warmly,
Diplomat
Demystifying the Indian Foreign Service |
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The existing Q's & A's on this forum are now quite comprehensive enough to cover all possible queries that may arise in the mind of any serious aspirant. Hence I am closing the discussions on this forum. This forum nevertheless shall henceforth have reference value for all those who wish to know about the IFS which now is largely demystified, thanks to all those who raised pertinent queries on this forum. Should you still have any questions feel free to ask me @Diplomatdr
warmly, Diplomat
270 Comments
Amardip Sanan
16/7/2012 09:45:55 pm
At the outset, thank you for creating a new thread.
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Diplomat
17/7/2012 06:33:05 pm
Departmental exams are important for confirmation and promotion in the service. Only after clearing them does the officer get his increments. They do not alter the intra-batch seniority of the officer which is determined solely on the basis of his UPSC rank.
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Amardip Sanan
17/7/2012 02:08:24 am
Ma'am/Sir,
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Diplomat
17/7/2012 06:35:53 pm
Apart from becoming a source of embarrassment for both the countries the only recourse available would be to recall the person if the error is non-remediable. Diplomatic immunity would apply in all such cases.
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Amardip Sanan
17/7/2012 10:18:33 pm
Ma'am/Sir, please elaborate three things, viz.- 1. How can such a person become the cause of embarrassment for BOTH the countries? 2. Does recalling him/her, affect his/her diplomatic career in any way? 3. Since there're only two departmental exams, how're future promotions decided, and does the seniority in the batch, inter-se, have any impact upon the stints subsequent to the first stint n CFL? Thanks a lot!
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Diplomat
19/7/2012 03:33:38 am
1. For not being aware of each others laws or in the least ensuring that they are honored while in that country etc.
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Vinod Subramanian
18/7/2012 08:36:06 pm
respected sir/madam,
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Diplomat
19/7/2012 03:26:42 am
Great ! Congratulations on your choice. You are one amongst those who should definitely join the service given your deep interest and aptitude. Further the fact that you wish to take Pashto as your CFL is proof enough that you wish to take the bull by the horns. Really appreciable.
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Vinod Subramanian
19/7/2012 06:18:40 pm
Thanks for the prompt reply.I would personally prefer Kabul.I have a lot of Friends there and in other parts of the Beautiful nation of Afghanistan.I am really looking forward for 2015 and i hope i am assigned Pashto.Tashkor(thanks in Pashto) once again for your prompt reply.
Rahul Priusty
19/7/2012 09:14:06 pm
Sir/Madam,
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Diplomat
20/7/2012 01:02:37 am
Although the existing mechanism has not failed entirely nevertheless it is certainly not the best way of recruitment for the diplomatic service. Such a proposal very much exists and has been under consideration for a long time. Implementation in the near future is very doubtful.
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Rahul Priusty
20/7/2012 02:20:23 am
Sir/Madam,
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Rajan
21/7/2012 01:51:27 pm
Sir, I have two queries,
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Diplomat
22/7/2012 05:49:00 pm
1. Yes.
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Rajan
23/7/2012 01:04:51 am
Thanks Sir for your prompt reply, you are one of the best in IFS community. I have one more doubt, what kind of interests/hobbies one should develop , which would help him in his diplomatic career.
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Diplomat
27/7/2012 01:50:23 am
Thanks for those kind words Rajan. Developing hobbies/interests is a really good thing to do being a diplomat or aspiring to be one. Anything that helps you take a break to rejuvenate, socialize, grow intellectually or otherwise shall be good. The canvas is really broad and the choice has to be entirely yours.
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Vinod Subramanian
23/7/2012 07:56:08 am
Respected SIR/MADAM,
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Diplomat
27/7/2012 01:55:22 am
Do not for no reason feel apologetic. This forum is precisely for raising queries without hesitation.
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Vinod Subramanian
27/7/2012 07:42:27 am
Thank you..it was typing error..i am aware that we are sent abroad to learn our CFL'S...Your response and the way this site is maintained,has inspired me to a great extent..keep up the good work!!!
Amjad
23/7/2012 09:12:27 am
Sir/ Ma'am,
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Diplomat
27/7/2012 02:19:28 am
Your question is very genuine and relevant.
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Abhishek Rao
24/7/2012 05:21:48 pm
Dear Diplomat,
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Diplomat
27/7/2012 02:22:50 am
1. No. The accommodation is pretty good and in the heart of the capital.
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Reenu Dua
25/7/2012 09:36:02 am
Can you please give me a brief idea of an average day in the life of a diplomat.
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Diplomat
27/7/2012 02:35:26 am
An average day in a diplomats' life would begin with her/him reporting for work in her/his office at the scheduled time. Most of them would then go through that day's program schedule assisted in this by her/his office staff. The schedule would very much depend on the portfolio one is handling. In most cases it would require her/him to acquaint with the latest development through news briefs and round ups which she/he would receive from the information wing or directly through media. She/He may have to write reports on his work to be submitted to HQ through the Ambassador. She/He may have a couple of meetings with people or organizations that matter for her/his work in the host country. She/He might also meet the citizenry if heading the consular affairs wing. There might be in house officers meeting on any important issue. In the evening she/he might have representational functions to discharge by attending functions for which she/he might be invited as a guest or chief guest.
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Abhrajyoti Pal
27/7/2012 05:10:59 pm
madam/sir,
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Diplomat
27/7/2012 09:28:21 pm
One is addressed as His/Her Excellency after one becomes Ambassador / DCM / High Commissioner / Consul General / Charge d Affairs or when one is heading a delegation etc. Even Ministers / Counselor rank officers may be addressed as His/Her Excellency. So there is no hard and fast rule for this but generally persons with grey hair in diplomacy are addressed as His/Her Excellency; So you can say Director and above rank officers.
