1) IAS Exam General Details
The strength of a nation depends on how effectively it
administers itself. For India, this has been the key strength, thanks to its
many Indian Administration Service (IAS) officers.
To become such officers of key importance is not an easy task.
One has to pass through the grueling examination process of the Union Public
Services Commission (UPSC).
UPSC conducts Civil Services Examination (CSE) to select the best
of the best in the country for the post of IAS. It is considered as one of the
toughest exams in the world.
2) IAS Exam Pattern (Pre, MAINS, IGP)
The CSE or commonly called IAS exam pattern involves three
stages. The first stage is the Preliminary stage.
This stage is generally known as the elimination stage where the
majority of the applicants for the exam are eliminated. The examination
consists of two papers. Paper I is the general studies paper and Paper II is
the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT). Both the papers consist of
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs). Eligibility for the next stage is only after
crossing the cut-off marks laid down by the Commission in Paper I and getting
qualifying marks in the second paper.
The next stage is known as the Mains Examination. This is a
descriptive type. There are a total of nine papers including two language
papers which are qualifying in nature. Selection to the next stage is based on
merit. Here, the analytical ability of the candidate, their capacity to be
innovative, their understanding of the detail, their ability to connect the
dots, etc., are tested.
The final stage is the Interview stage where candidates who
qualified Mains are interviewed by the members of the UPSC Commission. By
aggregating the marks from Mains and Interview, the final selection list is
released by the Commission. Based on one’s rank and category, IAS posts are
allocated.
3) IAS Exam Eligibility
UPSC notification clearly mentions the eligibility for the exam.
The lower age limit for all category
candidates is 21 years as of 1st August. The upper age limit for general
category candidates is 32 years. For OBC, it is 35 and 37 years for SC and ST
candidates.
As for the number of attempts one can give for the exam are - six
for general category candidates, 9 for OBC candidates and for SC/ST candidates,
the attempts are unlimited till the age of 37 years.
The minimum educational qualification for the exam is graduation.
Even students in their final year can appear for the exam.
4) IAS Exam Books (Recommend)
IAS Exam needs a vast understanding of day-to-day issues and
knowledge on diverse topics. To acquire such knowledge, candidates have to read
a lot of books.
There are some recommended books and magazines that a candidate
preparing for CSE should not miss. There are useful for both Prelims and Mains.
They include:
•
NCERT Books
•
Indian Polity by Laxmikant
•
Introduction to the Constitution of India by
D.D. Basu
•
Indian Struggle for Independence by Bipin
Chandra
•
Certificate Physical and Human Geography - Goh
Cheng Leong
•
Economic Survey
•
India Year Book
•
Yojana Monthly Magazine
•
Kurukshetra Monthly Magazine
•
Economic and Political Weekly
Apart from all these, the most important source for acquiring the
necessary information for the exam is a newspaper. Subscribing to a good
newspaper is thus essential.
5) IAS Exam Application Procedure
Every year in February, UPSC releases notification for the Civil
Services Examination. After the release of notification, the application
process for the examination begins. The application procedure is entirely done
online and a fee of Rs. 100/- is charged (which is exempt for SC/ST/Women
candidates).
The procedure involves candidate entering the required details,
passport photograph and signature images, choice of examination centre, the
language in which the examination is taken, choice of optional subject for the
mains exam, permanent and communication address, etc.
Once the candidate is selected for the mains examination, then a
Detailed Application Form (DAF) is to be filled by the candidate. This too is
done through online mode. Care must be taken while entering details in this
form as these details become an official record once the candidate gets
selected for the civil services.
6) IAS Exam Mock Test
The old saying ‘Practice Makes Man Perfect’ is absolutely true in
case of IAS examination. The vast knowledge one acquires during the preparation
process needs to be tested. It is here Mock Tests are important.
For both Prelims and Mains, mock tests play a key role in getting
into service or not getting it. They enable the candidate to strategize on time
management, answering technique, style of writing etc. They help the candidates
to identify their weak and problematic areas and charts a course correction.
It is to be noted here that, every topper of CSE vouches for mock
tests showing how important these practice tests are in cracking the exam.
7) Why Should youJoin IAS Coaching in Delhi and How It Helps To Crack
UPSCCivil Service Examination
UPSC CSE, is in essence, an examination selecting a generalist
candidate as an IAS officer. Here, generalist means one who is aware of many
things.
With CSE aspirants graduating from certain discipline lack the
knowledge of other disciplines. Also, many are unaware of the day-to-day
happenings that need to be understood for this exam. Many others find it
difficult to cover the vast syllabus of the exam.
The solution for all these is taking coaching for the exam. IAS
coaching enables a candidate to stay focused on the syllabus and not deviate,
be prepared for the exam in less time, making one understand the various
aspects with clarity, and finally helping to achieve success in cracking the
exam.
On the question of ‘Why join IAS coaching in Delhi?’, here is the
answer. Delhi has been the hub of IAS Coaching for a very long time and it
still continues to be the hub.
The availability of numerous coaching institutes for all optional
subjects and general studies, the quality of teaching, availability of study
resources, the IAS aspirant community, infrastructural facilities, the
competitive atmosphere etc., makes the capital city the ultimate destination
for IAS coaching.
8) Classic IAS Academy
Classic IAS Academy is at the forefront of providing best quality
IAS Coaching in Delhi. The Academy helps the aspirants to tap their innate
analytical power to become successful in the exam.
Innovative courses for general studies papers, timely completion
of syllabus, ample number of mock tests, discussions with the experts,
personalized doubt clearance are some of the key features of the Academy.
The talented and experienced faculty of the Academy imparts
bestIAS Coaching in Delhi. The infrastructural facilities and the atmosphere at the
Academy all cater to an IAS aspirant.
The institute provides fee concessions for reserved category
candidates and through its scholarship programme eligible candidates can get
100% fee concession.
Admission to the Academy is through online admission or directly
by visiting the institute. The institute also provides accommodation facilities
for those in need.
It is the vision of Classic IAS Academy to bring forward talented
minds to become the best administrators of the country.
