It is a meaningful thing to serve your country. A good majority consider service to the country as being synonymous to enrolling into the military. However, there are numerous ways to help grow your country. You could opt to take the public service route. Well, one way to accomplish the above is to join the IAS. The IAS is encompassed in the executive arm of government and serves as the administrative section of all Indian services. Once you make it into the IAS, you can serve in various public sector undertakings. It is not an easy task becoming a member of the IAS. The only route in is being part of one of the most globally competitive examinations conducted by the UPSC. I am talking about the IAS examinations and this article is all about them.
The best place to start will be the core of the IAS exam that is its layout. The IAS exam takes a format involving three stages. The preliminary, main exam and interview stages are the three levels I am talking about. The preliminary exam is essentially a screening test comprising two papers of objective type. Only by passing this can you proceed to the next stage. Nonetheless, your ranking here will not be accounted for in the overall marks. The main examination comprises nine papers with an essay feel to the questions. The interview is a personality test in is hence executed face-to-face as the final hurdle to getting your dream public service job. Your score in the main exam and interview will dictate your posting plus personal preferences.
Next on the list is the eligibility issue. Logically, you can’t sit an exam if you don’t meet its requirements. Fundamentally, one has to be an Indian citizen as stipulated by exam rules with its various subsections and considerations. From an educational perspective, you must hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or have technical qualifications recognized by the government. As well, you must take the qualifying exams. There is also an age limit set, with a minimum of 21 years and a maximum of 32 years at play.
Finally, let us consider the issue of preparation. Practice makes perfect, and the IAS exams are no exception, needing a lot of practice for one to make it through. Most experts out there state that you need at least ten to twelve months of thorough preparation to sail through the IAS exams. A properly laid down strategy is the one thing that will help you manage this time well for preparation. Don’t just focus on reading a lot but also look into the quality of the study.