The Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) one of the important Group A Central Civil Service of India working under the aegis of the Ministry of Defence that is responsible for maintaining the complete accounts of the Defence Services. The officials of IDAS serve the DRDO, Border Road Organisation, Ordinance factories and other inter-services organisations. The defence accounts offices in cantonment, states and defence command headquarters are under the jurisdiction of the IDAS officials. The CGDA is fully involved by the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, in formulation of policies on all the matters pertaining to pension, delegation of financial powers, accounting procedures, changes in terms and conditions of work contracts and procedures on Internal Audit for Defence and their update. The first position to be placed in after appointment in the Indian Defence Accounts Services through Civil Service Exam is that of Assistant Controller of Defence Accounts whereas the Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) is the Head of the Indian Defence Accounts Service and functions as internal Financial Adviser and Chief Accounts Officer to the three Services Chiefs. The Financial Adviser (Defence Services) heads the Finance Division of the Ministry of Defence which comprises three main Departments: Department of Defence, Department of Defence Production and Supplies; and Department of Defence Development and Research which are each headed by a Secretary to the Government of India. The Addl. Controller General of Defence Accounts (Audit) and Addl. CGDA (inspections) assist the CGDA at the headquarters. Five Regional Controllers of Defence Accounts who are co-terminus with the five commands of the Indian Army function at field level. Four Internal Financial Advisers are in each key service headquarters to assist the authorities.
The hierarchy:
The hierarchy:
- Assistant Controller of Defence Accounts
- Deputy Controller of Defence Accounts
- Joint Controller of Defence Accounts
- Controller of Defence Accounts
- Principal Controller of Defence Accounts
- Additional Controller General of Defence Accounts
- Controller General of Defence Accounts (Financial Advisor – Defence Services)(At the apex)