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Amardip Sanan
27/7/2012 10:25:46 pm
Ma'am/Sir,
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Diplomat
28/7/2012 06:05:24 am
No not into the service but indeed as Ambassadors/High Commissioners. Sometimes such appointments are politically made from amongst men of eminence who are not career diplomats. But these are exceptions and not the rule. This is practiced all across the globe in the world of diplomacy. India is no exception.
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Sagar Kumar
29/7/2012 05:44:54 pm
Dear Diplomat,
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Diplomat
30/7/2012 06:46:41 am
Not a drawback these days. Civil service aspirants generally read at least one national newspaper and magazine. In the least that is what I did. There are also some civil service specific magazines (like Chronicle, Wizard etc) which I guess would be difficult to obtain in the US through post. But one of these have an e-magazine option. Do explore that. So you may regularly follow the website of one of the national newspaper like The Hindu, Indian Express or Times of India. Do read the editorials/opinion piece/analysis particularly. For magazine do follow Frontline. They do provide a soft copy of their fortnightly magazine for free download on their website. Check these out:
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Sagar Kumar
30/7/2012 07:26:00 am
Thanks for the reply, Diplomat :)
Mridula Jaiswal
31/7/2012 12:25:51 am
OK. So, I came across this article. In this article it is categorically mentioned that when I.F.S officers are stationed in India, all that they get apart from the salary of between Rs 60,000 and Rs 80,000 per month, is only a small taxi to travel in Delhi, a two-room quarters with no furniture, cutlery or air-conditioner.
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Diplomat
31/7/2012 01:20:55 am
Not true. The housing is very decent and better than what most civil servants from other services get. Not something to be worried about.
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Pooja
31/7/2012 12:41:06 am
Sir/Ma'am
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Diplomat
31/7/2012 01:27:31 am
1. Have dealt with this issue at length in one of the previous replies to a similar query. Please do check that. In any case despite it being a challenge it is very much manageable. Many women diplomats have outperformed men despite the odds.
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Arun
2/8/2012 03:02:21 am
Dear Sir,
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Biswajit
3/8/2012 04:55:48 am
Shashi Tharoor in his latest book "Pax Indica" has written-
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Diplomat
3/8/2012 06:31:32 am
No doubt a different system of recruitment into the IFS is a requirement. So is lateral entry but this cannot substitute the IFS. They can only supplement them. IFS also need to be re-casted in the wake of changed requirements. It needs to become more specialized and integrated organically with the other institutions of the government at all levels of federation.
Diplomat
3/8/2012 06:06:52 am
1. The IAS gentleman whom you spoke to is not wrong but there is more to it. It is well known that IFS is no longer the first preference of a significant number of candidates but that holds true generally for the entire civil services. Gone are the days of the ‘license-quota raj’. The change in preference is primarily because of the changed and changing profile of the civil service aspirants. Let me not delve into that. That would be a topic of another longish discussion. As for the IFS officers no doubt their core job is that of liaison. But many IFS officers have over the period of time developed expertise in one sector or the other and this helps them in contributing substantially to the negotiations and policy formulation. Indeed in the process they do consult the experts of the ministries concerned but this is an institutional consultation process involving all the stakeholders and not any one individual. In any case the IAS are no experts. They are generalists aided by specialists. Further the IFS officers set the agenda as to what should be the action areas and priorities. A series of actions follow the initiatives taken by them, which is a very complex process of policy making involving a host of stakeholders and which consumes a lot of time too. Depending on the issue at hand the roles vary. But it is mostly the foreign ministry that takes the final political call from the larger foreign policy perspective on any matter with international ramifications.
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pa1
2/8/2012 10:56:25 pm
sir, can u please throw some light on permanent posts and tenure posts. permanent means no more transfers!? Is their any predetermined qualification required for getting posted in permananent posts? sir If I join the lbsnna @27 years , till what level of the ifs ladder can i reach ? ,does a master degree help me at any point of time say promotions ? Is allocation of cfl a merit based one? thanks in advance.
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Diplomat
3/8/2012 06:12:13 am
1. I do not know what you exactly mean by that. There are no such posts in the Ministry called permanent posts where you have no transfers. All posts are fixed tenure posts when abroad and when in India the tenures may vary depending on the contingencies. So effectively all posts are tenure posts. Please clarify if you meant something else.
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Aspirant
3/8/2012 01:18:21 am
Sir
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Diplomat
3/8/2012 06:19:23 am
1. Yes. There is provision for single parents (Mother only) to be covered but not in such a case. In this case your mother would be dependent on your father not you.
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krishna kumar
3/8/2012 03:36:36 am
Dear sir/madam,
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Diplomat
3/8/2012 06:25:39 am
Answered on the other thread. To give an example of doctors in the IFS: Myself and many more.
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E. Nath
3/8/2012 10:22:16 am
Sir,
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Diplomat
3/8/2012 09:12:59 pm
1. No not at all. It would in fact be a matter of prestige for all of us that we have officers with such variegated talents. It would certainly not be deemed unfit for your position. Very few people have such professional interests. On the contrary you would become a legend by accomplishing such feats. (On an unrelated note it is not true that IFS officers are discouraged to marry foreigners. It is just that prior Government clearance is required for the same in view of the security implications inter alia.)
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E. Nath
3/8/2012 09:38:58 pm
Thank you for your feedback and inspiring words sir.
Arun
7/8/2012 01:28:06 am
Dear Sir,
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Diplomat
8/8/2012 01:28:38 am
The serving IFS officers need to pull up their socks and prove that they are better than the lateral entrants. It should not be a matter of concern. In fact this would help improve the profile of the Foreign Ministry and broad base foreign policy. NRIs are Indian and they are already very much eligible to appear in the exams. Even PIO's can appear in the CSE and apply for the IFS. This should not in any way affect your choice of service.
