IAS Exam

What is IAS Exam?

Indian Administrative Service (IAS) was formerly known as the Imperial Civil Service (ICS) is the Civil Services Examination and one of the toughest competitive exams in India. It is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission for the recruitment of officers for the All India Administrative Civil Service.

Founded:

• 1858 (as Imperial Civil Service)
• January 26, 1950 (as Indian Administrative Service)

The Indian Administrative Service is the premier administrative civil service of the Government of India. Hierarchy-wise, IAS is the highest administrative post among the 24 services like IPS, IFS etc.

Popularly known as the IAS exam, officially it is called as Civil Services Examination (CSE), which is conducted every year by the central recruiting agency, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

IAS is the permanent bureaucracy in India and forms a part of the executive branch. It is one of the three All India Services, its cadre can be employed by both the Union Government, the State Governments and public-sector undertakings.

Indian Administrative Service (IAS) has been termed as one of the prestigious services among the 24 government services like IPS, IFS (Foreign), IFS (Forest), IP & TAFS, IAAS, IRS, IDAS, CMSE, IRTS, IRAS, IRPS, ITS, CAPF-AF to name a few.

All these examinations are conducted by UPSC in the form of Civil Services Examination (CSE) for selecting the appropriate candidates for the jobs. Every year lakhs of candidates appear for this examination, testing their lucks and hard work to get through one of these prestigious posts.

It is important to mention that any officer selected into the IAS can be employed by Union government, state governments and/or public-sector undertakings and gets exposure in numerous job roles like the collector, head of public sector units, commissioner, chief secretary, cabinet secretary to name a few.

When on deputation outside India, the IAS officer can be engaged in inter-governmental organizations like the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank (WB), the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the United Nations (UN), or its agencies and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to name a few.

It is very important for aspirants to know and understand the requirements of the examination such as the UPSC  IAS syllabus, pattern, eligibility criteria, application procedure and other such significant details before kick-starting the registrations.

IAS Exam Highlights

Annually, the UPSC conducts the Civil Services Examination (CSE) to shortlist the candidates for more than 20 services, such as IAS, IPS and IFS. On average, more than eight lakh candidates register for the IAS exam and around five lakh candidates appear for the examination. 

The selection of the candidates will be made through the preliminary exam, main examination and an interview/personality test. This year-long selection process will begin in the month of June and conclude in April. The final merit list for the CSE will be released in May.

UPSC IAS Prelims 2021 Postponed

The UPSC has postponed the IAS Preliminary Exam 2021 scheduled on June 27 due to the ongoing lockdown and the second wave of Novel Coronavirus (COVID 19) pandemic. The Commission has decided to conduct the IAS Preliminary Exam 2021 on October 10th.

The official notice reads, "Due to the prevailing conditions caused by the Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19), the Union Public Service Commission has deferred the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2021, which was scheduled to be held on 27th June, 2021. Now, this Examination will be held on 10th October, 2021."

IAS Prelims 2021: No Extra Attempt For Aspirants Who Missed Exam Due To COVID

Big news for Civil Services aspirants! The Central Government has decided not to grant an extra attempt to Civil Services' aspirants, who could not appear for the Preliminary exam held in October last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Additional Solicitor General SV Raju said, "This is not the exam where you prepare at the last minutes. People prepare for years together."

The SC bench comprises of Justices AM Khanwilkar and Dinesh Maheshwari said, "We appreciate your stand."

IAS Prelims 2021 COVID-19 Guidelines 

The UPSC has released the important instructions for candidates while appearing for IAS Preliminary 2021 examination amid Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The sources suggest that the Commission is likely to continue the same guidelines to appear for the exam. Candidates should wear a face mask or cover, carry their own hand sanitiser and following the social distancing norms at the exam centre. Aspirants can download UPSC IAS Prelims 2021 (COVID-19) exam guidelines here.  

Civil Services Prelims 2021 Exam Date 

The UPSC will be conducting the IAS Prelims 2021 exam in pen and paper mode on June 27. Candidates should note that the UPSC Civil Services 2021 exam date is based on the calendar issued in August.

UPSC IAS Notification 2021

The UPSC has released the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2021 notification on March 4, 2021. Candidates who are aiming for the All India Services along with other services can apply online between March 4 and 24, 2021. The CSE notification was released for a total of 712 vacancies which include 22 vacancies for persons with benchmark disability category. Aspirants are advised to check the official notification for all the details. 

Click here to download UPSC IAS notification 2021

UPSC IAS Exam 2021 Important Dates  

The Civil Services Examination (CSE) notification was released on March 4, 2021. Candidates can apply online until March 24, 2021. The preliminary exam will be held on June 27 and Main exam in the month of September.

IAS 2021 Number Of Vacancies (tentative)

The total number of vacancies announced in the official notification is approximately 712, out of which 22 vacancies are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disability Category. Aspirants should note that the list was prepared based on the previous year. The vacancies will be updated after the official notification. 

Candidates have to note that the final number of vacancies may change after getting the firm number of vacancies from the Cadre Controlling Authorities. 

IAS Application Form 2021

The UPSC has activated the IAS application form 2021 window on March 4. Interested candidates who meet all the eligibility conditions set by the Commission can register for IAS exam until March 24, 2021. 

Aspirants need to complete the application form of IAS with great attention. A single mistake in IAS application form 2021 would lead aspirants to wait for one more year. Hence, we suggest candidates refer our UPSC online application form 2021 page for detailed steps. 

