THE INDIAN ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE (IAS)

The Indian Administrative Service or IAS was formally constituted in 1947. It extends the role of its precursor, the Indian Civil Service, which was once called `the steel frame of the British Empire. The IAS handles affairs of government. At the central level, this involves the framing and implementation of policy. At the district level, it is concerned with district affairs, including development functions. At the divisional level, the IAS looks after law and order, general administration and development work.


INDIAN POLICE SERVICE (IPS)

The IPS or Indian Police Service is responsible for public safety and security. The IPS takes care of mainly law and order (which at the district level is a responsibility shared with the IAS); crime prevention and detection; and traffic control and accident prevention and management. In order to fulfill these functions with greater efficiency these services are divided into various functional
departments, such as:

· Crime Branch
· Criminal Investigation Department or CID
· Home Guards
· Traffic Bureau

A number of central policing agencies are also headed by the IPS. These include the: 

Intelligence Bureau (IB)-concerned with gathering information with the purpose of predicting and preventing threats to public order. 

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)-investigates specific referral cases of corruption and major crimes. Cabinet Secretariat Security-responsible for personal security of cabinet ministers. 

Border Security Force (BSF)-are responsible for the protection of life and property in the border areas. 

Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)-called out in times of emergency, such as when natural disaster strikes or the law and order situation cannot be controlled by the local police alone.