Article 312 — All India Services

In India's federal system, the Centre and States usually have their separate public services (e.g., Central Secretariat Service vs State Civil Services).

However, All India Services (AIS) are unique. Officers of these services are recruited and trained by the Central Government (via UPSC), but they are allotted to different State cadres to serve the State Governments. They serve as the administrative glue holding the country together.

Currently, there are three All India Services:

1. IAS (Indian Administrative Service)
2. IPS (Indian Police Service)
3. IFS (Indian Forest Service - created in 1966)

Article 312 states that if the Rajya Sabha declares by a resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting that it is necessary in the national interest, the Parliament may by law create one or more new All India Services.

Why Rajya Sabha? Because All India Services officers work for State Governments, creating a new service affects the states' autonomy. The Rajya Sabha represents the States in Parliament. Therefore, the Constitution mandates that the States (via the Rajya Sabha) must first agree before the Centre can impose a new All India Service on them. This power is NOT available to the Lok Sabha.

Article 312 also grants the Parliament the power to regulate the recruitment and the conditions of service of persons appointed to these services. This led to the passing of the All India Services Act, 1951.