They were meant to provide officers for the native regiments and for the staff and army departments.
They were also designed to offer placements for civil and political appointments for posts which Indian Army officers might be eligible.
In that sense, the Indian Staff Corps was seen by the majority of entrants as synonymous with the Regular Officer Corps of the Indian Armies.
This is not to be confused with officers holding staff appointments.
To reduce confusion, the term "Indian Staff Corps" in relation to officers on regimental duty was withdrawn by Lord Kitchener during his unification of the Indian Army.