Getting to be an Assam Finance Service(AFS) is a dignified and rewarding career path. If you are asking yourself how to become an AFS Officer in Assam, this guide is here to help you. AFS Officers play a significant role in directing the state finances, including budgeting and other forms of financial planning. This article contains eligibility criteria, job responsibilities, salary details as well as preparation tips for APSC AFS Recruitment Examination. Whether it’s understanding the position better or preparing for the exam day, you will find all the important information you need to kick-start this motivating career path. So, let us explore what it takes to achieve your goal of becoming an Assam Finance Service Officer in Assam.
What is Assam Finance Service?
The Assam Finance Service (AFS) is a specialized administrative service responsible for managing state finances, budgeting, auditing, as well as implementing financial policies. There are two branches:
- Senior Branch
- Junior Branch
The service shall consists of the following classes and grades:-
- Junior Grade-ll
(i) Treasury officer
(ii) Finance and Account officer
- Junior Grade-l:
(i) Deputy Director of Finance (budget) Department.
(ii) Deputy Director, Accounts and Treasuries, Assam.
(iii) Financial Advisers in head of the Department,
(iv) Chief Accounts Officer, Zilla parishad
3. Senior Grade-II
(i) Joint Director of Accounts and Treasuries.
(ii) Joint Director of Budget.
(iii) Joint Director of Pension.
(iv) Joint Director of Financial Inspection.
(v) Joint Director of Assam Administrative Staff College.
(vi) Joint Director of Audit (Local Fund).
(vii) Joint Director of Accounts and Treasuries (National Pension Fund)
(viii) Joint Director of Accounts and Treasuries(Comprehensive Information System)
(ix) Senior Financial Adviser in Administrative Department.
4. Senior Grade-1:-
(i) Director of Accounts and Treasuries, Assam.
(ii) Director of Audit (Local Fund), Assam.
(iii) Director of Finance (Budget) Department.
(iv) Director of Pension, Assam.
5. Selection Grade:-
(i) Additional Secretary, Finance (Budget) Department
(ii) Additional Secretary, Finance (Audit and Fund) Department.
Also Read: An Inspiring Guide on How to Become AFS Officer in Assam
Assam Finance Service Recruitment:
Recruitment to the Junior Branch of AFS is done in two ways:
➡️ Direct Recruitment
- Candidates are selected through a competitive examination conducted by the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC CCE).
➡️ Promotion through departmental Examination
Additionally, eligible officers from the Subordinate Financial Service are promoted to the AFS based on:
- Seniority
- Merit
Provided further that a member of the service shall be eligible for Departmental (promotion) Examination who is a graduate from any recognized University and has rendered at least 5 years of continuous service and who does not cross the age of 50 years on the first day of the year in which Departmental (promotion) Examination has been held.
Note: Furthermore, the Competitive examination for direct recruitment and departmental examination for promotion shall be conducted by the APSC.
Procedure of Direct Recruitment
➡️ Direct recruitment to the cadre shall be made based on a recommendation made by the Commission by the procedure herein after provided:-
(a) Before the end of each year (i.e., in December) the Appointing Authority shall assess the likely number of vacancies to be filled up by way of direct recruitment during the next year and shall intimate the same to the Commission together with details about reservation for candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes or any other category.
(b) The Appointing Authority shall simultaneously request the Commission to recommend a list of candidates for direct recruitment in order of preference.
(c) Together with, the Commission shall prepare a list of all candidates who qualify in Order of merit by the aggregate marks obtained by each candidate.
(d) Accordingly, the Commission shall furnish to the Appointing Authority the list of candidates recommended by it in order of preference found suitable for direct recruitment showing the marks obtained in examination/written test and interview. The number of candidates in such a list shall be equal to the number of vacancies notified. Further, the Commission shall furnish such lists to the Government for appointment to the post of the service.
(e) The Commission shall publish the list in the Assam Gazette and such other places as the Commission way consider proper.
