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Last Updated By Subhashri Roy on 14 Aug, 2023
IAS Officer is one of the most prestigious and sought-after professions in the nation and is the most well-known position among the 24 Civil Service posts. An IAS officer is entrusted with multiple powers and a variety of duties and responsibilities like maintaining administration, preserving law and order, monitoring overall expenditure and budget, and overseeing government activities. To become an IAS officer, one must have cleared the UPSC Civil Services Exam. IAS salary is divided into 18 tiers, with the starting pay being INR 56,100 and the Indian Cabinet Secretary receiving the highest pay of INR 2,50,000. Find out more about how to become an IAS Officer below.
An IAS officer, also known as an Indian Administrative Service officer, is a civil servant who belongs to the prestigious administrative cadre of the Indian government. In order to control how the government is run, the IAS Officer is given a wide range of duties. Putting legislation into effect at the Central and State levels is one of an IAS officer's primary functions and responsibilities. They continue their education at LBSNAA, which equips them with the skills they will need for their future jobs and responsibilities.
IAS officers are recruited through the Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in India. After successfully clearing the exam and subsequent interviews, candidates are appointed as IAS officers and can work in various roles such as District Magistrates, Commissioners, Secretaries to the Government of India, and other key administrative positions.
IAS officers have a wide range of responsibilities and play crucial roles in the administration and governance of India. IAS officers are involved in policy formulation and implementation at various levels of government. They work closely with other stakeholders to design and execute policies that address social, economic, and developmental challenges. IAS officers are responsible for implementing government schemes, programs, and policies effectively and efficiently. IAS officers, particularly those serving as DMs and Superintendents of Police (SPs), are responsible for maintaining law and order in their respective jurisdictions. They work in close coordination with the police and other security forces. IAS officers also oversee revenue administration in their districts or states. They supervise the collection of revenue, land records, and management of government-owned lands.
To find out how to become an IAS Officer in India, here’s what one should know:
To become an IAS officer, candidates need to successfully clear the three stages of the Civil Services Examination:
UPSC CSE Preliminary Examination
Note: The marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination are only for qualification to the Main Examination and do not count for the final ranking.
UPSC CSE Main Examination
The Main Examination is a descriptive examination. It consists of nine papers, and all papers are of qualifying nature, except Paper A and Paper B (Indian languages).
UPSC CSE Personality Test (Interview)
To know how to become IAS, candidates must understand the top skills required for the position:
Strong Academic Background | Understanding of General Knowledge and Current Affairs | Analytical and Critical Thinking |
|---|---|---|
Leadership and Decision-Making | Effective Communication | Adaptability and Resilience |
Integrity and Ethics | Time Management and Organizational Skills | Public Service Orientation |
Emotional Intelligence | Transparency & Integrity | Interpersonal Skills |
After completing the 12th standard, you cannot directly become an IAS Officer in India. First, aspiring candidates need to pursue a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university. To become an IAS officer, you need to appear for and qualify the Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). This examination is considered one of the most prestigious and competitive exams in India.
The Civil Services Examination consists of three stages, as mentioned above:
Preliminary Examination: This is an objective-type exam consisting of two papers: General Studies Paper-I and General Studies Paper-II (CSAT). The marks obtained in the preliminary examination are only qualifying in nature and do not count in the final ranking.
Main Examination: The Main Examination consists of nine papers, which are descriptive/essay-type in nature. The papers include subjects like General Studies, Essay, and optional subjects chosen by the candidate.
Personality Test (Interview): Candidates who clear the Main Examination are called for the Personality Test (Interview). The interview panel evaluates the candidate's personality, communication skills, and suitability for a career in the civil services.
The final selection and ranking of candidates are based on their performance in the Main Examination and the Personality Test.
To know how to become IAS, candidates must understand what skills are necessary to become an IAS Officer after 12th:
To become an IAS Officer after graduation, one must make sure of the following:
To become an IAS Officer after graduation, candidates need to qualify in the Civil Services Examination conducted by the UPSC. The first stage of the exam is the Preliminary Examination. Candidates who qualify the Preliminary Examination are eligible to appear for the Main Examination. Candidates who qualify the Main Examination are called for the Personality Test (Interview).
Becoming an IAS (Indian Administrative Service) officer in India requires a diverse set of skills and qualities, as the role involves handling complex administrative tasks, policymaking, and interacting with diverse stakeholders.
In order to know how to become an IAS officer, candidates need to go through certain eligibility criteria and qualify in the Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
To know how to become an IAS officer, candidates must understand the educational qualifications of IAS first:
Subject Combination
To know how to become an IAS officer, candidates must understand the necessary subject combination. Candidates can choose any stream in Class XII. There is no boundation as to only Science or Commerce or Arts stream students can apply for the post. Candidates from either stream can apply for IAS exam.
