The full form of PCS is Provincial Civil Service. Today the term is used for the State Civil Services: the administrative, police and allied services of a state, recruited through the State Public Service Commission (State PSC). A PCS officer typically starts as a Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM)/Deputy Collector, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Block Development Officer or in other state Group A and B posts, and senior PCS officers can be promoted to the IAS.
Quick Answer
PCS full form: Provincial Civil Service (now State Civil Services). Recruited by: the State Public Service Commission, for example UPPSC, BPSC, MPPSC, RPSC, HPSC. Exam stages: Prelims, Mains and Interview. Typical posts: SDM/Deputy Collector, DSP, BDO, Tehsildar, Assistant Commissioner (Commercial Tax), District Treasury Officer. Controlled by: the state government, unlike the IAS and IPS, which are All India Services. Promotion to IAS: up to one-third of a state’s IAS cadre posts are filled by promoting State Civil Service officers. Other meanings: PCS-J means the state judicial service (Civil Judge, Junior Division).
Names of the State Civil Services
Each state uses its own name for the service and the exam:
| State | Service / exam name | Commission |
|---|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh | PCS (Combined State/Upper Subordinate Services) | UPPSC |
| Bihar | Bihar Administrative Service (BPSC CCE) | BPSC |
| Madhya Pradesh | State Service Examination | MPPSC |
| Rajasthan | RAS/RTS | RPSC |
| Haryana | HCS (Executive Branch) | HPSC |
| Punjab | PCS (Executive Branch) | PPSC |
| Maharashtra | State Services (Rajyaseva) | MPSC |
| Uttarakhand | PCS | UKPSC |
PCS Exam Pattern
- Preliminary Examination: objective papers on General Studies (and in many states a qualifying aptitude paper, like the UPSC CSAT).
- Main Examination: descriptive papers on General Studies, an essay, a language paper and, in some states, an optional subject or state-specific papers.
- Interview (Personality Test): final selection is on Mains plus Interview marks.
Eligibility: a graduate degree; the age limit varies by state, commonly 21 to 40 years for the general category, with relaxations for reserved categories.
PCS vs IAS
| Point | PCS (State Civil Service) | IAS |
|---|---|---|
| Type | State service | All India Service (Article 312) |
| Recruiting body | State PSC | UPSC |
| Controlling authority | State government | Union government (DoPT) and state jointly |
| Entry post | SDM / Deputy Collector | SDM (after training), then District Collector |
| Career ceiling | Senior state posts; promotion to IAS possible | Chief Secretary, Cabinet Secretary |
| Transfer | Within the state | Within the cadre; central deputation |
Promotion of PCS Officers to the IAS
Under the IAS (Recruitment) Rules, 1954 and the IAS (Appointment by Promotion) Regulations, 1955, up to about 33% of a state’s IAS cadre strength is filled by promoting officers of the State Civil Service. A Selection Committee chaired by a UPSC member prepares the select list based on seniority, records and integrity. Promoted officers usually join the IAS after 8 to 15 years or more of state service, depending on the state.
Read next: How to Become an SDM and SDM Salary.