Who is the Superintendent of Excise in Assam?

The Superintendent of Excise in Assam is a senior administrative officer position within the Assam Excise Department, who is responsible for managing and overseeing the implementation of excise laws, regulations, and policies. And to achieve this post and become “The Superintendent of Excise in Assam,” you must know and understand its important role and responsibilities.

Role and Responsibilities of Superintendent of Excise

The Superintendent of Excise plays a pivotal role in ensuring that that the excise operations run smoothly and legally in the state, while maintaining the public safety and the state's revenue generation from excise duties. The key duties of Superintendent of Excise in Assam typically include:

·    Ensuring compliance and implementing laws related to the production, sale, consumption of alcohol and narcotic substances. Also ensuring proper collection of excise duties and taxes on these items.

1. Taking measures to ensure that the public is not exposed to harmful, unregulated, and unsafe products, by overseeing the licensing system for liquor shops, bars, breweries etc.
2. Conducting inspections and raids to prevent illegal production and sale of liquor (bootlegging) and narcotics.

Hence, we can say that the key responsibilities of a Superintendent of Excise in Assam are all about supervising the subordinate excise officers along with the proper enforcement and compliance of rules and regulations of the department through regular monitoring, inspection and coordination with the Law Enforcement or Government Liaison, whenever required.

Importance of the Superintendent of Excise in Assam

Superintendent of excise is very important in ensuring that the state's excise laws are effectively implemented, enforced, and adhered to. From supervising the enforcement of the Assam Excise Act, 1910 and ensuring the legal distribution and sale of liquor to monitoring the issuance of licenses for shops, bars and other commercial alcohol activities, they also ensure minimizing the illegal practices such as bootlegging. In addition to this. Whenever the government introduces new policies or brings an amendment for the existing excise laws, then this Superintendent of Excise plays a pivotal role with respect to implementing these changes at the local level, providing guidance to both businesses and officers on how to comply with any new regulations.

In addition to this, the excise department’s efficiency also impacts the volume of revenue generation in the state, through the excise duties that are imposed on alcoholic beverages, narcotics, and other controlled goods. Overall, we can say that, this position encourages legal trade by identifying the discrepancies or underreporting and ensuring that all excise duties and taxes are paid, which in turn boosts the state revenue.

Moreover, the role of Superintendent of Excise is critical in safeguarding public health and safety also, by ensuring that the products that are available in the market meet the required safety standards with proper monitoring and preventing the sale of counterfeit liquor. And it is one of the most impactful roles because we all know that if unregulated illegal alcohol is available in the market, then it can cause serious health consequences, as these products may contain harmful chemicals or higher-than-legal alcohol content. Hence, the role of Superintendent of Excise in Assam is not only important for supporting law and order but for promoting responsible drinking too.

Superintendent of Excise Salary Structure in Assam

Base Pay and Grade Pay for Superintendent of Excise

The salary structure of a Superintendent of Excise in Assam is structured within the pay scales defined by the Assam government as per the 6th Assam Pay Commission recommendations, typically falling under the Group A or Group B officer categories.

Allowances and Benefits for Superintendent of Excise

In addition to these, the Superintendent of Excise is entitled to several allowances to meet their living and work-related expenses, such as:

·    Dearness Allowance (currently, it is around 35% to 40% of the basic pay)

·    House Rent Allowance (typically, it is between 8% to 16% of the basic pay)

·    Travel Allowance

·    Medical Benefits

·    Other Perks and Benefits like Pension and Retirement Benefits, Vehicle Allowance, Special Allowances, Leave Entitlements.

Superintendent of Excise Salary Growth Over Time

Moreover, the salary of a Superintendent of Excise in Assam follows a structured growth pattern over time, which is influenced by factors such as promotions within the department as:

1.   Deputy Commissioner of Excise

2.   Assistant Commissioner of Excise

3.   Excise Commissioner

The salary growth pattern is also influenced by seniority, and periodic pay revisions recommended by the state’s Pay Commission, which occur every 5 to 10 years and results in an increase in basic pay, allowances, and other perks to adjust for market and inflation conditions.

