The IAS exam (officially known as the Civil Services Examination) is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) annually. The official UPSC Notification for IAS Exam 2024 was released on 14th February 2024. Currently, IAS Exam 2023 is underway. The IAS Exam for 2024 prelims phase was scheduled to take place on 26 May 2024. However, due to the impending general elections, the IAS prelims has been postponed to 16 June 2024. IAS Mains 2024 will commence on 20 September 2024. Check the links below for more details. IAS Exam 2024 Dates. IAS Exam Eligibility
The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) exam, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), is one of the most prestigious and challenging examinations in India. Aspiring candidates aiming to serve in the civil services need to be well-prepared and thoroughly informed about the exam schedule, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, and detailed syllabus for the IAS Exam 2024. This comprehensive guide provides all the essential information to help you navigate through the IAS exam journey successfully.
IAS Exam 2024: Important Dates
Understanding the timeline of the IAS exam is crucial for effective preparation. Here are the key dates for IAS Exam 2024:
- Release of Notification: February 2024
- Online Application Start Date: February 2024
- Last Date to Apply: March 2024
- IAS Preliminary Exam Date: June 2024
- IAS Main Exam Date: September 2024
- Interview Schedule: February to April 2025
- Final Result Announcement: May 2025
Candidates are advised to keep a regular check on the official UPSC website for any updates or changes in the schedule.
Eligibility Criteria for IAS Exam 2024
Meeting the eligibility criteria is the first step toward applying for the IAS exam. The eligibility requirements are categorized into nationality, age limit, educational qualification, and the number of attempts.
Nationality
- For IAS and IPS: The candidate must be a citizen of India.
- For other services: The candidate must be either:
- A citizen of India, or
- A subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or
- A Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling in India, or
- A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Age Limit
- Minimum Age: 21 years as of August 1, 2024.
- Maximum Age: 32 years as of August 1, 2024.
Age Relaxation
- OBC candidates: 3 years
- SC/ST candidates: 5 years
- Defense Services Personnel: 3 years
- Ex-servicemen including Commissioned Officers and ECOs/SSCOs: 5 years
Educational Qualification
- The candidate must hold a graduate degree from a recognized university.
- Candidates in their final year of graduation are also eligible to apply, provided they submit proof of passing the degree examination along with the Detailed Application Form for the IAS Main exam.
Number of Attempts
- General Category: 6 attempts
- OBC: 9 attempts
- SC/ST: Unlimited attempts until the age limit
IAS Exam Pattern 2024
The IAS exam is conducted in three stages: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Personality Test (Interview).
Preliminary Examination
The Preliminary Examination consists of two papers, both objective in nature.
- General Studies Paper I
- General Studies Paper II (CSAT)
- Total Marks: 400 (200 each paper)
- Duration: 2 hours each
- Negative Marking: 1/3rd of the marks allotted for each question
Main Examination
The Main Examination is descriptive and consists of nine papers.
- Paper A (Compulsory Indian Language)
- Paper B (English)
- Essay
- General Studies I
- General Studies II
- General Studies III
- General Studies IV
- Optional Subject Paper I
- Optional Subject Paper II
- Total Marks: 1750
- Duration: 3 hours each paper
Personality Test (Interview)
- Marks: 275
Total Marks (Main Exam + Interview)
- Total Marks: 2025
IAS Syllabus 2024
A thorough understanding of the syllabus is critical for targeted preparation. Here is a detailed breakdown of the IAS syllabus:
Preliminary Examination Syllabus
General Studies Paper I
- Current Events: National and International importance
- History of India: Ancient, Medieval, and Modern
- Geography: Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World
- Polity and Governance: Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues
- Economic and Social Development: Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics
- Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change
- General Science
General Studies Paper II (CSAT)
- Comprehension
- Interpersonal Skills: Communication skills
- Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability
- Decision Making and Problem Solving
- General Mental Ability
- Basic Numeracy: Numbers, Arithmetic
- Data Interpretation
IAS Exam Date
| IAS Exam Conducting Body | UPSC |
| Mode of IAS exam | Offline |
| Number of times conducted | Once every year |
| Prescribed age limit | 21 – 32 years (upper age relaxation for reserved candidates) |
| IAS Exam – Prelims 2024 | Sunday – 26th May 2024 Postponed to 16 June 2024 |
| IAS Exam – Mains 2024 | 20th September 2024 onwards (exams for five days) |
| IAS Tablet Course | Prepare for IAS, anytime, anywhere at your own pace! |
| IAS Exam Pattern | Prelims (MCQs), Mains (Descriptive papers) |
IAS Exam Syllabus 2024 PDF
IAS Exam Pattern
The IAS Exam pattern is:
- Stage I: Preliminary Examination (IAS Prelims)
- Stage II: Mains Examination (IAS Mains)
- Stage III: UPSC Personality Test (IAS Interview)
Stage I: IAS Exam – UPSC Prelims
| Sl. No. | Name of the Paper | Nature of the Paper | Duration of the Exam | Questions | Marks |
| 1 | IAS Exam Paper – I: General Studies | Merit Ranking Nature | 2 Hours | 100 | 200 Marks |
| 2 | IAS Exam Paper – II: General Studies (CSAT) | Qualifying Nature | 2 Hours | 80 | 200 Marks |
- The questions in the IAS Exam (Prelims) are of the objective type or Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- There is ‘Negative Marking’ in the IAS Exam for each incorrect answer but only in the Prelims stage. The negative marking for incorrect answers will be 1/3rd (0.66) of the allotted marks of that question.
