Indian Forest Services (IFoS)

The Indian Foreign Service (IFS) is the administrative diplomatic[1] civil service under Group A[2] and Group B[3][4] of the Central Civil Services of the executive branch of the Government of India.[5] It is a Central Civil service as Foreign policy is the subject matter and prerogative of Union Government.[6] The Ambassador, High Commissioner, Consul General, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations and Foreign Secretary are some of the offices held by the members of this service.[1] The administrative head of the service is the Foreign Secretary, and the Political Head of the service is the External Affairs Minister. The service is entrusted to conduct diplomacy and manage foreign relations of India.[1] It is the body of career diplomats serving in more than 162 Indian Diplomatic Missions and International Organisations around the world. In addition, they serve at the headquarters of the Ministry of External affairs in Delhi and the Prime Minister's Office.[7] They also head the Regional Passport Offices throughout the country and hold positions in the President's Secretariat and several ministries on deputation. Foreign Secretary of India is the administrative head of the Indian Foreign Service.