Other requirements include the following:
Age Limit: The candidate's age must be between 21 and 32 years as of 1st August of the examination year. There are provisions for relaxation of age for reserved categories. The relaxation scheme is as follows:
Number of Attempts: General category candidates can attempt the UPSC Civil Services Examination a maximum of 6 times, while candidates belonging to OBC (Other Backward Classes) get 9 attempts. SC/ST (Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe) candidates have unlimited attempts until they attain the age of 37.
To know how to become an IAS officer, candidates must understand the physical qualifications of IAS and medical standards prescribed by the UPSC and the government. A medical examination is conducted to assess the candidate's physical fitness to handle the demands of their administrative duties. Hence, it's essential to note that IAS officers need to maintain good physical and mental health to handle the demanding responsibilities of their roles effectively. The nature of their work often involves long hours, extensive travel, and dealing with diverse challenges, which can be physically and mentally taxing. Hence, regular exercise, a balanced diet, and managing stress are essential components of maintaining physical and mental well-being, which can contribute to a successful career as an IAS officer.
The types of IAS officers are diverse and can be broadly categorized into the following types:
One of the primary roles of IAS officers is to serve as District Magistrates or District Collectors. In this capacity, they are the chief administrative and revenue officer of a district. They are responsible for overall administration, law and order, and developmental activities in the district.
SDMs are IAS officers who work under the District Magistrate. They are responsible for sub-divisions within a district and oversee administrative tasks and law enforcement in those areas.
The Chief Secretary is the highest-ranking civil servant in a state government. This position is held by a senior IAS officer who acts as the principal advisor to the Chief Minister and oversees the functioning of various government departments.
The Cabinet Secretary is the senior-most civil servant in the Government of India. This position is held by an IAS officer who serves as the head of the Indian Administrative Service and assists the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers in policy formulation and coordination between ministries.
IAS officers can be appointed as Principal Secretaries or Secretaries in various government departments at both the central and state levels. They are responsible for policy implementation, administration, and coordination within their respective departments.
The job of an IAS officer is one of the most coveted standards in India. Aspirants willing to make a career as an IAS officer can have a look at the given below IAS officers’ job profiles which is the hallmark of governance in India.
He/she is the in-charge of various development activities going on in the sub-division. The job of the Sub Divisional Officer is to coordinate the work of various departments.
The Divisional Commissioner is the coordinator of all activities connected with the general administration that includes law and order, revenue administration, and development administration at the divisional level. The Divisional Commissioner heads the revenue administration in his division and hears appeals against the orders of District Collectors. He/she coordinates and supervises the work of all wings of public administration in his division.
The District Magistrate is responsible for running the administration of the district smoothly and properly. He/she is the main agent for making the necessary coordination of the official agencies functioning within the district. As a Collector, he/she is responsible for the collection of revenue from the district.
The Chief Secretary ensures inter-departmental coordination. He/she is the chairman of coordination committees which are set up for resolving inter-departmental disputes and also advises the secretaries on inter-departmental difficulties.
Cabinet Secretary acts as the chief coordinator of the central government. He/she acts as a link between the political system and the civil services of the country. The responsibility of a Cabinet Secretary includes monitoring and coordinating the activities of various ministries and departments.
IAS officer is a diverse career choice with a wide range of opportunities to choose from. For an IAS officer, there are a variety of employment opportunities. Being an IAS officer, one can serve as Personal Secretary to Ministers in Central Government. He/she can be appointed to autonomous organizations; subordinate organizations; PSUs; United Nations Organizations; international organizations, like World Bank, IMF, Asian Development Bank which offers deputation vacancies to IAS officers for foreign postings. IAS officers can also get the chance of working in multilateral organizations like WTO, Commonwealth, SAARC, International Court of Justice etc.
The Government of India is the recruiter that offers jobs to IAS officers. An IAS officer is liable to serve anywhere in India or abroad either under the Central Government or under a State Government. Additionally, an IAS officer can also be recruited in autonomous organizations/subordinate organizations/ PSUs/ UN organizations/ international organizations like World Bank, Asian Development Bank.
The salary of IAS officer is determined by the pay scales set by the Government of India. The number of years of service determines the pay scale for each level.
Post | Pay Scale | Basic Pay |
Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), SDO, or Sub-Collector (after 2 years of probation) | 50,000 - 1,50,000 | 56,100 |
ADM, Deputy Secretary, Undersecretary | - | 67,700 |
District Magistrate (DM) or Collector or a Joint Secretary of a Government Ministry | 50,000 - 1,50,001 | 78,800 |
District Magistrate, Deputy Secretary, Director | 50,000 - 1,50,002 | 1,18,500 |
Divisional Commissioner, Secretary-cum-Commissioner, Joint Secretary | 1,00,000 - 2,00,000 | 1,44,200 |
Principal Secretary of a Very Important Department of the Government | 1,00,000 - 2,00,000 | 1,82,200 |
Additional Chief Secretary | - | 2,05,400 |
Chief Secretary of States, Union Secretaries in charge of various ministries of Government of India | 2,25,000 (Fixed) | 2,25,000 |
Cabinet Secretary of India | 2,50,000 (Fixed) | 2,50,000 |
There is no specific course designed exclusively to become an IAS officer. However, candidates can choose any bachelor's degree course from a recognized university as the minimum educational qualification for the examination is graduation. While there is no fixed course, some popular bachelor's degree options that candidates often choose for IAS preparation include:
Bachelor of Arts (BA): BA courses offer a wide range of subjects, including History, Political Science, Economics, Geography, Public Administration, and Sociology, which can be helpful for the UPSC examination.
