Probationers at first are attached with a desk,
dealing with a particular country, at the External Affairs Ministry in
India. Thereafter they are posted abroad to the Indian Mission of that
country, as third secretaries. Normally he is posted in a country where
his compulsory foreign language (CFL) is the native language and enrolled
in a language course. The officer is expected to develop proficiency
in his CFL and pass the requisite examination before he is confirmed in
service. Then he/she is promoted to Second Secretary as soon as he is
confirmed in service. They remain in the same office as Second Secretary
for two years.
Officers can also be posted to Indian Consulates
abroad where the hierarchy is Vice-Consul, Consul and Consul General.
Probationers at first are attached with a desk,
dealing with a particular country, at the External Affairs Ministry.
Thereafter they are posted to the Indian Mission of that country, as third
secretaries. During their tenure within the country they work in the
Ministry or are posted in any of its attached office e.g. the Passport
Office. They are deputed to institutions like United Nations, UNESCO,
World Bank, SAARC, etc.
Service
Hierarchy
Grade
Pay scales
Designation in Field
Designation in Headquarters
Junior Time Scale
8000-275-13500
Attache / Third secretary
Under secretary
Senior Time Scale
10650-325-15850
Second / First secretary
Under secretary
Junior Administrative Grade
12000-375-16500
First secretary
Deputy secretary
Selection grade IV
14300-400-18300
Director
Counselor Director
Senior Administrative Grade
18400-500-22400
Minister/DCM Ambassador
Joint secretary
Senior Administrative Grade
22400-525-24500
Ambassador/high Commissioner
Additional secretary
Senior Administrative Grade
26000 (fixed)
Ambassador/High Commissioner
Secretary
Foreign Service Officer is required to project India’s interests, both
at home and abroad on a wide variety of issues. These include bilateral
political and economic cooperation, trade and investment promotion, cultural
interaction, press and media liaison as well as a whole host of multilateral
issues.
Main functions include: Representing India in its Embassies, High
Commissions, Consulates, and Permanent Missions to multilateral organizations
like UN; Protecting India’s national interests in the country of his/her
posting; Negotiating agreements on various issues with the authorities of the
receiving state; and Extending consular facilities to foreigners and Indian
nationals abroad. At home, Ministry of External Affairs is responsible for all
aspects of external relations.
