Indian Information Service (IIS) is Group ‘A’ administrative Civil Services. Indian Information Service is the media wing/section of the Government of India. They act as the bridge or link of communication between the Government of India and the People. Communicating various Government policies and schemes to people and also collecting valuable feedback for policy formulation. Indian Information Service (IIS) cadre officers work under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting such as Press Information Bureau, DD News, All India Radio, DAVP etc.
[History-Indian Information Service (IIS) was established as The Central Information Service (Originally named), on 1st March 1960. Central Information Service(CIS) was split into IIS Group ‘A’ and IIS Group ‘B’ in 1987.]
Indian Information Service (IIS) officers are posted as spokespersons to constitutional bodies like Election Commission of India. They are also posted in the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and statutory organizations like Central Bureau of Investigation.
For further information about the UPSC Civil Service Examination, visit the link: UPSC Posts and Ranks.
Roles and Responsibility of Indian Information Service (IIS)
- Coordinating and Managing the work of the Press Information Bureau (PIB). Managing or administering print and electronic media, advertising agencies act as press advisors.
- Conducting the promotion work, Constitute a press party, Organize press conferences of the government. Communicating various Government policies and schemes to people and also collecting valuable feedback for policy formulation.
- Observing or Monitoring legal issues which are involved in the title verification, registration and newspapers circulation in the country.
Indian Information Service (IIS) Eligibility
For the Indian Information Service(IIS) exam, the eligibility criteria are the same as for other Civil Services Exam.
For detailed information, please visit- UPSC CSE Eligibility Criteria.
Recruitment and Training
Indian Information Service(IIS) Group-A officers are recruited through two modes-
- Direct recruitment by the prestigious Civil Services Examination(CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission(UPSC) every year.
- Through promotion or upgrading from the Senior Grade officers of IIS Group-B to IIS Group-A
Training– Once the candidates clear the exam, they are allocated the Service depending on their rank and preferences in the Civil Services Exam, he/she has to go through specified training.
Training in three stages-
- Stage 1 : Three months Foundation Course at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration Mussoorie.
- Stage 2: Professional training in New Delhi for nine months. There is also a three-week training module for Indian Information Service(IIS) Trainees at Film and Television Institute of India, Pune.
- Stage 3: Finally, probationers will undergo an on-job training period of one year at the media wings of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Such as DD News, All India Radio, DAVP etc.
Grade and Salary of Indian Information Service (IIS)
The table gives the information on Grades, Designation and pays scales of Indian Information Service(IIS):
| Grade | Designation | Pay Scale |
| Junior Time Scale | Assistant Director, ANI, News Reporter/ Correspondent, Field Publicity Officer, Assistant Regional & Research Officer, Assistant Director (Monitoring), | 8000-13500 |
| Senior Time Scale- (STS) | Assistant Press Registrar, Deputy Director, Editor, Research Officer, Campaign Officer, Regional Officer, Public Relations Officer, Officer On Special Duty, Public Relations Officer, Special Correspondent (Abroad), Senior Correspondent | 10650-15850 |
| Junior Administrative Grade-(JAG) | Joint Director, Deputy Press Registrar, Editor-In-Chief, Special Correspondent, Director (Media), Chief (Media) | 12000-375-16500 |
| Junior Administrative Grade (NFSG) | Director | 14300-18300 |
| Senior Administrative Grade- (SAG) | Director, Registrar Of Newspapers, Special Correspondent, Additional Director General | 18400-500-22400 |
| Higher Administrative Grade | Director General (News) | 22400-24500 |
| Director-General / Principal Information Officer | 26000 (Fixed) |
Career Progression
After completing the two years of probation, an Indian Information Service(IIS) officer is posted under media unit depending requirement. During his or her career, an IIS officer progresses through designations in ascending order of seniority in Directorate hierarchy –
- He is posted as Assistant Director (JTS – Junior Time Scale) in the initial posting.
- 1st promotion – Deputy Director (STS – Senior Time Scale)
- As Joint Director -Junior Administrative Grade level of Deputy Secretary to Government of India (GoI).
- Post of Director (Junior Administrative Grade)
- Then, Additional Director General (Senior Administrative Grade) of Joint Secretary to Government of India
- Director General (Selection Grade)
- Principal Director General (Higher Administrative Grade)
Summary/Overview
Indian Information Service (IIS) is Group ‘A’ administrative Civil Services. Indian Information Service is the media wing/section of the Government of India. They act as the bridge or link of communication between the Government of India and the People.
Topics covered in this article
- Roles and Responsibility of Indian Information Service (IIS)
- Eligibility criteria of IIS
- Recruitment and Training
- Grade and Salary of IIS
- Career Progression
Note- For more information, visit- https://www.upsc.gov.in/
You can also check our article on “How to Prepare for Civil Services CSAT Examination” here.