About Civil Services

What is Civil Service?

Civil Service is the permanent structure responsible for carrying out the administration of the country. This service runs under the direction and control of 'elected representatives' of people and in accordance with the rules and principles. In India, civil service system is an executive branch of the Republic of India and functions like the backbone of the administrative machinery of the country. The primary function of the Civil Service is to implement policies and delivering services.

Over 10 lakh students apply for the UPSC civil services exam every year, of which only about 5 lakhs appear for the prelims exam. So drop out is about 50% even before writing the exam. Among these 5 lakh candidates only 10-15 thousand qualify for the mains. Only about 2500 or less candidates qualify for the mains depending upon the vacancies. After that based on teh combined marks of mains and interview only about 1,000 selections happen every year. From this, about 180 IAS officers are selected, once again based on vacancies. The rest are alloted other civil services as per their rank and choice.

Selection of candidates under Civil Services is done through the three stage exams: Prelims, Mains and Interview which are conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). There are many questions related to these exams. We are listing here the answers to some of the popular questions that are often asked:

1. What are the Job Prospects and Remuneration?
2. Application Procedure
3. UPSC Exams Centers
4. Procedure of the Civil Services Examination
5. Eligibility - Academic, Age limit and Nationality
6. What are the Number of Attempts one can take?
7. Prelims Syllabus Pattern
8. About Preliminary Examination
9. How To Apply For IAS Mains Exam 2019
10. About Mains Examination Syllabus
11. UPSC Interview


12. What are the Cut-Off Marks?
13. How To Prepare For Prelims
14. Strategy for General Studies Preliminary Examination 2018
15. How to choose a Subject?
16. List of Civil Service jobs
17. Civil Services Vacancies(New)
18. How to choose a Civil Service (New)
19. Selection of Persons with Disabilities(New)
20. Number of Candidates Appeared and Recommended
21. UPSC contact Nos
22. UPSC Question Papers for IAS Exam

How to choose a Civil Service ?

One should always opt for the UPSC service preferences in the order of their interest. The candidate should specify the most favorite services at the beginning, followed by the other less preferred ones. The order of UPSC service preferences given plays a significant role when the candidate gets qualified. The candidate will be offered the services only according to the order of preferences given before. If necessary, the candidate can also change the option by selecting any other lower option from the preference list but he or she will not be allowed to select any higher option from the UPSC service preferences.

How can a candidate make up their mind about preference list of the UPSC service?

While choosing the civil service exam preferences, one must move with caution. Because, if the candidate has specified his/her preferences such as IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS(IT) but if he/she couldn't get the allocation in the specified services due to the rank in exam or preferences or medical status, then he may not be considered for any of the services by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

Besides, when it comes to personal choice, specify the preferences according to one's own inclination towards the respective services. A candidate must analyze more about their personality and decide which UPSC service preferences suit them the best. One can also sit and discuss with the family and ask the future plans of the family members. All the UPSC service preferences have equal powers and responsibilities. Depending on the personal interest the candidate should make the choice.

Look up the different types of civil services that are filled through the civil service exam.