Become an IAS

1
IND IA N ADM INIS TR AT IV E SE RVIC E

Union Public Service Commission Body

Table of Contents
W H A T ?

What is UPSC?
What is Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
IPS, IFS & Other Services...

W H Y

Why to choose IAS as career? ..

Roles & Responsibilities..

H O W

Know the Syllabus

Examination pattern Stage of Examination...
Number of attempts..
Eligibility..
Right time to begin preparation..
How to begin the preparation..
Importance of Coaching Institutes..

R E F E R E N C E

S I T E S

T O F O L L O W

IAS Officers blogs..

Government sites
Other references.
 1
Chapter
B E C O M E A N I A S

What

UPSC
Union Public Service Commission is Indias central agency
authorized to conduct Civil Services Exam, and various
government exams to recruit officers for Indian Administrative
Service (IAS), IPS, IFS and other All India Services

T He agencys charter is granted by the constitution of India. The first Public

Service Commission was set up on October 1st, 1926. The Constituent
Assembly, after independence, with the promulgation of the new
Constitution for independent India on 26th January, 1950, this Public Service
Commission was accorded a constitutional status as an autonomous entity and
given the title - Union Public Service Commission.

The Commission usually

conducts over a dozen 1. Civil Services Examination
examinations every year on 2. Indian Forest Service (IFoS)
an all India basis. These 3. Engineering Service Examination (IES)
include Examinations for 4. Indian Economic & Stastical Service (IES/ISS)
5. Geologist Examination
recruitment to
6. Special Class Railway Apprentices Examination
services/posts in various (SCRA)
fields, such as Civil 7. Combined Medical Services (CMS)
Services, Engineering, 8. Central Police Forces (CPF)
Medical and Forest 9. Combined Defence Service (CDS)
10.National Defence & Naval Academy (NDA/NA)
Service, etc.
B E C O M E A N I A S

ADMINISTRATION CONTROL

The Commission consists of a chairman and ten members.[1] The
terms and conditions of service of chairman and members of the
Commission are governed by the Union Public Service Commission
(Members) Regulations, 1969. The Chairman and other members of
the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) are appointed by
the President of India. At least half of the members of the
Commission are Civil Servants (working or retired) with minimum ten years of
experience either in Central or State service.

The UPSC annually submits a report of its work to the President of India. Further it
is sent to each house of Parliament for discussion. The commission submits an
annual report on the work done by it to the president. The president places the
report of the commission before the parliament along with a memorandum with
regard to the cases where the advice of the commission was not accepted and the
reasons for such non acceptance.

UPSC Office: Website: upsc.gov.in

Dholpur House,
Shahjahan
Road, New Delhi
 B E C O M E A N I A S

What is IAS?
Indian Administrative Service (IAS) is one of the most prestigious services among the
24 services like IFS, IPS, IRS, etc. for which UPSC conducts Civil Services
Examination every year for the selection of right candidates. The origin of the IAS can
be traced back to the year of Indias independence, 1947. The IAS operates at three
levels -central, district and divisional. Work at the central level involves the framing and
implementation of policies. The Indian Administrative Service was formally constituted
in 1947. It is the premier service in India and offers an attractive and challenging career.
IAS is the service that places the officer right at the top of any government
organization. If you are a determined person you can change a lot of things as an IAS
officer.

IAS Career profile The IAS officers handle affairs of the government. At the state and central level,
this involves the framing of the policies and its implementation. At the district
level, IAS is concerned with district affairs, including developmental duties. At the
divisional level, the IAS officers look after law and order, general administration
and various developmental works. Becoming a collector is just one of the jobs an
IAS officer takes up in his long career. As secretary of various departments an IAS
officer heads the organization and takes it ahead.
B E C O M E A N I A S

IAS Career options

Members of Indian Administrative Service hold various

administrative posts like District collector, Heads of Departments
and Head of Public Enterprises at the state level. They can also be
posted on Deputation to the Central Government to various posts.

IAS Career Progression

Besides, IAS officers can be appointed in autonomous

organizations/sub ordinate organizations/PSUs/UN
Organizations/international organizations like World Bank,
Asian Development Bank in Various capacities. They also serve as Personal
Secretaries to Ministers in Central Government. There is provision for deputation
of IAS officers to private organizations also for a fixed tenure. Some of the IAS
officers even become governors of states.
B E C O M E A N I A S

IPS, IFS & Other Civil Services

The other two important services, apart from Indian Administrative Service are Indian
Police Service (IPS) and Indian Foreign Service (IFS).

