Civil Services Examination

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The Indian Civil Services Examination is a nation-wide competitive examination conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) of India for the administrative services of the Government of India

This is reputed to be among the toughest and the most competitive exam in the world. Candidates have to pass through a three phase process with the success rate being around 0.1% of the total applicants (UPSC Annual Reports). In 2006 around 400,000 candidates applied for fewer than 500 vacancies (of which 50% are reserved) and around 7,500 got through the first phase and appeared in the Mains exam (UPSC Annual Reports). To secure a berth in the coveted IAS / IFS one has to secure a rank in the top 50 translating into a success rate of 0.01%.

The Indian Civil Service, as it was once called, is the backbone of the Indian government machinery & constitutes all the major departments which run the state & central administration. Today this service is better known by the various ministries and departments that it helps manage. A highly competitive and challenging area, it involves a variety of jobs in different departments. The service has a lot of prestige attached to it. The salary, allowances and facilities like healthcare, housing, conveyance etc. also make it a lucrative profession.

Civil Services Examination is conducted in 3 phases:-

Phase - I : Civil Services Exam (Preliminary) - Held in the month of May every year. Only qualifying in nature.

Phase - II : Civil Services Exam (Main)- held in October/November every year.

Phase - III: Interview - Held in April/May every year.

Final results are announced just before the Civil Services Exam (Preliminary) of the following year are to be held.

The Notification for the 2008 edition has been announced. There are a total of 673 vacancies to be filled. There is no change in examination pattern except for a change in syllabus in optional subjects in the Main Examination. [1]

The Services recruited through Civil Services Examination:-

'All India Services'

Indian Administrative Service (IAS)

Indian Police Service (IPS)

Central Civil Services - Group "A"

Indian Foreign Service (IFS)

Indian Revenue Service (IRS) - Income Tax

Indian Revenue Service (IRS) - Customes & Central Excise

Indian Audits & Accounts Service (IA&AS)

Indian Post & Telecommunication Accounts and Finance Service (IP&TAFS)

Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS)

Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS)