The Indian Foreign Service (IFS) is
part of the Central Services of the country. The IFS is a sought-after tag both
for the monetary benefits and lifestyle a diplomat enjoys and also for the
unique challenges it poses. This article throws light on the training imparted
to probationary IFS officers; salary, perks, skills, roles and responsibilities
associated with Indian Foreign Service.
Roles
& Responsibilities:
- Representing India in its
Embassies, High Commissions, Consulates, in Foreign countries and
Permanent Missions to Multilateral Organizations like UN
- IFS officers must safeguard
India’s concerns and affairs in the country of his deputation.
- Must develop cordial relations
with all the stakeholders in the country of his/her posting.
- Any developments that take
place in the country of deputation, which might probably influence the
policies of India, must be reported.
- Successfully negotiate on
various matters of importance with the concerned authorities in the
country of posting,
- Provide consular access to
Indian and Foreign nationals.
- The Ministry of External
Affairs (MEA) is totally responsible for all matters concerning India’s
foreign relations. There are 2 divisions. One of them is the Territorial
division which handles the economic, political and bilateral matters with
the concerned countries. The other division is the functional division
which handles a host of issues concerning multilateral organizations,
disarmament issues, various regional groupings, legal, press, publicity,
policy matters, and many other issues.
What kind of Training is given
for Probationary Officers?
- The candidates selected into
Indian Foreign Service (IFS) cadre are provided training at Lal Bahadur
Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussourie. The
training would be for a period ranging from 3 months to 4 months. The
probationers would be trained on diplomatic skills, knowledge and the
qualities that are expected from a diplomat.
- After this, probationers are
sent to the Foreign Service Institute in New Delhi and undergo focused
training in the various disciplines that a career diplomat needs to
familiarize himself/herself with. The course here involves lectures,
attachments with various wings of the Government as well as
familiarisation tours both inside and outside the country. As a Foreign
Service Probationer, your training here will be for one year where you are
taught International Relations, Indian Foreign Service Pay, Leave and
Compensatory Allowances (IFS-PLCA) Rules, Foreign Trade, the functioning
of Indian missions in neighbouring South Asian countries, attachments with
the Army, Navy and the Air Force, attachment with the district and the
state administration and attachment with the corporate sector.
- After completion of the above
training, probationers will receive on-the-job training wherein they will
be attached to a Division of the Ministry of External Affairs for a period
of six months. Post this, they will be assigned a Compulsory Foreign
Language (CFL) such as Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Russian, Spanish
or others.
- Later will be posted as a Third
Secretary (Language Trainee) in an Indian mission abroad. Here, they are
expected to learn CFL. Only after clearing a proficiency test conducted by
the School of Foreign Languages (SFL), Ministry of Defence, will they be confirmed
as an IFS officer. It takes a total of three years to make it this far
from Mussoorie training days!
Skills Required:
- Excellent communication and
interpersonal skills
- Analytical skills
- Interest and knowledge in
International relations
- Diplomacy
- Decision-making skills
- Leadership
- Ability to adapt to different
environments and cultures
- Sensitivity to other cultures
Postings after Training:
After confirmation, you will be
posted as a Second Secretary in one of the wings (Political, Economic or
Commerce, Consular, Administrative or Cultural) at an Indian Embassy or as
Consul at an Indian Consulate for a period of 3 years. Here again, an officer
is expected to learn about the political, economic, commercial and cultural
nuances of his country of posting.
Career Prospects:
The below table gives the promotion
chain in the Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
|
At an Indian Mission Abroad |
1. Third Secretary (Language
Trainee) 2. Second Secretary 3. First Secretary 4. Counsellor 5.Minister 6.Ambassador |
|
At MEA Headquarters, India |
1. Attaché 2. Under Secretary 3. Deputy Secretary 4. Director 5. Joint Secretary 6. Additional Secretary 7. Secretary (The Highest Post under IFS is the
Foreign Secretary, who serves from India). |
Salary & Perks:
The salary and perks are quite
attractive. Apart from the salary, IFS officers would be given a Special
Foreign Allowance. This amount varies with the country of posting. For example,
when a new officer is assigned to the Indian mission in the USA, he/she can get
the US $4000 per month. This allowance increases with the grade.
The below table gives the pay scale
for different positions in Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
|
Post Abroad |
Post in India |
Payscale |
|
Attaché/Third Secretary |
Under Secretary |
8000-275-13500 |
|
Second/First Secretary |
Under Secretary |
10650-325-15850 |
|
First Secretary |
Deputy Secretary |
12750-375-16500 |
|
Director |
Counselor Director |
15100-400-18300 |
|
Minister/DCM Ambassador |
Joint Secretary |
18400-500-22400 |
|
Ambassador/High Commissioner |
Additional Secretary |
22400-525-24500 |
|
Ambassador/High Commissioner |
Secretary |
26000 (Fixed) |
IFS officers are also
given good accommodation, household help, official vehicles, security guards,
abroad study options and retirement benefits and pension.
