Junior Time Scale |
Assistant Director-General of Foreign
Trade |
Rs.15,600-39100 + Grade Pay Rs.5400 |
|
Senior Time Scale |
Deputy Director-General of Foreign
Trade/ Under Secretary |
Rs.15,600-39,100 + Grade Pay Rs.6600 |
|
Junior Administrative Grade |
Joint Director General of Foreign
Trade/ Deputy Secretary |
Rs.15,600-39,100 + Grade Pay Rs.7600 |
|
Selection Grade |
Joint Director General of Foreign
Trade/ Director |
Rs.37,400-67,000 + Grade Pay Rs.8700 |
|
Senior Administrative Grade |
Additional Director General of
Foreign Trade/ Development Commissioner, Special Economic Zone/ Trade Advisor |
Rs.37,400-67,000 + Grade Pay Rs.10,000 |
|
Higher Administrative Grade |
Director-General of Foreign Trade/
Senior Development Commissioner, Special Economic Zone |
67000-3%-79000 |