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Who is a Indian Foreign Service Officer?
Foreign policy is what you do; diplomacy is how you do it ~ Lord Gore Booth
An Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Officer is a diplomat who represents the nation globally. He or she is selected through the Civil Service Examination and works under the Ministry Of External Affairs. An IFS Officer is responsible for duties like the formation of foreign policies, maintaining peaceful diplomatic relations, and taking care of international affairs associated with the nation.
IFS officers play a vital role in shaping India's standing on the world stage, requiring a deep understanding of geopolitics, cultural sensitivity, and effective negotiation skills to navigate complex international scenarios. Recruited by the Government of India, the career as an IFS officer is a diplomat serving in more than 162 Indian diplomatic missions, and organisations around the world.
Quick Facts for Indian Foreign Service Officer
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Average Salary in India
₹120000
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Suitable for
Male, Female
Individuals can take up a career as Indian Foreign Service Officers, it is not gender-specific. Men, women, and others can choose a career as Indian Foreign Service Officers. In India, males and females enjoy equal benefits in Indian Forest Service (IFS) because gender is insignificant in this career.
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Any special needs
Yes
Everyone, including those with physical disabilities, is appropriate for individuals who opt for a career as Indian Foreign Service Officers. The career of Indian Foreign Service Officers is well suited to everyone, even those with special needs. They should have the desire to show the world that in all conditions, they can accomplish their goals in Indian Forest Service (IFS).
Table of Contents for Indian Foreign Service Officer
What is the role of Indian Foreign Service Officer?
An Indian Foreign Service Officer is a professional who is responsible for dealing with the external affairs of the country such as diplomacy, trade, and cultural relations. The role of Indian Foreign Service Officer includes framing and implementing policies that govern India’s relations with other countries. The job description for a career as Indian Foreign Service Officer is to represent India in its high commissions.
He or she needs to negotiate particular agreements for the issues.
He or she is responsible for managing all the aspects of external affairs such as consular affairs, and others.
An IFS officer's job is to represent India in other countries at embassies, high commissions, consulates, and also permanent missions.
The foreign service officer is also required to protect and preserve India's national interest.
Individuals who opt for a career as Indian Foreign Service Officer is responsible for promoting friendly relations on behalf of the nation.
Prepare accurate and timely reports concerning development/concern in a country are a must in order to facilitate policy formulation.
Negotiating agreements on a number of different issues with the responsible authorities of the receiving state is another important job function of an IFS officer.
The role of Indian Foreign Service Officer is to extend consular activities to foreign residents and Indian nationals residing abroad.
What is the workplace/work environment of Indian Foreign Service Officer like?
In the career as an Indian Foreign Service Officer, he or she is required to work long hours under time constraints and often during weekends and holidays at short notice. Sometimes, they are also obliged to face inadequate or lack of clerical support taxing to meet deadlines on preparing varied submissions and reports.
Individuals who opt for a career as Indian Foreign Service Officer work for long hours in front of the computer which could lead to related physical strains. The job of an IFS Officer entails more mental stress and strain than physical discomforts or hazards.
Does Indian Foreign Service Officer require travelling?
Likely
In the career as Indian Foreign Service Officer, he or she is entitled to deal with foreign policies and implementation and formulation of laws made in accordance with the relations between two countries. The officers are deported to foreign countries and required to meet foreign delicacies and handle their issues and come up with a mid-way for both states.
Time Pressure
Likely
In the career as Indian Foreign Service Officer, individuals work for long hours of work in front of the computer which could lead to related physical strains. The job of an IFS Officer entails more mental stress and strain than physical discomforts or hazards. And time pressure is one such factor that results in mental stress.
How to become a Indian Foreign Service Officer?
Steps to become a Indian Foreign Service Officer
Becoming an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Officer is a journey of diplomacy and international representation. These officers play a pivotal role in shaping India's foreign relations. If you aspire to represent your country on the global stage, engage in diplomacy, and promote India's interests abroad, follow the given below steps to become an IFS Officer.
What are the skills and qualities required to become a/an Indian Foreign Service Officer?
In order to make a career as Indian Foreign Service Officer, one must possess a variety of skills and qualities. These include skills like judgement skills, communication skills, creativity, and perseverance. Here is the list of the following skill sets essential to become a successful IFS Officer:
Communication skills: As an IFS officer, one is expected to argue convincingly in the meetings before officials and administration of different states/countries, and possessing good speaking skills is important. Communicational and speaking skills can be easily learned during the classroom period while completing graduation by taking part in activities, for instance, mooting, or general public speaking.
