Role of an ITS Officer - UPSC

The importance of ITS should be emphasized, as it is vital for the smooth running of the country's economy and the country's progress. In this article, you'll learn the role of an ITS officers, the perks they enjoy, and their salary. And, as we know, that for every up, there is always a down. You'll also get to know some of the challenges the officers face.

ITS is an acronym that stands for Indian Trade service. It falls under the Group A section of the central civil services of the Government of India. ITS was created to handle India's international trade and commerce based on the recommendations of the Mathur Committee in 1965 (a study group on the body overseeing import and export commerce led by Sri H.C. Mathur, a member of parliament).).

The authority of the Indian Trade Service is currently controlled by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade(DGFT) under the Ministry of Commerce. The Indian Trade Service was established for the unique role of increasing Indian International Trade and Commerce.

ITS is divided into nine different divisions:

1. International Trade Policy Division

2. Foreign Trade Policy Division

3. Export Product Division

4. Export Industries Division

5. Export Services Division

6. Economic Division

7. Administration and General Service Division

8. Finance Division

9. Supply Division

Responsibilities of an ITS Officer

The roles and responsibilities that ITS officers discharged include:

• Negotiation of international trade and commercial diplomacy.

• Export promotion through various initiatives.

• Implementation of trade policy.

• Formulating international trade policies.

• Documentation of lessons for future use.

• Provision of licenses for various import and export commodities.

• Allocation of export and tariff quotas to various sectors of goods and services.

• Handling of the trade dispute between India and foreign firms.

• Coordination of financial activities and obtaining payment for import and export operations.

Salary of an ITS Officer

The salary of ITS officers varies based on their grades and rank.

DESIGNATIONS	SALARY SCALE	GRADE PAY
Assistant Director General of Foreign Trade	Rs 15,600 - Rs 39,100	Rs 5400
Deputy Director General of Foreign Trade	Rs 15,600 - Rs 39,100	Rs 6,600
The Joint Director General of Foreign Trade	Rs 15,600 - Rs 39,100	Rs 7,600
Joint Director General of Foreign Trade/Director	Rs 37,400 - Rs 67,000	Rs 8,700
Additional Director General of Foreign Trade/Trade Advisor	Rs 37,400 - Rs 67,000	Rs 10,000
Director General of Foreign Trade/Senior Development Commissioner, Special Economic Zone	Rs 67,000 - 3% - Rs 79,000

Peaks of an ITS Officer

An ITS officer gets the opportunity to serve at the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FICCI) and to serve on deputation with foreign missions, WTO and the UN. The benefits and perks enjoyed by ITS officers are numerous, including those dealing with trade at the international level, including personal perks mentioned below.

• Traveling around the world

• Job security & Lifetime financial security

• Decent accommodation & Medical Treatment

How to become an ITS officer?

1. Join the Indian Civil Services (ICS): The Indian Civil Services (ICS) is a competitive examination held every year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to select candidates for various posts in the Government of India. To join the ICS, you must qualify for the Civil Service Examination conducted by the UPSC.

2. Join the Indian Trade Services (ITS): The Indian Trade Services (ITS) is a Group 'A' service under the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). The ITS is responsible for promoting, regulating, and developing India's foreign trade. To join the ITS, you must qualify for the Civil Service Examination conducted by the UPSC.

3. Apply for the Indian Trade Service Officer (ITSO): The ITSO post is one of the most coveted posts under the Indian Trade Services. To apply for the ITSO post, you must first qualify for the Civil Services Examination and then apply for the ITSO post through the UPSC website.

4. Clear the Personal Interview: Once you have successfully applied for the ITSO post, you will be called for a personal interview. The personal interview is conducted to assess your knowledge and skills related to foreign trade.

5. Get Selected as an ITSO: Once you have cleared the personal interview, you will be selected as an ITSO. After selection, you will be assigned to various departments in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and will be responsible for promoting, regulating, and developing India's foreign trade.

You may also be assigned to other departments of the Government of India, such as the Department of Economic Affairs, the Department of Financial Services, and the Department of Foreign Affairs. You face challenges in the first place, but there are really not many downsides to this service except for Excess workload and No public interface.

Friendly Conclusion

By now, you already get the insight you need about the ITS. A career in this vibrant service is not wrong, as you enjoy several perks and benefits with minimal challenges. In conclusion, the challenges associated with this line of work are minimal compared to other tech industry areas. With the right attitude and work ethic, anyone can enjoy a successful career at ITS.