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Arun
7/8/2012 01:35:59 am
Dear Sir,
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Diplomat
8/8/2012 01:30:10 am
Answered above. I am aware of these news reports. Thanks anyways for referring to them and providing also their links which might in any case be useful for others.
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Sagar Kumar
7/8/2012 01:33:47 pm
Dear Diplomat
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Diplomat
8/8/2012 01:33:12 am
Generally yes. Yes posting in Head quarters in New Delhi is a must as a 'cooling off period' requirement. Bu there have been exceptions to this norm. Postings in Delhi are generally for a minimum of two years before one becomes eligible for the next foreign posting. But for Delhi posting there is nothing like the fixed tenure of foreign posting. So it varies.
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khaltos parmori
7/8/2012 08:25:09 pm
Some doubts:
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Diplomat
8/8/2012 02:00:08 am
1. Other central Ministries like Defense, Commerce, Petroleum, Finance, Overseas Indian Affairs, Atomic Energy, PMO, President Secretariat etc. They might even go on deputation to State Govt. Yes the important passport offices are mostly manned by IFS.
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khaltos
8/8/2012 02:56:20 am
I think it will be fair on your part to approve the below link to be posted on this blog which provides the other side of IFS and would welcome your comments on it - the article is written by one of your senior !
Jyoti Sankar
7/8/2012 09:06:53 pm
Hello Diplomat,
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Diplomat
8/8/2012 01:39:17 am
There are pros and cons of this proposal. It has been suggested by many that separate exams would help. If not a separate exam may be a separate paper and interview within the CSE exams itself. But the modalities have not yet been worked out and it takes time before these things get implemented. Such decisions are not taken by one institution or the other but after consultations with the various stake holders of our gigantic governmental machinery. No chance of it getting implemented in 2013 or 2014 as far as my knowledge on the matter goes.
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Ann
9/8/2012 03:15:43 am
Dear Diplomat,
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Diplomat
10/8/2012 07:58:24 pm
Generally somewhere in the second week of December 2012. Exact dates would be intimated to the selected candidates by MEA. The gap may be just of one week at max.
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Rishika
9/8/2012 04:51:32 am
Sir/Ma'am,
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Diplomat
10/8/2012 08:03:26 pm
This already exists in a limited fashion for SC/ST but not OBCs (Promotion through selection and non-slection etc: let me not go into the details) flowing from subsequent amendments to the Article 335 of our constitution following judicial judgements on this mater. But this should not deter you from joining the IFS if you are passionate about it. One can still survive and thrive despite all this and more. Every sector: Govt/Private/Non-Govt has its pros and cons what is needed is to see what one actually wants and the concomitant price that one is to pay.
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Arun Meena
10/8/2012 09:19:43 pm
Hi,
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Diplomat
15/8/2012 03:30:02 am
He is not very wrong. But lot has changed since he retired from service, is changing and hopefully will change for good in future. He has pointed out to the existing institutional limitations of the system but at the same time has not forgotten to mention about its strengths and achievements. It was also in the wake of the Markey Report. Do read his book 'Words, Words, Words'. It is a good read.
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vaibhav
11/8/2012 04:21:58 pm
dear sir,
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Diplomat
15/8/2012 03:36:01 am
Congratulations !
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Abhinav
13/8/2012 02:22:41 pm
Dear sir,
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Diplomat
15/8/2012 03:37:27 am
It is possible I guess. There is some relaxation in terms of age for the SSC officers. But do check out the UPSC website or Gazette of India given along with the mains form for details.
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sreenivas
14/8/2012 07:28:24 pm
Does the government decide what foreign language you would be studying or is it one's personal choice? Also can someone take English as a foreign language,I mean its not our national language
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Diplomat
15/8/2012 03:39:39 am
Please do not repeat questions which have already been answered on this forum earlier.
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prashant kumar
19/8/2012 04:25:41 pm
sir,is it possible to get ur first posting in india's immediate neighbourhood like in bhutan,maldives etc where u need not require to learn any CFL.plz throw some light on it.
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Diplomat
22/8/2012 01:43:21 am
No. Generally the first posting is to a country where the language learnt could be used and perfected further. Yes unless of course you are allotted Nepalese or Sinhalese in which case you could get posted to the Nepal or Sri Lanka after the language training in these countries itself.
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Arun
22/8/2012 02:35:03 am
Dear sir,
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Diplomat
23/8/2012 09:34:54 pm
Congratulations and Best Wishes !
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Abhinav
23/8/2012 02:19:15 pm
Dear sir,
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Diplomat
23/8/2012 09:37:39 pm
1. Yes.
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Arun Sethi
23/8/2012 02:48:32 pm
Sir,
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Diplomat
23/8/2012 09:39:37 pm
That is less likely. Do not worry about the unnecessary. Such posts will in all probability always remain discretionary.
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Arjit
23/8/2012 07:17:23 pm
Sir/Ma'am
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Diplomat
23/8/2012 09:47:49 pm
1. Head of Chancery is generally the first assignment after language training. One is in-charge of administration while officiating as HoC.
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Anirudh
27/8/2012 07:41:49 am
Dear Diplomat,
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Diplomat
31/8/2012 09:22:45 pm
1. Yes why not.
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Sreenivas
29/8/2012 07:20:39 pm
Respected Sir,
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Diplomat
31/8/2012 09:25:43 pm
1. No, the Age limit for the general category is 30 years.
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Arun
3/9/2012 04:59:09 pm
Respected sir,
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Diplomat
13/9/2012 11:39:13 pm
It will not affect the IFS. There is an exception clause in the bill regarding that.
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Arun
16/9/2012 05:47:06 am
Will it impact IAS/IPS?
Diplomat
21/9/2012 08:49:21 pm
No it will not impact the three services. There is an exception clause in the proposed bill.
