IAS 2023: Prelims Result (Out), Expected Cutoff, Question Paper & News

Indian Administrative Services 2023 ( IAS )

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Registration: 14 Feb '24 - 5 Mar '24

Rachit Kumar Saxena

Rachit Kumar SaxenaManager-Editorial

Updated on Nov 17, 2023 18:00 IST

IAS main result 2023 is expected to be released in December 2023. The Union Public Service Commission is expected to release the roll number and names of the candidates eligible for the IAS interviews. The UPSC IAS main exam 2023 was conducted in September 2023. The IAS main result 2023 will be released on its official website - upsc.gov.in.  The UPSC is expected to select over three thousand candidates for the interview phase. The IAS 2023 exam was conducted for 1,105 vacancies which are the highest in the recent years. The Commission is expected to select around 3 thousand candidates for the IAS interview phase. UPSC released the IAS 2023 notification on February 2 for 1,105 Civil Service vacancies.

UPSC IAS prelims result 2023 was released on June 12. The Commission selected 14,624 candidates for the IAS main exam 2023. The Commission released the IAS 2023 main question papers for all the subjects after the conclusion of the IAS main(written) exam. 

Earlier, the UPSC IAS 2024 exam dates were released on May 10. The Union Public Service Commission released the IAS prelims and Mains exam dates in its official UPSC Calendar 2024. The candidates should note that the IAS 2024 notification will be released on February 14, 2024, instead of the first week of February. The last date to apply for the IAS 2024 exam will be March 3, 2024. The IAS 2024 prelims will be conducted on May 26, 2024. The UPSC will conduct the IAS main exam from September 20, 2024. 

Q:   Is the IAS Main 2023 Admit Card Released?

A:

Yes, the Union Public Service Commission has released the IAS main 2023 admit card on its official website - upsc.gov.in. The candidates are suggested to downlaoad the IAS 2023 admit card for the main exam as early as possible to avoid any last minute rush. The candidates must check the details mentioned in the IAS admit card and inform the controller of examination in case of any spelling error in the personal details of the candidate. 

The Union Public Service Commission will conduct the IAS main exam from Seotember 15 to 23 at the designated exam centres across the nation.

Q:   Is the IAS main exam 2023 started as per the schedule?

A:

Yes, the IAS main 2023 exam was started as per the schedule mentioned in the UPSC IAS main admit card released in the last week of August. The Union Public Service Commission is conducting the IAS Main Exam 2023 at the designated exam centres across the nation. The candidates were required to show their IAS admit card and one photo identity card at the time of entry to the examination centre. 

The IAS main (written) will conclude on September 23. The Commission is expected to release the IAS main (written) result in December 2023.

Q:   What is the expected date for IAS 2023 main (written) result?

A:

The Union Public Service Commission is expected to release the IAS main result 2023 either in December or in January 2024. The Union Public Service Commission will conduct the IAS Main 2023 exam till September 23. The IAS main exam will be conducted at the designated exam centres only. The candidates will be required to carry and show a photo identity card with the IAS main admit card.

The Commission is conducting the IAS main exam 2023 for 1,105 vacancies which is the highest in the recent years.

What is IAS Exam?

IAS exam or Civil Service Exam (CSE) is conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) every year. The exam is conducted at the pan-India level. UPSC recruits the candidates for Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Central Civil Service through this exam. All the ministries and the departments in the union and state governments are headed by the IAS officers which make this exam the most prestigious one in the nation. The topper of the IAS exam has the opportunity to become the Cabinet Secretary to the Government of India. It is the highest bureaucratic position one person can have in India

Merit-based Civil Service was first introduced in India in 1854. For this purpose, a Civil Service Commission was set up in 1854 in London and a competitive examination was conducted in 1855. This service was called Indian Civil Service (ICS) during that period. In 1922, the Indian Civil Service Examination was conducted in India for the first time in Allahabad. In India, the exam was conducted by Federal Public Service Commission, but the ICS examination in London was conducted by the Civil Service Commission.

IAS 2023 Latest News

Q:   When Will IAS 2024 Notification release?

A:

The UPSC IAS 2024 notification will be released on February 14, 2024. The notification will include important dates, the number of vacancies, the syllabus, and all the criteria for appearing in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Candidates can apply for the UPSC IAS application form until March 5, 2024. 

The IAS Exam for 2024 prelims phase will take place on May 26, 2024. The minimum age to fill the IAS 2024 application is 21 years and the maximum age is 32 years. Age relaxation is provided to candidates belonging to certain categories.

Q:   Will UPSC reduce the IAS age limit for 2024 exam?

A:

The UPSC age limit for the 2024 exam is 21-32 years for the general category. Candidates must have turned 21 by August 1, 2023. The upper age limit for general category candidates is 32 years. There are age relaxations for reserved categories.
The minimum educational qualification required to apply for the IAS exam is to graduate in any discipline from a recognised university. Candidates appearing in their final year can apply if they can produce the passing certificate with the Detailed Application Form (DAF).

The UPSC is required to take approval of the Ministry of Personnel to make any changes in the Civil Service (IAS) notification.

Q:   Is IAS a Colonial Legacy?

A:

The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) is a legacy of the British Raj. The IAS was originally called the Indian Civil Service (ICS). The ICS was often called the "steel frame" of British rule in India. After India's independence, the name was changed to IAS, but the substance of the service remained the same. The IAS continues to have a significant impact on India's present and future.

The first IAS officer in India was Satyendranath Tagore. He was appointed to the Bombay Presidency in 1864 and served for 30 years.  The British equivalent of the IAS is Her Majesty's Civil Service, also known as the Home Civil Service. But, After independance, the IAS has changed its nature from supressor to facilitator.

IAS 2024 Exam Dates & Schedule

Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of IAS 2023 exam

DatesUpcoming Exam Dates

14 Feb '24 -

5 Mar '24

IAS 2024 Application Dates

May '24

IAS Prelims Admit Card 2024 Issue Date

TENTATIVE

26 May '24

IAS Prelims 2024 Exam Date

20 Sep '24 -

29 Sep '24

IAS Main 20234 Exam Date

DatesPast Exam Dates

15 Sep '23 -

24 Sep '23

IAS Main 2023 Exam Date

Jun '23

IAS Prelims Result 2023

28 May '23

IAS Prelims 2023 Exam Date

IAS Full Form

The full form of IAS is the Indian Administrative Service. It is the indigenous avatar of the Imperial Civil Service called ICS during British Rule. In 1948, the IAS was officially formed by the then legislature. The member of ICS officially became members of IAS. 

Q:   What is the full form of IAS?

A:

The full form of IAS is Indian Administrative Services. The IAS is the administrative arm of the All India Services and is considered the topmost position among all the administrative services. The IAS is one of the three arms of the All India Services, along with the Indian Police Service and the Indian Forest Service. The IAS was formerly known as the Imperial Civil Service (ICS) and was founded in 1858 during British rule.

The Union Public Service Commission conducts the IAS exam every year to choose and recruit eligible candidates to the posts offered by the Government of India. The IAS exam is one of the most prestigious and competitive exams in India. The minimum education qualification is a bachelor's degree from a government-recognized university/institution. The minimum UPSC age limit is 21.

View Other Answers

Q:   Is IAS Exam Difficult?

A:

The Indian Administrative Services (IAS) exam is considered one of the toughest exams in India. The exam has a low pass rate and a rigorous selection process. The syllabus is vast and varied, making it difficult for even the most experienced candidates to prepare.
Here are some reasons why the IAS exam is considered difficult:

  • The IAS syllabus is vast and varied, covering a variety of topics.
  • The competition is high.
  • The selection process is rigorous.
  • The pass rate is very low.
  • The number of vacancies is limited.

It may take more than one attempt and multiple years to get into the service.
Every year, Lacs of people take the IAS prelims exam. Only about 25% of those who take the prelims exam move onto the IAS mains. The success rate of candidates appearing for the exam is less than 1%.

Q:   Is IAS an All India Exam?

