How to Become a IAS Officer: Eligibility, Exams, Salary and More

If you want to know how to become a IAS officer, keep in mind — hard work, dedication, and perseverance — are the vital ingredients of your preparation. The development and execution of policies, overseeing government finances, and supporting various federal and state government operations are among the responsibilities of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), a highly esteemed organisation within India's civil service.   

Being an IAS officer has several incredible perks. After completing your bachelor's degree, however, you must sit for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) to become an IAS officer. First off, by making better choices, you will be able to enhance the lives of a great number of individuals. IAS officials likewise get a good salary and an outstanding level of status. Being an IAS aspirant, you must be mindful of a few additional factors, though, particularly before committing to preparing for the demanding UPSC CSE exam. 

As you may already know, there are three phases to the UPSC examination: Preliminary, Main, and Interview. Thus, the first stages in fulfilling your dream to become an IAS officer involve beginning early, maintaining determination, and continuously honing your abilities. This article covers the detailed procedure for how to become a IAS officer following the completion of Class 12, in addition to other pertinent information.

Eligibility Criteria for IAS Officer

The first and foremost step in understanding how to become an IAS officer is meeting the eligibility requirements set forth by the UPSC Commission, which includes satisfying the age limit criteria which we will discuss in the subsequent section.

Academic Qualification

• You need to succeed in the UPSC CSE examination and have a graduate degree from a recognised institution to become an IAS officer.
• If you are in the final/ last year of your graduation then you are still eligible to take the UPSC examination.
• You may also be eligible if you have passed a correspondence academic course.
• The exam is open to both professionals and non-professionals.
• As long as you have finished your degree and are engaged in an internship course being a medical student, you are still qualified.
• If you have cleared the ICWA, CA, and ICSI examinations, then you are eligible to apply.

Number of Attempts

• If you belong to the general category, you are allowed a maximum of six UPSC exam attempts.
• If you belong to the OBC category, you are allowed a maximum of nine UPSC exam attempts.
• If you belong to the SC/ST category, you are allowed to take the UPSC exam as many times as you want until the age of 37.

Is there an age limit to becoming an IAS Officer?

Yes, there is an age limit to becoming an IAS officer as stated below.

• You must be at least 21 years old to sit for the UPSC CSE examination.
• If you are from the General category, the maximum age limit to become an IAS officer is 32 years old.
• If you belong to the OBC category, you have a maximum age limit of 35 years old.
• If you belong to the SC/ST category, you have a maximum age limit of 37 years old.

How to Apply for the Civil Services Exam

The next step is to apply for the exam for civil services by completing the form that the Union Public Services Commission (UPSC) has made accessible on its official website. You should visit the official portal or frequently check newspapers to stay current about the recruitment adverts. Before submitting the online Prelims test form, it is important to go over any pertinent details in detail. To fill up the UPSC CSE application form online, adhere to the following brief step-wise process below:

• Step 1: Access the UPSC's official portal.
• Step 2: Click on the section on CSE.
• Step 3: Select the "Apply" button.
• Step 4: Enter all necessary information, attach your most recent photo, and sign the document.
• Step 5: After confirming the application preview, hit 'submit'.

Selection Process for IAS Officer

UPSC administers a test known as the Civil Services Examination annually, which you must pass to become an IAS officer. The examination is not only for IAS but also for roughly 25 different government posts including IFS, IPS, etc. The UPSC schedules this test in January or February, with the first section of the examination taking place in May or June each year.

In the part that follows, we will go over each of the three stages that UPSC employs for administering this test:

1. Preliminary Exam
2. Civil Services (Main) Exam
3. Personality Test or Personal Interview (PI)

Preliminary Exam: Typically held in June each year, two multiple-choice tests make up this exam. The first exam will measure your comprehension of a wide range of subjects, including government, current affairs, climate change, etc. The Civil Services Aptitude Test, the second exam, will evaluate your wider capabilities, including your ability to make decisions, retention, interpersonal abilities, and so forth.

Mains Exam: Upon passing the preliminary exams, you will advance to the main exam, which consists of nine written tests covering a broad range of topics, two of which are elective areas that you may choose from. These consist of two language tests, one of which is English-focused and the other of which is focused on an Indian language. Every year, in October, the UPSC  Mains examination takes place.

Personality Test: If you perform well enough on the Mains tests, you will then be invited to this interview, which takes place in March of the following year and will evaluate your social skills and clarity of speech.

How to Prepare for IAS Officer?