Pushpanjali
4/9/2012 12:07:02 am
Dear Diplomat,
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Diplomat
13/9/2012 11:47:11 pm
1. Theoretically yes. I have dealt with a related question in one of the earlier posts. Do check that out.
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Rohan Malhotra
4/9/2012 04:13:39 pm
Sir/Mam,
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Diplomat
14/9/2012 12:18:44 am
I am not vey sure on this. In any case prior permission of appropriate authority in the MoD would be required for appearing in the exam. In case they permit why not. The SSC officers are for sure allowed. But as for the PC officers one would need to check from the UPSC website or from the application form.
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Sreenivas
6/9/2012 12:50:13 am
Respected Sir,
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Diplomat
14/9/2012 12:19:45 am
Please do check out the FSI FB page for information in this regard.
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Jithin
11/9/2012 03:08:41 am
Can IFS officers purchase property/land abroad?
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Diplomat
14/9/2012 12:20:13 am
Generally no but depends on the laws of the host country.
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Sakshi
12/9/2012 04:37:08 pm
Sir/ma'am,
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Diplomat
14/9/2012 12:21:45 am
2 room suite for officers who are bachelors and 2BHK apartment for the married. But lately due to increase in batch strengths things are in a state of flux. They have to purchase their own cars for commuting.
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sakshi
14/9/2012 05:39:37 am
State of flux?
Diplomat
15/9/2012 12:11:55 am
Yes.
amitesh
13/9/2012 07:43:11 pm
Sir/Madam,
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Diplomat
14/9/2012 12:25:23 am
DA's are generally of the rank of First Secretary and above. But this depends on the station of their posting. The defence officers posted to such posts are pegged to a rank in the IFS for purpose of salary and other perks. They thus get the same benefits as that of officers of similar rank in the IFS.
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abhrojyoti pal
25/9/2012 05:13:44 pm
sir/madam,
Diplomat
30/9/2012 01:55:19 am
I see how the confusion arose. The rank of 'Attache' in the Mission is different from that of the designation of 'Defence Attache' who is not of the rank of Attache but of the rank of first secretary or above generally. I hope things are clear now.
Soorya Narayan
14/9/2012 12:43:07 am
Sir,
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Diplomat
15/9/2012 12:15:22 am
As an IFS officer you would be covered under the AMA medical scheme when abroad and this would cover all your health needs at Government cost. When in India you would be covered under the CGHS scheme. As for your emotional and social needs it will have to be taken care of by yourself.
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E. Nath
24/4/2013 08:56:45 am
Sir/Madam,
Diplomat
24/4/2013 09:09:06 am
Yes true.
Amitesh
14/9/2012 12:48:18 am
And what is the nature of work of a defense attache, as my understanding goes its relatively easier to get into the army. And about the accommodation - what kind of accommodation a third secretory gets in a mission abroad (No. of rooms etc).
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Diplomat
15/9/2012 12:19:11 am
DA looks after all defense related matters in close consultation with the Ambassador in any Mission. It might be easier to get into the armed forces but due to limited number of DA posts that might be difficult to get and in any case not more than once generally. A third secretary gets a 2 BR apartment if bachelor and 3 BR apartment if he/she has a family. They are required to purchase their own cars.
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sakshi
14/9/2012 05:38:18 am
Sir,
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Diplomat
15/9/2012 12:22:04 am
Depends on the station. Some CGships could be obtained right after the language training itself (like CG, Medan, Vladivostok etc). For some one needs to be an Additional secretary (like CG's in US).
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SOORAJ
15/9/2012 03:31:33 am
HELLO SIR,
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Diplomat
21/9/2012 08:30:39 pm
Yes. Both are considered to be at par. I think you cannot appear in the exam in that case as one is required to be less than 30 years as on that cut-off date in the year of taking the exam if you belong to the general category.
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Siddharth Gupta
17/9/2012 01:04:56 am
Sir my question is that, what kind of an air-fair does an officer get, like economy/business/first class? Does it depend on your rank?
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Diplomat
21/9/2012 08:32:43 pm
Yes it depends on the rank of the officer. Economy class in private airlines till the rank of Director (including). But in Air India sector all officers fly in Business class in Air India.
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Amjad
18/9/2012 04:29:57 pm
Where does an IFS officer stand when compared to a US foreign services or Pakistan Foreign Services officer of similar rank in terms of privileges, salary and perks?
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Diplomat
21/9/2012 08:33:14 pm
Better than the PFS but not the AFS.
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JAMMY
18/9/2012 06:03:30 pm
Can you tell me the minimum foreign service allowance of an IFS officer who is starting his career?I have heard that IFS is a service where the salaries are at par with the corporate sector.Is that true?What is the maximum number of years for which an IFS officer can serve abroad?What is the salary of an IFS officer posted in India?
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Diplomat
21/9/2012 08:36:39 pm
Depends on the station of posting. Pretty decent. Yes it is comparable to that of the corporate sector if you compare the CTC. An officer can serve abroad for not more than 6 years at a stretch generally i.e. 2 consecutive terms of 3 years tenure postings followed by a cooling off period in India at the headquarters, The salary when in India is the same as that of any group A officer of a similar rank.
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grace
20/9/2012 02:04:20 am
sir please tell, masters in Canadian, US & Latin American Studies especially MA in united states studies from jawaharlal Nehru university would help me to get Spanish as my first and last choice in cfl and would it help me to get to be posted at united states (developed country)..instead of any other spanish speaking under developing country...even at the very beginning of my career as third secretary????....please answer as soon as possible
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Diplomat
21/9/2012 08:41:12 pm
CFL is only obtained based on your rank in your batch of IFS and no other criteria applies. Getting posted to US is not possible for CFL (English is spoken there which is not a FL) or immediately thereafter. But it is possible to get posted there as Second Secretary onwards in the second posting. Further there is policy of rotation of postings according to which officers are mandated to do compulsory stints in all kinds of stations.
