Becoming an IAS (Indian Administrative Service) officer in India is a prestigious and challenging career path. The IAS is one of the All India Services and is recruited through the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
Here’s a step-by-step guide to becoming an IAS officer:
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1. Understand the Eligibility Criteria
A. Educational Qualification
– You must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university (any discipline).
– Final-year students can also apply.
B. Age Limit
– General category: 21–32 years (as of August 1 of the exam year).
– OBC: 21–35 years (with relaxation).
– SC/ST: 21–37 years (with relaxation).
– PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disability): Additional relaxations apply.
C. Number of Attempts
– General: 6 attempts.
– OBC: 9 attempts.
– SC/ST: Unlimited attempts till age limit.
– PwBD (General/OBC): 9 attempts.
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2. Clear the UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE)
The exam is conducted in three stages:
A. Preliminary Exam (Prelims)
– Objective-type (MCQs).
– Two papers (200 marks each):
1. General Studies (GS-I) – History, Polity, Economy, Geography, etc.
2. CSAT (GS-II) – Logical reasoning, comprehension, aptitude (qualifying, 33% needed).
– Negative marking (⅓ penalty for wrong answers).
– Only qualifying for Mains (marks not counted in final rank).
B. Mains Exam (Written)
– Descriptive-type (9 papers, 1750 marks total):
1. Essay
2. General Studies (4 papers)
3. Optional Subject (2 papers)
4. English & Indian Language (Qualifying, 25% needed)
– Optional subjects include History, Geography, Public Administration, Sociology, etc.
– Marks from Mains + Interview decide final rank.
C. Personality Test (Interview)
– 275 marks (face-to-face interview by UPSC panel).
– Tests personality, communication skills, and awareness.
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3. Choose the Right Optional Subject
– Pick wisely (based on interest, scoring trends, and availability of study material).
– Popular optional subjects: Public Administration, Sociology, Geography, History, Political Science.
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4. Training (LBSNAA)
– After selection, candidates undergo 2-year training at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie.
– Includes Foundation Course, Bharat Darshan (India Tour), and District Training.
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5. Become an IAS Officer
– After training, you are posted as an Assistant Collector/SDM and later promoted to District Magistrate (DM), Commissioner, Secretary, etc.
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Tips for Success
✔ Start early (ideal time: 1–2 years before the exam).
✔ Read NCERT books (Class 6–12) for basics.
✔ Follow newspapers (The Hindu, Indian Express) for current affairs.
✔ Practice answer writing for Mains.
✔ Take mock tests for Prelims & Mains.
✔ Stay consistent & motivated (UPSC is a marathon, not a sprint).
✔ Join Best IAS Exam Coaching Centre
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Alternative Routes (If You Miss UPSC CSE)
– State PSC Exams (for State Civil Services like SDM, DSP).
– Promotion from State Services to IAS (after 8–10 years).