- The GS Paper II (CSAT) in IAS exam is of qualifying nature and candidates should score a minimum of 33 per cent in this paper to qualify to the next stage of the IAS exam i.e. the Mains.
- Blind candidates are given an extra time of 20 minutes for each paper in the IAS Exam (Prelims).
- It is mandatory for the candidates to appear in both the papers of civil services prelims exam for the evaluation.
- The marks scored by the candidates in the preliminary examination are not counted for the final score. It is only a screening test where candidates not securing the cut-off marks are eliminated.
Stage II: IAS Exam – UPSC Mains
The second stage of the IAS Exam is called the Mains Exam, which is a written descriptive examination and comprises 9 papers. The 9 papers in IAS Exam (Mains) are as follows: Paper-A (Compulsory Indian Language); Paper –B (English) which are qualifying in nature, while the other papers like Essay, General Studies Papers I, II, III, and IV, and Optional Papers I and II are considered for the final ranking.
| Sl. No. | IAS Exam Paper | Name of the Paper | Nature of the Paper | Duration of the Exam | Marks | ||
| 1 | Paper – A | Compulsory Indian Language | QUALIFYING NATURE | 3 Hours | 300 Marks | ||
| 2 | Paper – B | English | 3 Hours | 300 Marks | |||
| 3 | Paper – I | ESSAY | MERIT RANKING NATURE | 3 Hours | 250 Marks | ||
| 4 | Paper – II | General Studies I | 3 Hours | 250 Marks | |||
| 5 | Paper – III | General Studies II | 3 Hours | 250 Marks | |||
| 6 | Paper – IV | General Studies III | 3 Hours | 250 Marks | |||
| 7 | Paper – V | General Studies IV | 3 Hours | 250 Marks | |||
| 8 | Paper – VI | Optional Paper I | 3 Hours | 250 Marks | |||
| 9 | Paper – VII | Optional Paper II | 3 Hours | 250 Marks | |||
| TOTAL | 1750 Marks | ||||||
| Interview or Personality Test | 275 Marks | ||||||
| GRAND TOTAL | 2025 Marks | ||||||
NOTE:
- The candidates can select their medium of writing the UPSC Civil Services IAS Mains Exam as Hindi or English or any other language listed in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
- The Indian Languages included in the IAS exam are as per languages listed in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
- The candidates who score above the prescribed cut-off marks in the IAS exam (Mains) will get the summons for the Personality Test (last stage of the IAS exam).
- The final ranking of the candidates is on the basis of the marks obtained by them in the Main Examination and Personality Test/Interview Round of the IAS exam. IAS Exam 2024 Dates
Main Examination Syllabus
Paper A and Paper B (Language Papers)
- Comprehension
- Precis Writing
- Usage and Vocabulary
- Short Essays
- Translation (English to Indian Language and vice-versa)
Essay Paper
Candidates need to write essays on multiple topics, emphasizing their ability to articulate and organize thoughts clearly and effectively. IAS Exam Eligibility
General Studies Papers
- General Studies I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography of the World and Society
- General Studies II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International relations
- General Studies III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management
- General Studies IV: Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude
Optional Subject Papers
Candidates can choose from a list of subjects provided by UPSC. Each subject has two papers.
Personality Test (Interview)
The interview assesses the candidate’s personality traits, such as mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgment, variety and depth of interest, ability for social cohesion, and leadership skills. IAS Exam Eligibility
Preparation Tips for IAS Exam 2024
Start Early
Beginning your preparation early gives you ample time to cover the vast syllabus and revise multiple times.
Choose the Right Study Material
Select standard books and resources for each subject. NCERT books are highly recommended for basic concepts.
Create a Study Schedule
A well-structured study plan helps manage time effectively and ensures comprehensive coverage of the syllabus. IAS Exam Eligibility. IAS Exam 2024 Dates
Practice Regularly
Regular practice of previous years’ question papers and mock tests enhances time management skills and boosts confidence.
Stay Updated
Keep abreast of current affairs by reading newspapers, magazines, and following credible news sources.
Focus on Writing Skills
Developing good writing skills is crucial for the Main examination. Practice writing essays and answers regularly. IAS Exam Eligibility. IAS Exam 2024 Dates
Stay Healthy
Maintaining physical and mental health is essential for consistent and effective study. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep are important.
By following these guidelines and staying dedicated, aspirants can significantly enhance their chances of success in the IAS Exam 2024. IAS Exam Eligibility. IAS Exam 2024 Dates
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