The major responsibility of an IPS officer is the assurance of

IPS safety & security of public. The Indian Police Service is divided
into various departments like crime branch, the criminal
investigation Department, Home Guards and the traffic bureau. The area of
functioning for the IPS can be broadly divided into: maintenance of law and order,
crime prevention and detection.

IFS The Indian Foreign Service [IFS] is a Central Service in

Group A and the premier diplomatic service of our country.
The Indian Foreign Service deals with the country's external affairs, including
diplomacy, trade and cultural relations. It is responsible for the administration and
activities of Indian missions abroad, and for the framing and implementation of the
Government's foreign policy.

Indian Foreign Service offers immense exposure to different political, social, ethnic and
cultural milieu world over. An IFS officer can be posted in 160 odd Indian Embassies
and Missions abroad. They can also be deputed to institutions like United Nations,
UNESCO, World Bank, SAARC, etc. Back home, they can be posted in various parts
of the country as Passport and Visa Officers.
 B E C O M E A N I A S

The Civil Services of India can be classified into two types -

Other Civil Services Group A & Group B

All India Services

Central Civil Services

A L L I N D I A
All appointments to All India Civil Services are made by the President of India.
S E R V I C E S

IAS IPS IFS

T H E C E N T R A L

C I V I L
The Central Civil Services are concerned with the administration of the Union
S E R V I C E S
Government.
 B E C O M E A N I A S

Group A Services Group B Services

Indian P & T Accounts & Finance Service Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands,
Civil Services
Indian Audit And Accounts Service
Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands,
Indian Revenue Service (Custom and Central Police Service

Pondicherry Civil Services

Indian Defence Accounts Service
Pondicherry Police Services
Indian Revenue Service (IT)

Indian Postal Service

Indian Civil Accounts Service

Indian Railway Traffic Service

Indian Railway Accounts Service

Indian Railway Personnel Service

Post of Assistant Security Commissioner in

Protection Force

Indian Defence Estates Service (Junior Grade)

Indian Trade Service

Indian Corporate Law Service

 B E C O M E A N I A S

2
Chapter

Why

Why to choose IAS as a career?

The role of an IAS officer is to see to the administrative matters of the government.
A N I N S I G H T
Those who have cleared the first frontier of exam and interview are sent for training at
LBSNAA (Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration) at Mussoorie.

After having completed the mandatory training, the officers are posted at the junior
level in the administration. Most of them are posted in rural and semi urban areas so
that they get a feel of the actual country that they are serving.

During their tenure, at various ranks, the IAS officers are responsible for managing
issues related to administrative functioning of the various departments where they are
posted. They frame policies and also advise the ministers on various issues. They are
also responsible for maintaining the law and order in their area, if they are posted in
that rank. Take the case of the District Magistrate who takes care of overall
development in his district as well as looks after the law and order situation.

People shared their grievances with you and you have the power to change all of it and
make society a better place to live in

This shows the power and opportunity an IAS officer gets to

participate in the upliftment of the society and nation
 B E C O M E A N I A S

Other Benefits
of the Service:

Greater sphere of
Authroity Diversity of Work

Presitige & Power Opportunity of foreing

tours
Contribution in the
development and Great Social Reconition
empowerment of society

Roles & Responsibilities of an IAS Officer

With great power comes great responsibility, stands true for an IAS officer as
they have to look after and manage administrative functions as well as implement
developmental policies for the government. The powers of an IAS officer are in
proportion to responsibilities adhered to them; therefore as an officer grows in their
career the responsibilities and powers required to fulfill them also grow accordingly.
 B E C O M E A N I A S

RESPONSIBILITIES
OF AN IAS
OFFICER AS PER
THEIR POST/ROLE

AS MENTIONED BEFORE, THE RESPONSIBILITIES

AND ASSOCIATED POWERS OF AN IAS OFFICER
CHANGE AT DIFFERENT POINTS IN THEIR CAREER.
THE GENERAL ONES ARE GIVEN BELOW:

Sub Divisional
Level

District level

Public Sector
State Level Central Level
Undertaking

At Sub Divisional Level IAS post on Sub divisional level in the beginning of the
career as an IAS. Here, the officers have to maintain law & order as well as look after
general administrative and developmental work in the area allotted under their
jurisdiction.

At District Level - The responsibilities and associated powers of IAS officer at district
level remain same. They have to look after administrative affairs of the district and
implement and supervise developmental work in the area allotted under their
jurisdiction.

At State Level - IAS officers are promoted to state level administration after being
promoted from post of District magistrate. Here, they can be post as a bureaucrat in
state secretariat or head of departments. This is the time when they use their field level
B E C O M E A N I A S

experience in the Policy Formation and advise the elected executives for the Policy
Decisions.

