3.2.1. Significance of All India Services (AIS)

Parliament passed the All India Services Act, 1951, empowering the Union Government, in consultation with the State Governments, to make rules for regulation of recruitment and conditions of service of persons appointed to these All India Services (AIS). The framers of the Constitution also provided for creation of AIS in other spheres, if the Rajya Sabha declared, by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting.

All-India level services are rendered at national level with officers for these services being hired at by central government through UPSC examination. However, their postings can be allotted at both central as well as state government levels through different state level cadres.

♤ AIS promote the unity and solidarity of the country by combating parochial attitudes of the States.

♤ Because the officers of these services are generally posted in states other than their own, they are less susceptible to local and regional influences than officers from within the state would be.

♤ The officers of these services can be and are rotated between the Centre and the states, thus, facilitating liaison between the two.

♤ These services are recruited from a wide field and enjoy high remuneration, status and prestige.

♤ The members of the AIS hold the key posts in the states, and they can give independent advice to the state ministers, which the officers of state services may hesitate to do.

♤ In the event of national or constitutional emergency, the Union government can act through AIS.

♤ Union government stays in touch with ground realities through AIS.