IAS Exam Eligibility Requirements
One of the toughest competitive exams in India is the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). It was earlier known as Imperial Civil Service (ICS). IAS is a Civil Services exam that is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission for the recruitment of administrators for the All India Administrative Civil Service
It occurs every year and is conducted by the central recruiting agency, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
It shapes a part of the executive branch. It is one of the three All India Services, its corps can be employed by both the Union Government, the State Governments, and public-sector undertakings.
Every year lakhs of aspirants appear for this examination, testing their fortune and hard work to get through one of these prestigious positions.
Table of Content
IAS Exam Eligibility Requirements
FAQs Regarding IAS Eligibility
IAS Exam Pattern
UPSC IAS eligibility criteria 2023 is officially separated into two stages called Preliminary and Main Examination while actually, it is a three-stage exam. The third is a Personality Test/Interview.
As per the IAS exam pattern, candidates who clear the Prelims are qualified for Mains, and candidates who clear the Main reach the interview step.
The IAS exam is conducted in three stages – the Preliminary Examination, the Main Examination, and the Personality Test.
Preliminary Examination
The foremost stage of the IAS exam is the Preliminary Examination, which is an objective type test with multiple-choice questions. The exam consists of two papers:
- General Studies Paper-I: General Studies Paper-I covers topics such as Indian Polity and Governance, Economic and Social Development, Environmental Ecology and Biodiversity, and General Science.
- General Studies Paper-II (also known as the Civil Services Aptitude Test or CSAT): The General Studies Paper-II covers areas such as Comprehension, Interpersonal Skills, Logical Reasoning, Analytical Ability, Decision Making, and Problem-Solving.
The duration of each paper is two hours and carries 200 marks each.
Main Examination
The second stage of the IAS exam is the Main Examination, which is a written examination comprising nine papers, which are further divided into two types – qualifying and ranking. The qualifying papers are in Indian Language and English, which are mandatory and are not counted in the final ranking.
The ranking papers are Essay, General Studies (four papers), and Optional Subject (two papers). The span of each paper is three hours, and the aggregate marks of the main examination are 1750. The General Studies papers cover subjects such as Indian Heritage and Culture, Governance, International Relations, Ethics, and Integrity. The Optional Subject papers cover topics such as Agriculture, History, Sociology, and Literature.
Personality Test
The third and definitive stage of the IAS exam is the Personality Test, also known as the Interview. The candidates who pass the Main examination are called for the Personality Test, which is conducted by a board of eminent personalities.
The interview is planned to test the candidate’s overall personality, including communication skills, leadership qualities, and decision-making abilities. The interview holds up to 275 marks, and the final merit list is set based on the candidate’s performance in the Main examination and Personality Test.
IAS Exam Eligibility Requirements
The eligibility requirements for the IAS exam are designed to confirm that the candidates who appear for the exam have the necessary qualifications, skills, and characteristics required to perform the duties of a civil servant. Here are the eligibility criteria for the IAS exam:
Nationality
The aspirant must be a citizen of India or a person of Indian origin who has relocated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries, and Vietnam. The candidate must also have valid documentation to prove their nationality.
Age Limit
The candidate must have acquired the age of 21 years on August 1st of the year in which he/she is appearing for the exam. The upper age limit is 32 years as of August 1st of the year of the exam. However, certain classifications of candidates are eligible for age relaxation as per government rules.
For example, candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) categories are qualified for a relaxation of up to 5 years, while candidates who belong to Other Backward Classes (OBC) category are eligible for a relaxation of up to 3 years.
Educational Qualification
The candidate must have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institute. Candidates appearing for the final year of their degree examination are also suitable to apply. There is no specific prerequisite for the type of degree, and candidates with a degree in any discipline are eligible to apply.
Number of Attempts
The most number of attempts for the IAS exam is six for General category candidates, nine for OBC candidates, and unlimited for SC/ST candidates. However, candidates must meet the age eligibility benchmarks for each attempt. If a candidate has depleted their maximum number of attempts, they are no longer qualified to appear for the exam.
Physical Fitness
Candidates must be physically healthy as per the requirements of the UPSC. This includes meeting the minimum standards for height and chest measurements for male candidates and vision criteria for both male and female candidates.
In addition to the above eligibility criteria, candidates must also be of good character and have no criminal record. They must also possess certain traits such as leadership qualities, integrity, and a robust sense of public service.
Conclusion
It is crucial for candidates to carefully read and understand the eligibility criteria before applying for the eligibility criteria for UPSC CSE. Any candidate who does not fulfill the eligibility requirements will not be permitted to appear for the exam. Candidates who meet the eligibility conditions and clear the various stages of the exam can have a fulfilling and rewarding career in the Indian government.
FAQs Regarding IAS Eligibility
Q: What is the educational qualification required for the IAS exam?
A: The candidate must have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university. Candidates appearing for the final year of their degree examination are also qualified to apply.
Q: Can candidates who have completed their graduation from a distance learning program apply for the IAS exam?
A: Yes, candidates who have finished their graduation from a recognized university through distance learning are eligible to apply for the IAS exam, provided they satisfy all other eligibility criteria.