In Public Sector Undertakings - Many IAS officers are also posted at high level
administrative positions in government owned Public Sector Undertakings as well.
New trend shows that most of the Big PSUs are headed by the IAS Officers.

At Central Level - Posting with central government lies at top of the hierarchy as far
as IAS offices postings are concerned. At central level, the officer can serve as Cabinet
Secretary, Secretary, Additional Secretary, Joint Secretary, Director, Deputy Secretary
and Under Secretary under different departments or ministries of central government.
The main responsibility of an IAS officer at central level is to formulate and overview
the implementation of governmental policies in different ministries like finance,
defence or commerce.

So we can see that the influence area of the IAS Officer is very broad and
his decisions at any level can influence the course of the Society.
 B E C O M E A N I A S

3
Chapter

How

How to become an IAS?

K N O W T H E

S Y L L A B U S

Paper 1 (General Studies)

UPSC Conducts Civil
Current events of national & International importance
Services Examination History of India and Indian National Movement
in 3 Stages Indian & world Geography Physical, social &
Economic Geography of India & World
Economic & Social Development - Sustainable
Prelims Mains development, poverty, demographics, etc.
General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity,
climate change
Interview
General science

Preliminary exam is the first state of Civil Services exam

Paper 2 (CSAT) consists of two papers of objective type

Comprehension The Exam for Prelims held in the month of June

Interpersonal Skills including
communication skills (Paper 1 G.S, & Paper 2 CSAT)
Logical reasoning and analytical ability
Marks 200 each
Decision making and problem solving
Basic Numeracy Duration 3 hours
Data Interpretation
The preliminary examination is meant for screening the
candidate and the marks obtained by a candidate in the
prelims who qualifies to the mains exam will not be taken
in account to determine their final merit.
 B E C O M E A N I A S

2nd Phase Mains Exam

(Syllabus)

The phase 2 of the Civil

Services Examination
(Mains) tests candidates The Mains Exam held in the month of October and the
academic proficiency in depth candidates who qualify Prelims exam appear for the Mains
and candidates ability to Examination.
present the understanding
and knowledge in a
reasonable way.
The UPSC Mains exam
Paper 1: Any Indian Language
consists of 9 papers, out of
Paper 2: English
which 2 papers are qualifying
in nature of 300 marks each.
Both of these papers are compulsory and qualifying in nature. The Marks
obtained in these 2 papers are not counted in Merit.

The rest of seven papers can be written in any of the languages mentioned
as in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution or in English.

Here the list of papers to be counted in Merit

Paper Subject Marks

Essay

Paper 1 Essay can be written in any medium or language as per the candidates 250
preference.

Paper 2 General Studies - 1

(Indian heritage and culture, History & Geography of the World & Society) 250

Paper 3 General Studies II

(Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations) 250

Paper 4 General Studies- III

(Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment,

Security and Disaster Management)
250
 B E C O M E A N I A S

Paper 5 General Studies- IV

(Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude) 250

Paper 6 Optional Subject - Paper 1 250

Paper 7 Optional Subject - Paper II

Note: Candidate is allowed to take up literature as an optional subject

and need not to be a graduate in that languages literature.
250

Total Marks for Written Mains Examination 1750

3rd Phase Interview

Candidates who qualify the UPSC Mains Exam move to the next and final phase called Interview or
Personality Test. The Interview round is held by a board of UPSC experts in the month of March or April.
The interview panel intends to assess the social traits of the candidates, his interest in current affairs, decision
making ability and analyze the personal aptness, mental alertness, clear and logical exposition, balance of
judgment, intellectual and moral integrity for social cohesion and leadership.

A personality test consisting of a 20-30 minute interview conducted by a panel of 5 members, the
chairman of each panel being a member of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). This
round carries 275 marks.
 B E C O M E A N I A S

Eligibility criteria

E D U C A T I O N A L Q U A L I F I C A T I O N S :

The candidates must have a degree of graduation in any stream from a recognized University.

The candidates who are waiting for the final year result are also eligible to apply for Civil Services
Examination provided they submit the educational certificate along with the mark sheets of other 2 years
qualified in graduation to the UPSC in the DAF (Detailed application form) before Main Exam.

N U M B E R O F A T T E M P T S

& A G E L I M I T

General & Creamy Non Creamy OBC

OBC
Age Limit - 35
Age Limit - 32
Attempts - 9
Attempts - 6

SC/ST PH
Age Limit - 37 Age Limit - 42
Attempts - Unlimited Attempts - 9
B E C O M E A N I A S

R IG HT T IME TO BE G IN T HE P REPAR AT IO N

The ideal time to begin the preparation varies from candidate to candidate, his/her
interest, learning capacity and the time when he/she takes decision to become an IAS
officer. The recommended time generally is either after completion of 12th, during
graduation or soon after the completion of graduation. But most of the working
professionals are now opting for Civil Services exam and carrying out their preparation
while pursuing regular jobs in corporate world.

