Route map to the Civil Services

Getting into the administrative services is a cherished dream of many youngsters. What does it entail?

A view of the campus of the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie.

All governments require a strong administrative base for planning and implementing their programmes. During the British rule, the administrative set-up, often called the steel frame of the empire, focussed on the maintenance of law and order, and collection of revenue. Today, the approach is radically different; the emphasis is on development for the welfare of the people.

There is a popular misconception that the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the `IAS Examination'. The Civil Services examination held annually by UPSC selects candidates for appointment to the 18 services given below. This number and nomenclature may change marginally from year to year.

* Indian Administrative Service (IAS).

* Indian Foreign Service (IFS).

* Indian Police Service (IPS).

* Indian P & T Accounts & Finance Service, Group `A'.

* Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Group `A'.

* Indian Customs and Central Excise Services Group `A'.

* Indian Defence Accounts Service, Group `A'.

* Indian Revenue Service, Group `A'.

* Indian Ordnance Factories Service, Group `A' (Assistant Works Manager, Non-technical).

* Indian Postal Service, Group `A'.

* Indian Civil Accounts Service, Group `A'.

* Indian Railway Traffic Service, Group `A'.

* Indian Railway Accounts Service, Group `A'.

* Indian Railway Personnel Service, Group `A'.

* Indian Defence Estates Service, Group `A'.

* Indian Information Service (Junior Grade), Group `A'.

* Indian Trade Service, Group `A' (Grade-III).

* Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service, Group `B' (Section Officer's Grade).

The training for IAS probationers includes rock climbing.

Among the different services, IFS, IAS, and IPS are usually the most preferred ones. All these services offer remarkable opportunities for youngsters to participate in crucial decision-making and make significant contributions towards India's development and progress. This career takes you to positions of authority and prestige. The need of the hour is socially committed, intelligent officers who are aware of the ethos of our people.

Eligibility

The candidate should be a graduate. He should be between the age of 21 and 30 on August 1, of the year of the examination. Upper age would be relaxed in the case of eligible candidates. Usually, a candidate is allowed four attempts. OBC candidates are allowed seven attempts, and candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes may try any number of times, if they are eligible.

Schedule

Notification inviting applications: end of December.

Preliminary Examination: May.

Results of Preliminary Examination: July /August.

Main Examination: October/November.

Personality test: April/May.

There would be nearly three lakh applicants in the initial stage. Nearly, 1.25 to 1.5 lakhs appear for the Preliminary. The number of candidates admitted to the Main examination is about 12 to 13 times the vacancies to be filled. The number of candidates called for the personality test would be about twice the number of vacancies. The vacancies notified in 2002 and 2003 are 413 and 385 respectively. (To be continued).

B.S. WARRIER