How Many Attempts for IAS Exam

Introduction

IAS is the abbreviation for Indian Administrative Service, one of the most prestigious organisations in the country. It is one of the most sought-after positions in the Indian Government and the recruitment process is the most difficult one in the country as well. IAS(Indian Administrative Service), IPS (Indian Police Service) and IFS (Indian Forest Service) are named “All India Services”. The IAS is responsible for implementing the policies and laws of the government at the district and state levels and is considered the backbone of the country's administrative machinery. The IAS exam is conducted by a central agency known as UPSC and the selection process is rigorous and thorough.

UPSC

UPSC stands for Union Public Service Commission. It is India’s primary recruitment agency that recruits all its Group A officers. The UPSC was established in 1926 and its headquarters is in New Delhi.

The most famous examination conducted by the UPSC is the Civil Services Examination (CSE), which is the recruitment exam for IAS officers and many other prestigious positions. CSE is considered one of the most competitive and difficult exams in the country.

The UPSC is an independent and constitutional body, which means that it is not subject to the control or influence of the government or any other external agency. It is composed of a Chairman and ten members, who are appointed by the President of India. The UPSC has the power to make its own rules and regulations, and its decisions are final and binding.

The UPSC also conducts other exams, such as the Indian Economic Service (IES) exam, the Indian Statistical Service (ISS) exam, the Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam, and many others.

Civil Service Examination

The Civil Services Examination (CSE) is a competitive exam conducted nationally in India by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). It is considered one of the most competitive and difficult exams in the country, with a success rate of less than 1%.

The CSE is conducted for the recruitment of candidates to various Grade A positions in the Indian government, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).

The CSE is conducted in three stages:

1. The Preliminary Exam, also known as the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT), is a multiple-choice exam that tests the candidate's aptitude and general awareness. It consists of two papers, each worth 200 marks. The final score will not be affected by the scores in the Preliminary exam, but it is used for shortlisting candidates for the next stage.

2. The Main Exam is a written exam that tests the candidate's knowledge and expertise in various subjects. It consists of nine papers, each worth 250 marks. The final score will be affected by the marks obtained in the Main Exam.

3. The Personality Test, or the Interview, is the final stage of the recruitment process. It is conducted by a panel of experts who assess the candidate's personality, leadership skills, and overall suitability for the IAS. The marks obtained in the Personality Test will also be added to the final score.

The CSE is a highly competitive exam, and only a small fraction of candidates who apply are able to clear all three stages and secure a position in All India Services. The exam is conducted once a year, and the syllabus covers a wide range of subjects, such as history, geography, economics, political science, law, and many others.

To be eligible for the CSE, a candidate must have a bachelor's degree from a recognized university. The age limit for the exam varies according to the candidate's category (General, OBC, SC, ST, etc.), with a maximum age of 32 years for General category candidates, 35 years for OBC category candidates, and 37 years for SC/ST category candidates. There are some exceptions to these rules, such as for physically disabled candidates and candidates who have served in the armed forces.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the number of attempts that a candidate can make to the IAS exam depends on the candidate's age and category. For General category candidates, the maximum number of attempts is six, for OBC category candidates, it is nine, and for SC/ST category candidates, it is unlimited. These rules are subject to certain exceptions.