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grace
21/9/2012 08:15:33 pm
hello sir/ma'am, i am an arts graduate in psychology, geography and English literature....i aspire to join ifs....please tell in which field should i pursue my masters so that i get benefit in ifs career to get to be posted in USA right in the beginning as third secretary??
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Diplomat
21/9/2012 08:46:16 pm
If you are interested in the IFS obviously it would make sense to pursue a masters course in a discipline related to International affairs, foreign policy, diplomacy, international law, trade, finance or foreign language etc. None of these would in any case help you to get posted to USA as third secretary as I have pointed out earlier. You may consider choosing a European language instead like German, French etc to get posted in the developed world if that is what you wish. But it is better to appear in the CSE as early as possible to get in young. Best Wishes !
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COS
25/9/2012 04:12:00 pm
Does the foreign service allowance undergo yearly increment?If so,then how is the rate of increment determined?Or is it fixed?
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Diplomat
30/9/2012 01:16:55 am
Yes. It is determined on the basis of change in the cost of living in the station in question. It is not fixed.
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COS
10/10/2012 09:57:20 pm
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/232066/ipl-2012.html In this link it has been stated that IFS officers get 25000$ per year for their children's education.Is this true? You said in one of your previous posts that an IFS officer gets foreign posting for approximately two-thirds of his career.Can someone get more foreign posting if he/she is willing to do so?What are the facilities an IFS officer enjoys when he is posted in India?Many Thanks to you Sir for replying to my previous question.It is through your blog that I have come to get a clear image about the IFS.
Diplomat
13/10/2012 07:12:06 am
The fees varies from station to station and the entire amount is borne by the Govt. Yes he/she can but that shall be an exception. The facilities when in India are similar to those enjoyed by Group A officers of the same rank. Thanks for the appreciation. It is quite satisfying to know that.
Amjad
27/9/2012 07:54:00 am
Sir this may not be the right platform to ask this question, but I will still try my luck by asking so.
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Diplomat
30/9/2012 01:27:38 am
I cannot comment on Political science as it was not my optional but as for Public administration it is indeed a very interesting subject. It is also one of the most popular optionals amongst civil service aspirants. It also has less of theory which you seem to dislike, But it is not altogether absent.
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Amjad
30/9/2012 03:30:17 am
Thank you sir for the detailed reply! :)
Diplomat
7/10/2012 02:39:35 am
I had taken guidance for Public administration long ago. Hence I feel that it might not be of much relevance to you. As for my second optional it was a science subject. This info again would not be of any utility to you.
seema
27/9/2012 02:23:45 pm
hello sir/mam, my question is as there are many perks and benefits in ifs but still people choose to be an ias....why is it so....is it due to the lack of knowledge regarding facilities provided to an ifs....or there is any other reason behind it????
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Diplomat
30/9/2012 01:38:44 am
Entirely their personal choice but there seems to be quite a large number of them who give in to the charm of perceived raw power or authority. The profile of students taking the CSE is very different from those of yester years. Those who use to opt for the IFS now seem to be going after the corporate jobs after LPG (liberalization, privatization and globalization). And the rest seem to be fascinated by the authority one gets to exercise in the other domestic civil services. Hence the rest of those who opt for the IFS seem to be a minuscule minority of the total number of CS aspirants. Also lack of awareness about the opportunities and challenges of the IFS amongst the aspirants with a very different profile is one other major factor.
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Rishabh
29/9/2012 10:39:32 pm
Sir, I wanted to know how does the posting of an IFS officer take place? I mean is it based on zonal system, i.e. an officer may have to serve his entire tenure in a particular zone say for eg. east asia or latin america. If that's true then how does a person manage himself if he has to serve in Africa.
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Diplomat
30/9/2012 01:42:23 am
I have broached on this topic in some of the earlier posts. And there is no such zonal system as you have pointed out to. Also there is no reason why a person should find it difficult to manage even if he were to be posted in Africa alone for the entire period of his career. Africa is quite a heterogenous continent. Let us not have preconceived anachronistic notions.
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Ritwika
29/9/2012 11:15:53 pm
Sir/ Ma'm,
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Diplomat
30/9/2012 01:43:56 am
Not at all. These would in fact help you reflect on your commitment towards a career in public service. Best Wishes !
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Anupam Gupta
30/9/2012 09:14:46 pm
Respected Sir,
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Diplomat
6/10/2012 08:02:31 am
1. No definitely not. Choose the optionals you like and give your best.
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Amitesh
30/9/2012 09:27:12 pm
Sir/Ma'am..
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Diplomat
6/10/2012 08:03:57 am
They can avail of these facilities but there do not exist facilities in India exclusively earmarked for the IFS.
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Rahul
1/10/2012 03:04:48 pm
Dear Sir,
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Diplomat
6/10/2012 08:06:09 am
I cannot comment on the policy decisions of UPSC as I am also not aware about it but I hope that they give a grace period to those who would be affected by such decision whenever it is taken.
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Rishabh
2/10/2012 12:35:26 pm
sir/mam,
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Diplomat
6/10/2012 08:06:30 am
It has already been answered.
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sudharsan
2/10/2012 10:21:36 pm
Hi Sir/Madam,
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Diplomat
6/10/2012 08:11:09 am
DA component is variable and changes (increases) over the period till the next pay commission revises the basic pay itself.
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Saurabh
2/10/2012 11:50:09 pm
Sir,
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Diplomat
6/10/2012 08:14:40 am
Promotion prospects are not very bright as that of the IFS. But they do substantive work and are a very vital part of the organization. Since this webblog is only for queries related to the IFS please excuse me for not delving on this at length.
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Rahul
3/10/2012 12:26:12 am
If responding to the queries is part of your job,I would prefer being a Call Centre employee to being a IFS officer.I asked you something,but you have not responded as yet.Should I complain against you to your higher authority?
