What is the main difference between IAS and UPSC?

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is an umbrella term that refers to the constitutional body responsible for conducting various national-level competitive examinations for recruitment into the Indian government's civil services, defense services, and other central government roles. UPSC administers multiple exams, including the Civil Services Examination (CSE), which is the pathway to becoming an IAS (Indian Administrative Service) officer.

On the other hand, IAS (Indian Administrative Service) is just one of the many services that fall under the broader scope of the UPSC. The Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by UPSC selects candidates for multiple services, including:

1. Indian Administrative Service (IAS) – Handles policy implementation, governance, and administration.
2. Indian Police Service (IPS) – Deals with law enforcement and internal security.
3. Indian Foreign Service (IFS) – Represents India in diplomatic affairs and foreign relations.
4. Indian Revenue Service (IRS) – Focuses on taxation, revenue collection, and financial laws.
5. Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IAAS) – Works with the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India.
6. And many more (Total of 24+ services).

Key Difference:

• UPSC is the examining body, responsible for conducting exams and selecting candidates.
• IAS is a specific service that candidates can join after clearing the UPSC Civil Services Examination with a high rank.

Thus, UPSC serves as the broader, umbrella term encompassing various services, while IAS is just one of the elite services within it.