It typically takes between eight and twelve months to fully prepare for the IAS examinations. Nonetheless, to gear up for the complete syllabus comprehensively, you must decide what you want to study and begin with your studies. The following are a few essential steps that need to be taken to get ready for the Civil Services test:

Step #1 Get Familiar with the Examination: It is among the most crucial steps to comprehend the test's syllabus, commonly asked questions, weightage, format, etc. To determine a topic's value from the perspective of the test, you are required to make a chart of the syllabus and stick it in your room for daily reference. You must review last year's exams daily to gain insight into the most often questioned topics, types of questions, crucial subjects, etc.

Step #2 Refer to Reputed Books/ Publications Only: The most crucial discussion of all is about the best books for UPSC preparation to become an IAS officer. The CSAT Manual, Oxford World Atlas, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning, NCERTs, LUCENT, General Knowledge books, current events, newspapers, English Grammar & Composition from Wren & Martin, International Relations, and many more are examples of standard publications. NCERTs are also readily available for download on the official portal.

Step #3 Build a Strong Academic Foundation: It is essential to have a firm grasp of all subjects, from the most fundamental to the most complex. As the fundamental information base and a means of gaining a complete understanding of the subject you will be studying in detail, you should always start with the basics and read meticulously through the NCERTs. Thus, it would help if you began your UPSC preparation using NCERTs.

Step #4 Attempt Mock Tests Regularly: You must complete practice questions and write answers daily. In addition to assisting with self-evaluation of weak areas, mock examinations will aid in pattern analysis and the identification of the topics from which questions are most frequently asked. You can improve your response writing skills by producing one answer each day.

Step #5 Master Current Affairs: This is the most crucial portion of the civil service test. Both direct questions and lengthy answers to frequently asked questions are possible. Therefore, it is crucial to read the current affairs of the previous 12 to 18 months in detail. Newspapers and monthly current affairs publications are available for you to peruse. Additionally, you may enrol in the current affairs course as well.

Choosing Optional Subjects

The extensive UPSC CSE syllabus for the Mains test covers a broad range of courses. You must pass the required papers, but elective courses provide you with an avenue to prove your knowledge of and enthusiasm for a particular academic subject. These courses provide you with the opportunity to focus more deeply on a topic and make the most of your prior skills and expertise. Furthermore, it is important to note that picking an optional subject for UPSC that complements one's background or academic strong points might improve performance in general and self-assurance on test day.

How to Prepare for an IAS Officer Personal Interview

The Civil Services Exam culminates with this phase. The UPSC administers a 275-mark personality test following the Mains examination. Subject area experts, educators, bureaucrats, psychologists, and the board chairman make up the panel for the drawn-out interview procedure. The final ranking is determined by the personal interview and Mains scores. The following are the 10 best tips for the UPSC interview round:

1. Be assertive and highlight your attitude
2. Prevent clashes during the interview by being informed and prudent rather than overly intelligent.
3. Steer clear of meaningless gestures
4. Pay attention and project attention
5. Be courteous and polite
6. Maintain a neat appearance or be professionally well-groomed
7. Maintain your hygiene
8. Be happy and keep a smiley face
9. Speak respectfully, clearly and be audible
10. Express your thoughts without fear

Last/ Final Step to Becoming an IAS Officer

The last/ final step to becoming an IAS officer is undergoing rigorous training at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration or LBSNAA Mussoorie. The LBSNAA training cycle is broken up into several sections and lasts for around two years in total.

Application & Examination Dates for IAS Officer 2025

The IAS notification 2025 will be made public by the Union Public Service Commission on January 22, 2025, on its official portal. Since there is no other application type available, you must only apply online for the IAS 2025 exam. An announcement from IAS in 2025 will provide the number of openings for the 2024 Civil Service Test. The exam schedule for UPSC 2025 is as follows:

How to become an IAS Officer after Class 12th?

Becoming an IAS officer is a gratifying but difficult journey. Ascending at an early stage, maintaining a targeted strategy, and making use of all potential assets can enhance your prospects of succeeding. The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) is a respected and demanding professional path that demands hard work, perseverance, and a passion for public service. After completion of your Class 12 examination, the following is a broad outline of the processes required to become an IAS officer:

Step #1: Complete Your Class 12 (Higher Secondary Education)

Make sure you receive an acceptable score after you finish your Class 12 schooling. While studying any field of study such as Medicine, Commerce, Science, or Humanities, it is necessary to concentrate on areas that build your intellectual ability, interpersonal skills, general expertise, etc.

