Yogendra Mittal IRS -- Indian Revenue Service Hierarchy

This service deals with the matters concerning Income Tax. The members of this service, begin their career as Assistant Commissioners of Income Tax and may rise to the level of Chief Commissioners of Income Tax.

With changing times however, more and more IRS officers are serving in departments and areas that used to exclusively be the forte of IAS officers. This widening of opportunities and exposure has made the IRS more attractive.

Since there is no cadre system in this service you can expect to be posted anywhere in India nad even your home state, which becomes a problem for many in the IAS or IPS. The tenures are also more stable with an average of 3 years unlike the other two services where one may not even complete a month and the average tenure is around a year or so.

Officers of Indian Revenue Services (Income-tax) enter training at their academy at Nagpur. After training, they are posted as Assistant Commissioners either on assessment or other work.

While the main work of the department is assessment and recovery of direct taxes, the department has specialised branches dealing with investigation of tax evasion, statistics, and so on with the help of Assistant Directors (of the same rank as Assistant Commissioners of Income-tax). The Assistant Commissioners/ Deputy Directors, Communication Chief Commissioners become members of Central Board of Direct Taxes. The head of the department is the Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes, who is invariably a member of the Indian Revenue Services (Income-tax).

Top IRS officers to get fixed pay scale of Rs 80,000 per month

NEW DELHI: Top income tax sleuths will now get a fixed pay scale of Rs 80,000 per month on par with secretaries in the Union government and police chiefs.
The proposal, approving the enhanced salary for chief commissioners (CCs) and directors general (DGs) of income tax, was in-principle cleared by the Union Cabinet in May when it also put its stamp of approval on the much awaited cadre restructuring of the income tax department.
“The decision to upgrade the salaries of these senior ranking officers from Rs 67,000-79,000 to Rs 75,500-80,000 was made by the government on July 19 and it will come into force from today,” a top Revenue department officer said.
This is the first time Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officers have been sanctioned the apex grade of salary and these I-T officers will now be getting equivalent pay on par with secretaries to the government and directors general of police, the officer said.
A total of 116 CCs and DGs of the tax department will get benefit of this decision who are tasked to collect revenue under the direct taxes category.
The government recently sanctioned a large-scale cadre restructuring of the I-T department and created 20,751 posts, in various ranks, in the I-T department.
According to the new blueprint of the I-T in this regard, the number of assessment units of the department would be “increased by 1,080 from 3,420 to 4,500 for strengthening the tax administration”.
This step is expected to “bring additional revenue of Rs 25,756.04 crore per annum against an expenditure of Rs 449.71 crore per annum”, the new blueprint says.
“The primary objective of the strengthening/restructuring exercise (of the I-T department) is to improve the efficiency of the I-T department, maximise revenue collection and provide better services to the taxpayers, apart from improving career prospects of the employees,” the blueprint, also called the vision document, says.

Top IRS officers to get fixed pay scale of Rs 80,000 per month

NEW DELHI: Top income tax sleuths will now get a fixed pay scale of Rs 80,000 per month on par with secretaries in the Union government and police chiefs.

The proposal, approving the enhanced salary for chief commissioners (CCs) and directors general (DGs) of income tax, was in-principle cleared by the Union Cabinet in May when it also put its stamp of approval on the much awaited cadre restructuring of the income tax department.

“The decision to upgrade the salaries of these senior ranking officers from Rs 67,000-79,000 to Rs 75,500-80,000 was made by the government on July 19 and it will come into force from today,” a top Revenue department officer said.

This is the first time Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officers have been sanctioned the apex grade of salary and these I-T officers will now be getting equivalent pay on par with secretaries to the government and directors general of police, the officer said.

A total of 116 CCs and DGs of the tax department will get benefit of this decision who are tasked to collect revenue under the direct taxes category.

The government recently sanctioned a large-scale cadre restructuring of the I-T department and created 20,751 posts, in various ranks, in the I-T department.

According to the new blueprint of the I-T in this regard, the number of assessment units of the department would be “increased by 1,080 from 3,420 to 4,500 for strengthening the tax administration”.

This step is expected to “bring additional revenue of Rs 25,756.04 crore per annum against an expenditure of Rs 449.71 crore per annum”, the new blueprint says.

“The primary objective of the strengthening/restructuring exercise (of the I-T department) is to improve the efficiency of the I-T department, maximise revenue collection and provide better services to the taxpayers, apart from improving career prospects of the employees,” the blueprint, also called the vision document, says.

3 Month Foundational Training (Yogendra Mittal IRS)

After being finally selected for the IRS, the new officer recruits undergo a 3 month foundational training at Lal Bahadur National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie (Uttarakhand). After this, the Customs and Excise officers undergo 15 month rigorous training at National Academy of Customs Excise and Narcotics, Faridabad, while income tax officers are trained at National Academy of Direct Taxes, Nagpur headed by the Director General of Income Tax (Training). After completion of training, the officers are designated as Assistant Commissioner (Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) / Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), and may rise up to the level of Chief Commissioner with a few fortunate ones reaching the top post of Member/Chairperson (CBDT/CBEC).

Director General of Income Tax (Training) also supervises the functioning of seven Regional Training Institutes at Bangalore, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Chennai, Chandigarh and Ahmeabad and 26 Ministerial Staff Training Units spread over the country.

Personal attributes

Main attribute required for IRS aspirants is organising ability. They must be honest, extrovert, dynamic and dedicated people with a high sense of morality, integrity and love for the country. Leadership qualities and communication skills are also essential, to be in this field. One must also be aware of national and international affairs.

Indian Revenue Service (IRS): Job Prospects

Selected candidates in the officer cadre begin their career as Assistant Commissioners of Income Tax and may rise to the level of Chief Commissioners of Income Tax.