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Diplomat
6/10/2012 08:20:37 am
Now this is interesting ! Let me make something very clear to you. Responding to queries like yours is something entirely of my own choosing. I do it in my leisure time to help young and serious aspirants to make a more informed choice for a career in the IFS. It is indeed very unfortunate that you display such cynicism and impatience. You first ask a question, expect it to be answered and then without waiting jump the gun arriving at such a preposterous conclusion. I hope you have not messed up your life through such knee jerk decisions.
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Rahul
6/10/2012 06:21:57 pm
Dear Sir,
Diplomat
6/10/2012 08:26:03 am
As for the complaint please feel free to do so and make a laughing stock of yourself. I could have deleted your post, entirely ignored it but am still answering it as I feel that it might help you draw a lesson that even questions like these need to be answered more so if you are actually seriously considering becoming a call centre employee which I very much doubt whether you are capable of.
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Anurima
3/10/2012 09:58:45 am
Sir/ Ma'am,
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Diplomat
6/10/2012 08:27:59 am
When posted to Kabul, an IFS officer gets significantly more FA than the normal, as hardship allowance. It is quite decent.
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Ajay
3/10/2012 09:22:17 pm
Diplomat,
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Diplomat
6/10/2012 08:29:20 am
Generally no. But he/she can go on deputation to the State Government and it can give him/her any assignment.
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Sreenivasan
5/10/2012 04:16:25 pm
I came across this article..http://www.babusofindia.com/2012/09/two-more-vacant-posts-in-europe-for-ias.html
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Diplomat
6/10/2012 08:32:30 am
I have delved on the comparison between the IFS and the IAS/IPS in some of my earlier posts. Please do check that out. As for my views on this I think it is entirely a personal choice. I have explained what the IFS has to offer. If you feel that it is the kind of job you wanted to do then choose it otherwise choose some other service that you feel would best suit your drives and desires.
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Anirudh Shandilya
12/10/2012 02:54:34 am
Respected Sir/Ma'am,
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Diplomat
13/10/2012 07:15:06 am
Good to know that.
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Sid
16/10/2012 05:53:25 am
Hello sir,
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Diplomat
21/10/2012 06:56:49 am
Thanks for those kind words.
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Anirudh Shandilya
17/10/2012 06:25:15 pm
Thank you for your prompt reply.
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Diplomat
21/10/2012 07:02:49 am
The commerce Ministry proposal is still under consideration and is less likely to go through in its current format. Unfortunately there is some ambiguity in the said report.
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Arun
23/10/2012 12:20:13 am
Hi,
Diplomat
27/10/2012 09:37:04 pm
The proposal is not likely to go through. Even if it goes all posting would be through MEA. Do not worry about that.
Sagar Kumar
21/10/2012 07:11:58 am
Dear Diplomat
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Diplomat
27/10/2012 09:39:49 pm
You will have to complete the PhD in 2 years. If it exceeds this time frame you may have to either apply for extraordinary leave granting which is entirely the discretion of the Ministry (it would be difficult to obtain) or you could continue with PhD part time.
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jayash
25/10/2012 07:21:29 pm
Sir ! i would like to know if the wife of a pvt sector employee gets into IFS and the husband has to live with her abroad wherever she goes, what are the chances the the husband will get the job for himself in the same country ? are their any caps on the kind of jobs one can take being the husband of a indian diplomat ?
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Diplomat
27/10/2012 09:42:36 pm
The chances depend on the qualification that the spouse brings and the job opportunities available in the country of posting. There is no restriction on the kind of job that the spouse could take up except that it should not be demeaning to his/her status as a spouse of an Indian diplomat and/or against our national or public interest.
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AB
28/10/2012 05:02:53 pm
Hello Madam/Sir,
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Diplomat
4/11/2012 01:43:37 am
1. No.
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AB
4/11/2012 01:06:28 pm
Thanks a lot.
Nav
29/10/2012 04:42:15 am
Hello,
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Diplomat
4/11/2012 01:51:52 am
1. He could be considered dependent on you if you make a convincing case before the Ministry. And as per the existing rules, as a natural corollary, he could be declared dependent on you, in case your parents are also dependent. If he is considered dependent on you then he would be entitled to a diplomatic passport. There is no scheme or such thing but it could be considered by the Ministry as an exceptional case and thus support offered.
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Nav
4/11/2012 01:58:19 am
Thank you for your reply. I've just one more question. How long does the CFL training last and what is the post of an IFS probationer after he/she finishes the training? Does he/she stay in the same country or is there a transfer?
Diplomat
4/11/2012 02:22:09 am
1. CFL training lasts for 1-2 years depending on the choice of language. i.e. European languages like French, Spanish etc take 1 year and Chinese, Japanese etc take two years.
Nav
4/11/2012 03:01:12 am
Thank you for the reply! I really appreciate the work you're putting into this forum to enlighten keen aspirants. :-)
jayash
1/11/2012 04:56:29 pm
sir ! i have three questions to ask:
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Diplomat
4/11/2012 01:54:31 am
1. Please do check out the FSI FB page for this info and also the earlier posts.
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sree
2/11/2012 03:10:54 pm
Respected Sir
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Diplomat
4/11/2012 01:02:21 am
1. As for the first question please do excuse me as this forum is only for addressing queries related to the IFS.
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Abhishek K Rao
3/11/2012 02:37:00 am
Dear Diplomat,
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Diplomat
4/11/2012 01:03:31 am
Thanks Abhishek for those kind words.
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Respected sir/mam,
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Diplomat
4/11/2012 01:10:50 am
1. They are given duties commensurate with their capacities or offered necessary support to overcome the constraints, if any.
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giri
3/11/2012 09:34:42 pm
Thank u so much:) Got all the info i needed.
