24.What is IAAS exam?

Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IAAS) is a Group A civil services of the Government of India. The IAAS is a central government service, under the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and is free of control from any executive authority.

The main responsibility of the IAAS is to audit the accounts of the Union and State governments and public sector organisation and to maintain the accounts for State governments.

 IA&AS is responsible for auditing the accounts of the Union and State governments and public sector organizations, and for maintaining the accounts of State governments. Its role is somewhat similar to the US GAO and National Audit Office (United Kingdom).

Once recruited to the IA&AS, the directly recruited officers are trained mainly at the National Academy of Audit and Accounts, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India.

Eligibility Criteria

Ø Nationality:

Ø Nationality of a candidate must be either of the following:

Ø Citizen of India

Ø Subject of Nepal

Ø Subject of Bhutan

Ø A Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962 for permanent settlement in India.

Ø Migrant from any of the following countries for permanently settling in India: Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia and Vietnam

Educational Qualification: In order to qualify to attend the exam, candidates should hold a degree from any of the universities recognised by the UGC or possess an equivalent qualification.

Ø Candidate must hold a Bachelor's Degree from any of the recognized universities

Ø Candidates who have appeared for the qualifying examination and are awaiting results or those who are yet to appear for the qualifying examination are also eligible for the Preliminary Examination. Such candidates have to produce proof of passing the said examination along with the application for the Main Examination

Ø Candidates with professional and technical qualifications recognized by the Government or its equivalent are also eligible to apply

Ø Candidates who have passed the final year of MBBS or any Medical Examination but are yet to complete the internship can also appear for the Main Examination. However, they must submit a certificate from the concerned University that they have passed the final professional medical examination

Age Limit:

Ø Minimum age 21 years

Ø Maximum age 30 years as on 1st of August in the year of examination.

Ø Relaxable age limit is as follows:

· Upto max. 5 years for SC/ST candidates.

· Upto max. 3 years for OBC candidates.

· Upto max. 5 years for candidate from the State of Jammu & Kashmir

· Upto max. 5 years for Defence Services personnel

· Upto max 5 years for Ex-servicemen including Commissioned officers and ECOs/SSCOs who have rendered at least 5 years Military Service and have been released.

· Upto max 5 years for ECOs/SSCOs who have completed an initial period of assignment of 5 years of Military Service.

· Upto max. 10 years for Blind, deaf-mute and Orthopaedically handicapped persons

Number of attempts:

The maximum number of attempts is as follows:

Ø General Category candidates: 6 attempts

Ø Scheduled Caste /Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) candidates: No restriction

Ø OBC candidates: 9 attempts

Ø Physically handicapped- 9 attempts for general and OBC, while unlimited for SC/ST

Roles and Responsibilities

The role of IA&AS officers is very venerable, demands a great deal of responsibility and reverence. It is also important that an officer is physically and mentally fit and healthy to handle the work pressure without giving in. The following are the roles and responsibilities that an IA&AS officer is deputed:

Ø IA&AS is responsible for auditing the accounts of the Union and State governments and public sector organizations.

Ø Maintaining the accounts of State government.

Ø Its role is somewhat similar to the US GAO and National Audit Office (United Kingdom)