A comparative study of IRS[C&CE] Vs IRS [IT].....A Model Service preference order for CSE-2009 Mains Form

Now It is the time to fill the UPSC mains form for CSE-2009....Numerous candidates face difficulties in filling the preference of services due to lack of knowledge. Neutral views is publishing a write up by one of the IRS officer to clear the air on this issue.
“In CSE-08, Rank-78 has opted for IRS[IT], Rank-140,160 for IRS[C&Ce]...these examples reflect a break with tradition maturing of the things in CS. With globalisation, not only the role of services has undergone a paradigm shift but the people’s choices and priorities have also changed considerably. Now a days, more and more candidates are opting for central services especially IRS [C&CE] and IRS[IT] over others.This is a healthy trend. The role of revenue services is bound to increase in future.
Still a large number of aspirants are not informed of the full scope of various services and hence are in dilemma over the selection of services. They frequently heed to advice of coaching institutes which themselves are not fully aware of various services.
One of the biggest dilemma has been deciding between IRS [C&CE] and IRS[IT], both have Ministry of Finance as cadre controlling authority. IRS[C&CE] used to be the clear choice in the 1990’s but the situation has changed recently. Due to the greater visibility of IRS[IT] people are now going for IT without being aware of the full scope of IRS[C&CE] whose role has changed considerably and scope broadened post globalization and with the addition of service tax to its kitty.
Here I will like to place facts before the candidates so that they can decide easily according to their personal preference.
IRS [C&CE] administer and collects central excise,customs,service tax and narcotics of government of India. Few people are aware of the fact that service tax is administered by IRS [C&CE].
The advantages are :
[1] Service tax is the future of Govt of India’s revenue. It is the fastest growing tax of the world [Services contributes 55% of India’s GDP and it is bound to increase in future]. Currently it is contributing 65000 Cr and it is slated to contribute 20 lakh Cr by 2020.
[2] Like IAS, IRS[C&CE] offers greatest diversity of job profile. One gets to administer taxes. Besides, there is a role of this service in :
[a] homeland security
[b] preventing narcoterrorism
[c]regulating narcotics
[d] facilitation of trade in customs
[e] checking serious frauds through DRI,DGCI which are totally manned by IRS[C&CE]
[f] Deputation in CBI,RAW and IB, UPSC [Ms Praveen Talha]
[g] one IRS[C&CE]officer in every SEZ
[h] intellectual property rights
[i] guardians of economic frontiers
[j] check on fake currency
[k] administration of various acts related to other ministries e.g. Arms Act,Antiquity Act,etc.
[3]getting administrative power at quite an early age, IRS [C&CE] officer just after probation are in charge of a division as assistant commissioner [AC].
[4] AC/DC[ deputy comms.] are the cutting edge of this department.
[5] The biggest attraction of IRS[C&CE] is its very cool training and numerous attachments. We have as many as 19 attachments [field training outside academy]..maximum for any service. We are attached with CBN,DGCEI,NPA,NADT,Parliament,Army,Coast guard,NIPFP,Navy,Forest academy,various customs houses,excise and service tax commissionerate. This gives you an excellent opportunity to tour whole of India along with acquisition of knowledge.
[6] There is a great feeling of esprit-De-corps in this service. Probationers are treated as guests when they visit various commissionerate and senior officials try their best to make them comfortable.
IRS [C&CE] has advantages over IRS[IT] as follows:
[1] cool and easy training along with numerous attachment.
[2] Service tax is going to be the king of all taxes
[3]Great diversity of job
[4] administrative power at an early age
[5] uniform service with a huge subordinate staff [in IT no subordinate staff at entry level]
[6] Dealing with high profile corporations with sophisticated client base.
[7] good working environment with spacious offices
[8] wide area of jurisdictions e.g. Merrut chief commissionerate of IRS [C&CE] covers entire UP and Uttarakhand.
For more details about training and photographs one can visit nacen.gov.in and search ‘IRS IN MAKING ‘ in “YouTube.com”
The only few advantage of IRS [IT] over IRS [C&CE] are greater visibility in society and so called more nuisance power which is no real power. With the introduction of direct tax code and more computerisation, IRS[IT] is going to loose this nuisance power also in future. Besides
IRS [IT] has following disadvantages:
[1] Smaller jurisdiction
[2] poor working environment
[3]No subordinate staff i.e. you have type your own papers
[4]] IT Inspectors directly to Joint commissioner bypassing Assistant comms.
[5] very very small offices [cubical]
[6] they are referred as glorified clerks
[7] monotonous job profile
Thus by considering the above facts and after taking individual choices, an ideal service order should be [which can vary according to individual preferences]:
[1]IAS/IFS
[2]IPS
[3]IRS [C&CE]
[4]IRS[IT]
[5]IRTS /IAAS {audit}
[6]IRAS {railway accounts}
[7]IRPS
[8]Civil accounts
[9]DANIC
[10]DAPIC
[11]P&T
[12]IIS
[13]Postal
[14]corporate
[15]defence account
[16]RPF
[17]pondichery civil
[18]defence estate
[19]pondichery police
[20]ordinance factory
[21]armed forces hq