(f) The list mentioned in clause (d) of this rule shall remain valid for twelve calendar months from the date of recommendation.
Probation and Training Guidelines for Direct Recruitment Candidates
➡️ The selected candidates for direct recruitment shall be appointed as probationers in the service and shall have to undergo a six-month Training Course followed by a month’s attachment period as may be prescribed from time to time by the Governor, subject to execution of a bond in the prescribed form. Also, on completion of the training-cum-attachment and passing of the prescribed examination, the successful candidates shall be eligible for getting benefits of annual increments/promotion etc.
Age
- Certainly, 21 – 38 years of age on the first day of January of the year of recruitment,
- In addition, relaxation to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and any other category as laid down by the Government by the orders of the Government in force for the time being.
Minimum Educational Qualification:
1. The candidate certainly be a Graduate from a university recognized by the Government.
Physical Fitness
A Candidate for direct recruitment shall be:
- of sound health, both mentally and physically and free from organic defect of bodily infirmity likely to interfere with the efficient performance of his duties, and
- required to undergo medical examination before appointment to the service.
Character
Moreover, a candidate for direct recruitment shall produce to the Commission a certificate of good character from:-
- the Principal /Academic Officer of the University or College or such educational Institutions in which he/she studies last, and
- two respectable persons, well acquainted with (but not related to) the candidate.
Recruitment by Promotion through the Board
Before the end of each year, the Appointing Authority shall assess the number of vacancies that have occurred or are likely to occur for filling up by promotion in the next year in each cadre.
Subject to suitability as may be decided by the Board and the Appointing Authority, officers belonging to the following grades and possessing the required qualifications shall be promoted to the next cadre.
(i) Senior Grade-I to Selection Grade
(ii) Senior Grade-II to Senior Grade-I
(iii) Junior Grade-I to Senior Grade-II
(iv) Junior Grade-II to Junior Grade-I
Conditions for Promotion
- Senior Grade-I → Selection Grade: Minimum 2 years of service
- Senior Grade-II → Senior Grade-I: Minimum 3 years of service
- Junior Grade-I → Senior Grade-II: Minimum 4 years of service
- Junior Grade-II → Junior Grade-I: Minimum 5 years of service
Recruitment by Promotion through the Commission
- Certainly, 50% of the total strength of the Junior Grade-II cadre shall be filled through promotion via a Departmental (Promotion) Examination conducted by the Commission at intervals determined by the Governor in consultation with the Commission.
- Then, the Commission shall prepare and forward to the Government a merit list of all candidates who have qualified in the examination. (Merit shall be based on the aggregate marks obtained.)
- In case two or more candidates score the same marks, the Commission may rank them based on relative merit, considering their general suitability for the service.
- Accordingly, the Commission forwards the list to publish in the Official Gazette.
- The Government shall select candidates in order of preference from the list published.
- Furthermore, the selected candidates shall undergo a three (3) month attachment/training period, as prescribed by the Governor.
- At last, after successful completion, they shall become eligible for appointment to the cadre post
Assam Finance Service Salary
The strength of each of the Assam Finance Service and scale of pay is as follows:-
| Categories of Post | Pay Band | Grade Pay |
| Selection Grade | 30,000–1,10,000 | 17,500 |
| Senior Grade-I | 30,000–1,10,000 | 16,900 |
| Senior Grade-II | 30,000–1,10,000 | 15,700 |
| Junior Grade-I | 30,000–1,10,000 | 14,500 |
| Junior Grade-II | 30,000–1,10,000 | 12,700 |
FAQs related to Assam Finance Service
Ans: The Assam Finance Service (AFS) is a specialized administrative service responsible for managing state finances, budgeting, auditing, and implementing financial policies.
Ans: – Graduate from a university recognized by the Government.
Ans:- AFS Officers usually earn between Rs. 30,000/- and Rs. 1,10,000/- per month, along with a grade pay of Rs. 12,700/- and additional allowances according to government rules.