What do they do?

IAS involves delivering good governance to society, with the administrators co-ordinating departmental works to ensure holistic development of the state/region they are serving. Only the cream of Indian students usually enter the IAS, as the first 100 successful candidates from the Civil Services exams are chosen for this service.

Skills Needed

• An inquisitive mind
• Incisive analytical ability to quickly weigh the pros and cons of an issue
• Ability to sift through data to focus on the essential
• Clarity of approach, coupled with the talent of planning by balancing present and future needs
• Dedication and ability to work hard
• Being a people’s person is an added advantage

How do I get there?

There are three stages in the competitive examination that one has to clear before becoming an IAS officer. The candidate needs to clear the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT),  Mains and Interview. This three-stage annual competitive selection process, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission, requires a candidate to have at least a bachelors degree in any subject. A masters degree does help, but is not necessary to ace the examination and interview. The recruitment process is extremely challenging, testing everything from a candidate’s ability to handle numbers to his/her knowledge and understanding of current affairs. Also, from this year onwards stress is being laid on gauging the aptitude of the candidate.

Typical day in the life of a IAS Officer

Pros & Cons about this career