New Delhi: The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) is one of the most prestigious jobs in the country. It is the administrative wing of the Government of India’s All India Services. Along with the Indian Police Service and the Indian Forest Service, the IAS forms the All India Services. IAS officers serve the central government and also the state government. Also, they are deployed to various government establishments like constitutional bodies, staff and line agencies, auxiliary bodies, public sector undertakings, regulatory bodies and autonomous bodies.

The IAS is a part of the nation’s permanent bureaucracy and is an inseparable part of the government’s executive branch. The IAS officers have to remain neutral politically and guarantee administrative continuity to the ruling party or coalition.

The story of IAS Amit Kataria

Over the years, the tales of several IAS officers like Tina Dabi, Smita Sabharwal, and Ansar Shaikh have inspired many aspiring civil servants and common people. In the annals of prominent IAS officers, the name of Amit Kataria, a resident of Gurugram deserves special mention. He is posted in Chhattisgarh at present. Notably, he initially took a salary of just Re 1. It shows he wanted to serve the common people rather than make financial gain.

The sunglasses fiasco of Amit Kataria

In 2015, IAS officer Amit Kataria was the Collector of Bastar in Chhattisgarh. Incidentally, he wore sunglasses while meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the region. The wearing of sunglasses while meeting the PM violated government protocol and Kataria was given a show-cause notice.

In 2003, Amit Kataria secured the 18th position in the prestigious UPSC examination. He is famous for his symbolic gesture of taking only a Re 1 as salary at certain points in his career. He comes from a prominent business family which is indulged in real estate, particularly in Delhi and surrounding areas. Despite his family’s wealth, Kataria once said that he joined UPSC to serve the country, and by foregoing a salary he showed his dedication to the work. His wife Asmita Handa is a commercial pilot.