If you aspire to become an IAS or IPS, you need to know about UPSC (Union Public Service Commission). UPSC is the recruiting committee for top-level Central Government jobs.
What is UPSC?
UPSC is the central agency in India that conducts Civil Services Exams (CSE) to recruit candidates into top government services like IPS, IAS, IFS, etc. UPSC recruits candidates for both defence services as well as civil services.
UPSC Eligibility Criteria
| IAS Age Limit | 21 to 32 years |
| Age relaxation | As per category (mentioned below) |
| Educational qualification for UPSC Civil Services | Graduation from any recognised university |
| Nationality | Indian |
Number of Attempts for UPSC Exam for Any Candidate
- For General category and OBC Category belonging to creamy layer – 7 Attempts
- OBC non-creamy layer – 7 Attempts
- For SC and ST Classification, there is no restriction on the number of attempts till they accomplish the age of 35 years.
- Candidates belonging to the OBC/SC/ST groups can give the first four attempts as General class competitors (if they so desire) and then benefit from the category relaxation by reducing the number of attempts.
What are the exams conducted by UPSC for the Civil Service Selection?
- Civil Services Examination (CSE)
- Engineering Services Examination (ESE)
- Indian Forestry Services Examination (IFoS)
- Central Armed Police Forces Examination (CAPF)
- Indian Economic Service and Indian Statistical Service (IES/ISS)
- Combined Geo-Scientist and Geologist Examination
- Combined Medical Services (CMS)
- Special Class Railway Apprentices Exam (SCRA)
- Limited Departmental Competitive Examination for selection of Assistant Commandant. (Executive) in CISF
What are the exams conducted by UPSC for the Defence Service Selection?
- National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination – NDA & NA (I)
- National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination – NDA & NA (II)
- Combined Defence Services Exam – CDS (I)
- Combined Defence Services Exam – CDS (II)
UPSC Posts – 3 Types of Civil Services
–All India Civil Services
–Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
–Indian Police Service (IPS)
–Indian Forest Service (IFoS)
–Group ‘A’ Civil Services
- Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
- Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IAAS)
- Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS)
- Indian Corporate Law Service (ICLS)
- Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS)
- Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES)
- Indian Information Service (IIS)
- Indian Ordnance Factories Service (IOFS)
- Indian Communication Finance Services (ICFS)
- Indian Postal Service (IPoS)
- Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS)
- Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS)
- Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS)
- Indian Revenue Service (IRS)
- Indian Trade Service (ITS)
- Railway Protection Force (RPF)
–Group ‘B’ Civil Services
- Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service
- DANICS
- DANIPS
- Pondicherry Civil Service
- Pondicherry Police Service
All India Services
| Indian Administrative Service (IAS) | One of the top 3 All India Services is the Indian Administrative Service. The Indian Administrative Service is the permanent pillar of the Indian Government and state government. The IAS Officer is in charge of formulating and implementing government policies. The IAS is India’s administrative, civil service that serves the whole country. |
| Indian Police Service (IPS) | Indian Police Service is also one of the top All India Services. IPS Officers are provided training at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy in Hyderabad. The IPS occupies the senior positions in the Police service. The IPS cadre occupies senior positions in IB, RAW, CBI, etc. |
| Indian Foreign Service (IFS) | IFS officers receive their first training at LBSNAA before proceeding to the Foreign Service Institute in New Delhi. It is one of the most famous civil services in Group ‘A.’ IFS officials oversee India’s overseas relations. IFS officers can work as High Commissioners, Ambassadors, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and Foreign Secretaries. An applicant admitted into the IFS programme is not entitled to retake the Civil Service Exam. |
| Indian Forest Service (IFoS) | Indian Forest Service is also one of the three All India Service Director General (DG) of Forests is the highest rank held by IFoS personnel serving in the Central Government. The highest level held by IFoS officers working for the State Government is Principal Chief Conservator of Forests. The Indian Forest Service Cadre is overseen by the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change. IFoS officers can work for various organisations, including the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO). |
| Indian Revenue Services | The Indian Revenue Service includes functions such as revenue collection, allocation, development, security, and governance. The IRS Officer is in charge of the service, tax administration, as well as creation and execution of revenue and tax policies as well as revenue investigations. |
| Indian Railway Traffic Services | Candidates selected for this civil service must complete a Railway Foundation Course and integrated training to serve the Indian Railways in critical managerial positions. These service officers are in charge of passenger transportation as well as the manufacturer and sale of goods via rail transportation. |
| Indian Audit & Account Service (IA & AS) | The IA & AS is one of the most well-known Group ‘A’ civil services. They begin their schooling at the Shimla NAAA. This body is led by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). This cadre is in charge of financial audits for the Central Government, State Governments, and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs). |
| Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS) | This cadre is part of Group ‘A’ of the civil service. The Ministry of Finance is in charge of them. The Controller General of Accounts oversees this group. They were educated at the National Institute of Financial Management (NIFM) and the Institute of Government Accounts and Finance in Faridabad. |
| Indian Corporate Law Service (ICLS) | The Ministry of Corporate Affairs is responsible for Group ‘A’ services. The main goal of this service is to oversee India’s Corporate sector. Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs’ (IICA) Manesar campus is home to the ICLS Academy, where trainee officers receive their initial education (IICA). The ICLS’s top brass would receive extensive education in the areas of law, economics, finance, and accounting. |
| Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) | The Ministry of Defence runs this group. The first training for officers in this group occurs at CENTRAD in New Delhi. The National Academy of Defence Financial Management Institute, or NIFM, is another. It is based in Pune. IDAS cadre officers are mostly hired by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and the Ordnance Factories. The main goal of this group is to check the accounts of the defence. The Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) is in charge of the service and is also the Chief Accounts Officer for the heads of the DRDO, BRO, and Ordnance Factories. |
| Indian Information Service (IIS) | This is the Group ‘A’ service which looks after the Indian Government Media Branch. This service’s principal role links between the government and the general public. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting governs IIS. The Indian Institute of Mass Communication offers this cadre’s first training (IIMC). Officers from this cadre work for several media outlets, including DD, PIB, and AIR. |
We hope this blog helps understand the exams conducted in UPSC. If you still have any doubts or are uncertain about which exam you should appear for, visit Gen-Z Careers. Gen-Z Careers Counselling team will assist you in making the right decision about your career. So get in touch with us; we will be pleased to help you!