Indian Ordnance Factories Service (IOFS)

 After passing the UPSC civil services test, qualified applicants might be admitted into one of the Group 'A' services, which is the Indian Ordnance Factories Service (IOFS). Being the only cadre where officers are hired through the civil services test, engineering services exam, interviews, and promotions makes it a special service. This page provides a thorough understanding of the Indian Ordnance Factories Service (IOFS).

The Indian ordnance manufacturers have a long history that begins with the British Raj. The British authorities established the Board of Ordnance at Fort William, Calcutta, in 1775 to provide the British East India Company with the military weaponry they needed to establish and sustain their economic dominance in India. In 1787, the first factory was established in Ishapore, producing gunpowder. When the Indian Ordnance Service was founded in 1935, its commanders were exclusively European. In 1954, it was reorganized as the Indian Ordnance Factories Service (IOFS), with the Department of Defence serving as its governing body.

Training Period (IOFS)-

Officer trainees receive management, public administration, and technological training at the National Academy of Defence Production (NADP), Nagpur, following their initial Foundation Course at LBSNAA. There are 64 weeks in this induction training program. Following this, they are taken on a Bharat Darshan, which includes visits to nuclear, aerospace, military, industrial, and other technical facilities. Next, in the Ordnance Factories, the officers receive on-the-job training.

Function and Duties (IOFS):- 

1. Product research and development, production planning and control, quality control, project management, supply management, materials management, labor welfare, personnel management, industrial relations, management, industrial safety maintenance of residential estates, etc. are among the main responsibilities of IOFS officers at the ordnance factories.
2. These officers also serve in managerial positions in various PSUs and SEZs.
3. They also support the Prime Minister, President of India, and members of the Union Cabinet as secretaries and advisors.
4. They could potentially work for the DRDO as scientists.
5. It is also possible for IOFS officers to be asked to serve as Commissioned Officers in the armed services for a term of four years.

Salary/Pay Scale Structure:-

Grade	Designation		Pay Scale
	In the field	In HQ
Junior Time Scale	Assistant Works Manager	Assistant Director	15600 – 39100 + Grade Pay 5400
Senior Time Scale	Works Manager	Deputy Director	15600 – 39100 + Grade Pay 6600
Senior Time Scale (Non-Functional)	Deputy General Manager	Joint Director	15600 – 39100 + Grade Pay 7600
Junior Administrative Grade (Functional)	Joint General Manager	Director	37400 – 67000 + Grade Pay 8700
Senior Administrative Grade	Additional General Manager / Principal Director / Regional Director / General Manager / Regional Controller of Safety	Deputy Director-General	37400 – 67000 + Grade Pay 10000
Higher Administrative Grade	Senior General Manager / Senior Principal Director	Senior Deputy Director-General	67000 – 79000
Higher Administrative Grade +		Additional Director General and Member of the Board	75500 – 80000
Apex		Director General Ordnance Factories (DGOF) and Chairman of the Ordnance Factories Board	80000 (fixed)

 IOFS cadre officers work in a variety of divisions, including the administration and production departments.