(Topper TIPS) How to become an IAS/IPS officer: PC Vinoj
Kumar
How to become an IAS/IPS officer By P C Vinoj Kumar
Remember
'Udaan', the teleserial, where a village belle aspires to be an IPS officer? The
hugely popular soap was based on the real-life story of young IPS officer,
Kanchan Chaudhary Bhattacharya, who was portrayed on screen by her sister,
actress Kavita Chaudhary. With role models like Kanchan and Kiran Bedi, the IPS
has broken the gender barrier and is the ultimate dream for millions of across
rural and urban India. But how do you go about realising your dream? What are
the qualifications you need? Here's the low down on how to enter the services.
Civil Services Exam:
The Union Public Service
Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Exam every year. The Civil
Services Exam holds the key for entry into a number of prestigious jobs in the
country including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign
Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS).
IAS, IFS, and IPS are the
top three services of Group A, Central Services. The other Group A services
include Indian Customs and Central Excise Service, Indian Revenue Service, and
Indian Postal Service.
Civil Services Exam consists
of preliminary exam (prelims), main exam (mains), and interview. The prelims are
usually held in May /June. Mains are held in October/November. The exam is
notified in December. Application forms can be obtained from designated post
offices around the country and the exams are held in major cities.
A candidate is allowed to
make four attempts. However, candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste can make
any number of attempts. Other Backward Class candidates are allowed seven
attempts.
Eligibility:
Nationality: For IAS and IPS, only Indian nationals are eligible. For
other services, subjects of Nepal, Bhutan, Tibetan refugees, (who arrived in
India before January 1, 1962), and persons of Indian origin, who migrated from
specified countries, are eligible.
Age limit: Between 21-30 years as on August 1 of the year of exam.
Relaxation of age limit is available to SC candidates and a few other specified
categories
Education: A degree from a recognized University
Prelims: You have to
clear the prelims to qualify for the mains. You got to write two papers in
prelims: General Studies, and a subject chosen by the candidate from a specified
list of 23 subjects. Both papers are in objective type and are of two-hours
duration each. Optional subjects include Civil Engineering, Commerce, Geography,
Medical Science, and Indian History.
Mains: Marks in the
written exams and the interview will determine your ranking. Based on your
ranking and preference, you will be allotted one of the Services.
Mains comprise nine papers
in all.
I. English (300 points)
II.Any one of the languages included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian
Constitution. (300 points)
III.Essay (200 points)
IV & V. General Studies (300 points for each)
VI-IX. Two papers each from the two optional subjects chosen by the candidate
each paper 300 points.
The interview carries 300
points.
How to prepare:
General knowledge books and
IAS guidebooks are available in plenty in the market. Besides, there are also
magazines that provide tips to IAS/IPS aspirants. You may have to watch Indian
and international news channels, and read newspapers/ magazines that deal with
politics, economics, and business to keep abreast of current affairs.
It would be a good idea to
enroll in a good institute for professional guidance. Many institutes offer IAS
coaching classes. But before enrolling, make sure to check the credibility of
the institute. Get information about the institutes and choose one that has
consistently produced IAS toppers.
You may also want to get
together some serious aspirants and form study circles. You could hold
discussions, and debates on burning topics to sharpen your analytical skills,
and learn to present your thoughts and ideas in a coherent manner.
While preparing for Mains,
you need to practice writing your answers, so that you could learn to present
your answers in a coherent manner
(Topper TIPS) How to become an IAS/IPS officer: PC Vinoj
Kumar
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