Cracking the UPSC examinations is no easy task, and it is one of the most sought-after paid professions in the country. Each year, millions of hopefuls sit for the UPSC examinations, with only the brightest passing. Many people are fortunate, but some candidates must take many efforts to break the exam code.

Once the tests are passed and a person is appointed to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), there is no turning back. After confirmation of service, an IAS officer serves as a sub-divisional magistrate for a probationary term. Following completion of this probation, you will be assigned to a district as a district magistrate and collector for a period of time. After this time, an official may be promoted to the divisional commissioner, which means he or she would be in charge of a full state administrative division.

There are several questions in the mind of a student when they think about becoming an IAS officer after 12th. In this article, we are going to answer the majority of the most common questions asked.

What is IAS?

The Indian Administrative Service is abbreviated as IAS. A member of the Indian Administrative Service is exposed to a wide range of positions, including collector, commissioner, head of public sector entities, chief secretary, cabinet secretary, and so on.

IAS is a unique career choice because of the experience and difficulties it provides, as well as the opportunity to make positive improvements in the lives of millions of people in India.

Is it possible to become an IAS officer right after completing 12th?

You must apply for the UPSC’s CSE exam in order to become an IAS officer. In order to be selected for the training program, you must also pass the exams (preliminary, mains, and interview).

The main eligibility conditions for taking this test are that the candidate must have a graduate degree from a recognized university or institute.

As a result, students who have completed the 12th grade are not eligible to take this exam immediately following school. They must first finish graduation after completing 12th grade. They can take the CSE examination after successfully obtaining the graduation degree and then become an IAS Officer.

Is the 12th percentage required for IAS, and does the percentage matter?

There is no minimum percentage of marks required in the 12th examinations to qualify for enrolling in an IAS examination. In a UPSC interview, marks from 10th, 12th, and even graduation are irrelevant. If such were the case, UPSC would have required a minimum score to sit in the test, but there is no such requirement. The UPSC doesn’t care about the grades of other institutions; all they seek is a minimum qualification, such as a bachelor’s degree.

What stream is ideal after the 10th to study to better prepare for the IAS examination?

Although there is no mandatory stream to select after the 10th Humanities do help in the future. The earlier you begin to make an effort, the more equipped you will be. If you aspire to be a government servant of the highest rank, humanities would be an excellent choice after the tenth grade.

After the tenth grade, you should combine your core studies with choices such as philosophy, political science, psychology, economics, and sociology. They will serve as a solid foundation for future IAS test preparation.

What course is best after 12th for IAS?

It is the fundamental qualifying condition to sit for the UPSC CSE if you have passed your 12th grade and are searching for a degree (Civil Services Exam). A Bachelor of Art (B.A.) in a humanities field is an option. You can study Geography, Sociology, or Public Administration, among other subjects.

One of these courses in your degree program would undoubtedly assist you in your preparation for the civil service. For the mains paper, you can choose your degree subject as an alternative.

Which degree is best to become an IAS officer?

Since humanities courses are at the basis of the CSE curriculum, students who complete their degrees with humanities subjects will undoubtedly have a minor edge, particularly in optional areas. Optional topics in the humanities include geography, history, political science, and sociology. This should not, however, deter any student with a non-humanities background. UPSC’s optional topic options are suitable for students from all streams.

In the civil services examinations the paper includes:

• General studies papal 1 – History and geography 
• General studies paper 2 – Political science and public administration. 
• General studies paper 3 – Economy, science, environment, and ecology.
• General studies 4 – Ethics and integrity. 

As you can see from the list above, the majority of BA disciplines are included in the UPSC civil service test. A bachelor’s degree in arts is one of the finest degrees for civil service achievement.

Which subject is best for IAS?

According to the IAS curriculum, the IAS subjects encompass almost all of the areas that we studied in school under the heading of general studies. 

Current events of national and international importance, Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, and Economic Geography of India and the World, Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, and so on are included in the syllabus for the Preliminary Exams for Paper-I.

Economic and Social Development – Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, and so on as well as Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change, and General Science are some other as well. As a result, the following are the subjects that must be covered for the IAS test.

• History
• Geography
• Political Science / Civics
• Economics
• General Science – Physics, Chemistry & Biology
• Environmental Science
• Sociology

How to choose Civil Services exam optional subjects?

The optional subject is given the highest value, 500 points out of 1750, which is more than the value given to the interview in determining the final ranking.

Since the optional subject comprises two 250-point papers, it’s simpler to make up for a loss in one of the General Studies (GS) courses if you do well in the optional.

In comparison to the GS subjects, the UPSC Exam clearly requires a greater “in-depth study” of the optional topic. As a result, if you are uninterested in a topic, it will be difficult to study it for lengthy periods of time and acquire a flair for it.

To do so, look through the syllabus first, and then skim through one primary book that covers the subject in general. If you have finished or are seeking a degree in a discipline that is related to the optional topic of your choice, and you are confident in your subject knowledge, then this is a worthy consideration.

However, a significant number of individuals complete/are pursuing a degree despite not being interested in it for a variety of reasons, so it’s crucial to avoid a false sense of security when it comes to these topics.

You must examine the “Size” of the syllabus as well as its “Complexity” to determine whether you have enough time to complete your studies in the time allotted. This is a highly subjective issue to consider because what one person may find lengthy and difficult, another may find quick and simple. However, joining an IAS Coaching Institute is one of the smartest ways to stay on start while preparing for IAS.

How many years does it take to become an IAS officer after 12th?

An aspirant who has begun their bachelor’s degree will have three years or more to prepare. An undergraduate student’s approach should be to prepare for GS courses during the first two years of graduation and Optional Subjects during the third year. Those who are pursuing a four- or five-year professional program will benefit from the increased time availability.

What are the Educational Qualifications Required for CSE (Civil Services Examinations) Eligibility?

All applicants must possess at least one of the following educational credentials:

• A Central, State, or Deemed university degree.
• A degree received through correspondence or open university.
• A degree from a distance learning university.
• A qualification recognized by the Indian government as being comparable to one of the aforementioned qualifications.

The candidates listed below are also eligible but must present evidence of eligibility from a competent official at their institute/university at the time of the main test.

• Candidates who have passed the MBBS degree’s final exam but have yet to finish an internship.
• Candidates who have passed the ICAI, ICSI, and ICWAI final exams.
• A bachelor’s degree from a private college or institution.
• Any degree from a foreign institution that has been recognized by the Association of Indian Universities is acceptable.

What is the age limit to become an IAS officer?

• On August 1 of the examination year, the candidate must be between the ages of 21 and 32 (for the General category candidate). For SC, ST, OBC, and Physically Handicapped applicants, however, age relaxations are available.
• The highest age restriction for Other Backward Castes (OBC) is 35.
• The age limit for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) is 37 years.
• Certain applicants who are behind in other ways, as well as physically handicapped (PH) persons, have their upper age restriction reduced.

These are some of the common queries answered. If you need other answers related to IAS examinations, please drop the questions in the comment box.