Read the article in the given link to have detailed insight into the topic:

http://www.jagranjosh.com/articles/ideal-time-to-start-the-ias-exam-preparation-
1450355031-1

HOW TO B EGIN THE PREPARATION

Candidates must know the entire syllabus of Civil Services Examination

first of all.

Secondly, formation of a strong base is another important factor, which

can be formed by studying NCERT books of 9th to 12th standard.

Do not forget to read Newspaper every day to stay abreast of current

affairs.

Here are few links which will help candidates begin their preparation:
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/education/story/upsc-civil-services-
exam/1/683251.html

Get preparation tips from none other than Tina Dabi, the topper in CSE 2015:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZVkGPGLsjw
https://www.chanakyaiasacademy.com/student-resources.html

Road Map for Working Professionals:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/plan-working-professionals-who-aspire-
prepare-civil-services-kumar?trk=hp-feed-article-title-publish
 B E C O M E A N I A S

IMP ORTA NCE O F C OAC H ING INST ITU TES

TO PRE PA RE F O R C IVIL SERVICES E XAM

Due to vast syllabus, students often get confused what to study and what not,
therefore, having a mentor or a guide is very important. So, coaching does really
help in finding a right mentor or a guide for a candidate. But the decision must be
taken very carefully, a teacher plays very major role in students preparation. If a
candidate is exposed to right kind of teacher, then the conceptual understanding
will be much better than self-study.

Here are few list of coaching academies all over India which we would
recommend based on our deep research.

Vajiram and Ravi

Raus IAS
Chanakya IAS Academy
Byjus
Brilliant Tutorials
Brain Tree India
Alsias Academy

R E F E R E N C E S I T E S T O F O L L O W

This is actually an incredible list of websites to be bookmarked for IAS preparation. These websites offer
numerous helpful details about IAS examination such as curriculum, guide on the best ways to clear IAS
test, previous concern documents and meetings discussions and so on.

1. Clear IAS At Clear IAS, you'll discover numerous mattress toppers meetings, IAS research study
product, UPSC examination approaches and curriculum for UPSC test and many more beneficial
things for your IAS preparation.

2. Mrunal Like Clear IAS, Mrunal supplies beneficial research study plans for numerous competitive
tests such as SSC, UPSC, IBPS etc. Candidates will also discover numerous helpful short articles on
world history, world location, principles and so on.

3. GK Today - GK Today is a leading website supplying important, hassle-free, pertinent online

education concerning GK & Current Affairs to students, candidates and general public.
 B E C O M E A N I A S

4. Jagaran Josh - "Education Web Portal" JagranJosh.com presently accommodates the candidates
getting ready for various competitive examinations under numerous levels. The Current Affairs and the
GK area of JagranJosh.com are the most popular amongst the Civil Services Aspirants.

5. Chanakya Civil Services Today Chanakya Civil Services Today is a renowned magazine issued
every month by Chanakya IAS Academy in print as well in online edition. The Magazine contains
important articles, current events, important topic on GS, history, Geography, etc.

6. Civil Service India - Civil Service India is an extensive UPSC Portal for your preparation of the Civil
Services evaluation carried out by the UPSC in India. The website has long consultants list and includes
IAS, IFS, IPS and numerous other officers within India's leading civil services, apart from educationists
and training institutes.

7. TCY Online - TCYonline.Com is a fantastic internet location where you can find out nearly
everything for your competitive test by offering online test.. One you'll choose any classification, you'll
need to sign up for this website. The total registration procedure is free of cost.

8. IAS 100 - The IAS Planner supplies you numerous beneficial guides, techniques and short articles that
will certainly be shown really useful for you if you're sitting in IAS examination. Check out this
website right here.

9. Halfmantr - Halfmantr is rather much like Jeywin. At Halfmantr, you can discover lots of helpful
product such as Ancient History, Disaster Management, General Knowledge, Modern History and
many more topics. You can likewise supply online tests on this website to examine your expertise level.

Source: http://www.hackinguniversity.in/2014/06/ias-papers-preparation-sites.html

IAS Officers blogs

1. Shubhra Saxena, IAS, CSE 2009

2. Sarneet Broca, IAS, AIR39, CSE 2015
3. Ira Singhal, IAS, AIR 1, CSE 2014
4. Tushar Sumera, IAS, CSE 2011

Thank You