How To Become A IAS Officer

IAS Officers are the seniormost civil servants in India. They are responsible for the administration of various departments and ministries in the government. The selection process for IAS officers is rigorous and requires a high level of intellect, political and administrative skills as well as excellent communication abilities. In order to become an IAS officer, one must first qualify as a Joint Secretary or equivalent-level officer in the government and then pass the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) examination. After passing the examination, candidates must complete an extended professional training program known as the IAS probationary course which lasts for two years. Finally, they must pass an election to be appointed an IAS officer.

The following stages are necessary to pass in order to become an ideal IAS Officer

What is the role of an IAS officer?

IAS officers are responsible for administering and managing the affairs of their organization, providing guidance to staff, and serving as a liaison between their agency and the government. They also develop and implement policies and procedures, manage budgets, and monitor performance. IAS officers may also serve in leadership positions within their organization or work on specific projects.

IAS officers must have a college degree in business, economics, law, public administration, or another relevant field. They typically hold a master’s degree or higher in business administration. IAS officers must also be fluent in English and have strong writing skills.

 Deciding on your true calling

There is no one definitive answer to the question of what your true calling is. For some people, it’s clear from early on. For others, it takes time and reflection to figure out. The best way to find out is to first explore your interests and passions, then assess whether those align with what you want to do with your life. Once you’ve narrowed down your options, take the time to ask yourself why those pursuits appeal to you. If they resonate with your values and goals, go for it! If not, keep exploring until you find something that truly inspires you.

No matter what path you choose, remember that there are many opportunities for growth and enhancement. Don’t be afraid to stretch yourself; after all, there’s no limit to how far you can go if you’re willing to put in the work. Enjoy the journey!

Round 1 – UPSC Prelims

This round consists of two papers. The following table gives details about the IAS prelims.

Exam	Type	Duration	Total Marks	Negative Marking	Number of Questions
General Studies I	MCQ	2 hours	200	Yes	100
General Studies I (CSAT)	MCQ	2 hours	200	Yes	80

Check out the UPSC syllabus for prelims here. Only if you score 33% in the CSAT and the required cut-off in the GS Paper I, you will be eligible to sit for the UPSC mains exam.

Round 2 – UPSC Mains

Here, you have to give 9 descriptive papers. There are four General Studies papers, 2 optional papers, 2 language papers (one English and one Indian language), and one essay paper. Check the following table for details:

Paper	Subject	Marks
Paper A	One Indian Language	300
Paper B	English	300
Paper 1	Essay	250
Paper 2	GS Paper 1	250
Paper 3	GS Paper 2	250
Paper 4	GS Paper 3	250
Paper 5	GS Paper 4	250
Paper 6	Optional Paper 1	250
Paper 7	Optional Paper 2	250

Out of the 9 papers, the language papers (English and Indian language) are of qualifying nature and not counted for the merit ranking. You have to choose one optional subject out of the list given by the UPSC for both optional papers. If you score the required cut-off in the mains exam, you will be called for the UPSC personality test.

IAS Salary and Other Facilities Availed by IAS Officer

As per the 7th Central Pay Commission, the basic pay of IAS officers is Rs. 56,100/-. Moreover, currently, the salary of a cabinet secretary, which is the topmost position that can be held by an IAS officer is 2.5Lakh/month. The other facilities that are enjoyed by the IAS officer include:

• Government accommodation with subsidy facility. 
• Security and other staff depending on the situation and requirement.
• Reimbursement of mobile, telephone, and internet charges.
• Household assistance including cooks, gardeners, etc are provided
• No charges while on-duty for staying in government hotels or bungalows.
• Government transport facilities for all the state and district level officers.
• Monthly pension facility after retirement.

The post-wise breakup of IAS salary is tabulated below:

Pay Level	Basic Pay (INR)	No. of years (service)	Post
			District Admin	State Secretariat	Central Secretariat
10	56,100	1-4	Sub-Divisional magistrate	Undersecretary	Assistant Secretary
11	67,700	5-8	Additional District Magistrate	Deputy Secretary	Under-Secretary
12	78,800	9-12	District Magistrate	Joint Secretary	Deputy Secretary
13	1,18,500	13-16	District Magistrate	Special Secretary-cum-Director	Director
14	1,44,200	16-24	Divisional Commissioner	Secretary-cum- Commissioner	Joint Secretary
15	1,82,200	25-30	Divisional Commissioner	Principal Secretary	Additional Secretary
16	2,05,400	30-33	No equivalent rank	Additional Chief Secretary	No equivalent rank
17	2,25,000	34-36	No equivalent rank	Chief Secretary	Secretary
18	2,50,000	37+ years	No equivalent rank	No equivalent rank	Cabinet Secretary of India