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About IAS / IPS

The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) was formed in the year of 1946 and its cadre controlling authority is Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pension, Department of Personnel & Training. The cadre size is 5159 posts and the source of recruitment in terms of percentage is: by direct recruitment – 66-2/3%; by promotion 33-1/3%; and there is no lateral entry recruitment.

The IAS was constituted in 1946 as a successor to the Indian Civil Service (ICS). It extends the role of its precursor, the Indian Civil Service, which was once called “the steel frame” of the British Empire. After Independence, it was felt that through the ICS was a legacy of the imperial period there was need for the All India Services for maintaining the unity, integrity and stability of the nation. Accordingly provision was made in Article 312 of the Constitution for creation of one or more All India Services common to the Union and the States.

The main objective of the founding fathers in providing for the All India Services were

to facilitate liaison between the Centre and the States
to maintain certain level of uniformity in standards of administration
to enable the administrative machinery at the Union level to keep in touch with the ground realities in the States
to help the State administrative machinery to acquire a broader outlook and exposure, and provide them with the best possible talent for manning senior positions
to ensure that political considerations, either in recruitment or in discipline and control were reduced to the minimum, if no eliminated altogether.

Examination Scheme

Tentative Schedule
Notification of Examination : November/December of previous year
Conduct of Examination : May

Educational Qualification
21-30 years as on 1st August of the year of Examination.
Certain categories of persons as specified in the Commission's Notice as published in Employment News/Rozgar Samachar are eligible for age relaxation.

Age Limits
Degree of a Recognised University or equivalent.
Candidates appearing in the requisite Degree qualification are also eligible for appearing in the examination, however, they are supposed to submit proof of passing the requisite qualification along with with Detailed Application Form for Civil Services (Main) Examination.

Prelims
Mains

Preliminary Exams

Scheme of Preliminary Examination
The Preliminary Examination consists of two papers of objective type (multiple-choice questions) carrying a maximum of 450 marks.
The Question Papers (Test Booklets) are set in English & Hindi

Paper - I	General Studies	150 Marks
Paper - II	One of the optional subjects to be selected from the prescribed optional subjects	300 Marks

List of Optional Subjects for Prelims

Agriculture	Mathematics
Animal Husbandry & Vetinary Science	Mechanical Engineering
Botany	Medical Science
Chemistry	Philosophy
Civil Engineering	Physics
Commerce	Political Science
Economics	Psychology
Electrical Engineering	Public Administration
Geography	Sociology
Geology	Statistics
Indian History	Zoology
Law

Main Exams

Scheme of Main Examination

One of the Indian Languages to be selected by the candidate from the 18 languages included in the VIIIth Schedule to the Constitution (Qualifying Paper)	150 Marks
English (Qualifying Paper)	300 Marks
Essay	200 Marks
General Studies (300 Marks for each paper)	600 Marks
Any two subjects (each having 2 papers) to be selected from the prescribed optional subjects (300 marks for each paper)	300 Marks
Total Marks for Written Examination	2000 Marks
Interview	300 Marks
Grand Total	2300 Marks

List of Optional Subjects for Mains

Agriculture	Management
Animal Husbandry & Vetinary Science	Mathematics
Anthropology	Mechanical Engineering
Botany	Medical Science
Chemistry	Philosophy
Civil Engineering	Physics
Commerce & Accountancy	Political Science & International Relations
Economics	Psychology
Electrical Engineering	Public Administration
Geography	Sociology
Geology	Statistics
Indian History	Zoology
Law

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