A:

The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) is one of the All India Services (AIS). The other two AIS are the Indian Police Service (IPS) and the Indian Forest Service (IFS). The IAS is considered the premier civil service of India.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services examination to recruit IAS officers. The minimum age to take the exam is 21 and the maximum age is 32. The UPSC receives thousands of applications each year, but only 180 candidates make it to the final merit list.

IAS Admit Card 2023

IAS main admit card 2023 has been released. The candidates can see below the steps to download the IAS Main 2023 admit card. 

How to Download IAS 2023 Admit Card?

The candidates can see below the steps to download IAS admit card 2023.

  • Visit the official website of UPSC (http://www.upsc.gov.in/).
  • Click on the Admit Card link available on the Home page of the website.
  • Read the instructions given on the page and click on the Yes button.
  • Select any of the given two options – By Registration ID or By Roll Number.
  • Enter registration ID and date of birth (if ‘By Registration ID’ is selected) or roll number and date of birth (if ‘By Roll Number’ is selected).
  • Click on the Submit button.
  • Download the IAS admit card

Check all the details mentioned in the IAS admit card and report in case of any discrepancies in the IAS admit card.

Direct Link to Download UPSC IAS admit card 2023 - https://upsconline.nic.in/eadmitcard/admitcard_csm_2023/admit_card.php#hhh1 

Q:   What details are mentioned on IAS admit card?

A:
The Union Public Service Commission mention the following details on the Civil Service IAS admit card 2023. Name Roll Number Photo Identity Card Father's Name Mother's Name Centre Venue of Examination Time Table of Exam.

Q:   Which types of Photo-Identity proofs are required with UPSC Admit Card?

A:
The candidates will be required to carry the same photo identity proof whose number was mentioned in the UPSC application form. The candidates will be required to produce the same at the time of examination because its number will be mentioned on the UPSC admit card. List of Valid Photo Identity Proof The following identity proofs are mentioned as valid identity proofs Aadhar Card PAN Card Voter-ID Card Driving Licence Passport Identity Card issued by any Government Authority.

Q:   What to do in Case of a Discrepancy in the UPSC Admit Card 2023?

A:
The candidates should check all the personal details mentioned on the UPSC admit card. In case of any discrepancy in the personal details mentioned on the UPSC admit card, the candidates must compare it with their UPSC application form. In case of a difference in details, the Commission should immediately contact the Union Public Service Commission. The details of the contact are given below: Union Public Service Commission Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi 110069.

IAS Exam Analysis 2023

The candidates can see here the exam analysis video

Q:   How was the IAS 2023 Prelims Exam?

A:

The IAS 2023 Prelims exam was held on May 28th, 2023. The exam was moderately to difficult overall, with the General Studies Paper 1 being moderate to difficult and the GS Paper 2 CSAT being very lengthy. The exam also included more questions from the Environment and Geography section, and fewer questions from current affairs and international relations. The exam pattern changed, with altered Assertion and Reason questions, and a new format for multiples.

The cut-off for the exam was expected to be between 82 and 85, compared to 88 in 2022. Only 14,624 students scored above the cut-off and were eligible to proceed to the Mains round.

Some students who took the CSAT paper said it was very difficult, and some even approached the courts against the UPSC. Even some candidates files a petition against the difficulty level of the IAS prelims GS-2 (CSAT) paper.

Q:   Does UPSC ask for Factual Questions in IAS prelims 2023?

A:

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) asked a few factual questions in the 2023 IAS Prelims exam. The questions were moderate in difficulty and required both conceptual understanding and factual knowledge. The questions covered topics such as presidential elections, money bills, due process of law, and emergency provisions. Some say that the questions were difficult to answer and had limited scope for using the elimination method.

The UPSC Prelims exam syllabus has not changed for many years, so the paper setters tend to repeat questions.

Q:   Did UPSC ask analytical questions in IAS prelims 2023?

A:

Yes, the UPSC asked conceptual and analytical questions in the IAS prelims exam in 2023. The CSAT paper tested analytical skills, reasoning ability, and aptitude. The questions included permutations and combinations and analytical reasoning.

The difficulty level of the exam was moderate. The paper was lengthy because it included statement-based questions. The questions were a mix of static and current affairs. The majority of the questions were from Environment and Geography.

The CSAT was more difficult than previous years. Students with Science and IIT backgrounds found the exam tough.

IAS 2023 Exam Overview

The candidates can see here the important details related to IAS exam

IAS Exam 2023 Highlights

Exam name

IAS Exam 2023

Conducting body

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

Exam Purpose

To recruit the candidates for All India Services and Central Civil Services

Exam level

National

Last Date to Apply Online

21-Feb-2023

IAS Admit Card Release Date

08-May-2023

Vacancies

1,105

No. of applicants

Approximately 10 lakh

No. of applicants who appeared in the exam

Approximately 6.5 lakh

Exam frequency

Once a year

Exam Date

28-May-2023

Exam mode

Offline - pen and paper mode

Exam stages

  1. Prelims (Qualifying Only) - 400 Marks
  2. Mains (written) - 1750  Marks
  3. Mains (Personality Test) - 275 Marks

Exam Duration

Prelims - 2 hours for each paper

Mains - 3 hours for each paper

Personality Test  - not fixed (25 to 45 minutes)

Application fee(Prelims)

INR 100

Exam helpdesk no.

011-23098543 / 23385271 / 23381125 / 23098591

Official website

https://www.upsc.gov.in/

IAS 2023 exam dates are very important for the candidates as well as other State Public Service Commission because they cannot conduct any exam on this day where the eligibility is a graduate.

Q:   What is Civil Service Exam?

A:

The Civil Services Examination (CSE) is a national competitive exam in India. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the CSE to recruit candidates for various civil services of the Government of India. The CSE is also known as the "IAS exam".
The CSE is the toughest competitive exam in India. Only a few thousand students can successfully clear the exam out of Lacs of aspirants.

Q:   How the Civil Service Exam is conducted?

A:

The Civil Services Examination (CSE) is conducted in three phases: Prelims, Mains, Interview.

The preliminary exam consists of two papers:

  • General Studies I
  • Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT)

The CSAT paper is qualifying in nature, while marks in GS I will decide whether a candidate is eligible to appear for the UPSC Mains exam.

The exam window extends over a year (from June month of a year to June month next year when the results are announced).
Candidates who clear the prelims can appear in the second stage, i.e. Mains. Candidates who clear Mains are called for the Interview rounds.

Q:   Who conducts the Civil Service (IAS) Exam?

A:

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Examination (CSE) annually. The CSE is also known as the IAS (Indian Administrative Service) exam. The CSE is a common exam that recruits candidates for about 24 top government services, including IAS, IPS, IFS, and IRS.

The CSE is conducted in two phases: UPSC Prelims and UPSC Mains. The prelims exam consists of objective-type questions, while the Mains exam requires descriptive and essay-type answers. The CSE started in 1922 and is offered once a year.

The UPSC is the central recruiting agency for the CSE. The PSC in each state fills the State Government job vacancies.

IAS Cutoff 2023 (Expected)

The candidates who appeared in the IAS prelims exam shared the topics from where the questions were asked in the paper. The IAS cutoff 2023 is expected to remain the same but a little decrease is expected because the Commission has increased the answer options (introduced last year) to most of the questions. The candidates can see here the expected IAS cutoff 2023 for all categories:

Category

IAS Prelims Cut off 2023

General

85 - 92

EWS

79 - 84

OBC

83 - 89

SC

71 - 76

ST

64 - 71

PwBD1

44 - 49

PwBD2

54 - 59

PwBD3

38 - 46

PwBD5

39 - 46

Q:   What is the Expected Cutoff for IAS 2023 Prelims?

A:

The expected cut-off for the UPSC Prelims 2023 is 82-85 marks. The official cut-off will be announced once the final exam results are published.
The UPSC Prelims 2023 was held on May 28, 2023. The difficulty level of the question paper was reported to be moderate to difficult.
The UPSC Prelims cut-off for 2022 was 88.22 for the General Category. The UPSC Final Cut Off 2022 for the General Category was 960.

