IAS stands for Indian Administrative Service. It’s a highly prestigious and tough exam in India. The Union Public Service Commission holds this exam yearly to select and hire qualified candidates for various government positions.
What is the IAS exam?
The important IAS Exam started in 1858 as the Imperial Civil Service and later became the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 1950. Among all administrative jobs in India, IAS holds the top position in power and prestige. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is in charge of conducting the IAS exam every year. Those who pass the exam might get appointed directly by the Union/State government or be assigned positions at the district level.
IAS is a part of the executive branch of the Government of India and is considered the permanent bureaucracy. Every year, thousands of candidates from various backgrounds try their luck in this exam.
IAS eligibility criteria
To qualify for the IAS exam, you need to meet these basic requirements:
- Nationality: You must be an Indian citizen to attempt the Indian Civil Service Exam.
- Age Limit: The minimum age is 21, and the maximum age is 32.
- Educational Qualification: You should be a graduate of a government-recognized university. If you’re waiting for your graduation results, you can still apply.
- Number of Attempts: The number of attempts varies for different categories:
- General: 6 attempts
- OBC: 9 attempts
- SC/ST: No fixed limit; they can attempt until they reach the maximum age limit (32 years)
- Economically Weaker Section: 6 attempts
- The person with Benchmark Disability: 9 attempts
- Defence Service Personnel: 9 attempts
- These criteria make sure you’re eligible to take a shot at the IAS exam
Age relaxation of IAS
| Category | Age Relaxation |
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| Defence Service Personnel | 3 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 5 years |
| Deaf/Mute/Blind/Orthopedically Handicapped | 10 years |
This table shows the additional years allowed for different categories beyond the normal age limit.
IAS Salary and Benefits
Here’s the IAS Salary structure according to the 7th pay commission recommendations:
| Basic Pay (Rs.) | Pay Level (Years of Service) | Posts |
| 56,100 | 10 (1-4 years) | Assistant Secretary in Central Secretariat<br>Undersecretary in State Secretariat<br>Sub-divisional Magistrate in District Administration |
| 67,700 | 11 (5-8 years) | Deputy Secretary in State Secretariat<br>Additional District Magistrate in District Administration<br>Under-Secretary in Central Secretariat |
| 78,800 | 12 (9-12 years) | Deputy Secretary in Central Secretariat<br>District Magistrate in District Administration<br>Joint Secretary in State Secretariat |
| 1,18,500 | 13 (13-16 years) | Special Secretary-cum-Director in State Secretariat<br>District Magistrate in District Administration<br>Director in Central Secretariat |
| 1,44,200 | 14 (16-24 years) | Joint Secretary in Central Secretariat<br>Divisional Commissioner in District Administration<br>Secretary-cum-Commissioner in State Secretariat |
| 1,82,200 | 15 (25-30 years) | Principal Secretary in State Secretariat<br>Divisional Commissioner in District Administration<br>Additional Secretary in Central Secretariat |
| 2,05,400 | 16 (30-33 years) | Additional Chief Secretary in State Secretariat |
| 2,25,000 | 17 (34-36 years) | Secretary in Central Secretariat<br>Chief Secretary in State Secretariat |
| 2,50,000 | 18 (37+ years) | Cabinet Secretary of India |
Commitment and Duties of an IAS Officer
The significant role of an IAS officer involves a range of responsibilities. Individuals selected for this prestigious position are expected to demonstrate sincerity, patience, and various skills. Here are some key roles and duties assigned to an IAS officer:
Varied Responsibilities:
An IAS officer takes on diverse responsibilities that evolve throughout their career.
Governmental Affairs:
Handles governmental affairs at different levels, from districts to states.
Compliance with Government Orders:
Executes duties in alignment with the orders of the Government of India.
Policy Formulation and Implementation:
May be tasked with formulating and implementing specific policies as directed by the Government.
Travel for Policy Implementation:
Travels to locations where assigned policies need to be implemented.
Funds Disbursement:
Establishes policies for allocating necessary funds for relevant matters.
Law and Order at Sub-Divisional Level:
If assigned duties at the state or sub-divisional level oversees law and order matters.
Developmental Duties at the District Level:
Manages developmental duties at the district level.
State Secretariat or Department Head:
May serve as a State Secretariat member or head of governmental departments.
Central Level Policy Formulation:
At the Central level, plays a crucial role in formulating and implementing significant policies.
Interesting Facts about IAS
- Satyendranath Tagore became the first IAS officer in India.
- Anna Rajam Malhotra achieved the milestone of being the first woman IAS officer in India after qualifying for the Civil Service Exam in 1951.
- Kiran Bedi, who qualified as an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer in 1972, holds the distinction of being the first Indian woman to become an IPS officer.
- IAS officers are assigned to work in various locations, including rural, urban, and semi-urban areas.
- Ansar Ahmad Shaikh, born on 1st June 1995, holds the title of the youngest IAS officer in India.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the full form of IAS?
Answer: The full form of IAS is “Indian Administrative Service.” It is one of the prestigious civil services in India.
Q: What is the role of an IAS officer?
Answer: IAS officers are responsible for various administrative and executive functions in the government. Their roles may include policy formulation, implementation of government programs, and maintaining law and order in their assigned areas.
Q: How do you become an IAS officer?
Answer: To become an IAS officer in India, you need to clear the Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). This competitive exam comprises three stages: Preliminary, Main, and Interview.
Q: What are the qualifications required to appear for the IAS exam?
Answer: The minimum educational qualification to appear for the IAS exam is a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university. There are no specific subject requirements for the preliminary stage, making it open to candidates from various academic backgrounds.
Q: Is the IAS the same as the UPSC exam?
Answer: No, the IAS and the UPSC exam are not the same. The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) conducts the Civil Services Examination (CSE), which is the competitive exam that determines eligibility for various civil services, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). IAS is one of the services that candidates can get into through the UPSC exam.
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