IAS Online Application Form 2021 Steps 

• Visit the official site of UPSC – www.upsc.gov.in 
• Go to ''Apply Online'' tab. 
• Click on ''Online Application for Various Examinations'' 
• Find the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 
• Start IAS registration with Part-I. 
• Fill-up the personal details, educational qualification and address. 
• Pay the prescribed application fee (Rs 100)
• Choose the exam centre 
• Upload the photo, sign and photo identity card. 
• Accept the declaration. 
• Check the complete details and submit. 
• Take a printout of IAS application form for future reference. 

UPSC IAS Main Exam Dates 2021 (Tentative)

The UPSC will release the Civil Services Main Exam dates on its official website. Aspirants who have passed with flying colours in Preliminary Exam are only eligible to appear for the Main Examination. The Commission conducts the Main Examination for a total of five days in the month of September. Candidates are advised to explore the Civil Services Main Exam dates 2021. 

Being an IAS Officer

An IAS officer is given administrative command of an entire district as a District Collector. IAS officers also represent the Government of India at the international level in bilateral and multilateral negotiations.

Given below is the detailed scenario like eligibility criteria, roles & responsibilities, etc. for the upcoming Civil Services Examination 2020:

• Main Syllabus

   

• Prelims Syllabus

   

Eligibility Criteria

1. Nationality:

   • Candidate must be a citizen of India
   • Candidate must be a citizen of Nepal or a subject of Bhutan
   • Candidate must be a Tibetan Refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, to be settled permanently in India
     
   • Candidate must be person of Indian Origin who has migrated from Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda, Vietnam, Zaire, or Zambia with an intention of permanently settling in India

2. Educational Qualification:

   Candidate applying for the Civil Services 2021 exam is required to fulfil the following criteria:

   • Candidate must hold a Bachelor's Degree from any of the recognized universities
   • Candidates who have appeared for the qualifying examination and are awaiting results or those who are yet to appear for the qualifying examination are also eligible for the Preliminary Examination. Such candidates have to produce proof of passing the said examination along with the application for the Main Examination
   • Candidates with professional and technical qualifications recognized by the Government or its equivalent are also eligible to apply
   • Candidates who have passed the final year of MBBS or any Medical Examination but are yet to complete the internship can also appear for the Main Examination. However, they must submit a certificate from the concerned University that they have passed the final professional medical examination

3. Age Limit :

   A candidate should be a minimum of 21 years and maximum 32 years old as on August 01, 2021. But he/she must have been born not earlier than August 02, 1989 and not later than August 01, 2000. Necessary action will take to make corresponding changes in respective Rules/Regulations pertaining to various services.
   

   The upper age limit prescribed above is relaxable for the following candidates:

   • 5 Years - Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST)
   • 3 Years - Other Backward Classes (OBC)
   • 3 Years - Defence Services personnel
   • 5 Years - ex-servicemen including Commissioned Officers and ECOs/SSCOs who have rendered at least 5 years Military Service as on August 01, 2020.
   • 5 Years in the case of ECOs/SSCOs
   • 10 Years - Blind, deaf-mute, and orthopedically handicapped persons
   • 5 Years -  In the case of ECOs/SSCOs who have completed an initial period of assignment of five years of Military Service as on 1st August, 2019 and whose assignment has been extended beyond five years and in whose case the Ministry of Defence issues a certificate that they can apply for civil employment and that they will be released on three months’ notice on selection from the date of receipt of offer of appointment

4. Number of attempts:

   Restriction on the maximum number of attempts is effective since 1984:

   • For General Candidates: 6 attempts (Up to 32 Years)
     
   • Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Candidates (SC/ST): No Limits (Up to 37 Years)
     
   • Other Backward Classes (OBC): 9 attempts (Up to 35 Years)
     
   • Physically handicapped- 9 attempts for general and OBC, while unlimited for SC/ST

Roles and Responsibilities

The role of IAS officers is very venerable, demands a great deal of responsibility and reverence. It is also important that an officer is physically and mentally fit and healthy to handle the work pressure without giving in. The following are the roles and responsibilities that an IAS officer is deputed:

• Handling affairs of government that involve framing and implementation of policy in consultation with the concerned Minister

• Implementing policies through supervision and also traveling to the places where the approved policies will be implemented

• Implementing policies comprises disbursement of funds through personal supervision

• Answerable to the Parliament and State Legislatures for any violation of rules while on duty

• Functions and responsibilities differ at different levels of career.

• Initially, IAS officers join the state administration at the sub-divisional level, resuming their services as sub-divisional magistrates, and look after law and order, general administration and development work in the area assigned to them

• The post of the District Officer also known as District Magistrate, District Collector or Deputy Commissioner is the highly respected and responsible post the IAS officers enjoy

• At the district level, an IAS officer deals with district affairs, including implementation of developmental programs

• The officers may also be appointed in the State Secretariat or they may serve as Heads of Departments or in Public Sector Undertakings

• They may serve in different positions from the State to the Centre and vice versa. This happens through deputation.

• At the Centre, IAS officers serve at the highest position as the Cabinet Secretaries, Secretaries/Additional Secretaries, Joint Secretaries, Directors, Deputy Secretaries and Under Secretaries. They are appointed to these posts based on seniority.

• At the Centre, the IAS officers play a key role in formulation and implementation of policies related to a particular area; for instance, finance, commerce, etc.

• During formulation of a policy and decision making, IAS officers serving at different levels i.e. joint secretary, deputy secretary give their valuable inputs

• The policy takes its final shape through a final decision the minister concerned or the cabinet, depending on the seriousness of the situation