Q:   What was the cutoff of IAS prelims 2022?

A:

The Commission released the IAS 2022 cutoff after the declaration of final result. The candidates can see here the IAS cutoff 2022 for prelims exam.

Category

IAS Prelims Cut off 2022*

General

88.22

EWS

82.83

OBC

87.54

SC

74.08

ST

69.35

PwBD1

49.84

PwBD2

58.59

PwBD3

40.40

PwBD5

41.76

*Cut off marks on the basis of GS Paper-I only. GS Paper-II was of qualifying nature with 33% marks as per Rule-15 of Civil Services Examination, 2022.

Q:   What was the IAS Main 2022 Exam Cutoff?

A:

The Union Public Service Commission released the IAS result on 23 May and after its declaration, the Commission also released the IAS cutoff for prelims and main exam. The Commission released the separate cutoff for the IAS main (written) and the final IAS cutoff. The candidates can see below:

Category

IAS Mains (written) Cut off (Out of 1750)

IAS Final Cutoff (Out of 2025)

General

748

960

EWS

715

926

OBC

714

923

SC

699

893

ST

706

900

PwBD1

677

879

PwBD2

706

913

PwBD3

351

632

PwBD5

419

590

IAS 2023 Result

The Union Public Service Commission is expected to release the UPSC IAS result 2023 for the main exam in December 2023. The Commission is expected to release the names and roll number of the qualified candidates for the IAS interviews. The IAS 2023 interviews are expected to be conducted from February to April 2024. The Commission released the IAS result 2023 on June 12, 2023. 

Q:   How many candidates were selected in IAS 2023 Prelims Result?

A:

The Union Public Service Commission conducted the IAS prelims 2023 exam on May 28. The Commission released its results on June 12. On the exam day, the candidates were required to follow all the instructions given at the official website on the day of examination and any variance from them could result in the disqualification of the candidate. The Commission selected 14,624 candidates for the IAS 2023 main exam.

There are 1,105 vacancies in the IAS 2023 exam and the Commission will select the appropriate number of candidates for the interview phase too.

Q:   When did IAS 2023 Prelims result released

A:

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) released the UPSC IAS prelims result 2023 on June 12, 2023. The preliminary exam was held on May 28, 2023. The result announced the roll numbers of the candidates who qualified for the next stage of the selection process, the UPSC Mains Exam 2023.

A total of 14,624 candidates were shortlisted for the prelims exam. The UPSC Mains exam is being conducted from September 15. There are 1,105 vacancies in the IAS 2023 exam.

Q:   When will IAS main 2023 Result be released?

A:

Union Public Service Commission is conducting the IAS main exam from September 15 to 23. The Commission is expected to release the UPSC IAS 2023 Main exam result in December/January. The Commission selected 14,624 candidates for the main exam. 

The IAS prelims exam was conducted on May 28 at the designated exam centres and the Commission released its results on June 12. The IAS 2023 exam is being conducted for 1,105 vacancies.

IAS 2023 Notification

The Union Public Service Commission released the IAS 2023 notification online as per the schedule. The candidates should read the official notification to know the details of the examination. The candidates can download the IAS 2023 notification pdf below.

Download Here: IAS 2023 Notification PDF

Q:   When did IAS 2023 notification released?

A:

The UPSC IAS 2023 notification was released on February 1, 2023. The application process began on the same day and continued until February 21, 2023. The last date to fill out the application form was February 21, 2023. The UPSC IAS application form correction facility was available from February 22 to 28, 2023.

The UPSC IAS 2023 exam will have three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Personality Test. The UPSC Mains 2023 exam dates are September 15, 16, 17, and 23, 2023.

Q:   When Will IAS 2024 Notification release?

A:

The UPSC IAS 2024 notification will be released on February 14, 2024. The notification will include important dates, the number of vacancies, the syllabus, and all the criteria for appearing in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Candidates can apply for the UPSC IAS application form until March 5, 2024. 

The IAS Exam for 2024 prelims phase will take place on May 26, 2024. The minimum age to fill the IAS 2024 application is 21 years and the maximum age is 32 years. Age relaxation is provided to candidates belonging to certain categories.

Q:   What information is provided in the IAS notification?

A:

The IAS notification contains information about the UPSC IAS vacancies, application process, application fee, eligibility criteria, syllabus, exam pattern, and selection process. It also includes the exam date, age limit, job profile, and last date.

The notification is the only authentic source of information on the total number of vacancies, eligibility criteria, exam date, exam pattern, syllabus, selection procedure, and any proposed changes in the upcoming examination.

The eligibility criteria for the UPSC IAS exam include:

  • Nationality
  • Age limit
  • Educational qualification
  • Number of attempts

IAS Exam Form 2023

The last date to apply for the IAS 2023 exam was February 21. UPSC provides 20 days for filling out the IAS form. Once the IAS 2023 application form is filled, candidates also need to pay the IAS application fee online or offline mode as per their category. The candidates were required to upload the scanned images of their photographs and signature and the photo identity card. Let us see their specifications. 

Scanned Image Specification for IAS 2023 Application

The candidates can see here the specification for the scanned image which were uploaded for the application

Document Dimensions Format, Size & Bit Depth
Photo

Minimum: 350 pixels (Width) X 350 pixels (Height)

Maximum: 1000 pixels (Width) X 1000 pixels (Height)

Format: JPG

Size: 20 KB - 300 KB

Bit Depth: 24 

Signature

Minimum: 350 pixels (Width) X 350 pixels (Height)

Maximum: 1000 pixels (Width) X 1000 pixels (Height)

Format: JPG

Size: 20 KB - 300 KB

Bit Depth: 24 

Photo ID card NA

Format: PDF

Size: 20 KB - 300 KB

Bit Depth: NA

How IAS 2023 Application Form were filled?

The candidates were required to be registered at the official website of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The candidates can check here the steps to fill out the IAS 2023 application process:

The candidates were required login at the official website of UPSC - upsconline.nic.in

After login, the candidates got the application dashboard showing all the active and previous applications

The candidates need to click on the apply button given for the IAS exam 2023

The IAS 2023 online application appeared on the screen where most of the details were prefilled

The candidates were required to fill in the following details

  • Educational Qualification
  • Exam Centre
  • Photo Identity Card Type
  • Photo Identity Card Number

After the above details, the candidates are required to upload the scanned images of their

  • Passport size photograph
  • Signature
  • Photo Identity Card

The candidates were required to carry the above-uploaded identity card to the exam centre.

After the details, the candidates were required to submit the application fee as mentioned for their category. 

IAS 2023 Application Fee

The details of the category-wise IAS application fee are as follows.

Category

Preliminary Exam Fee

Mains Exam Fee

General/ EWS/OBC

INR 100

INR 200

Females/ SC/ ST/ Persons with Benchmark Disability

Nil

Nil

The Commission provides the above-said exemption to the mentioned categories.

Q:   When will IAS 2024 application start?

A:
The Union Public Service Commission is expected to release the IAS 2024 notification in the first week of February 2024. The Commission provides time of 20 days for the IAS applications. The IAS applications are filled online only and no application of any type is accepted physically for the IAS exam. The UPSC mention all the details related to the IAS application in the official notification. The candidates are suggested to read the official notification before applying for the exam.

Q:   When did the IAS 2023 applications start?

A:

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) released the IAS 2023 application form on February 1, 2023. The application form was available on the UPSC website, upsc.gov.in. The last date to apply was February 21, 2023 at 6 PM.

The IAS 2023 prelims were held on May 28, 2023. The main exam was held on September 15, 2023. The interview date is expected to be in January-March 2024. The final result date is expected to be in April 2024.

Q:   What will be the last date to apply for IAS 2024 exam?

A:

The last date to apply for the UPSC IAS 2024 exam is March 5, 2024. The application form will be available on February 14, 2024 at upsc.gov.in. Union Public Service Commission will release the IAS 2024 notification on February 14 and with its release, the Commission will also activate the IAS 2024 application link for the candidates.