Judgement skills: Indian Foreign Service Officers must possess the ability to draw reasonable, logical conclusions or assumptions from the limited information provided to them. An IFS Officer must be able to consider these judgments critically so that he/she can anticipate potential areas of weakness in one’s argument that must be reinforced against.
Analytical skills: While being trained by the National Academy, individuals must be able to absorb large quantities of information, then filter it into something meaningful, manageable, and logical. At times, there will be more than one method or precedent applicable to resolve a situation. Therefore, as an IFS officer, one must possess strong evaluative skills in order to choose which is most applicable/suitable.
Research skills: Indian Foreign Service Officers are required to perform extensive research work into relevant facts. To win an argument of any sort, one must be sure about the facts one is stating. No argument, especially legal, can be won without indisputable facts. As an IFS Officer, being able to research quickly and effectively is essential to understand the state’s situation, and its needs and preparing legal strategies.
People skills: Working or making a career as IFS Officer is not a recapitulating practice. Irrespective of how well one does academically, at the end of the day, he/she has to work with people, on behalf of people, and the decisions that are made affect people’s lives. An IFS Officer must be presentable, influential, and able to read others.
Perseverance: Indian Foreign Service Officers must have the perseverance to complete the work necessary to drive it to a successful finish. “Perseverance is not a long race, it is many short races one after the other.” Even while studying, one is required to put in a lot of perseverance and commitment which is even before one starts with actual training.
Creativity: In the career as an Indian Foreign Service Officer, very successful Officers are not only analytical and logical, but they also display a great deal of creativity in their problem-solving. The best approach is not always the most obvious and in order to circumvent one’s challenger, it is often necessary to think outside the box.
Which certifications and internships can be helpful in becoming Indian Foreign Service Officer?
Internship Availability
No internships are required to make a career as an Indian Foreign Service Officer. However, the department of IFS, Ministry of external affairs offers few internships to Indian students who want to pursue careers in foreign diplomacy and the Government of India. The internship helps them to get familiar with the process of formulation of foreign policies and their implementation by the government of India.
Candidates selected for the internship are required to report to and work under the close supervision of the concerned Head of Division (HOD) or Head of Mission (HOM)/Head of Post (HOP). They may be required to conduct research, write reports, analyse evolving developments, or carry out any other task entrusted to them by the HOD/HOM/HOP.
Indian Foreign Service Officer Jobs and Salaries
Junior Diplomat
- Average Salary 120000
- Junior Level Salary 120000
- Senior Level Salary 150000
Job Description
Ambassadors are responsible to supervise and lead all foreign service employees in the country where they work. As the chief executive of the Indian embassy, an ambassador also monitors the activities of all Indian personnel who work for any federal agency in their jurisdiction. The ambassador and their staff also aid Indians travelling in the country and provide security for Indian citizens during emergencies and natural disasters.
Salary Description
The average IFS salary per month is Rs. 1.2 lakh per month. The Indian foreign service officer salary is estimated to be around Rs. 1.5 lakh when added with all the perks and benefits provided to the professionals.
What is the job outlook for Indian Foreign Service Officer?
In recent years, in the career as Indian Foreign Service Officer, the recruitment has averaged between 30-35 persons annually. The present employee strength of the service stands at approximately 850 officers manning around 193 Indian missions and posts abroad and the various posts in the Ministry of External Affairs in India.
In the career of an Indian Foreign Service Officer, one starts his or her path as a Third Secretary and is promoted to Second Secretary as soon as he is confirmed in service. Subsequent promotions are followed by First Secretary, Counsellor, Minister, and Ambassador/High Commissioner/Permanent Representative. Officers can also be posted to Indian Consulates abroad.
Frequently Asked Questions for Indian Foreign Service Officer
Que. What is the salary of an IFS officer?
Ans.The overall IFS salary is around 60,000 per month including all the benefits and allowances. But this salary differs based on the candidates posting, that is if the selected candidate got his/her posting in foreign countries then he/she may receive a salary of 2.40 lakhs under the special foreign allowance.
Que. What does an IFS officer do?
Ans.Individuals who opt for a career as Indian Foreign Service Officers are supposed to project and protect national interests in a range of spheres, including bi-national economic and political cooperation, trade promotion, cultural links, media relations, as also multilateral issues, domestic as well as overseas. Officers can also be posted to Indian consulates abroad.
Que. What rank is needed for IFS?
Ans.The usual pattern: If you are a general category candidate and if your UPSC rank is around 90 then you have a fair chance of making it to the IAS. Similarly, a 465 rank for OBC, 650 for SC and 770 for ST should be good enough for IAS. For IFS, a 115 rank for general category, 570 for OBC, 765 for SC and 925 for ST.
Que. How are IFS officers selected?
Ans.IFS and IAS officers get selected through the same examination which is the Civil Services Examination. Services and cadres are allocated as per the Cadre Allocation Policy of the UPSC after the declaration of the UPSC merit list.
Que. Can I become IFS without UPSC?
Ans.No, becoming an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer requires clearing the Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The IFS is one of the prestigious services under the UPSC examination, and candidates need to qualify for all stages of the UPSC exam, including the preliminary exam, main exam, and interview, to be eligible for selection as an IFS officer.
Que. What is the qualification for IFS officer?
Ans.To qualify for the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), candidates must meet certain eligibility criteria. These include being a citizen of India, being between the ages of 21 and 32 as of August 1 of the examination year (with age relaxations for certain categories), holding a bachelor's degree from a recognized university (in any discipline), and adhering to the specified number of attempts allowed in the examination. Successful candidates are selected based on their performance in the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
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Questions related to Indian Foreign Service Officer
Career comparison between Doctor and Diplomat in India?
hiiii
Diplomats travel extensively, making it a great career for those who are interested in interacting with people from different cultures and customs. ... Diplomats also have the ability to shape foreign policy.
Answer laterWhat is the pension amount of an IFS officer after retirement?
The overall salary of an IFS officer is 60,000 per month.Moreover,they are provided with several benefits like accomodation, transportation, medical expenses and much more.On the other hand,a government servant enjoys a pension and many retirement benefits.Also,based on the country the officer's pay package can also get increased.In this case,the salary can go as high as 2.4 lakhs.Also,the highest position on can attain is of the ambassador or the foreign secretary.If one retire under the rules and have qualifying service of 10 years,the pension is calculated @50% of last pay or average emoluments(ie. Average of the basic pay drawn by the one during tha last 10 months of his service) whichever is more beneficial.Guaranteed minimum pension is Rs 9000 per month.Maximum limit on pension is Rs 1,25,000 per month.Pension is payable upto and including tha day of death.
What is the duration of Home leave provided for IFS officers once in a tenure of 3 years?
If you want a full time home leave after one tenure then it can be sanctioned by your seniors in a time period of 2-3 months and can be extended for 15 days from the end date of allotted leave.
Although this rules can change depending on the situation and requirement of officers but in general this is the regulation (as per the information available online)
To know more about IFS as a career choice then visit the link below:
https://www.careers360.com/careers/indian-foreign-service-officer
To know more about UPSC visit the link below:
https://competition.careers360.com/exams/upsc-civil-services-exam
I hope this answer helps. All the very best for your future endeavors!
I have studied Hindi as language subject in my 10th standard. But actually I am weak in Hindi. Whereas I am more stronger in Tamil(which I studied upto my 8th standard). So, could I choose Tamil as my compulsory Indian language in UPSC exam?
I am an aspirant. Just having one question. Did you study Hindi in class 11 &12?
What is the leave policies of a IFS officer?
Hi,
Every IFS officer gets 30 days of Earned Leave + 8 days of Casual Leave + 2 days of Restricted Holiday leave when in India and when abroad in addition he gets 15 days of extra leave.
The Officer with family can visit India twice in a term of 3 years posting generally on Government expense with some exceptions like in some of the non-family stations he can visit every year.
Yes he can avail of study leave to attend such seminars or any training while continuing to draw the salary. Study leave can be availed of in India as well as abroad for a total of 2 years in the entire service of the Officer.
Hope this helps
Wish you luck
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Did you know?
Fact 1
The existing model of Indian Civil service was formed after 1947
Fact 2
Satyendranath Tagore was the first Indian to join the Indian Civil Service in 1864
Fact 3
Cabinet Secretary is the highest position for an IAS officer
Fact 4
R Pillai was the first to serve the post of Cabinet Secretary from 1950-1953
Fact 5
It was Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s vision that the civil services would unify the entire country after independence