Bachelor of Science (BSc): BSc courses with subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Environmental Science, etc., can provide a strong foundation in science-related topics relevant to the examination.
Bachelor of Commerce (BCom): BCom courses can be chosen by candidates interested in Economics, Accounting, and Commerce-related subjects.
Bachelor of Engineering (BE) or Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech): Engineering graduates can also appear for the UPSC examination and choose subjects related to Engineering as their optional subject.
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA): These courses can also be relevant for candidates aspiring to work in the social sector or public administration.
Aspiring candidates can pursue any bachelor's degree of their choice, but they need to prepare diligently for the Civil Services Examination by focusing on the exam syllabus, current affairs, and developing the required skills and qualities for a career in civil services.
Check the table below to know which colleges provide the courses required to become an IAS Officer.
Courses | Names of Colleges |
Bachelor of Arts (BA) | |
Bachelor of Science (BSc) | |
Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) | |
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) |
Students spend enormous time preparing for the UPSE CSE with an ultimate aim to become an IAS officer. However, only a few are able to live up to their dreams. To become an IAS officer, candidates should first know how to start their IAS preparation. To get started with IAS preparation, there are some of the best books and study material that one can opt to qualify the entrance exam:
Take our test and find out if it suits your strengths.
There is no one subject that is best for IAS exam conducted by the UPSC. The IAS exam is designed to assess candidates' overall knowledge, analytical abilities, and leadership qualities rather than focusing on specific subjects. Candidates aspiring to prepare for the IAS exam can prefer choosing history, geography, Political Science, or Economics as their graduation subject after 12th, as these subjects form the foundation of the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
Yes, the IAS exam is difficult. It is considered to be one of the most challenging and competitive exams in India. The difficulty of the IAS exam arises due to several factors like vast syllabus, comprehensive stages, high competition, complex question pattern, time management, and current affairs.
No, a 12th pass candidate cannot apply for IAS directly. To appear for the IAS exam conducted by the UPSC, candidates must meet the minimum educational qualification, which is a bachelor's degree from a recognized university. The degree can be in arts, science, commerce, engineering, or any other field.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Examination (CSE) annually that the candidates must qualify in order to become an IAS Officer. This is a three-stage competitive exam that consists of the following stages: Preliminary Examination (Objective Type), Main Examination (Written Examination), and Personality Test (Interview). After clearing the final interview, candidates need to meet specific medical and physical standards. Successful candidates are appointed as IAS officers and undergo training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie. Based on the rank and preference, successful candidates are allocated various services, including the IAS.
The salary of an IAS (Indian Administrative Service) officer in India is determined by the pay scale set by the government and varies based on the officer's rank and years of service. The basic pay structure for IAS officers is as follows:
The highest post in the IAS is the "Cabinet Secretary to the Government of India." The Cabinet Secretary is the senior-most civil servant in the country and serves as the head of the Indian Administrative Service. This position is the apex of the civil services hierarchy in India. The tenure of the Cabinet Secretary is generally two years, but it can be extended based on the government's discretion. The role of the Cabinet Secretary includes overseeing the functioning of the central government, coordinating policy implementation across various ministries, and providing advice to the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers.
IAS Officers play a crucial role in the administration and governance of the country. Some of the powers and responsibilities of IAS officers include Policy Formulation and Implementation, District Administration, Supervisory Authority, Revenue Administration, and Budget Allocation. It's important to note that the power and authority of an IAS officer depend on their rank, position, and the level of responsibility they hold in the government administration.
No minimum percentage is mentioned anywhere in the UPSC Civil Sevices Notification. It means that the candidates must have only 33% or the Passing percentage. It's important to note that while there is no minimum percentage requirement for the bachelor's degree, the competition for the Civil Services Examination is extremely tough. The selection process involves three stages - Preliminary Examination (Prelims), Main Examination (Mains), and Personality Test (Interview). The final selection is based on the candidate's performance in all three stages of the examination.
The required qualification for IAS is a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university. There are no specific subjects required for the IAS exam. You must be between 21 and 32 years of age as of August 1st of the exam year. Age relaxation is provided for candidates belonging to specific categories.
IAS officers are involved in the formulation and implementation of government policies at the central and state levels. At the district level, IAS officers hold key administrative positions such as District Magistrate (DM) or Deputy Commissioner (DC). They are responsible for maintaining law and order, implementing government programs, and overseeing the functioning of various government departments within the district. IAS officers also play a pivotal role in planning and executing developmental projects, infrastructure development, and initiatives to improve the overall socio-economic conditions in their areas of responsibility.