Candidates between the ages of 21 and 32 are eligible to apply. The IAS 2024 preliminary exam will be held on May 26, 2024 and the main exam will be held on September 20, 2024.

IAS Eligibility 2023

IAS eligibility criteria 2023 was defined in the IAS 2023 notification. The eligibility criteria are defined based on the age limit, educational qualifications and the permitted in the IAS exam. Notification is the official source of all the rules and regulations that governs recruitment till its completion. The candidates need to read and understand all the eligibility conditions prescribed in the official notification and if they conform to IAS eligibility 2023 to ensure that they fulfil the criteria.

Nationality

For Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS), a candidate must be a citizen of India. For all other services, a candidate can either be a citizen of India or

  • A subject of Nepal/Bhutan
  • A Tibetan refugee who came over to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling in India
  • A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India

Note: Candidates who are subjects of Nepal/ Bhutan or Tibetan refugees are not eligible to apply for the Indian Foreign Service (IFS).

Educational Qualification for IAS

Candidates must hold a Graduate degree in any stream from any university established under the act passed by the Parliament of India or the State legislature. Candidates who are in the last year of graduation and awaiting results are also eligible to apply for IAS preliminary exam. However, such candidates need to submit proof of passing the requisite exam at the time of applying for the Main exam. There is no minimum percentage required in the graduate degree. It implies that any graduate irrespective of the percentage can apply for the exam. 

Q:   What is the age limit to appear for IAS exam?

A:

The age limit to appear for the Civil Service (IAS) exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is as follows:

For the IAS exam's general category candidates, the minimum age limit is 21 years, and the maximum age limit is 32 years. This means that candidates must have attained the age of 21 but must not have reached the age of 32 as of August 1 of the year of examination.

There are certain age relaxations provided for candidates belonging to specific categories:

  • OBC (Other Backward Classes): Maximum age limit is 35 years.
  • SC/ST (Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes): Maximum age limit is 37 years.
  • Ex-servicemen: Maximum age limit varies based on their service period and other factors.
  • Physically handicapped/disabled candidates: Maximum age limit is 42 years for general category, 45 years for OBC, and 47 years for SC/ST candidates.
View Other Answers

Q:   What is the eduational qualification required to apply for IAS exam?

A:

To apply for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), candidates need to meet certain educational qualification criteria. As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, here are the educational qualifications required for the IAS exam:

A Bachelor's Degree: Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university or institution. There is no specific subject or stream requirement for the undergraduate degree. Candidates from various academic backgrounds, including science, engineering, commerce, humanities, and others, are eligible to apply.

Candidates in the Final Year: Candidates who are in the final year of their bachelor's degree programme are also eligible to apply for the IAS exam. However, they must ensure that they can provide proof of passing the required examination and obtaining their degree before the specified dates mentioned in the UPSC notification.

Q:   What are the nationality requirements for IAS Exam?

A:

The nationality requirements for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) are as follows:

Indian Citizen: The candidate must be a citizen of India. Only Indian citizens are eligible to apply for All India Services.

Other Nationalities: Foreign nationals, including citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibetan refugees who came to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling in India, are also eligible to apply for the IAS exam. However, they must possess an Eligibility Certificate issued by the Government of India.

Please note that these nationality requirements are based on information available up to September 2021. UPSC may update its eligibility criteria, so it's essential to check the latest UPSC notification or the official UPSC website for the most up-to-date information regarding nationality requirements for the IAS exam.

IAS 2023 Age Limit

UPSC prescribes the age limit for the IAS exam in the official Civil Service notification. The prescribed age limit for the IAS exam is mentioned below.

Age on 01-Aug-2023 (in years)
Minimum Age Limit 21
Maximum Age Limit 32

The above age criteria were mentioned for the unreserved category. The candidates can see the age limit for the reserved category candidates as prescribed in the official notification. 

Age Limit Relaxations for IAS 2023

There is also age relaxation of some years for reserved category candidates:

Category

Age Relaxation (in years)

Upper Age Limit (in years)

SC/ ST

5

37

OBC

3

35

Defence Services Personnel, disabled in operations during hostilities with any foreign country or in a disturbed area and released as a consequence thereof

3

35

Ex-servicemen including commissioned officers and ECOs/SSCOs who have rendered at least five years of military service as on August 1, 2023, and have been released

5

27

PwD [(a) blindness and low vision; (b) deaf and hard of hearing; (c) locomotor disability including cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims and muscular dystrophy; (d) autism, intellectual disability, specific learning disability and mental illness; and (e) multiple disabilities from amongst persons under clauses (a) to (d) including deaf-blindness]

10

42

No age relaxation was provided to the Economically Weaker Sections in the UPSC Civil Services (IAS) Exam 2023.

IAS Exam Attempts Allowed

All candidates are allowed to have six attempts in the IAS exam. However, it may be noted that the restriction of the number of attempts is not applicable for candidates belonging to SC/ST category. Also, candidates belonging to OBC and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities categories are allowed a maximum of nine attempts in the exam.   

If a candidate appears in any one paper of the IAS prelims exam, then it is deemed that s/he has made an attempt in the IAS exam.

Category Number of Attempts (Allowed)
General/Economically Weaker Section(EWS) 6
Other Backward Classes (OBC) 9
SC/ST Till the age limit
Person with Disabilities (PwD) Till the age limit

Q:   From which date the age is counted for the eligibility of UPSC IAS, 2023? Is it July 1st or August 1st?

A:
The age for UPSC IAS is calculated from the August month of the year in which the exam will be conducted. The age limit for the UPSC 2023 exam is as follows: 1. The minimum age criteria is that the candidate must have completed 21 years of age. 2. The maximum age limit is that the applicant should not be more than 32 years old in the general category. For OBC, this age limit is 35, and for SC and ST it is 37 years. The age will be calculated as of August 1, 2023 for UPSC IAS 2023.

Q:   Will UPSC reduce the IAS age limit for 2024 exam?

A:

The UPSC age limit for the 2024 exam is 21-32 years for the general category. Candidates must have turned 21 by August 1, 2023. The upper age limit for general category candidates is 32 years. There are age relaxations for reserved categories.
The minimum educational qualification required to apply for the IAS exam is to graduate in any discipline from a recognised university. Candidates appearing in their final year can apply if they can produce the passing certificate with the Detailed Application Form (DAF).

The UPSC is required to take approval of the Ministry of Personnel to make any changes in the Civil Service (IAS) notification.

Q:   What is the age limit to appear for IAS exam?

A:

The age limit to appear for the Civil Service (IAS) exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is as follows:

For the IAS exam's general category candidates, the minimum age limit is 21 years, and the maximum age limit is 32 years. This means that candidates must have attained the age of 21 but must not have reached the age of 32 as of August 1 of the year of examination.

There are certain age relaxations provided for candidates belonging to specific categories:

  • OBC (Other Backward Classes): Maximum age limit is 35 years.
  • SC/ST (Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes): Maximum age limit is 37 years.
  • Ex-servicemen: Maximum age limit varies based on their service period and other factors.
  • Physically handicapped/disabled candidates: Maximum age limit is 42 years for general category, 45 years for OBC, and 47 years for SC/ST candidates.
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IAS 2023 Selection Process

The official notification laid down the selection process in detail. IAS 2023 selection process started with the UPSC CSE notification. UPSC provided 20 days period to apply online for the CSE 2023. IAS exam is conducted in two stages – preliminary (objective-type paper) and main (descriptive paper and interview). UPSC IAS preliminary paper is conducted to select candidates for the main (written) exam. IAS prelims exam is just a screening test. IAS selection process is fully defined in the official UPSC notification. The stages of the IAS exam are given below.

  • IAS notification
  • IAS application
  • IAS prelims exam
  • IAS prelims result
  • IAS Main (written)
  • IAS Main (personality test)
  • Medical Examination after a personality test

UPSC Civil Service's main exam, as the name suggests, is the most important phase of the IAS exam process. The marks of the IAS main exam are taken into consideration for the IAS final result. The final merit list for the UPSC Civil Services exam provides the ranks to the candidates. Based on these ranks, services are allotted to the candidates.