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Diplomat
4/11/2012 01:11:08 am
You are welcome.
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4/11/2012 02:15:00 pm
Respected sir,
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Diplomat
9/11/2012 08:20:20 pm
Yes. But accommodation facility provided depends on your marital status. So if one is a bachelor he would be provided with a comparatively smaller accommodation (with lesser number of rooms I mean). Thus when in FSI it might be a problem but not when one is abroad where accommodations provided are generally larger in size.
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Arun
8/11/2012 03:21:21 pm
Hello sir, First of all, I thank from my heart for the greatest service you are doing to the young aspirants. I have been a civil service aspirant from my school days but so far, I have never thought of picking up IFS. I find the lack of awareness about the service compared to IAS/IPS is the reason for that. Your replies are serving to get rid of that. When IAS/IPS enjoy raw power over society, IFS enjoys the privilege of serving in other country but for your country.
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Diplomat
9/11/2012 08:25:45 pm
1. IF one fails in the CFL exam one would not get confirmed in the service or get subsequent promotions. But one is allowed to take up to four attempts to clear the same. So it is almost next to impossible not to clear the exam. But Ministry has the discretion to waive of this requirement in exceptional cases. Further even in other services without exception one has to clear departmental exams before getting confirmed. That is the idea of probation.
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JAM
9/11/2012 01:26:38 am
Can an officer save a decent amount of foreign service allowance when he is posted in countries like USA where the standard of living is high?
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Diplomat
9/11/2012 08:26:36 pm
Yes very much.
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Vikrant
10/11/2012 01:03:21 am
Hello Sir,
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Diplomat
22/11/2012 11:54:43 pm
Congratulations !
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Arun
10/11/2012 04:50:44 pm
Hello sir, you are doing a fantastic job. We, students, owe a lot to you for your help, sir.
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Diplomat
23/11/2012 12:00:29 am
Thanks for those kind words Arun,
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Arun
11/11/2012 12:55:20 pm
Hello Sir, I am very much interested in European culture. From your earlier replies, I can gather that choosing the compulsory language would be possible provided I get good rank. I also learnt that 2/3 of our carrier would be in abroad. Is it possible to spend my entire abroad-carrier in European countries?
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Diplomat
23/11/2012 12:02:21 am
I would say choosing the language of your choice rather than calling it as good. Anyways, what you propose is not entirely impossible though might be difficult. Postings are generally comprised of a mix of stations.
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aditya
15/11/2012 01:04:13 am
dear sir,
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Diplomat
23/11/2012 12:06:13 am
1. Yes if you could convince the Ministry to approve your study leave by explaining to it how it might enhance your knowledge-skill set. But frankly speaking it would be difficult.
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Rajeev Garg
17/11/2012 04:44:27 pm
thanks for guiding aspirants regarding this elite service.i want to know after how many years does one become an ambassador/head of a country?Also if someone enters at say 27-30 years is it assured that he becomes an ambassador considering the fact that the person becomes additional secretary in case of IAS. what is the equivalent of a country head vis-a-vis IAS(additional secretary or joint secretary)??
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Diplomat
23/11/2012 12:10:40 am
Generally one starts getting Ambassadorial assignments as soon as one becomes JS. One becomes a JS in the 19th year of service. And as of now it takes around 30 years to become AS. So it might be entirely possible even if one enters as late as at 30 years of age.
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giri
18/11/2012 08:48:00 pm
i have one doubt regarding the height...being short in stature a problem in diplomacy. i dont want to feel bad later on :(
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Diplomat
23/11/2012 12:12:21 am
No I do not think so. Why should it be?
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20/11/2012 10:34:57 pm
Dear Sir / Madam,
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Diplomat
23/11/2012 12:17:39 am
Yes if you mean an Embassy or consulate or a division in the Ministry. But unfortunately that would exclude the Ministry as a whole as to become a secretary at Head quarters one would need at least 33 years of service given the current norms of promotions. With 32 years of service you would at best become an Additional Secretary. But let me reiterate one thing here. All that I am saying would hold true if ceteris paribus. But given the state of things we can hope for some radical changes in performance appraisal in the coming days in Government sector also.
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M S RAVITEJA
23/11/2012 01:14:03 am
Thank you for your reply.............
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Diplomat
1/12/2012 05:39:41 am
Nearly two-thirds of one's career in the service.
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Sarang
23/11/2012 04:53:47 pm
sir,
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Diplomat
1/12/2012 05:43:32 am
You could expect frequent traveling locally in the country of your posting, in the region, to HQs etc. Yes you can very much do that. It's been very good so far.
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amber
24/11/2012 12:25:04 am
Sir
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Diplomat
1/12/2012 05:45:28 am
You could be posted to our offices in the UN or go on deputation to UN. In the former case you would draw exactly the same salary as that of any IFS officer of a similar rank in a similar station but in the latter case you would draw a UN salary depending on your post in the UN.
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Rajeev Garg
24/11/2012 08:57:52 am
what are post retirement posts that are taken up by IFS officers vis-a-vis IAS officers??
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Diplomat
1/12/2012 05:47:27 am
It could be anything ranging from becoming the head/member of a state or central statutory/constitutional body to becoming Governor, Speaker or even VP/President.
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Senthil
25/11/2012 12:26:43 pm
Hello Sir,
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Diplomat
1/12/2012 05:47:57 am
No it is exempted from taxation.
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Alok
3/12/2012 08:40:13 pm
Is charge de affairs equivalent to Second Secretary?
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Diplomat
15/12/2012 12:11:51 am
Not necessarily. In any Mission if the Head i.e. the Ambassador or the High Commissioner's post lies vacant due to any reason then the next senior most IFS officer discharges the job as a C'da. S/He may be of any rank from Second Secretary onwards.
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rajeev garg
9/12/2012 11:06:20 pm
Does an IFS officer get security guards while in delhi/abroad?If so after how many years of service?
