SDM Full Form

SDM full form is a sub-divisional magistrate. SDM is an officer lower in rank to the district level officer, primarily based on the government’s infrastructure. The power of SDM is identical to the total combined power of the district collector and magistrate. The SDM is considered as the senior authority of state civil services with required work experience as a junior or subordinate member of the Indian Administrative service. 

What is SDM Full Form?

As mentioned earlier SDM full form is Sub Divisional Magistrate and it's an official rank in government service. After clearing UPSC and achieving the rank for an IAS, the initial posting allocated to the candidates is of SDM. The primary duty of SDM is maintenance of law and order in the district by coordinating with various officers and police personnel. To level up your knowledge regarding the SDM post, we have provided the relevant information in detail. 

Roles and Responsibilities of SDM Officer

The duties of the Sub Divisional Magistrate within his Sub Division are almost similar to those of the Deputy Commissioner within his district. In all matters of administration, he/she has to be the Deputy Commissioner’s principal agent. The SDM can have complete authoritative control of the Tehsildars as he is one of the important officers in the district. 

The significant responsibility of SDM is to keep an eye on the administration process, maintaining law and order, overview judicial proceedings and keeping up the peace in the district. Various extended roles and responsibilities of the SDM in the district are below:

• SDM is in charge of various development activities going on in the Sub Division

• They co-coordinates the work of various departments
• Tours the area to keep a watch on the development activities 
• Keeps a check on revenue administration as well as the law & order situation in his/her Sub Division
• Looks after the grievances of the general public
• The significant and the prime responsibility of the SDM is to assist the District Magistrate with the clerical job with other operative management and control
• Attends the problems arising out of the natural calamities
• Supervises the work of the Revenue agency in the Sub Division
• He/she attains the power to process the order for arrest, investigation, tear gas and curfew in the district as per the situation and also manage the riots and vandalism.

What are the Qualifications and Age Limits to Become SDM?

To become SDM, one must have a Bachelor’s degree from any recognised university. Additionally, the lower age limit is 21 and the upper age limit is 40 years respectively. For OBC Candidates, the maximum age limit is up to 45 years. Physical fitness is another important criteria, fulfilling which a candidate is eligible to appear for the examination.

SDM Exams Details

The position of SDM is one of the high-ranking posts of the State Administrative Service. In society, SDM additionally enjoys a dignified existence with admiration. Every state conducts an exam in administrative service for the selection of SDM. There are specifically two exam to get an SDM Post which are explained as follows:

1. Union Public Service Commission (UPSC): The first step to become an SDM, i.e., Sub Divisional Magistrate, is to be successful in the UPSC examination. For appearing in UPSC, a graduation degree needs to be completed in any subject. After passing the UPSC examination, the IAS Officer initially receives the post of SDM. They can become DM after some years with promotions.

2. State PSC Exam: The other method to be a Sub-Divisional Magistrate is through cracking the State PSC Examination. To appear for this examination, you need to complete your Graduation degree. After giving the State PSC Exam, if you achieve the top rank, then after completing the training, you become SDM. After some years, you can become DM on the basis of promotion.

Selection Process of SDM

Candidates are shortlisted in three processes for the post of SDM. The process is to appear for the Union Public Service Commission conducted every year by UPSC. The UPSC exam is divided into three stages:

• Preliminary examination
• Main Examination
• Interview

1. Preliminary Exam

The Preliminary Exam of UPSC includes objective-type questions or Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) comprising two papers with 33% as qualifying marks. The qualified candidates will appear for the Mains Examination.

2. Main Examination

The UPSC Main Examination includes essay questions for optional paper and all GS papers. The total marks allocated are 1750.

3. Interview

After the successful attempt in Mains, an Interview is scheduled for the personality test and the panel checks whether the candidate is suitable for the post or not.

Based on their rank and the total marks obtained, the candidates who are allocated the rank of IAS receive the initial posting as the SDM.

Syllabus of SDM Recruitment  Exam

Qualifying the recruitment exams for SDM requires a thorough understanding of the syllabus. The three distinct stages of the exam prelims, mains, and interview have varied syllabi. Well, the interview will be based on judging an individual's interpersonal skills and leadership qualities; so, there's no specific syllabus for this final selection stage.

Prelims Syllabus:

In prelims, candidates need to prepare for two papers; each carrying 200 marks. The first paper covers topics on current affairs and general knowledge. It is vital to stay abreast with the latest developments in state and country politics, research and other significant events to score well in the current affairs section. For acing general knowledge section, preparing from class 11th and 12th level history, geography, social science, and general science can prove fruitful. Paper 2 is devoted to testing decision-making, problem-solving and aptitude skills. The topics that must be covered in the CSAT paper include reasoning, mental ability, data interpretation and English comprehension.

Mains Syllabus:

After qualifying prelims, the next stage of selection is the mains exam. There are around 9 papers in this phase; however, only 7 are compulsory. 

• Papers A & B consist of English and another Indian language that an aspirant can choose. It will cover topics on grammar, comprehension, essay and translation.
• In paper 1, 250 marks essays need to be completed. Aspirants can refer to the previous year's UPSC question papers for analysing the kind of essay topics asked in the exam.
• To prepare Paper 2, candidates need to gain a deeper understanding of world and Indian history, geography, culture and society.
• Paper 3 comprises topics on the Indian constitution, government policies, parliament, ministries and schemes.
• Subjects like economics, social networking, disaster management, technology, science and budgeting form a vital part of paper 4.
• In paper 5, candidates will be tested on moral grounds. Questions will be based on ethical practices, integrity and moral or family values.
• UPSC papers 6 and 7 will be optional in nature, and candidates can choose the one based on their preference. Aspirants have to choose from a list of subjects given by the exam conducting board.

What are the Functions of SDM?

There are three categories under which the duties of SDM are broadly classified. They are Revenue Functions, Administrative Functions and Calamity Management Functions.

Revenue Functions of SDM:

• Revenue functions contain the preservation of land records, maintenance of revenue, strolling of demarcation and mutations, finance control, and custody of public land. 
• The Sub-divisional Magistrate is equal to assistant collectors and sales assistants who deal with ordinary sales work.
• The SDM is responsible for issuing the documents to Schedule Caste, Schedule Tribe.
• Deputy commissioners also act as registrars for their assigned districts and take control over the sub-registrars in revenue matters.

Administrative Functions of SDM

• Sub Divisional Magistrates take over the powers of Executive Magistrates. In this role, they're liable for operative defensive Segments of the Code of Criminal Procedure. 
• They additionally take charge of the unnatural demise of women put up in marriage and will also instruct the police for similar interrogation, if needed.

Calamity Management function of SDM

• The Department of Calamity Management under SDM looks after comfort and rehabilitation. Both manual and natural calamities can be taken care of. 
• It is liable for SDM to constitute the disaster control plans and spreading focus on the preparedness for going through any form of catastrophe with the assistance of United Nations development.