 

IAS 2023 Notification

UPSC released the IAS notification 2023 was released on February 1. The official advertisement notified the eligibility conditions, vacancies, recruitment rules, exam dates and other important aspects related to the exam such as the list of optional subjects in the IAS exam. In addition to the IAS exam 2023 notification, UPSC also released the Civil Services exam conducting rules with the notification. The rules and procedures for the IAS exam are provided in that notification.

IAS Application 

The IAS 2023 applications were closed on February 21. The IAS form link was activated with the release of the notification. The candidates got twenty days' time to fill out the UPSC IAS applications online.

IAS Prelims Exam

The IAS prelims exam 2023 was conducted on May 28. The IAS prelims exam is a screening test that filters out and limits the number of candidates for the IAS main exam. The marks secured in the IAS prelims exam is not considered for the final merit list.

UPSC IAS Prelims Result

The IAS prelims result was released on June 12.  The UPSC prepares an IAS Prelims to answer key for the prelims exam but releases it only after the exam process is over. The Commission will release the IAS answer key after the completion of the exam process next year.

IAS Main DAF

The candidates, who clear the IAS prelims exam, need to fill out the Detailed Application Form (DAF) for the IAS main exam. The DAF is a very important document and plays a very important role in the IAS Interview and during the service allocation process. It is important because the candidates mention their service preference and state preference in this form only. Based on the information given in the DAF and the IAS vacancies, the services and the state cadres are allotted to the candidates after the IAS result.

IAS Main Exam

IAS main exam 2023 will be conducted from September 15 to 24, 2023. Candidates need to appear for the IAS mains exam as per the details mentioned on the admit card. IAS mains exam consists of a total of nine descriptive papers. Out of nine, two papers are qualifying in nature. The qualifying IAS question papers are General English and General Language papers. Apart from that, there are four general studies papers, one essay paper and two optional subject papers. The marks of each paper are as follows:

Sl.No. Name of the Paper Marks allotted
A One of the Indian Languages to be selected by the candidate from the languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution 300 (qualifying only)
B English 300 (qualifying only)
1 Essay 250
2 General Studies I 250
3 General Studies II 250
4 General Studies III 250
5 General Studies IV 250
6 Optional Subject Paper I 250
7 Optional Subject Paper I 250
IAS Main (written) total 1750
Personality Test (IAS Interview) 275
Total 2025

After the IAS main (written) exam, the candidates will be called for the IAS interview based on the IAS main (written) result. The IAS interview will be conducted at the UPSC building, New Delhi.

IAS Personality Test

IAS personality test is the official name of the interview. The candidates who clear the IAS main exam will be called for the personality test. IAS personality test will be conducted at the UPSC office premises in New Delhi only. The candidates must prepare dedicatedly for the personality test because it can make or break the dream of becoming IAS. The candidates can see here the IAS interview preparation tips in detail.

Medical Examination after IAS Interview

Each candidate has to undergo a medical examination after the IAS personality test. There will be a Central Standing Medical Board (CSMB) which will examine the mental and physical status of the candidate based on which the service will be allocated. The UPSC has empanelled the below-given hospitals and the candidates are sent to these designated hospitals for IAS candidates' medical examinations. The list of hospitals is given below.

  • Safdarjung Hospital
  • Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital
  • Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital
  • Sucheta Kriplani Hospital
  • Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital
  • Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital
  • B.R. Ambedkar Hospital
  • AIIMS, New Delhi

IAS 2023 Exam Centres

The number of IAS exam centres was increased (in the official notification) to 79 exam cities across the nation. UPSC has added two more exam centres for the IAS Prelims Exam. The IAS mains exam is conducted in a total of 24 cities across India. The IAS exam centres for prelims and main exams are notified in the official UPSC notification every year.

Q:   How long is the IAS selection process?

A:

IAS selection process takes more than one year to complete. The official IAS notification is released in February and the final result is declared in May-June next year. The Commission conduct the exam in offline mode and the candidates are required to appear and clear all the stages of IAS selection process. IAS 2023 notification was released on February 1, 2023. There are three stages in the IAS selection process. These are

  1. IAS prelims
  2. IAS main (written) 
  3. IAS main (personaity test)

Q:   How many stages are there in IAS selection process?

A:

There are three stages in the IAS selection process namely

  1. IAS prelims
  2. IAS main (written) 
  3. IAS main (personaity test)

The IAS 2024 notification was released online on February 14 and the last date to apply for the exam will be March 4.

Q:   Which rank is required to get Indian Administrative Service, IAS in the UPSC result?

A:
Every year, 180 candidates are recruited for the IAS. The candidate from each category is assigned to the IAS according to the rank in their respective category. The General Category candidate under rank 100 can expect to get an IAS. For other categories, it is difficult to ascertain a rank for getting the IAS but for the OBC, if the candidate secures under 150 rank, he or she can get the IAS easily.

UPSC IAS Syllabus

The IAS syllabus has no limit since UPSC can ask anything from any topic and no one can question the UPSC about the depth of the topics. The UPSC designs the IAS question paper in a way so that the standard of the question paper remains the same. The question break-up from the IAS topics is altered every year. There is nothing that can be termed as out of UPSC IAS syllabus. There is one common saying about the IAS syllabus "Everything under the Sun is IAS Syllabus".

IAS Syllabus 2023 - Prelims

The candidates can see here the IAS prelims syllabus as mentioned in the official notification. 

With a thorough analysis and understanding of the IAS question papers and exam patterns, we can limit the IAS exam syllabus to the relevant topics. Relevancy is the only criterion that can define the contours of the IAS syllabus. IAS prelims exam is the first stage of the selection process and is considered a hard nut to crack. IAS prelims syllabus is not given in an elaborate manner, only topics are given in the official syllabus. The candidates can see here the detailed IAS exam syllabus (main).

Q:   How many subjects are in the IAS exam?

A:
The Union Public Service Commission's main (written) examination comprises nine papers. Union Public Service Commission includes two qualifying papers and seven papers which will be calculated for ranking. However, according to the updated syllabus of the Indian Administrative Service exam: History of India, History of World, Art and Culture, Indian and World Geography, Indian Polity, Governance, Economics, Social Development, Environment, General Science, General mental ability, and Reasoning. Other than these subjects, there are around 25 degree subjects and 23 literature language subjects from which to select your optional subjects for the Indian Administrative Service main stage. For more details, You may visit the Shiksha IAS exam page. (https://www.shiksha.com/exams/ias-exam). I hope this will help you.
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Q:   Does the syllabus of IAS change every year?

A:

No,  IAS syllabus is same in last few years and before changing the syllabus, the UPSC needs to take approval from the Ministry of Personnel and Training before changing the IAS syllabus. The candidates should prepare the UPSC IAS syllabus in its present form and do not fear the change that will be made in the syllabus because in any way, the topics prepared will be relevant to the IAS exam irrespective of any change in UPSC IAS syllabus. 

Q:   What are the five fundamental subjects of IAS syllabus?

A:

 The candidates should prepare the five fundamental subjects as mentioned for the IAS prelims exam. These fundamental subjects are

  • History
  • Geography
  • Economy
  • Polity
  • Current Affairs
  • Environment issues
  • General Science

The candidates should also prepare the Environmental issues because they have gained more importance in the recent years.

IAS 2023 Exam Pattern

The official notification mentions the exam pattern for all the stages separately. IAS exam pattern is not changed. UPSC requires the approval of the Ministry of Personnel before changing the exam pattern. The candidates can check the previous year's exam pattern to prepare well for the exam. The IAS exam pattern plays a crucial role in the preparation because it helps in time management for the exam.

IAS Exam Pattern 2023 - Prelims Exam

The candidates can see here the IAS exam pattern for the upcoming exam.

Paper

Questions

Marks

General Studies Paper- I 

100

200

General Studies Paper-II (Aptitude Test) (Qualifying Only)

80

200

Total

400

In the IAS prelims exam the General Studies paper-II is qualifying only. 

