This is more of a screening test intended to weed out the
non-serious candidates from the serious ones. The success
rate of preliminary exam is less than 10%.
Phase-II (Mains) Written Test
Main is held in October-November of every year. This is
a descriptive type test on two qualifying language papers
viz: MIL & English, one essay paper, two optional subjects
(two papers each) and General Studies (two papers). The optional
subjects are to be chosen from a range of 26 prescribed subjects.
Based on the scores of Mains (Written Test) about 750 candidates
(roughly about two and half times the no. of posts) are called
for viva voce. There were about 300 posts for which selections
were made in the year 2002.
Phase-III (Mains) Viva Voce
Viva-voce is held in March-April of every year. Written
test and Viva Voce together are called Mains Examination.
Viva Voce is, also, called Personality Test.
It carries 300 marks. Final selection and rank in the All
India Merit List is determined on the basis of aggregate
marks secured in both Written and Viva Voce parts of Mains
examination. Services are allotted on merit cum preference
basis.
The Civil Services examination is an annual exercise. If
you miss it at any stage — Prelims, Written or Viva,
you are back to square one. You have to start it all over
again next year.
Those who clear all the three stages of the examination
finally make it to the list and join the National
Academy of Administration at Mussoorie for two and
half months’ Foundation course (F.C). The training
is common to all Group-A services. Thereafter, only the IAS
probationers stay back for an exhaustive training Course,
while other probationers of all other services join their
respective training academies. For example, the IPS’ join
the National Police Academy in Hyderabad and the IFS’ the
Foreign Service Training Institute in Delhi, Customs & Excise
probationers join the National Academy of Customs, Excise & Narcotics
at Faridabad and IRS probationers join National Academy of
Direct Taxes at Nagpur.
Contact Details: www.upsc.gov.in
Address: The Secretary, UPSC, Dholpur
House, Shah Jahan Road, New Delhi – 110 001
Indian Economic Services (IES) & Indian Statistical
Services (ISS)
Indian Economic Services (IES) is an all India competitive
examination conducted by UPSC to recruit group ‘A’ Officers
(Includes Indian Statistical Services-ISS) to be placed in
the Planning Commission, Planning Board, Ministry of Economic
Affairs, and National Sample Survey and other allied offices
and departments that need specialists on economics and statistics.
The service conditions offered by IES are similar to other
Central Civil Services. The places of posting are usually
state capitals or New Delhi.
Who are Eligible?
Between the age group of 21- 30 years. (Relaxation of 3
years for OBC and 5 years for SC/ST candidates).
IES - Post Graduate in Economics/Applied
Economics/Business Economics/ Econometrics.
ISS – Post Graduate
in Statistics/Mathematical Statistics/Applied
Statistics.
The Examination
Selections are made through a written examination (of about
1000 marks) followed by an interview (of 200 marks).
The examination is divided into two parts. The first part
comprises two papers of 3 hours each on English and General
Studies. The second part comprises three papers, two on General
Economics and one paper on Indian Economics, each paper consists
of 3 hours duration. The papers are both of objective and
subjective types.
The examination is notified in March every year and held
around September.
www.careerdowell.com/Syllabus/ies.htm
Indian Engineering Services (IES)
Each year UPSC conducts Indian Engineering Services Examination
for the recruitment to the 4 broad categories of engineering
services of – (1)Civil Engineering (2) Electrical (3)
Electronics (4)Electronics & Telecommunication.
More than 600 vacancies, in civilian as well as defence
fields, are filled through this recruitment each year. Selected
candidates are inducted directly to class I cadres in various
categories of central engineering services. The IES is at
par with other Central Government Class I services in its
diversity of job responsibilities, power, perks, salary and
other benefits.
Who are Eligible?
Between 21-30 years of age. (Relaxation of 3 years for
OBC and 5 years for SC/ST candidates).
Degree/Diploma in Engineering from recognised Indian/Foreign
University/Institute, or M Sc/Equivalent (with Wireless Communication/
Electronics/Radio Physics/Radio Engineering as special subjects),
or, Pass in Associate Membership Examination Part II & III/
Section A and B of the Aeronautical Society of India/Section
A and B of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, India,
or, Pass in Graduate Membership Examination of the Indian
Institute of the Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers,
India/ Institution of Electronics and Radio Engineers, London,
or,Pass in Part A and B of the Institution Examination of
the Institution of Engineers, India.
The Examination
Selections are made through a written examination (of 1000
marks) followed by a Personality Test (of 200 marks). The
examination consists of 2 sections. Section I has 3 objective
papers — one of General Studies and English and two
others are of Engineering subjects of the candidates’ choice.
Section II has two conventional papers of engineering subjects
also of the candidates’ choice.
The detail syllabus for the IES examination and the application
form can be availed from the Employment News or other leading
newspapers. The examination is notified in October, each
year.
Indian Forest Services (IFS)
India is a country of enormous forest reserves and rich
bio-diversity. For those who have an interest and inclination
in the areas of forest, soil, environment, wildlife etc.
pursuing the Indian Forest Services can be a satisfying profession.
Being a class I service cadre, the IFS officers enjoy all
the privileges entitled to all other Central Government Class
I services. Besides, they get an opportunity to know and
upkeep our country’s wonderful flora and fauna, and
its colourful tribal cultures.
Who are Eligible?
Between 21- 28 years of age. (Relaxation of 3 years for
OBC and 5 years for SC/ST candidates.)
Candidate should possess Bachelor’s degree in — Botany/
Chemistry/ Zoology/ Geology/ Maths/ Physics/ /Agriculture/
Forestry/ Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science/ Engg.
in Agriculture/ Civil/ Chemical/ Mechanical.
The Examination
Selection is made through a written examination followed
by an interview. Candidates are allowed a maximum of 4 attempts
at the examination. There is no such restriction for the
SC/ST candidates.
The written test consists of two objective type compulsory
papers of General Studies and English, and two descriptive
papers of optional subjects. To qualify to the Interview
round, the candidates have to clear a rigorous physical and
medical test.
Detail syllabus can be availed from the Employment News
or other leading newspapers, which carry the notification
in January/February. The examination is generally held during
July/August every year.
Training — Selected candidates undergo an initial
training in administration and personnel management at Lal
Bahadur Shastri Academy, Mussoorie. The trainees followed
it up with a stint at Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy,
Dehra Dun, where they are trained in the areas of wildlife
management, forest management, soil conservation tribal welfare
etc.
After two years of probation, the officers are appointed
in different state cadres.
