It is considered to be one of the three premier civil services of India, because a candidate, once appointed to the IAS, goes to head administrative departments at strategic and key positions in the Union Government, States governments and public-sector undertakings.
It is considered to be one of the two premier civil services of India, because a candidate, once appointed to the IAS, is rendered ineligible to reappear in the Civil Services Examination. IAS officers serve in strategic and key positions in the Union Government, States governments and public-sector undertakings.