UPSC Journey: DM vs SDM, What’s The Difference And Where Does An IAS Officer Begin?
Last Updated:November 28, 2025, 7:41 PM IST Under DoPT and UPSC guidelines, an IAS officer’s first independent assignment is as SDM (Sub-Divisional Magistrate) or Assistant Collector, a role they usually hold for 1-4 years A District Magistrate, also called the District Collector, is the chief executive authority of an entire district. (AI-Generated Image) In the…