Central Services comprise sixteen different services/posts. These are the:

INDIAN FOREIGN SERVICE (IFS)

The Indian Foreign Service deals with the country's external affairs, including diplomacy, trade and cultural relations. It is responsible for the administration and activities of Indian missions abroad, and for the framing and implementation of the Government's foreign policy.

INDIAN RAILWAY SERVICES (IRS)

Essentially responsible for the running of India's vast railway network. There are four non-technical and technical or engineering cadres in the railways. Entry for non-technical services-the Indian Railway Traffic Services (IRTS), the Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS), the Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS), and the Railway Police Service is through the Civil Service examination. The Engineering Services have a different recruitment procedure. The entire railway services-technical and non-technical are covered in a separately.

INDIAN POSTAL SERVICE

Is responsible for the efficient functioning of the mail, telegraphic and other communications services in the country.

ACCOUNTS AND AUDITING SERVICES

There are four such services:

The Indian Audit and Accounts Service-functions mainly under the Central Government or in statutory audit offices under the Comptroller and Auditor General.

The Indian Civil Accounts Service-works for both central and state governments and public sector undertakings.

The Indian Defense Accounts Service- deals with accounts, audits and inspections of all military establishments.

The Indian Revenue Service-is responsible for the fixing, assessment and collection of income tax.

THE INDIAN CUSTOMS AND CENTRAL EXCISE SERVICE

There are two aspects to the IC and CES as they are called:

Customs

Which is concerned with the checking and levy of duty on taxable goods brought into the country.

Excise

Which is involved with the taxation of goods manufactured within the country.

THE INDIAN ORDINANCE FACTORIES SERVICE

This service overseas the production of goods made for the exclusive use of the Armed Forces.

THE INDIAN DEFENCE ESTATES SERVICE

Earlier known as the Military Lands and Cantonments Service, the IDES is concerned with the administration of military cantonments.

THE INDIAN INFORMATION SERVICE

This is a high profile service that functions under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Its operations combine administration, journalism and public relations. The IIS is responsible for the
running of the various nationalized media and advertising agencies, including All India Radio, Doordarshan and DAVP. 

Its other functions include handling press/public relations at home and abroad for the Government of India, various ministries, public sector undertakings and the defense forces as well as promoting India's image in the international media.

THE CENTRAL TRADE SERVICES

The Central Trade Services work with the Ministry of Commerce, as well as with other ministries and public sector undertakings. Work in this service is mainly concerned with policy formulation, implementation and control of imports and exports.

THE CENTRAL INDUSTRIAL SECURITY FORCE

This is a special service that has been created for the protection of the country's industrial network, with special reference to the public sector undertakings. Together with the Group B Central Services, which are not covered in this chapter, the civil services comprise a total of thirty-two separate services.