Civil Accounts Day

Why is in news? 47th Civil Accounts Day to be celebrated in New Delhi on 1st march to mark foundation of Indian Civil Accounts Service

Every year the Civil Accounts Day is celebrated on March 1, is celebrated to mark the foundation of Indian Civil Accounts Service. The year 2023 marks the 47^th year of foundation.

The Indian Civil Accounts Service was constituted in 1976, after the the maintenance of Accounts of the Union government was separated from that of Audit. Consequently, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India was divested with this responsibility.

Two Ordinances, the Comptroller and Auditor General’s (Duties, Powers and Conditions of Service) Amendment Ordinance, 1976 and Departmentalisation of Union Accounts (Transfer of Personnel) Ordinance, 1976 were promulgated by the President on 1st of March 1976 to initiate the process of separation of accounts from audit and paving the way for departmentalised accounts. Consequently, every year on 1st of March, organization celebrates its foundation day.

Indian Civil Accounts Service:

The Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS) is one of the Civil Services of India ("Group A").

ICAS is under the Department of Expenditure in the Union Ministry of Finance.

The service was created in 1976 with the purpose of separating Auditing and Accounting functions of the Union Government with deputation and transfer from Indian Audit and Accounts Department.

Since 1977, personnel are selected from the Civil Services Examination conducted by Union Public Service Commission, like all other Central Civil Services.

Roles and Responsibilities of ICAS:

Development of processes, systems and forms related to government accounts of the Union of India and the states.

Framing and optimisation of manuals, rules and procedures for accounting of receipts and payments according to Government Accounting Rules, 1990.

Preparation of monthly and annual account statements along with periodic audits of revenue, deficits and borrowings.

Monitoring and reconciliation of cash balances of the Government of India with the Reserve Bank of India.

Coordination of management accounting systems in Civil Ministries along with developing and implementing human resource augmentation programmes for the service and allied organisations.