Indian Trade Service

Are you a passionate Civil Servant aiming at a career that focuses on promoting international trade in India? Here is the prestigious post – Indian Trade Service! With the right UPSC coaching, cracking the UPSC CSE enables candidates to open a door of opportunities that shape the nation’s global standing. The significance of the UPSC ITS goes a long way in the hassle‑free movement of India’s economy and progress.

This blog sheds light on the eligibility, roles and duties of ITS officers, and the job profile of the post.

Overview of Indian Trade Service

Indian Trade Service, abbreviated as ITS, is a Group 'A' civil service formed in 1977. It was established with the core purpose of handling international trade and commerce, depending on the suggestions of the Mathur Committee. However, direct hiring through the UPSC CSE was initiated in 1985.

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) administers the ITS service, and this post falls under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The Indian Trade Service Recruitment Rules manage the job opportunities and selection of the ITS officers.

As of now, the authority of the Indian Trade Service is in control of the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which comes under the Ministry of Commerce.

Based on the function, the Department is divided into 9 divisions:

• International Trade Policy Division
• Foreign Trade Territorial Division
• Export Products Division
• Export Industries Division
• Export Services Division
• Economic Division
• Administration & General Service Division
• Finance Division
• Supply Division

ITS Eligibility

Number of Attempts Allowed

Training & Capacity Building

• The ITS probationers undergo Foundation‑course training (mandatory) at diverse academies designed in coordination with LBSNAA‑Mussoorie.
• Then they are trained at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade in New Delhi for an eight‑ to nine‑month probationary period.
• Training is categorised into: Classroom teaching and practical training.

Classroom training focuses on:

• India’s Foreign Trade Policy
• World Trade Organization Framework
• International Business Marketing
• Macro and Micro Economics
• Human Resource Management
• And more…

Indian Trade Officers – Roles and Responsibilities

Since India is actively looking into engaging in international trade and spreading its global footprint, the roles of the ITS officers have become significant.

• The primary responsibility revolves around representing India in international trade negotiations.
• Analysing trade agreements, negotiating favourable terms for India in multilateral and bilateral forums, and recognising potential effects on domestic industries.
• Actively contributing to formulating and executing trade policies that augment exports and reduce trade barriers.
• Working in coordination with stakeholders from various sectors – government agencies, industry associations, and trade promotion bodies.
• Performing comprehensive market research and analysis to figure out export opportunities for Indian industries and craft strategies to capitalise on them.
• Constantly monitoring global economic trends, determining new trade opportunities, and evaluating the competitiveness of Indian products in the international market.
• Involving in commercial diplomacy, demonstrating India internationally and establishing strong trade relationships with other nations.
• Arranging trade fairs, exhibitions, and buyer‑seller meetings, both in India and abroad.
• ITS officers can be allotted on deputation to work in other ministries and departments, and also to international bodies such as the World Bank Group, ADB, UN organisations, etc.

Indian Trade Service (ITS) – Grade and Payscale

Perks of the ITS Officers

Career Prospects

• Initially, ITS cadre officers are assigned the role of Under Secretary. Then they get promoted to various levels such as Deputy, Joint, and Additional Secretary.
• Unique opportunity to serve on deputation with foreign missions, the WTO, and other international bodies.
• Equipped with exclusive opportunity to provide duties at the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FICCI) and the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII).