IAS exam (officially known as the Civil Services Examination) is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) annually. The official UPSC Notification for IAS Exam 2024 will be released on 14th February 2024. Currently, IAS Exam 2023 is underway. The IAS Exam for 2024 prelims phase will take place on 26 May 2024. IAS Mains 2024 will commence on 20 September 2024. Once the IAS 2023 will be in its final stage, – as in the interview stage – IAS 2024 will take place.
Overview
In the history of India’s bureaucratic system, the IAS test has an undeniable significance. The Indian Administrative Service was founded with roots in British colonial times to promote effective governance, protect the rule of law, and spur social advancement. Today, the IAS test is a meeting place for people with various origins and objectives who are brought together by a shared desire for greatness in public service.
Eligibility Criteria
The IAS Exam pattern is:
- Stage I: Preliminary Examination (IAS Prelims)
- Stage II: Mains Examination (IAS Mains)
- Stage III: UPSC Personality Test (IAS Interview)
Preliminary Exam
- The IAS Exam’s first phase is currently underway.
- The Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) comprises of two papers: General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II.
- Both exams consist of multiple-choice questions of the objective type.
- In the first General Studies Paper, topics such current events, history, geography, economy, politics, the environment, and science are covered.
- The CSAT (General Studies Paper II) tests a candidate’s aptitude as well as their capacity for logical thought, analytical skill, decision-making, comprehension, and fundamental numeracy.
Main Exam:
- Candidates who pass the preliminary exam proceed to the main exam.
- The Main Examination has nine papers, of which seven are used to determine rankings.
- Essay, General Studies I, General Studies II, General Studies III, General Studies IV, Optional Subject Paper 1, and Optional Subject Paper 2 are among the papers that may be submitted.
- Candidates must submit two essays on general interest topics for the essay exam.
- History, politics, economics, the environment, ethics, and other topics are all covered in general studies papers.
- Candidates may select a subject from a list of authorized optional subjects for their optional subject papers.
Interview (Personality Test):
- Candidates who clear the Main Examination are called for the Interview stage.
- The Interview assesses the candidate’s overall personality, communication skills, and suitability for a career in the civil services.
- The Interview is conducted by a board of competent and unbiased observers.
Exam Pattern
| Stage | Exam | Number of Papers | Duration of Each Paper | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary | General Studies Paper I | 1 | 2 hours | 200 |
| Preliminary | General Studies Paper II (CSAT) | 1 | 2 hours | 200 |
| Mains | Compulsory Indian Language | 1 | 3 hours | 300 |
| Mains | English | 1 | 3 hours | 300 |
| Mains | Essay | 1 | 3 hours | 250 |
| Mains | General Studies Paper I | 1 | 3 hours | 250 |
| Mains | General Studies Paper II | 1 | 3 hours | 250 |
| Mains | General Studies Paper III | 1 | 3 hours | 250 |
| Mains | General Studies Paper IV | 1 | 3 hours | 250 |
| Mains | Optional Subject Paper I | 1 | 3 hours | 250 |
| Mains | Optional Subject Paper II | 1 | 3 hours | 250 |
| Interview | Personal Interview | 1 | 30 minutes | 275 |
Application Process
Once registered, candidates can log in to the OTR portal and apply for the IAS Exam. To do this, they need to click on the “Apply Online” link and select the “Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination” from the list of exams.
The IAS Exam application form is divided into two parts: Part I and Part II. Part I contains basic information about the candidate, such as their name, date of birth, educational qualifications, and contact details. Part II contains more specific information about the candidate’s IAS Exam preferences, such as their choice of exam center and language.
To fill out the application form, candidates will need to upload scanned copies of the following documents:
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Signature
- Photo ID card
- Educational qualification certificates
- Category certificate (if applicable)
Syllabus
IAS Exam Syllabus
The IAS exam syllabus is vast and covers a wide range of subjects. However, the broad topics covered in the syllabus are as follows:
- Current events: The candidate should be up-to-date on current events of national and international importance.
- History: The candidate should have a good understanding of Indian history, including the Indian National Movement.
- Geography: The candidate should have a good understanding of Indian and world geography, including physical, social, and economic geography.
- Polity: The candidate should have a good understanding of the Indian Constitution, political system, and governance.
- Economics: The candidate should have a good understanding of Indian and global economics, including development economics, public finance, and economic policy.
- Science and technology: The candidate should have a basic understanding of science and technology, including general science, computer science, and technology related to social and economic development.
- International relations: The candidate should have a good understanding of international relations, including India’s foreign policy, global issues, and regional organizations.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| IAS Exam 2024 Notification | February 14, 2024 |
| IAS Exam 2024 Application Deadline | March 5, 2024 |
| IAS Exam 2024 Preliminary Exam | May 26, 2024 |
| IAS Exam 2024 Main Exam | September 20, 2024 |
| IAS Exam 2024 Interview | Yet to be announced |
Tips for Exam Preparation
- Understand the syllabus and exam pattern. The first step is to understand the syllabus and exam pattern of the IAS exam. This will help you to plan your preparation effectively.
- Choose the right study materials. There are many books and online resources available for IAS exam preparation. Choose the study materials that are most relevant to the syllabus and that you find easy to understand.
- Make a study plan. Once you have chosen your study materials, make a study plan. This will help you to stay on track and cover the entire syllabus in a timely manner.
- Revise regularly. Revision is essential for IAS exam preparation. Make sure to revise regularly so that you can retain the information that you have studied.
- Practice answer writing. Answer writing is a crucial skill for the Mains Exam. Practice writing answers in a structured and concise manner. Work on improving your analytical and critical thinking abilities.
- Take mock tests and solve previous year question papers. Mock tests and previous year question papers will help you to get familiar with the exam pattern and time management.
FEES
| Category | Preliminary Exam Fee | Mains Exam Fee |
|---|---|---|
| General/OBC (Male) | INR 100 | INR 200 |
| All Female Candidates | Exempted | Exempted |
| SC/ST and Other Categories | Exempted | Exempted |
FAQ?
The IAS Exam, also known as the UPSC Civil Services Exam, is one of the most competitive exams in India. It is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to select candidates for various civil services positions in the Government of India, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).
To be eligible for the IAS Exam, you must:
- Be an Indian citizen.
- Have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
- Be between the ages of 21 and 32 on August 1st of the year of the exam.
The IAS Exam is a three-stage exam:
- Preliminary Exam: This is an objective-type exam with two papers: General Studies and Mental Ability/Aptitude.
- Main Exam: This is a written exam with nine papers: two compulsory papers (English Language and Indian Language), and seven optional papers.
- Interview: Candidates who qualify the Main Exam are called for an interview.
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