Q:   How many papers are there in the IAS prelims exam?

A:

The IAS prelims exam is an objective type exam. The IAS prelims is conducted offline and the candidates need to mark their answers on the answer sheet (OMR). There are two papers in the IAS prelims exam. The details of IAS prelims exam is given below:

  • General Studies Paper 1
  • General Studies Paper 2 ( Aptitude Test)

The Aptitude paper is qualifying only and the passing marks in the aptitude paper is  67.5 marks out of 200.

Q:   How many papers are there in the IAS main exam?

A:

 As the name suggest, the IAS main exam has 9 descriptive papers. The details of these papers are given below:

PaperDescriptionMarks
AOne of the Indian language to be selected by the candidate from the languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the constitution (Qualifying only)300
BEnglish (Qualifying Only)300
1Essay250
2General Studies-I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society)250
3General Studies –II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations)250
4General Studies –III (Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management)250
5General Studies –IV (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)250
6Optional Subject - Paper 1250
7Optional Subject - Paper 2250

Q:   What qualities are tested in IAS Interview?

A:

In the IAS interview test, candidates will be judged on different skills mentioned below:

  • Mental Alertness
  • Critical Powers of Assimilation
  • Clear and Logical Exposition
  • Balance of Judgement
  • Variety and Depth of Interest
  • Ability for Social Cohesion and Leadership
  • Intellectual and Moral Integrity

IAS 2023 Preparation

The IAS preparation is guided by current affairs and its backlinks with the state General Studies topics. The current affairs section is the tip of the iceberg and the candidates need to prepare the background of the current events. IAS toppers and mentors suggest effectively preparing the current affairs to get a grip on the general studies topics. The candidates should plan for preparing the Current Affairs for the IAS exam because it is the most important section in the IAS exam. The IAS preparation is the interplay of current events of national and international importance and general studies topics. The Current Affairs syllabus is very vast and unique. There is a need to correlate the developing events with past experiences and government approaches towards an issue. The candidates can see here the steps involve in IAS preparation.

How to Start IAS Preparation?

The candidates can see here the video that can solve their questions regarding how to start IAS preparation.

Q:   How many hours of study are required for IAS?

A:

All the IAS toppers and mentors suggest that a consistent and quality study of 8-10 hours over a period of over one year is required in IAS preparation. The number of hours does not matter, it is the quality of study that matters. The candidates should read, understand, learn extensively. Moreover, the candidates should think the solution of the ongoing Socio-Economic problems of the Common man and devise a sustainable solution to those problems.

The Study of hours will also depend on the affinity of the candidate towards a subject, their previous knowledge and the stage of exam for which they are preparing. 

Q:   Which is best degree among Ba and Bsc to achieve IAS exam?

A:
Dear candidate, Which stream you have now and which is your favorite subject? Science and Arts both stream are good for IAS. Some students choose history, geography and political science as their main subjects while some students do IAS after engineering also. Some selects chemistry and anthropology as their main subject. It totally depends on you in which subject you feel more comfortable. Best of luck.
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Q:   How should I start preparation for UPSC exams?

A:
Hello The Civil Services Examination is a nationwide competitive examination in India conducted by the Union Public Service Commission for recruitment to higher Civil Services of the Government of India. UPSC is India's central agency which conducts exams like Civil Services Exam (CSE) to recruit candidates into top government services like IAS IPS, IFS etc. UPSC NOT ONLY PROVIDE PRESTIGIOUS JOB OPPORTUNITY BUT A REPUTED POST IN INDIA. Although regarded as one of the toughest exams in the country, with the right approach and strategy, an aspirant can crack the IAS examination in the very first attempt. It is essential for aspirants to know and understand the requirements of the IAS exam such as the UPSC syllabus for IAS Exam (Prelims-MCQ and Mains-DESCRIPTIVE), pattern, eligibility criteria, application procedure and other such significant details before kick-starting the preparations.
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IAS Question Paper

The Commission releases the IAS question paper on the same day of the exam. It is one of the critical and important components in IAS preparation. IAS question paper provides a clear outline of the syllabus and works as an eye-opener for the IAS aspirants. The candidates should practise with the previous years' question papers of IAS so that they can tackle the actual question paper in a better way.

How to download IAS Question Paper?

The candidates can check here the steps to download IAS question papers:

  • Go to the official website of UPSC -upsc.gov.in
  • Click on the Examination tab given in the top navigation
  • Select the previous year question paper from the list
  • A new page will appear, click on the Civil Service Exam
  • Click on the IAS question paper link to download

Q:   How IAS question papers are useful?

A:

 IAS question papers are extremely helpful for aspirants preparing for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) exam. Here are some ways in which IAS question papers can be useful:

  • Familiarity with the exam pattern
  • Time management
  • Identifying important topics
  • Developing a strategy
  • Improving accuracy

List of UPSC Toppers 2022

The Commission released the IAS 2022 results on May 23, 2023. Ishita Kishore topped the IAS Exam 2022. Garima Lohia secured rank 2 in the result. The UPSC Rank 3 was secured by Uma Harathi N. The Commission released the names of the UPSC toppers 2022. The Commission is expected to release the UPSC Cutoff and answer key soon. The IAS interviews 2022 ended on May 18 and UPSC released the IAS result 2023 on June 26. The Commission released the roll number and names of the candidates in the final merit list.

The top-ranked candidates will be allotted to the IAS, IPS, IFS and other Central Civil Services. In addition to the result, the Commission also released the IAS cutoff for 2022 session. The IAS cutoff 2022 was slightly higher in comparison to the previous year.  The candidates can see here the list of IAS Toppers 2022

Rank

Name

1

Ishita Kishore

2

Garima Lohia

3

Uma Harathi N

4

Smriti Mishra

5

Mayur Hazarika

6

Gahana Navya James

7

Waseem Ahmad Bhat

8

Aniruddh Yadav

9

Kanika Goyal

10

Rahul Srivastava

11

Parsanjeet Kour

12

Abhinav Siwach

13

Vidushi Singh

14

Kritika Goyal

15

Swati Sharma

16

Shishir Kumar Singh

17

Avinash Kumar

18

Siddharth Shukla

19

Laghima Tiwari

20

Anoushka Sharma

IAS 2023 Answer Key

The UPSC releases the official answer key after the declaration of the final result. The candidates can check their answers from the official IAS answer key to calculate their answers. The official answer key is a good source of getting the official perspective on the question because the candidates can prepare these topics, keeping in mind the official perspective.

UPSC released the IAS answer key 2022 on July 4. The Commission dropped one question from each paper.

IAS Toppers Tips

Ishita Kishore from NOIDA topped the CIvil Service Exam 2022. She shared here strategy for the candidates preparing for the Civil Service exam. The candidates can see here the Civil Service Toppers Tips:

UPSC Topper 2022 AIR 8 Aniruddha Yadav

UPSC Topper 2022 AIR 14 Kritika Goyal

UPSC Topper 2022  AIR 15 Swati Sharma

IAS 2023 Vacancies

IAS vacancies 2023 are increased to 1,105. The number of UPSC vacancies in 2022 is 1022 (revised). The total number of vacancies works as a motivation factor for the candidates. Union Government of India revised the number of vacancies in the Indian Police Service (IPS) to 200 (in 2021). Around 180 IAS officers are also recruited every year. The post-wise IAS vacancies are released by the Ministry of Personnel every year. 

Previous Years Vacancies

The candidates can see here the previous year's vacancies as notified by the Commission.

IAS Exam Vacancies
2023 1,105
2022 1,022 (Revised)
2021 712
2020 836
2019 927

How to Score Better in the IAS Main exam?

The candidates can see here the important tips to score better in the IAS main exam 2023.

Services in Civil Services (IAS) Exam

There are three All-India Services (AIS) and various Central Civil Services for which recruitment is made through the Civil Services Exam. The AIS can be created only by an Act of Parliament but the Central Civil Services can be created by Government orders only and no separate Act is required Interestingly, the IAS 2023 notification was released for only 21 Services including the two All-India Services.

