What is the difference between UPSC and AIS?

UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) and AIS (All India Services) are both crucial components of India’s civil services, but they serve distinct roles. UPSC conducts examinations, such as the Civil Services Examination, to recruit candidates for various central government services, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS). AIS, on the other hand, consists of three prestigious services – IAS, IPS, and Indian Forest Service (IFoS) – and its officers are recruited at the national level but work for both the central and state governments. While UPSC is responsible for recruitment, AIS officers perform administrative and law enforcement roles at the state and central levels, making them key figures in Indian governance.