How to Become IAS Officer: Eligibility, Important Dates, Courses, After 12th, Step-Wise Guide

IAS Officer Overview

One must pass the UPSC Civil Services Examination, often known as the IAS test, the UPSC exam, or the Civil Services Exam, in order to become an IAS officer in India. It is also referred to as the IAS test and is held annually by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to select qualified applicants for positions such as IAS officials, IPS officers, IFS officers, etc. 

IAS Officer Highlights

The Indian Police Service (IAS), along with more than 20 other services, will be picked through the UPSC's Civil Services Examination (CSE). All services have the same application and selection processes. The selection process begins in June with preliminary interviews and concludes in April each year. 

The following table shows the details for IAS-

What is IAS Officer?

Millions of young aspirants have the aspiration of becoming IAS officers. It is regarded as one of the most esteemed professions in India. IAS officer careers involve a variety of tasks and difficulties.IAS Officer supports the populace during times of crisis and is primarily responsible for maintaining law and order. To be chosen for the position of an IAS officer, one must pass the Union Public Service Commission's Main, Preliminary, and Interview rounds. Candidates who are chosen also receive training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration. Students with backgrounds in science, business, the arts, and humanities are eligible to become IAS officers.

Read more about IAS Full Form.

IAS Officer Role

An IAS officer's job is to assist the federal and state governments in carrying out and overseeing the policies they have developed, as well as by offering insightful input on all government decision-making processes. In other words, an IAS officer helps the government with policy formulation and administration, policy execution, and essential input to the relevant ministries concerning the state of implementation and impact of the policies. The following details are the roles of IAS Officer:- 

1. To create and implement essential policy.
2. To provide ministers with advice on crucial issues
3. Maintain the citizens' sense of order and law.
4. The execution of crucial choices and policies.
5. Obtaining money through sales.
6. Managing various expenditures
7. If appropriate, make critical judgments and develop policies that reflect those conclusions.
8. To oversee the correct application of those policies.

Read more about Upcoming Government Exams in India.

Eligibility Criteria for IAS Officer

The following are some parameters to become IAS Officer-

1. Age limit:- To sit for the UPSC CSE test, candidates must be at least 21 years old. In order to qualify as an IAS officer, a candidate must be at least 32 years old. Candidates must also be at least 35 years old to qualify in the OBC category and 37 years old to qualify in the SC/ST category.
2. Education Qualification:- A candidate must possess a graduate degree from any reputable university in order to qualify for the UPSC CSE test and become an IAS officer. This exam is open to candidates who are in their last year of high school. Candidates who have completed correspondence courses are also qualified to take this test. Even professionals are eligible to apply for this examination. A medical student may also submit an application for this test. However, only if he has finished his degree and is currently enrolled in an internship program. Candidates who have earned the CA, ICWA, and ICSI certifications may also apply for the position.
3. Number of Attempts:- The applicant can only make six tries in the general category. The contestant has a maximum of 9 tries for that off OBC. The age cap for SC/ST candidates is 37 years old.

How to become an IAS officer in India?

People in this job must often contact other professionals, both inside and outside of their own specialty. Therefore, this profession is only suitable for individuals with excellent communication skills. The following give details about how to become IAS officer-

1. How to Become an IPS Officer after the 12th?

The candidates must get their graduation degree from an accredited university after finishing their 12th-grade education. The candidates have a wide range of degree options to pick from. The IAS admission test is also open to individuals who obtained their undergraduate degrees through correspondence or distance learning.

2. Preparation for UG and PG

Through a GS Integrated program, the first and second years of your academic career should be committed to being ready for the General Studies (GS) various disciplines of the UPSC Prelims and Mains examination. This choice is crucial and significant since the optional topic contains two Mains papers and contributes significantly to a candidate's total merit standing.

3. UPSC Entrance Exam The Union Public Service?

Commission (UPSC) administers a number of exams each year to select candidates for positions in the Civil Services (IAS, IPS, IFS, Medical - Engineering Services, Geologist, and other Exams for Government establishments) and the Defense (NDA/NA, Combined Defence Services (CDS)).

IAS Officer 2022 Online Application Process

The following are the steps for admission process- 

1. Go to the UPSC's official website, www.upsc.gov.in.
2. Select the "Apply Online" tab.
3. Go to "Online Application for Various Examinations" and click on it.
4. Discover where to take the Civil Services (Preliminary) Exam.
5. Begin Part-I of the IAS registration.
6. Complete the address, education, and personal information fields.
7. Make the required application fee payment (Rs 100).
8. Select the testing location.
9. Upload the picture, signed identity card, and photo.
10. Recognize the assertion.
11. Verify all of the information and submit.
12. Print a copy of the IAS application form for your records.