Besides the higher grade designations there are several positions in the junior cadre which include Customs / Income Tax Officer, Superintendent, Preventive officers/ Inspectors, Tax assistants, upper division Clerks, Lower division clerks, steno, typists, Constables etc.

Compared to private sector jobs this profession has job security. The salary, allowances and facilities like healthcare, housing, conveyance etc. also make it a lucrative profession. The prestige and power attached to this top-notch job is really great than the salary one earns in this field. IRS candidates can be posted anywhere in the country.

YOGENDRA MITTAL IRS-CBI

How to Apply in I.R.S
The UPSC have developed an application form common for all theirexaminations, which will be processed on computerised machines. Thisapplication form alongwith an Information Brochure containing general instructions for filling up the form, an acknowledgement card and an envelope for sending the application is obtainable from the designated Head Post Offices/Post Offices throughout the country as against cash payment of Rs. 20/- (Rupees twenty only). Form should be purchased from the designated Post Offices only and not from any other agency. This form can be used only once and for only one examination. Candidates must use the form supplied with the Information Brochure only and they should in no case use photocopy / reproduction / unauthorisedlyprinted copy of the Form. Stock Guru Since this form is electronically
scannable, due care should be taken to fill up the application form, correctly. While filling up the application form, please refer to detailed instructions given in the Notice.


- FEW WORDS FROM SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATESPlanned studies, hard work and inner motivation are the keys to success.
Strong willpower and faith in God are keys to success.
Hard work, focused approach and faith in God are stepping-stones to success.
Hard work, good planning and positive approach.
Dedication, time management and hard work are secrets of success.
Self-confidence, planning and systematic study are stepping-stones to success.
Motivation and confidence are the keys to success.
Determination, positive attitude - key to success.
Patience, selection of optionals, hard work and good luck.

General perception

IRS has never attracted the best talent since it fares poorly in terms of low career prospects, stagnation in promotions, minimal office facilities & perks in terms of
Staff quarters, vehicles, telephone, orderlies etc. The service has little comparison
with IRS of USA &UK and with IAS on the home front since it does not have the equivalent stature in the Government.
I vividly remember the day when I was allotted this service while undergoing training at Mussoorie. In those days other account services like audit & accounts, defense accounts, railway accounts were preferred among the central services.
Although I did not have high rank in the merit list, yet, I did not expect allotment of Income Tax service and felt disappointed when the orders came. Sitting lonely and a little sad in the lawns of the Academy, I chanced to meet the Director who was passing by to take up the class. He enquired the reasons for my sullen mood and hearing the reply about allotment of Income Tax service, he said that it is good since I may be able to slice the throats of the rich people.
The preference has undergone a change recently with more candidates opting for Income Tax and Customs but the reasons for the same are different with some trying to make a fast buck.
The general public, some members of other services, professionals and businessmen even now share the perception of the then Director of the Academy thinking it to be a service enjoying immense influence.
There is no doubt that the members of the service can wield lot of power over the business class, the professionals and sometimes over the officers of other services while probing into their financial dealings at the time of framing assessment orders. The service officers are vested with the powers to summon persons, examine them on oath, carry out surveys and searches, attach & auction properties against tax dues.
The tax recovery officers are competent to detain the defaulters and keep them in civil prison. The IT officials and that of CBI are often used to corner even powerful politicians. The case of Shri LalooYadav and some known political persons in Jain hawala case are well known to every body.
In actual practice, however the big assesses, the industrialists and other senior officers do not care much, with money power and their clout with the political and senior bosses in the dept. It is largely due to the circulation of black money in the economy and its large usage in fighting elections, giving bribes and other illegal activities. The Dept. has been unable to check the abuse in the absence of political will.
When I joined the field post on completion of training, it was observed that the town’s industrial class kept the seniors in humor and they did not care much for officers at the lower level.
In metros, the present trend is to keep contacts in the CBDT and throw their weight on the junior officers. No tax payee worth the salt now visits the tax office.
Some senior officers, journalists, CEOs have threatened to make complaints when called to the office for their cases. Their cases are not scrutinized properly since they manage a telephonic message from the seniors.
A few years back, some respectable persons did come calling on the IRS officers just for social company ant not expecting any favors. They also used to pay a visit on Holi and Deepawali but no longer now. Then it was a matter of honor for them to call the officers on weddings and other social functions but now the tax officers are deliberately kept away.
The system of courtesy calls or keeping relations with the officers has worn out with the times. With materialism seeping in the system, old values have no relevance and some go to meet the officer only in case of dire necessity.

How to Apply in I.R.S

The UPSC have developed an application form common for all theirexaminations, which will be processed on computerised machines. Thisapplication form alongwith an Information Brochure containing general instructions for filling up the form, an acknowledgement card and an envelope for sending the application is obtainable from the designated Head Post Offices/Post Offices throughout the country as against cash payment of Rs. 20/- (Rupees twenty only). Form should be purchased from the designated Post Offices only and not from any other agency. This form can be used only once and for only one examination. Candidates must use the form supplied with the Information Brochure only and they should in no case use photocopy / reproduction / unauthorisedly printed copy of the Form. Stock Guru Since this form is electronically
scannable, due care should be taken to fill up the application form, correctly. While filling up the application form, please refer to detailed instructions given in the Notice.

- Few words from successful candidates

Planned studies, hard work and inner motivation are the keys to success.
Strong willpower and faith in God are keys to success.
Hard work, focused approach and faith in God are stepping-stones to success.
Hard work, good planning and positive approach.
Dedication, time management and hard work are secrets of success.
Self-confidence, planning and systematic study are stepping-stones to success.
Motivation and confidence are the keys to success.
Determination, positive attitude - key to success.
Patience, selection of optionals, hard work and good luck.