Step #2: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

An accredited undergraduate degree is a prerequisite for eligibility in the Civil Services Examination (CSE), which includes the IAS examination. Any subject, comprising but not limited to the arts, sciences, commerce, engineering, and medical fields, is one that you are free to consider for your degree.

Step #3: Prepare for UPSC CSE

As previously mentioned, the Preliminary Exam is an objective assessment to test your general comprehension and competence. Subject-based written papers covering a range of topics comprise the UPSC Main Exam. Your suitability for a career in civil services is ultimately assessed through the Personality Test/ Personal Interview. It is crucial to comprehend the grading system, syllabus, and exam format in its entirety. Make sure you have a study strategy, compile pertinent books and UPSC Civil Services previous year question papers. For assistance and support with preparing for tests, think about signing up for online forums or offline coaching programs. For detailed information, you may also check how to prepare for UPSC CSE 2025 here.

Step #4: Appear for UPSC CSE

Register via the authority's official portal for the UPSC CSE exam. To be eligible for the Mains, you must pass the Preliminary Test. Secure entry into the Personality Test (Interview) by performing well on the Main Examination. Satisfy the requirements for consideration in the final merit list on the personality test (interview).

Step #5: Training at LBSNAA Mussoorie

Upon passing the UPSC CSE and receiving an IAS appointment, you will receive further training at LBSNAA in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand. The goal of this instruction course is to give probationary officers the abilities, perspectives, and information needed for efficient management.

Step #6: Appointment as an IAS Officer

As an IAS, you will appoint individuals as probationary officers after you have finished your training at LBSNAA. After that, you will be placed in different cadres (states and union territories), where you will start working in administrative capacities.

Can I become an IAS Officer with an Arts/Science/Commerce background?

Yes, you can become an IAS officer by pursuing a degree in any field of study, including but not limited to the arts, sciences, commerce, engineering, or medical fields. Make sure you receive a passing grade after you finish your Class 12th schooling. It is crucial to concentrate on degree courses that advance your knowledge base, interpersonal skills, and reasoning skills while studying any stream — commerce, science, or humanities.

Job Roles as an IAS Officer

Serving their nation as officers in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) is an ambition shared by many Indians. The following pointers highlight the job roles of an IAS officer:

• Policy enforcement, administrative task management, and public service delivery fall within the purview of IAS personnel. They interact widely with the public, government representatives, and members of the public at large. The fields may have anything to do with justice, health, and education.
• Along with the minister in charge of a certain ministry or department, they supervise the day-to-day management and activities of the government, including the formulation and implementation of policies.
• When placed at a higher level in the Government of India, participate to the formation of policies and make judgements with the agreement of the relevant minister or council of ministers.
• Since the policies chosen for the nation's growth have a direct social and economic influence on the lives of millions of people, IAS officers are vital to the process of establishing a nation.

Pay Scale of an IAS Officer

The 7th Central Pay Commission has specified a starting wage of INR 56,100 for newly enrolled IAS officers. The Cabinet Secretary of the Union receives the highest salary of INR 2,50,000 among the 18 pay levels available to IAS personnel. IAS Officer pay varies according to the roles they perform. The table below summarises the salary of IAS officers in India:

Furthermore, IAS officers often receive the following benefits while in service:

• Subsidised government accommodation during the service period. Postings at the district level in India yield the nicest housing of any government employment.
• Cooks, gardeners, and other household helpers are available as needed.
• Security coverage varies according to the need.
• The majority of posts at the district and state levels include government transport. Only officers above a particular level are eligible to get government automobiles, and central deputations have fewer vehicle amenities granted to IAS.
• Reimbursed are phone, internet, and mobile expenses.
• Free stay in government rest houses and bungalows during service.
• Depending on their rank and length of service, IAS officers are also eligible for a pension every month after they retire.

Important: An officer of IAS may also pursue a paid study leave at any reputable institution in India or overseas for a maximum of two years.

CollegeDekho Tips!

By understanding how to prepare for IAS after 12th board exams, you can develop a solid base and prepare extensively to tackle the examination with certainty. The UPSC IAS exam measures the skills, expertise, and character attributes needed to be a government administrative officer. Being well-prepared for every UPSC selection phase and honing the requisite abilities throughout preparation are essential to becoming an IAS officer. Recall that a well-defined plan, perseverance, and commitment are essential for success in the UPSC CSE.

Thus, the road to becoming an IAS officer calls for tenacity, commitment, diligence, and strategic planning. If you match the prerequisites, grasp the responsibilities, and do extraordinarily well on the UPSC test, you can get this highly coveted position. Remain driven, and concentrated, and never lose sight of your goal.