Superintendent of Excise Recruitment Process

Recruitment Conducted by Assam Public Service Commission (APSC)

Assam Public Service Commission (APSC), is the premier state-level agency which is responsible for conducting recruitment exams for various civil services and administrative positions in Assam. And similarly, the recruitment process for the Superintendent of Excise in Assam, which is a comprehensive and a multi-stage process including a combination of written examinations (preliminary and mains) and an interview process, is managed by the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) only. The Assam Public Service Commission ensures a transparent and merit-based selection process for the role, by maintaining the integrity and the efficiency of the state's civil services.’

Superintendent of Excise Selection Stages

The first stage is Preliminary Examination, which is designed to filter candidates based on their general knowledge and aptitude. It involves a screening test and is typically objective in nature. The cut-off marks for the Preliminary Exam vary each year depending on the difficulty level and the number of applicants.

The second stage is Mains Examination, which is more detailed and tests candidate’s knowledge in-depth through their writing skills and analytical abilities. Candidates who qualify the preliminary examination are eligible to move on to the Mains Examination.

And the third and last stage of selection is Interview, which assesses the candidate's personality, leadership qualities, communication skills, and overall suitability for the role.

The marks obtained in the Mains Examination and Interview are combined to determine the final merit list.

Eligibility Criteria for Superintendent of Excise in Assam

Educational Requirements for Superintendent of Excise

1. Candidates should have a genuine degree from a recognised college/university in India. 
2. Candidates must know that a degree which has been obtained from a distance mode of education will not be eligible. 
3. Apart from English, candidates should know at least one language of the state of Assam 

Age Limit and Relaxation for Superintendent of Excise Applicants

The minimum age of the candidate should be not less than 21 years and not more than 38 years as of 01-01-2024. 

Age Limit Relaxation  

1. SC/STP/STH Candidate - Up to 5 years of age relaxation 
2. OBC/MOBC Candidates - Up to 3 years of age relaxation 
3. Candidates with personal disability (PwD) - Up to 10 years of age relaxation
4. Ex-Serviceman - Up to 12 years of age relaxation

Language and Nationality Requirements

Candidates must be proficient in the Assamese language, as it is the official state language and often used in administration and communication. The candidate must be a citizen of India and need to be permanent residents of Assam, means it is mandatory for candidates to have their permanent domicile in the state of Assam. Because the candidate needs to be familiar with the Assam culture, regional issues, in order to ensure more efficient and effective enforcement of Excise laws in Assam

How to Apply for Superintendent of Excise in Assam

Step-by-Step Application Process

The application process for the Superintendent of Excise position in Assam is an online process and carried out through the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) portal, involving several stages, as given below:

1.Registration on the APSC Portal

·    Visit the APSC Official Website (www.apsc.nic.in)

·    Create a New Account

·    New User Registration

·    Enter Personal Details

·    Choose the Desired Post

·    Submit Registration

And then, you will receive a confirmation email and a registration ID, which you will use for future logins.

2.Filling the Application Form

·    Log in to Your Account using your registration ID and password

·    Complete the Application Form

·    Choose Exam Centres

·    Upload Required Documents

·    Preview the Application for accuracy before submitting the application.

3.Document Submission

·    Submit Documents in the correct format (usually PDF or JPEG) and meet the specified size limits

·    Submit the Application.

Documents Required for Superintendent of Excise Application

·    Identity Proof: Aadhar Card or Voter ID Card or Passport or Driver’s License as a valid ID proof.

·    Educational Certificates: A scanned copy of your Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent qualification from a recognized university, and your academic mark sheets (10th, 12th) to verify your educational qualifications.

·    Age Proof: Birth Certificate or Class 10th Marksheet or any official document verifying your date of birth.

·    Residential/Domicile Certificate: A certificate verifying that you are a resident of Assam.

·    Passport-sized Photograph and Signature as per the prescribed size and format.

