Why are you even comparing a law firm role with IAS/IPS? The former stands nowhere to the latter.

Surely the ultimate aim of studying law is to be an IAS.

Agreed. Bar & Bench is much better that way. They extensively cover people in the bar, services, NGOs, academic etc. They do not glorify law firms like this.

Second

NLU students prefer civil services or judiciary. Barely many from top NLUs appear for judiciary.

So.

She's 2016, Kian

It’s ain’t that easy man! Half of list will be from National law schools? Really?!!haha

At least you have money and live in big cities.

Live in big cities in 1 bhks? :) That's quite low an ambition.

Just a clarification to the above statement. It means that be happy in what you have in life, rather than cribbing about it. See what you have. Don't see what you don't have.

Wasn't said anything against civil services. Very reputed service and immense opportunities to go miles in life the service provides!

Kuch bhi? Sameer - who has cleared it - is from IIT

Dil pe mat le yaar. But, its true that LI is all about bitching sessions these days. Need to up the ante on quality front.

The situation is not rosy as painted. I don't see that IAS /IPS or IRS carry the same charm as termed in general psyche of Indian masses due to colonial ruled country. They functioning of our top organisation is nowadays opening to public gaze by their evil deeds. Indian bureaucracy is known as worst in Asia. New ideas are not well taken by seniors. Lobby culture is there. For example IAS or IPS association who try to guard their interests as organizations or their fraternity. I still feel professionals are much better than the generalised IAS offrs. The service is overhyped and not helping the interest of nation.

True. It doesn't have the same aura. But in terms of a lawyer, it's still better than working in a law firm, be that as a partner. I solely mean in terms of the monotonous lifestyle.

I fail to understand how can people be so naive, despite calling themselves a "professional". While you sit here criticizing the officers, they are going out there in the ground and building this nation brick by brick.

Don't hv in depth knowledge of law firms atmosphere but being part of the above services from the day of joining, I know the limitations of civil services,. Some great decisions at the highest level also come under inherent vested interest of lobby, political parties. Education and power of decision making do not make them automatically align to the truth or to work in the interest of masses. Heavy political interference and see the fate of Khemka and Sanjeev chaturvedi (who got 0 point in his appraisal and fighting for himself).

Some good ppl are there but most of them not ready even disclose their property returns,Though mandatory as per dopt order.

Regarding that IAS officer his preference for IAS over a multi billion startup would be his personal opinion. I know 2 men both IIT-ians who quit IAS for silicon valley after an MBA at Stanford. So these assessments based on one off examples are largely anecdotal.

Pushing files? You clearly have no idea about what the bureaucrats do. Have my elder brother in my service, and yes I know things.

I am a lawyer working with a law firm, and am already too bored with this lifestyle.

And restaurants? They fail to appeal you after a particular stage. There are more meaningful things to be done in life. Feel sad for yourself, may be. For the judgment, and monotonous life.

Ofc dear "elder brother" would be too ashamed to admit his service is not what outsiders think it is. And naturally dear "younger sister" will defend it as the No.1 employment in world history. LOL

My dad was in one of the group A services, some rubbish service called ITS. All his life he's been a file pusher (no shame in that) but he always candidly admitted that his scope to do anything was N-I-L. If he differed from his seniors he would be transferred out, if he contradicted them he'd be sucked into a departmental proceeding in which his career advancement would be finished. If he refused to sign off on his boss's notes he would be totally sidelined. If he exposed scams in telecom equipment procurement he would be insulted and possibly threatened. At 60 he felt that he'd accomplished nothing worthwhile, made not much money, got a few foreign trips which were sops and wasted his education (he's an IITian).

The salary is a huge factor. The highest salary payable to a cabinet secretary is Rs 2.5 lakhs per month, or about 27 lakhs a year (at the age of 60). A lawyer can earn that much in 4 years as an SA. A 60 year old partner will make 5-10 crores legally.

Its also a myth that civil servants "build the nation brick by brick" as some joker posted. In reality top level policy decisions always seek inputs from senior advocates, partners, GCs of big firms, etc. My dad used to carry drafts of telecom policy to the GC of Vodafone and Airtel for their views. After that he had to meet couple of senior partners at old AMSS Delhi who would keep him waiting as it was non-billable work for them. Look around, all top committees, bodies have senior lawyers on them, unfettered by allegiance to government in making their views.

Being a lawyer or doctor is far more prestigious than being a civil servant. All jobs are monotonous and boring after a while but law firms do not require you to constantly battle with your conscience to avoid scamming, skimming or taking bribes. Keeping a clean nose in the civil service is insanely difficult, look at Khemka, 52 transfers in 27 years!??? What kind of shit life is that???

They did not talking here about ITS, but only about IAS/IPS. Sad that you didn't get to see that in your family, and think that's how every other service is.

For every Khemka, there are at least 10 other bureaucrats who are happy with the service and things they are getting to do in life.