All India Services

  • Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
  • Indian Police Service (IPS) 
  • Indian Forest Service (IFoS)

Also Read: IAS vs IPS

IPS Salary and Allowances

Central Civil Services

Central Civil Services are the services that do not have the all-India orientation. They serve in their respective regions and departments.

Indian Foreign Services (IFS)

Indian P & T Accounts & Finance Service, Group ‘A’ Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central Excise), Group ‘A’ Indian Defence Accounts Service, Group ‘A’ Indian Revenue Service (I.T.), Group ‘A’
Indian Ordnance Factories Service, Group ‘A’ (Assistant Works Manager, Administration) Indian Postal Service, Group ‘A’ Indian Civil Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
Indian Railway Traffic Service, Group ‘A’ Indian Railway Accounts Service, Group 'A' Indian Railway Personnel Service, Group ‘A’
Post of Assistant Security Commissioner in Railway Protection Force, Group ‘A’ Indian Defence Estates Service, Group ‘A’ Indian Information Service (Junior Grade), Group ‘A’
Indian Trade Service, Group 'A' Indian Corporate Law Service, Group ‘A’ Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service, Group ‘B’ (Section Officer’s Grade).
Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Civil Service, Group 'B' Pondicherry Police Service, Group ‘B’ Pondicherry Civil Service, Group 'B'
Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Police Service, Group 'B'
Indian Railway Management Service

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Tie-Breaking Resolution in IAS Exam

The UPSC has notified new tie-breaking resolution rules for the IAS exam. These rules come into play when two or more candidates have the same aggregate total marks in the IAS exam. The UPSC defined the resolution mechanism as follows.

1. If the marks secured by two or more candidates are the same in the aggregate total (out of 2025), the candidate who had secured more marks in the compulsory papers (Essay, GS I, GSII, GS III, GSIV) and the personality test (IAS interview) combined will be given preference over the others.

2. In case, the candidates are tied in the above situation also, the candidate who is older will be given preference over the younger one.

Also Read: UPSC tie-breaking rules

IAS 2023 Contact Information

Address

Union Public Service Commission
Dholpur House,
Shahjahan Road, New Delhi – 110069

Facilitation Counter

011-23098543 / 23385271 / 23381125 / 23098591

Email

feedback-upsc@gov.in

IAS 2023 FAQs

Q: Is the IAS result 2023 (prelims) released?

A: The Union Public Service Commission released the IAS prelims result 2023 on June 12 mentioning the names and the roll number of 14,652 candidates. The Commission conducted the IAS prelims exam on May 28 and the Commission released the result in 15 days after the exam. The Commission will soon release the Detailed Application Form (DAF) for the eligible candidates. The IAS main exam 2023 will be conducted from September 15.

A group of candidates filed a petition in the Central Administrative Tribunal regarding the reduction of the IAS Prelims General Studies Paper 2 from 33 per cent to 23 per cent because it asked difficult questions which were contrary to the syllabus. 

Q: What was the cutoff of IAS prelims 2021?

A: UPSC released the IAS cutoff for all the stages and for all the categories of candidates after the declaration of the exam result. The candidates can see here the IAS prelims cutoff 2021.

Category IAS Prelims Cut off (out of 198)
General 87.54
EWS 80.14
OBC 84.85
SC 75.41
ST 70.71
PwBD1 68.02
PwBD2 67.33
PwBD3 43.09
PwBD5 45.80

Q. What is the qualification required to become an IAS?

A. The educational qualification required to become an IAS Officer is a graduate degree in any discipline from any university established by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India. The candidates also visit IAS eligibility for details.

Q. How many papers are there in the IAS Main Exam?

A. There are 9 question papers in the IAS Main Exam. Out of these 9 question papers, the candidates need to qualify in the General English and General Hindi papers and their numbers are not counted for the final merit.

Q:   What was the cutoff of IAS prelims 2022?

A:

The Commission released the IAS 2022 cutoff after the declaration of final result. The candidates can see here the IAS cutoff 2022 for prelims exam.

Category

IAS Prelims Cut off 2022*

General

88.22

EWS

82.83

OBC

87.54

SC

74.08

ST

69.35

PwBD1

49.84

PwBD2

58.59

PwBD3

40.40

PwBD5

41.76

*Cut off marks on the basis of GS Paper-I only. GS Paper-II was of qualifying nature with 33% marks as per Rule-15 of Civil Services Examination, 2022.

Q:   When IAS 2023 result will be declared?

A:
The Union Public Service Commission is expected to release the IAS prelims result 2023 in the third week of June. The Commission releases the IAS result within a fortnight of the exam. The Commission does not mention any official timeline for the IAS result. The IAS prelims exam is an objective type exam where the candidates mark their answers on the OMR sheet which makes it easier to prepare the result so quickly but for the main exam, the Commission takes over two months to declare the result.

Q:   Is the IAS 2022 final result released?

A:
IAS Final Result 2022 has been released online. Ishita Kishore has topped the exam. Garima Lohia secured rank 2 in the exam. Uma Harathin secured rank three in the IAS 2022 exam. The UPSC conducted the IAS 2022 personality test till May 18, 2023. The Union Public Service Commission will release the Cutoff and answer key after the result. The Commission is expected to release the final result within one week of the completion of interviews. IAS main result 2022 was released online on December 6, 2022. The eligible candidates called for interviews at the Dholpur House in New Delhi.

Q:   Is the IAS Exam Analysis 2023 available?

A:
Yes, the IAS exam analysis 2023 is available here. The Commission asked analytical and conceptual questions in the IAS prelims exam. The Commission also increased the new answer options in the IAS prelims paper. The new answer options to most of the questions in the prelims paper. The candidates found the new answer options difficult because it demands the conceptual clarity of all the answer options.

Q:   When was IAS 2023 admit card released?

A:
The IAS 2023 admit card was released on May 8. The UPSC will conduct the IAS 2023 exam in 79 cities only and there are over 600 districts in the country. The candidates are required to travel to the exam city and sometimes the exam city is very far from the residence of the candidate. The Commission will conduct the IAS prelims exam in offline mode on May 28 at the designated exam centres across the nation. IAS 2023 exam will be conducted offline at the designated exam centres. The Commission will inform the IAS exam centre in the admit card only.

Q:   Is the UPSC IAS admit card 2023 released?

A:
Yes, the Union Public Service Commission has released the IAS admit card 2023 on its official website - upsconline. Nic. In. The Commission also released the IAS admit card link on its website UPSC. Gov. In. The candidates can follow the link and download the IAS admit card 2023 by entering their registration number and date of birth. After entering the said details, the candidates will be required to enter the Captcha code as shown on the screen. The IAS admit card 2023 will appear on the screen. Download it and save it for future reference.

Q:   What is the IAS 2024 Prelims Exam Date?

A:
The IAS 2024 prelims exam date has been released by the Union Public Service Commission UPSC in its exam calendar on May 10, 2024. The IAS 2024 prelims exam will be conducted on May 26, 2024. The Commission released the UPSC calendar 2024 mentioning the notification, the last date of application and the exam dates. The IAS 2024 notification will be released on February 14 and the last date to apply for the IAS exam 2024 will be March 5, 2024.

Q:   When did the IAS 2023 Application Close?

A:
The IAS 2023 applications were closed on February 21. The candidates will not be allowed to withdraw their IAS applications 2023. The candidates need to read the official notification to get all the details about the vacancies, eligibility, age-limit and other details. The IAS prelims will be conducted on May 28, 2023. The Commission released 1,105 vacancies for the IAS 2023 exam.

Q:   What is the date of IAS prelims 2023?

A:
IAS prelims 2023 will be conducted on May 28 at the designated exam centres across the nation in offline mode, There will be two papers in the prelims exam. The IAS prelims result is prepared on the marks secured in the General Studies Paper 1 provided the candidate secure the qualifying marks (33 per cent) in the General Studies Paper 2 (CSAT). The IAS 2023 admit card is expected soon because the Commission is expected to release the IAS admit card anytime now. The IAS admit card is an authorisation letter which authorises the candidates to appear in the exam.

