[2] The personnel of Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES) (an organised Group 'A' Central Civil Service, requirement by UPSC) are main officers who manage the DGDE and Cantonments in whole India, they works under Ministry of Defence.
These are local bodies responsible for providing civic administration and implementing the Central Govt schemes of social welfare, public health, hygiene, safety, water supply, sanitation, urban renewal and education.
There are 62 Cantonment Boards in India, managed by Directorate General Defence Estates (DGDE).
[4] The cantonment takes care of mandatory duties such as provision of public health, water supply, sanitation, primary education, and street lighting etc.
(2) Every Board shall be deemed to be a municipality under clause (e) of article 243P of the Constitution for the purposes of- (a) receiving grants and allocations; or (b) implementing the Central Government schemes of social welfare, public health, hygiene, safety, water supply, sanitation, urban renewal and education.