IAS Full Form

IAS full form is Indian Administrative Services and it is considered the topmost civil service in India. The get a job as an IAS, one needs to qualify UPSC exam. To prepare well for the exam, candidates should know everything about IAS from the full form of IAS to the eligibility criteria, syllabus, exam pattern, roles and responsibilities of an IAS officer, and how to crack the exam.

UPSC conducts the civil service exam every year, which is also considered one of the toughest competitive exams in the country. Though you might have the basic knowledge of the IAS exam like its full form and the exam conducting body, there might still be many things you would like to know to strengthen your preparation. Here to help you recall the things you know as well as to broaden your knowledge about IAS, we have provided all the information including the full form of IAS to Salary, job role, and exam details to prepare well for the UPSC IAS exam. 

What is IAS?

IAS is a part of the executive branch and one of the three All India Services in India including the Indian Police Service (IPS) and the Indian Forest Service (IFS) and the Indian Administrative Services (IAS). A person trying luck to become an IAS officer can get various posts, some of which include SDM, Joint Collector, Chief Development Officer (CDO), District Magistrate, District Collector, and Divisional Commissioner. Candidates who successfully qualify for the complete selection process can get hired by the Union/State government or can also be given posts at the district level. 

What is the Full Form of IAS?

As mentioned above, IAS full form is Indian Administrative Services. To become an IAS officer, one needs to clear the Civil Services exams, which have tough competition due to the high number of candidates appearing for the exam every year. An attractive salary package, a challenging career, an opportunity to serve the nation, and immense respect in society are some of the reasons that attract the masses to become an IAS officer.

IAS Highlights

IAS Exams Details

IAS exam is conducted every year by UPSC for which lakhs of candidates appear to realize their dream of becoming an IAS officer. The exam was founded in 1858 as the Imperial Civil Service and it was renamed to the Indian Administrative Service in 1950.

The official name of the IAS exam is Civil Services Exam (CSE). The Civil Services exam is conducted in three stages to choose the most deserving IAS candidates. The three stages of the exam include Prelims, Mains, and Personal Interviews. To get selected as an IAS officer, the candidates need to qualify in all three stages successfully. 

UPSC releases an official notification before the exam that has all the required details from the application dates to the eligibility criteria, IAS exam pattern, syllabus, reservation details, total vacancies, IAS selection process, and more. In order to appear for IAS or UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE) candidates need to fill out the application form that is released online on the official website. Selected candidates get their admit card, which they can download by visiting the official website, and then appearing for the prelims. Candidates who qualify Prelims have to appear for the UPSC CSE Mains exam and the selected candidates further need to appear for the personal interview round.

Number of Attempts for IAS Exam

IAS Exam Syllabus

There is no defined limit for the UPSC IAS syllabus. Any question from any topic can be asked in the exam. There is no fixed question break-up as it's changed every year. When it comes to the IAS syllabus, there is a saying, "Everything under the Sun is IAS Syllabus." However, candidates can get an idea of the IAS Syllabus by going through the previous year's question paper of the IAS exam. 

IAS Prelims Syllabus

IAS Prelims Exam is divided into two sections: Paper I - General Studies and Paper II - Aptitude (CSAT). 

Paper I - General Studies

IAS Pre Paper I syllabus covers topics like Indian National Movement, Indian Polity, Basic Economic Understanding, and Geography as a static part and Current Affairs and General Knowledge as a dynamic part. 

Paper II - Aptitude

IAS Pre Paper II syllabus is dynamic in nature and covers questions from mathematics, reasoning, analytical ability, and interpersonal skills. Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, Decision-making, General Mental Ability, Communication Skills, and Basic Numeracy are some common topics covered in UPSC CSE Prelims Paper II.

IAS Mains Exam Syllabus

UPSC CSE Mains exam syllabus for IAS covers 9 theoretical papers that further have 4 general studies papers, 2 languages papers, 2 optional subject papers, and 1 essay paper. 

Tips to Crack IAS Exam

Clearing IAS exam is a hard nut to crack not just because the exam is tough but also because of the high competition level. Here are some tips to help aspirants boost their chances of cracking the IAS. 

Create and Follow a Strict Plan

Making a strict and strategic IAS exam preparation plan is the first step in the journey of cracking the exam. But just making a plan is not enough; candidates also need to follow the plan rigorously to prepare effectively. 

Understand the Exam Patter and Syllabus

Candidates should remember the exam pattern and syllabus on their tips to ensure they don't miss anything while preparing for the exam. It also helps them give their IAS exam preparation the right direction. 

Revision is the Key to Success

As mentioned, the IAS syllabus is huge with multiple subjects and numerous topics. The only way to remember everything you learn is through regular revision. 

Practice, Practice, and Practice

Candidates aiming to crack the IAS exam need enough practice. It not just helps them understand the type of questions asked in the exam but also helps in assessing them regularly to find the weak and strong areas and accordingly tweak their IAS preparation plan. 

Stay Motivated

Since the entire IAS selection process is lengthy, candidates need to sustain their motivation. Making weekly or monthly targets and meeting them is one of the ways to stay motivated. Candidates can also award themselves every time they meet the target to stay motivated. 

How to become an IAS officer?

To become an IAS officer in India, an individual needs to successfully complete the entire selection process of the UPSC CSE exam. The selection process is divided into three categories: Prelims Exam, Mains Exam, and Personal Interview Round. 

IAS Selection Process:

• IAS Notification Release
• IAS Application Process
• IAS Prelims Exam
• IAS Main Exam 
• IAS Personality Test
• Medical Examination after a Personality Test

IAS Officer Roles & Responsibilities

Role and responsibilities of an IAS officer vary as per the stage of their career. They handle different district and state-level government affairs. Some of the roles and responsibilities of IAS officers include:

• Framing and implementing policies 
• Travelling to areas for which the policies have been made
• Distribute funds for various affairs
• Developmental duties at the district level
• Serve as a State Secretariat or as Head of Government departments

IAS Officer Salary

IAS officers get their salary and allowances from the Central Government and they are considered among one of the highest-paid employees. The basic salary of an IAS officer as per the new pay structure is INR 56,100. As per the 7th Pay Commission, the starting salary of an IAS officer in India is around INR 70,000. In addition to the regular salary, IAS officers get some other benefits, including Resident, Security, Medical benefits, Newspaper, Study leaves, Transport Facilities, and Phone/internet bills.

IAS Officer Salary: Post-wise Salary Details

Interesting Facts about IAS

• It might be challenging to crack IAS exam due to vast syllabus but not impossible. Candidates can crack the exam with the right approach and a positive mindset. 
• IAS officers can be assigned duties in any area at various locations like Rural, Urban, or Semi-urban.
• The existing pattern of civil services in India started after 1947.
• Before independence, the maximum age to appear for Civil Services Exam was 17 years and the candidates who wanted to appear for the exam had to go to England. 
• Satyendra Nath Banerjee was the first person to clear the IAS exam at the age of 16 years in 1864.
• Kerala's Anna George was the first Indian woman to become an IAS officer in 1951.