Other Documents (if applicable): Disability Certificate (if claiming disability benefits for age relaxation), SC/ST/OBC Certificate, if you belong to a reserved category, issued by the competent authority.

Application Fees and Payment Methods

The application fee structure for the Superintendent of Excise exam is as follows:

·    General/OBC Candidates: INR 250;

·    SC/ST Candidates: INR 150;

·    PWD/Women Candidates: No fee (Exempted from paying the fee).

These fees are subject to change, and applicants should refer to the official notification for the most accurate and updated fee structure.

And, the Payment Method is Online Mode through (Credit/Debit Card), or Net Banking, or Bank Challan. And once the payment is successfully done, you will receive a confirmation receipt, and the application process will be completed after this step of successful payment.

Career Growth Opportunities for Superintendent of Excise

Promotion Path for Superintendent of Excise in Assam

As one gains experience, demonstrates leadership, and proves their abilities in excise management and administration, there are several promotional opportunities as a Superintendent of Excise. The promotion path for Superintendent of Excise in Assam follows the following hierarchy

1.   As Deputy Commissioner of Excise after serving as a Superintendent of Excise for a few years, which deals with more complex excise-related issues having more administrative control.

2.   As Assistant Commissioner of Excise which deals with policy making, enforcement, and coordination across the excise system.

3.   As Excise Commissioner, which is the highest-ranking officer in the Excise Department because it often holds a secretary-level position in the state government, which deals with overseeing the entire excise and taxation system within the state, formulating policies, and advising the government on matters when needed.

4.   As Additional Chief Secretary/Secretary (Excise and Taxation) with extensive experience and based on the officer’s career trajectory and vacancies.

Related Roles and Responsibilities in the Excise Department

However, the Superintendent of Excise, as they rise through the ranks, their career progression can be assigned to related roles within the department. Like:

·    As Excise Inspector to officers having fieldwork experience

·    As Enforcement Officer to curb illegal activities, or as Taxation Officer to handle issues related to the collection, compliance, and auditing of excise-related taxes.

·    As Director of Excise for overseeing policy development, regulatory frameworks, and interdepartmental coordination.

·    As Policy Advisor/Consultant to take on advisory roles, either within the government or through think tanks, in order to help in shaping the state and national excise policies.

·    Or as Administrative Roles in Other Departments as lateral entry in the Home Department, Revenue Department, or Finance Department, based on the expertise respectively.

Skills Needed for Career Advancement as Superintendent of Excise

To gain a career advancement in the Excise Department, a Superintendent of Excise should develop some of the most important skills that are required for this prestigious position. The officer should have proper understanding of excise laws and enforcement procedures, along with leadership, management, and analytical skills to carry out the long-term strategies and planning. Also, in addition to this, updated legal and regulatory knowledge comes with the skills of technology adoption and data driven decision making abilities.

FAQs: Superintendent of Excise Assam

1.  What is the role of the Superintendent of Excise in Assam?

The Superintendent of Excise in Assam has a multi-faceted role that involves a combination of regulatory, enforcement, administrative, and supervisory duties while ensuring compliance with excise laws, collecting revenue, preventing illegal activities, and maintaining public safety.

2.  What is the starting salary for a Superintendent of Excise in Assam?

The initial basic pay usually starts around ₹30,000 per month at the entry-level. To know more, read the “Salary Structure” section above in the blog.

3.  How can I apply for the Superintendent of Excise position in Assam?

Applying for the Superintendent of Excise position in Assam is a straightforward process that involves:

·    Registering on the APSC portal

·    Filling the application form with your personal, academic, and professional details

·    Uploading required documents

·    Paying the application fee through the available payment methods.

4.  What are the qualifications required for the Superintendent of Excise position?

The candidate must have a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or institution. Candidates from any academic background (Arts, Science, Commerce, etc.) are eligible, provided they meet the other criteria.

5. What is the career growth potential for a Superintendent of Excise?

The career of a Superintendent of Excise in Assam offers numerous opportunities for advancement, both within the excise department and across other administrative branches of the state government. Refer to the “blog section” of Sandpaper Academy’s website to know more.

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