But here we are not talking about your 'dear father' - who was in ITS. With all due respect to your father's job - ITS is nowhere close to the shit that we have been talking about [if at all you cared to read above comments].

My dad is an IAS officer - now serving at the Additional Chief Secretary level. And, sadly I have been sucked into corp law firm [which I am planning to leave, in any case]. I feel whoever says shit about IAS/IPS - either he has not seen the aura or it's a matter of sour grapes.

And I have seen how dad did what he did - took effective decisions, which aimed at transformation of lives of people. I still see people of that particular city/town being grateful for the work done then. So much so, a political party requested him to fight elections from that particular constituency. No wonder the ex- Chief Secretaries are given BJP/Congress tickets this season.

As for policy decisions - have seen it myself that how industrialists worth thousands of crores rupees line up in dad's office. Yes, the same industrialists in whose offices we - the corp lawyers - line up to get billable work.

IAS/IPS/IFS/IRS officers generate enormous respect in the society. And, thats why they are in a different league. Nobody gives UPSC to become ITS/IDES officer. They give it to become IAS/IPS/IRS/IFS officers.

It's a food chain. IAS/IRS/IPS (highest order> Industrialists/Corporates (s -> Law firms (lowest orders)

And, if your dad got ITS (and not IAS/IPS/IRS) after IIT 9 years - why did he settle for that? Who goes to ITS after IIT. Either that's some made up shit or you are being delusional about the prestige of IAS.

Or - is it a matter of sour grapes, while pushing emails in your law firm cubicle? :)

Let's respect for once - the guys who have made it to the top after clearing UPSC - the mother of exams. You needs guts, even to prepare for this.

Viewing it from money point of view is TOO MYOPIC. How can you even equate Cabinet Secretary with some Senior Associate of a law firm? That's too dumb.

People usually forget that with SAs earning money - they also have bills/EMIs/rents to pay - none of which is usually there (apart from some token money) in IAS. IAS gives you a very very comfortable life in money-terms.

Why are we even having this debate? It's quite non-sensical, actually. IAS is in a different league altogether.

Being in a law firm for 8 years - can say - it's shitty, with certainty. My bad luck was that I couldn't realise and was too myopic, happy with the initial money. And so are these kids now, I feel.

On another note - have seen myself how my boss has made endeavours to make contacts with Joint Secretary level officials. JS level officers are Gods in policy making. They are the deciders.

Buddy, we ain't talking about ITS. We are talking about IAS/IPS/IRS/Indian Foreign Service. That's gold.

Maybe, you haven't seen that life. I have done so - from closest quarters.

And yeah, ITS is shitty. Who denies that ever? But, how are you so wise to club ITS with IAS? POLES APART.

Eh, c'mon! My mother is ITS. She never 'carries files for GCs' / or some law firms partners 'make her wait'? What nonsense is this. I guess, you are acting a bit delusional over here. I have seen ITS life from the closest quarters.

Just go to CGO complex or Udyog Bhavan - to cure your delusion. You'll see how bankers and lawyers are made to wait there.

It's rather the other way around. Law firm partners are made to wait. Industrialists are made to wait - since it's their vested interests which are involved here.

I am, myself, working in Big 6. I have seen how my boss is made to wait too often in Udyog Bhavan. Just go to CGO complex. You'll find lawyers waiting for the Joint Secretaries to arrive - and pleading their point in front of them.

Maybe, ITS is not at the top of league like IAS/IPS/IRS. But, you are most likely to be surrounded with telecos honchos in your office. a

To the shit lies about ITS - I feel sorry about the ways people are misguided.

There is no genuine respect in society. On the other hand - my mother gets too many perks (even being ITS) - that we can't afford.

Truth is - no matter how much money I am earning here in corp firms - nobody knows me, when I step out of office.

Any thoughts on IPS? Understand IAS is above, but is IPS the same after 10 years in service? After SP rank?

Oh yeah - a Senior Associate doesn't get a palatial house in Chanakyapuri. He doesn't get helpers. He doesn't get ALL THE PERKS (God knows, how many there are) associated with IAS.

All your SA is money - which is quite ordinary. Many people get that. As they said, "Bandar kya jaane adarak ka swaad."

Not everyone wants to appear for IAS - but they want to fill the blobs. :)

As opposed to the real-life ass kicking that educated bureaucrats in this country gets every day from their masters the uneducated politicians? It's pitiful to see how both sides are trying to say that a measure of how good their work is can be had from seeing how long they made the other side to stand in queue before their office. Colonial hangover-caused power trips much?

Maybe Kian needs to understand that India is strutted in a manner which allows ENORMOUS powers to IAS officers. It's not London/Europe, Kian. It's still IAS all the way here.

Not a colonial hangover - but a reality. Ever cared to go out of your corporate cubicle? Perhaps not.

Does education make anyone a good leader? Not really. It's the beauty of democracy that forces the leader to ask for an 'educated officer's' written authorisation/signature. That's how the democracy and meritocracy dance together - to 'build this nation - brick by brick'.