How to Become IAS Officer (Step-Wise Guide)

To become an IAS officer, a candidate must pass the Union Public Services Examination's Civil Services Examination. Every year, over 8 lakh applicants apply, but only a few thousand become IAS officials. Follow the steps below to learn how to become an IAS officer-

Step 1: Join the Clear IAS Online Classroom Program at step one (Clear IAS Classes)

Step 2: Prepare Notes based on Clear IAS Classes. 

Step 3: Studying for oneself (Learn Clear IAS Notes, NCERT Textbooks and Standard Textbooks).

Step 4: Take the online Clear IAS Prelims to mock exams

Step 5: Take the Clear IAS Mains Mock Exams. Improve your ability to write answers

Step 6: Learn an optional subject.

Step 7: Participate in the Clear IAS Interview Program.

IAS Officer Important Dates 2022

On February 2, 2022, the Civil Services Examination (CSE) notice was made public. By February 22, 2022, candidates can submit their applications online. On June 6, 2022, the preliminary test will be held, and on September 16, 2022, the main exam.

The following tables show the important dates-

What should I Study to become an IAS Officer?

Many aspirants are unsure about what they should study to become an IAS officer. Check out the books listed below to effectively prepare for the IAS exam-

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Courses to become IAS Officers

To become an IAS Officer, a person must complete a variety of courses, from undergraduate to graduate-level studies. Here are a few details-

What Skills are needed to become an IAS officer?

The following are some of the skills need for IAS officers-

1. Thinking analytically:- An IAS official works directly with the welfare of the populace. Additionally, there are no black-and-white situations when dealing with humans.
2. Leadership:- You need excellent leadership abilities to guide a complete area of a certain state for the benefit of the populace. You should not only "learn" this talent; rather, you should shape your personality to reflect it in your actions.
3. Critical Thinking:- It's important to exercise critical thought while making judgments. In order to make the best choice as an IAS officer, it is crucial to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each option.
4. Communication abilities:- One of the key duties of an IAS officer is to develop and carry out public policies. Even if the policy you develop is effective in reaching the greatest number of people with an essential message, it will fail if the public does not receive it properly.
5. Perseverance:- As an IAS officer, you should have a never-give-up mentality. You will still need to put in a lot of effort and continuously try to become better at your preparation till you succeed and pass the UPSC-CSE even as an aspirant IAS officer.
6. Patience:- You cannot become an IAS officer after completing the 12th grade, no matter how large your goal may be. You'll need a lot of patience to prepare for the UPSC-CSE, stay committed to your objectives, and to pick up all the necessary abilities to fulfill your ambition of becoming an IAS officer.
7. Time management:- After passing the UPSC-CSE, you will live the life of an IAS officer from 6 am to 9 pm every day. Additionally, you need to have exceptional time management abilities in order to check off all the boxes in your daily IAS regular life.

Tips for the UPSC Entrance Exam

The essential thing applicants should remember is to be intensely focused the entire time and to make sure you have time to work hard and rest as well. Here are some tips for preparing for the UPSC 2021 exam-

1. Establish a Schedule: Set out time on calendar to learn and improve yourself. Additionally, make an effort to spend more time on the topics that you struggle with and maintain a reasonable study schedule.
2. Prepare In accordance with the exam format: The UPSC entrance test website makes it plain that the exam's goal is to identify students who have a thorough understanding of India's history, geography, culture, and all other elements of how the world works.
3. Make sure you are familiar with all the subjects by thoroughly reading the UPSC entrance test curriculum.
4. Layout the Content: Gather all of the necessary reference materials from various sources. Select books from Toppers, NCERT Books, and a few other pertinent books to utilise as study aids. The most popular type of information among candidates nowadays is PDFs.
5. Mock exams: Never cease administering practise exams. Gather question papers from several sources and keep answering them until you are sure that you can perform well in the test.
6. The Key to Revision Make it a habit to review what you did the previous day before bed and as soon as you wake up.

Benefits of an IAS Officer

In India, working as an IAS officer is seen as a respectable position. Among the advantages of working as an IAS officer are-

1. Pay: An IAS officer receives a higher salary than any other position in the public service. An IAS official is given a lot of benefits and amenities.
2. Housing: The Indian government would provide housing for the IAS official. The state capital where the IAS officials are stationed is where their duplex home is located.
3. Service Quarters: Service quarters are also made available to IAS officers. In addition to housing in the state, the government also provides them with accommodations at their posting town or settlement.
4. Security: Security for IAS officers and their family is provided by the government. Three house guards and two body guards are assigned to the general officers who were stationed at the state headquarters.