Q:   How many vacancies are there in the IAS 2023 exam?

A:
The Union Public Service Commission UPSC notified 1,105 vacancies in the IAS 2023 exam. The Commission will conduct the IAS prelims 2023 exam on May 28. These vacancies are the highest in the last six years. It does not change the number of IAS and IPS recruited this year also. There will be 200 IPS officer posts and 180 IAS officer posts in the exam. The higher vacancies imply a low cutoff at each stage of the IAS examination. The IAS vacancies have a motivational value as it drives a higher number of application forms which makes the exam more difficult.

Q:   Were the IAS Vacancies 2022 increased?

A:
Yes, the UPSC IAS 2022 vacancies were increased to 1022 (revised again). It now includes 150 vacancies in Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS) which is recently notified as a Group A service. Earlier this number was less than one thousand. SEE here for details about the UPSC IAS vacancies. The candidates should note that the final result for the IAS 2022 exam will be declared for 1022 vacancies. The Commission is expected to release the final IAS 2022 result in the last week of May 2023. In the year 2023, over 11 hundred vacancies have been notified.

Q:   Can I prepare for IAS exam at home? Can you suggest some good materials for the preparation?

A:
Ya u can prepare.But at home u need to study every aspect u must have to refer various books etc...and I guarantee u if u prepare in this way it will take minimum 2 years to complete ur portion.But coaching institutions will make things easy for u.They know on which topic we must stress and they will guide u. And coming to essay writing - let us think that u prepared very hard and practised writing many essays.But who will correct ur essays how will u know ur mistakes.SO I SUGGEST U TO TAKE COACHING FROM ANY EXPERIENCED INSTITUTES. To my knowledge vajiram & Ravi institute is the best coaching institutes in India.It is in Delhi.It was established in 1978 . and download IAS app it will help u in ur prep ALL THE BEST

Q:   What is the difference between an IAS and PCS officer? Which profession is more beneficial?

A:
Indian Administrative Services, abbreviated as IAS, are actually the civil based administrative services of the Government of India. The officers that are designated as IAS are the ones that relate to the policy making of our nation and relates to the complete bureaucracy of the Union Government that covers both the two forms, that is the Central as well as the State government. The officers are selected through one of the most meticulous entrance exam conducted within our country, the Civil Service. Provincial Civil Services, abbreviated as PCS, are actually the civil based administrative services of the State Government. These officers relate to the policy making of the state to which they belong. These officers are also selected through an entrance test conducted by the state based Public Service Commission. The exams for the post of PCS are conducted at the state level, where candidates that are the domicile residents of that state are only allowed to appear in the entrance exam. Hope this information helps. Please feel free to revert. Wish you luck.

Q:   Can an average student crack IAS?

A:
A. The IAS exam is an open platform with no limitations for the average student. There is no minimum percentage of marks required in the graduation course to appear in the IAS Exam. Each year, a good number of Average students crack the IAS Exam. Most of the candidates who clear the IAS exam are average students who write the consistent answer and have consistency in thoughts.

Q:   Who is the Cadre Controlling Authority of IAS?

A:
Ministry of Personnel, which works under the supervision of the Prime Minister of India, is the Cadre controlling authority for the IAS. The IAS officers serve in the states and their salary is provided by the State governments. The state government can suspend the IAS officer on valid grounds but cannot dismiss them from service.

Q:   How do I prepare for the IAS exam?

A:

Preparing for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) exam requires a systematic and focused approach. Here are some steps to help you in your preparation:

1. Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus: Familiarize yourself with the exam pattern and syllabus of the IAS exam. The exam consists of three stages: the Preliminary examination (Objective), the Main examination (Descriptive), and the Personality Test (Interview). Understand the subjects, topics, and weightage for each stage.

2. Create a Study Plan: Develop a well-structured study plan that covers all the subjects and topics mentioned in the syllabus. Allocate time for each subject, giving more attention to areas where you feel less confident. Ensure that your study plan is realistic and balanced, allowing for regular revisions and practice.

3. Study Materials and Resources: Collect relevant study materials, including textbooks, reference books, previous years' question papers, and online resources. Choose reliable sources that cover the syllabus comprehensively. The NCERT books for relevant subjects are a good starting point for building foundation knowledge.

4. Stay Updated with Current Affairs: Current affairs play a crucial role in the IAS exam. Stay updated with national and international news, government policies, economic developments, and social issues. Read newspapers, magazines, and online platforms dedicated to current affairs. Make notes and revised them regularly.

5. Develop a Strong Foundation: The IAS exam requires a deep understanding of various subjects, including history, geography, polity, economics, science and technology, and current affair. Focus on building a strong foundation of knowledge in these areas, with a special emphasis on the topics mentioned in the syllabus.

6. Practice Answers Writing: The Main examination includes essay writing, subjective questions, and case studies. Practice answers writing regularly to improve your writing skills, time management, and ability to express your thoughts coherently. Analyze previous years' question papers and practice writing model answers within the prescribed word limit.

7. Join a Coaching Institute (Optional): If you feel the need for guidance and structured preparation, you may consider joining a reputed coaching institute. Coaching institutes provide study material, guidance from experienced faculty, mock tests, and a competitive environment. However, it is important to note that joining a coaching institute is not mandatory for success in the IAS exam.

8. Mock Tests and Self-Evaluation: Take regular mock tests to assess your preparation level and identify areas for improvement. Mock tests will help you understand the exam pattern, manage time effectively, and gauge your performance. Analyze your mistake, learn from them, and work on enhancing your strengths and overcoming weaknesses.

9. Develop Analytical and Critical Thinking: The IAS exam evaluates your analytical and critical thinking abilities. Practice solving analytical reasoning questions, case studies, and practice comprehending complex issues from multiple perspectives. Develop a logical and systematic approach to problem-solving.

10. Time Management and Discipline: The IAS exam requires consistent and disciplined preparation. Manage your time effectively, allocate specific time slots for each subject, and maintain a balance between revision, practice, and current affairs. Avoid procrastination and maintain a regular study routine.

11. Stay Motivated and Positive: Preparing for the IAS exam can be a long and challenging journey. Stay motivated and positive throughout the process. Surrounded yourself with supportive peers and mentors who can encourage and guide you. Take a break, engage in hobbies, and maintain a healthy lifestyle to avoid burnout.

Remember, success in the IAS exam depends on perseverance, dedication, and continuous learning. Stay focused on your goal and remain committed to your preparation. Good luck. 

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Answered 2 months ago

There are three stages in the IAS selection process namely

  1. IAS prelims
  2. IAS main (written) 
  3. IAS main (personaity test)

The IAS 2024 notification was released online on February 14 and the last date to apply for the exam will be March 4.

15103363
Rachit Kumar Saxena

Answered 2 months ago

IAS selection process takes more than one year to complete. The official IAS notification is released in February and the final result is declared in May-June next year. The Commission conduct the exam in offline mode and the candidates are required to appear and clear all the stages of IAS selectio

...more

15103363
Rachit Kumar Saxena

Answered 2 months ago

The nationality requirements for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) are as follows:

Indian Citizen: The candidate must be a citizen of India. Only Indian citizens are eligible to apply for All India Services.

Other Nationalities: Foreig

...more

15103363
Rachit Kumar Saxena

Answered 2 months ago

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Examination (CSE) annually. The CSE is also known as the IAS (Indian Administrative Service) exam. The CSE is a common exam that recruits candidates for about 24 top government services, including IAS, IPS, IFS, and IRS.

The CSE i

...more

15103363
Rachit Kumar Saxena

Answered 2 months ago

The Union Public Service Commission is expected to release the IAS main result 2023 either in December or in January 2024. The Union Public Service Commission will conduct the IAS Main 2023 exam till September 23. The IAS main exam will be conducted at the designated exam centres only. The candidate

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15103363
Rachit Kumar Saxena

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