First of all let’s talk about the organization conducting this examination. To become an IAS, a candidate has to pass the Civil Services Examination of UPSC i.e. Union Public Service Commission. This examination is conducted every year and is completed in three stages: Prelims, Mains and Interview. Candidates who clear these three stages get appointment in IAS, IPS and other services on the basis of rank. Those who get the highest rank get IAS, hence this exam is considered very competitive.

Now let’s talk about the age to become an IAS. UPSC has fixed the minimum age for the candidates at 21 years. Whereas the maximum age has been kept at 32 years for general category, 35 years for OBC candidates and 37 years for SC/ST candidates. Disabled candidates are given further age relaxation.

Talking about educational qualification, to become an IAS, it is necessary to have graduation from any recognized university. Any stream Arts, Science or Commerce candidate can appear in this examination.

The first stage of the examination is Prelims. It is a screening test which consists of two papers, GS paper and CSAT paper. The marks of GS paper are counted for merit, whereas CSAT is only qualifying. After passing the prelims, the candidate gets a chance to appear in the main examination.

The main examination is completely written and has a total of nine papers, out of which seven papers are counted in merit. In these papers, there are four papers of General Studies, one essay and two papers of optional subjects, which the candidate chooses as per his choice. Main exam is of 1750 marks, hence its preparation is considered the most difficult.

After the main comes the interview, which is also called personality test. It is of 275 marks and tests the candidate’s thinking, leadership ability, self-confidence, communication skills and quick decision-making ability. The questions asked in the interview are not directly related to the subject but are meant to test the understanding of the candidate. The final rank is prepared by combining the marks of Mains and Interview.

After becoming IAS, the candidate is trained at LBSNAA located in Mussoorie. Here they are given intensive training in the country’s administration, law, economic policy and field work. After training, the officer gets posted in a district, where he starts working as a part of the country’s administration.