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Diplomat
15/12/2012 12:12:29 am
Not generally but yes in special cases depending on the threat perception.
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Ram
18/12/2012 04:22:33 pm
Hello Sir, I have a little "lazy eye" problem. Only few people who see me would notice that, that too, after keen observation. Would this be any problem that can hinder me from joining IFS?
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Diplomat
23/12/2012 06:39:16 pm
Should not be a problem.
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Aditi Nanda
19/12/2012 05:01:56 pm
Dear Diplomat,
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Diplomat
23/12/2012 06:40:52 pm
As far as my knowledge goes the said clause excludes the IFS/IAS/IPS from the law being applied on them.
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Roybath
27/12/2012 04:44:53 pm
Dear Diplomat,
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Diplomat
24/4/2013 08:49:23 am
Very much. Depends on yourself and the possibilities which are much more given the nascent stage of the relations. Also if the bilateral content does not have much, the regional and the global dimension comes in. So there are always lot of possibilities out there just waiting to be explored and tapped. Given the scale of operation contributions are always valuable and immense although abstract and intangible at times.
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Dear Sir,
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Diplomat
24/4/2013 08:52:23 am
Thanks Jayesh.
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pavitaran
4/1/2013 10:19:19 pm
sir,
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Diplomat
24/4/2013 08:53:16 am
There is no CFL for that. Performance, preference of the officer and requirements of the Ministry inter alia is what guides postings.
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ppatel
30/1/2013 03:05:04 pm
Sir, thank you for this website. It is very useful!
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Diplomat
24/4/2013 08:53:43 am
Yes the CSE rank.
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Akash
17/2/2013 05:08:14 am
Sir, I am really inspired to join IFS but three very important queries are putting me in a dilemma..:
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Diplomat
24/4/2013 08:58:45 am
1. It is possible to declare him as a dependent.
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hiten
27/3/2013 12:32:11 am
1.Sir i want to ask that why IFS officer doesn't get security guards while living in India or Abroad as compared to IAS IPS officers ?
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Diplomat
24/4/2013 09:00:34 am
1. One gets adequate security if the situation so demands.
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Arun
25/4/2013 03:30:23 pm
Sir, I am so happy that you have reopened the thread. I kept reading all your replies in earlier posts to motive myself. In addition to knowing about the service, your replies really fascinates me about the service itself. I am looking forward to have the privilege of working under you as an IFS officer!
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Diplomat
6/5/2013 11:27:12 pm
Thanks Arun for those kind words. My best wishes to you. Hope your dream comes true sooner than later.
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Nanki
5/5/2013 08:01:32 pm
Hi,
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Diplomat
6/5/2013 11:32:32 pm
1. Yes very much possible. That would save the Government lot of money. But your confirmation would happen with the rest in your batch. Also personally speaking it would not be advisable to skip the language training because it is one of the wonderful periods that one could dream to have in the service. One dearly misses that after it passes. Knowing the language would give one more free time to invest it in other things during the CFL training.
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Nanki
8/5/2013 05:07:23 am
Thank you for the reply. I like the idea of having extra time during CFL training. :-)
Diplomat
9/5/2013 07:44:43 am
1. The time of confirmation differs depending on the language ranging from anywhere between 1-2 years.
Amrita ganguly
8/5/2013 02:27:32 am
Hi, When posted in foreign country can my parents (Dad retired government employee, mom - housewife) also travel with me and stay in accommodation given to me ?
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Diplomat
9/5/2013 07:37:07 am
1. Yes but they cannot travel on Govt. expense unless both of them are dependent on you. Staying with you in the official residence is independent of their status as dependent or not.
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Priya
10/5/2013 05:11:50 pm
Sir,
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Diplomat
11/5/2013 10:26:05 am
1. Yes.
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Priya
12/5/2013 06:27:34 pm
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/232066/ifs-officers-have-serve-home.html
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Diplomat
6/6/2013 01:00:16 am
It is not true. The reality of the two services is somewhere in between. Do not believe in such exaggerations.
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Abhishek Rao
13/5/2013 07:50:26 pm
Dear Diplomat,
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Diplomat
6/6/2013 01:07:33 am
At DS/Director level. Because there aren't enough IFS officers even to man positions in Missions/posts abroad and at HQs.
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Arun
15/5/2013 12:40:34 pm
Dear Sir,
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Diplomat
6/6/2013 01:12:19 am
Yes you could. But for not more than one term of may be 3 years. The stage may be any but generally after DS/Dir. level.
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Sara
16/5/2013 05:40:41 am
Dear Diplomat,
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Diplomat
6/6/2013 01:27:21 am
Thanks. No problem at all. Good to know that. No there should not be any problem.
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T.Velmurugan
21/5/2013 12:52:08 am
Dear Diplomat,
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Diplomat
6/6/2013 01:30:51 am
Thanks for the appreciation Velmurugan.
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Siddharth
28/5/2013 04:45:11 am
Hi ,
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Diplomat
6/6/2013 01:36:44 am
No not true.
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raam
3/6/2013 02:31:24 am
Hello sir,
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Diplomat
6/6/2013 01:37:31 am
No it would not be a problem. What matters most is one's performance in the CSE.
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Moinuddin Rumi
4/6/2013 01:15:11 am
Hi Diplomat,you are doing the best thing by facilitating the young civil aspirants to make informed choice regarding IFS as a career choice.kindly answer two more queries.
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Diplomat
6/6/2013 01:40:23 am
Spouses enjoy the status of a diplomat and thus all the concomitant benefits.
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Rahul Kayala
5/6/2013 03:43:02 am
I am an IFS aspirant. I hope that I clear my CSE 2014 and get alloted the IFS.
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Diplomat
6/6/2013 01:43:25 am
The level of CFL training is advanced diploma.
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