One of the Group “A” Civil Services alternatives open to applicants who pass the UPSC Civil Service Examination is the Indian Information Service (IIS). This is the Indian government’s media wing. They serve as a conduit for information between the Indian government and the general public. Under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, IIS cadre officials are employed.
History of the Indian Information Service (IIS)
This service was first launched on March 1, 1960, and was formerly known as the Central Information Service. CIS was divided into IIS Group A and IIS Group B in 1987.
Group “A” officers of the Indian Information Service (IIS)
1. Overseeing and directing the Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) operations.
2. Managing the government’s public relations efforts.
3. Managing, overseeing, and directing the news service departments, such as All India Radio (AIR) and DD News.
4. Coordinating press advertising and visual PR efforts to inform the public about the government’s varied policies and initiatives through a range of media.
5. Keeping an eye on the legal matters related to the nation’s newspaper circulation, registration, and title verification.
6. Developing and carrying out government media plans.
7. Officers may also be assigned to other countries, particularly in cooperation with Prasar Bharati.
8. IIS officers are eligible for deputation postings to other departments or ministries. As co-terminus employees of the Central Government, they may also serve as personal secretaries.
Training for Indian Information Service (IIS) in Three Stages
There are three phases to the training of IIS officers.
Phase 1-A three-month Foundation Course at LBSNAA.
Step 2: Probationers spend nine months receiving instruction at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication.
Stage 3: Probationers will receive training at various media branches of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for a year during this phase.
1. DD News
2. Radio All India
3. Bureau of Press Information
4. India’s Newspaper Registrar
5. The Field Publicity Directorate
6. Division of Publications 7. Center for Electronic Media Monitoring
8. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s New Media Division
9. Visual Publicity and Advertising Directorate
Pay and Grades for Indian Information Service (IIS)
This cadre offers plenty of opportunities for advancement due to its well-organized system of grades and pay scales. For the aforementioned positions, the pay scale is INR 15,600–39100 + INR 5400–INR 80000 for grade pay.
| Grade For IIS | Pay Level | Basic Pay Range For IIS |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Time Scale | 10 | Rs. 56,100 – Rs. 1,77,500 |
| Senior Time Scale | 11 | Rs. 67,700 – Rs. 2,08,700 |
| Junior Administrative Grade | 12 | Rs. 78,800 – Rs. 2,09,200 |
| Selection Grade | 13 | Rs. 1,18,500 – Rs. 2,14,100 |
| Senior Administrative Grade | 14 | Rs. 1,44,200 – Rs. 2,18,200 |
| Higher Administrative Grade | 15 | Rs. 1,82,200 – Rs. 2,24,100 |
Grade
| Grade | Designation |
| Junior Time Scale | Assistant Director, ANI, News Reporter/ Correspondent, Field Publicity Officer, Assistant Regional & Research Officer, Assistant Director (Monitoring), |
| Senior Time Scale | Assistant Press Registrar, Deputy Director, Editor, Copy Tester, Research Officer, Campaign Officer, Senior Correspondent-Cum-Editor, Regional Officer, Public Relations Officer, Officer On Special Duty, Talks Officers, Public Relations Officer, Special Correspondent (Abroad), Senior Correspondent |
| Junior Administrative Grade | Joint Director (News), Deputy Press Registrar, Editor-In-Chief, Special Correspondent (Abroad), Director (Media), Joint Director, Chief (Media) |
| Junior Administrative Grade (NFSG) | Director |
| Senior Administrative Grade | Director, Registrar Of Newspapers For India, Special Correspondent (Abroad), Additional Director General (News) |
| Higher Administrative Grade | Director General (News) |
| Director-General / Principal Information Officer |
Job Prospects at Indian Information Service (IIS)
The Indian Information Service Officer is assigned to the media division of the Indian government as soon as his probationary term is up.
1. He is initially posted as an Assistant Director instead of a Junior Grade Officer.
2. The position of Deputy Director will be the first advancement.
3. The role of Joint Director or Deputy Secretary to the Government of India is held by someone in the Junior Administrative Cadre.
4. Achieve the Director position in the Junior Administrative Cadre as well.
Eligibility for Indian Information Service (IIS)
In order to qualify for Group ‘A’ of the Indian Information Service (IIS), you need to fulfill the following requirements:
| properties | values |
| Eligibility | – |
| Age | 21 to 30 years (with relaxation for reserved categories) |
| Qualification | A bachelor’s degree from a recognized university
Candidates with a degree in journalism, mass communication, or public relations are preferred. |
| Number of Attempts | General category can take the exam six times. OBC and SC/ST candidates have more attempts as per government rules. |
| Nationality | You must be an Indian citizen. |
| Physical Requirement | No specific physical requirements are needed. |
IIS FAQs – Indian Information Service
What does the Indian Information Service actually do?
By giving information, explaining various government policies and programs to the general public, and gathering and offering insightful input to the government for policy formulation, they serve as an essential conduit for communication between the people and the government.
What is the IIS officer’s salary?
Salary Based on Grade and IIS Post-Wise
| Grade | Pay Scale |
| Junior Time Scale (After Probation) | Rs. 56,100 – Rs. 1,77,500 |
| Senior Time Scale | Rs. 67,700 – Rs. 2,08,700 |
| Junior Administrative Grade | Rs. 78,800 – Rs. 2,09,200 |
| Selection Grade | Rs. 1,18,500 – Rs. 2,14,100 |
What sets IAS and IIS apart from one another?
While an IAS officer receives a fixed salary of Rs. 30000 for a designation in the Government of India, and Rs. 26000 for a designation in State Government, an IIS officer at the Higher administrative grade, i.e., at the designation of Director General / Principal Information Officer, receives a fixed salary of Rs. 26000.
What are the requirements to be an IIS?
Applicants with a degree in public relations, mass communication, or journalism are given preference.
What does an IIS officer do?
responsibilities and roles managing and supervising the Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) activities. carrying out the government’s publicity campaign. overseeing, managing, and directing the news service departments, such as DD News and All India Radio (AIR).
IIS training: how long does it last?
There are three phases to the IIS officers’ training.
Stage 1-A three-month Foundation Course at LBSNAA.
Stage 2: For nine months, probationers receive instruction at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication.
Is IIS a public or private organization?
The Indian Information Service (IIS) is the central civil service that falls under Groups A and B of the government of India’s executive branch’s Central Civil Services. The media managers for the Indian government are called Indian Information Service officers.
