The Central Civil Services (CCS) encompass the various Civil Services of India that are exclusively under the jurisdiction of the Government of India. This is in contrast to the All India Services, which are common to both the central and state governments, or the state civil services, which fall under the purview of individual states.

The services with the most personnel in the entire Civil Services of India and also the Central Civil Services are with the Central Secretariat Service and Indian Revenue Service (IT and C&CE).

The Cadre Controlling Authority for each established Service is controlled by the respective Union government ministries of India. The higher-level positions in Central Civil Services are classified into Group A and Group B, both of which are gazetted.

With the passing of the Government of India Act 1919, the Imperial Services headed by the Secretary of State for India, were split into two – All India Services and Central Services.

The All India and Central Services (Group A) were designated as Central Superior Services as early as 1924. From 1924 to 1934, Administration in India consisted of 10 All India Services (including Indian Education Service, Indian Medical Service) and 5 central departments, all under the control of Secretary of State for India, and 3 central departments under joint Provincial and Imperial Control.

The Central Services was headed by the Viceroy and Governor-General of India.

The Group A officers are appointed by the President of India and appointments to Group B are made by the authorities specified by a general or special order of the President.

The Central Civil Services (CCS) is run as per Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rule and all service members work under restrictions and rules of Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules. The Indian Railway Services work under Railway Services (Conduct) Rules of 1966.