The Indian Ordnance Factories Service (IOFS) exam is conducted as part of the Civil Services Examination (CSE) by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in India. Here are the key details related to the IOFS exam:
Eligibility Criteria:
- Nationality:
- Candidate must be a citizen of India.
- Age Limit:
- The candidate’s age should be between 21 and 30 years as of August 1 of the exam year. Age relaxations are provided for certain categories as per government rules.
- Educational Qualification:
- A degree in engineering from a recognized university or institution.
Exam Pattern:
The IOFS examination is a part of the UPSC Civil Services Examination. The examination process consists of three stages:
- Preliminary Examination:
- Objective type questions
- Two papers – General Studies and Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT)
- Both papers are of 200 marks each
- Only the General Studies paper is considered for the merit list
- Negative marking for incorrect answers
- Main Examination:
- Descriptive type questions
- Nine papers in total, including two papers on the chosen engineering discipline
- Marks of seven papers are considered for the merit list
- Candidates who qualify in the main examination are called for a personality test (interview).
- Personality Test (Interview):
- Candidates who clear the main examination are called for an interview.
- The interview carries 200 marks.
- The final merit list is prepared based on the candidate’s performance in the main examination and the interview.
Syllabus:
The syllabus for the IOFS exam includes General Studies, English language, and an engineering discipline (chosen by the candidate).
Training:
Candidates who are selected for the IOFS undergo training at the National Academy of Defence Production, Nagpur.
Application Process:
The application process for the IOFS exam is part of the overall application process for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Candidates need to apply through the official UPSC website.
It is crucial to regularly check the official UPSC website or relevant government sources for the most up-to-date information on the examination pattern, syllabus, and eligibility criteria, as these details may change over time.
