IAS Exam 2020 – Pattern, Eligibility, Syllabus, Age limit and Exam Dates

UPSC conducts Civil Services Exam [CSE] popularly called IAS Exam [2020 ] annually as per latest Syllabus, Pattern, and Eligibility. IAS is the abbreviation of Indian Administrative Service,  is one of the dream jobs of every youth in India. Along with IAS, there are 24 other services including IFS, IPS, IRS and so on. Due to its challenges and scope of transforming millions of lives in India, makes it as the prestigious services.

CSE is a three-step selection process as Prelims, Mains Exam and Personality Test (interview) and ultimately top ranker hold IAS offices. Hence an IAS officer holds many positions like the collector, chief secretary, the cabinet secretary, head of various public sector departments etc.

IAS Exam 2020 – Pattern

UPSC Civil Services Exam is popularly known as IAS Exam which is a three tire exam process as per Syllabus. The exam pattern comprises of preliminary exam conducted in June, followed by mains in November – December and final interview in March. The final result published by UPSC in the month of May. However, preliminary exam marks are not accounted for ranking while the marks scored for mains and interview will be counted for ranking. Although, it is not easy to crack IAS Exam, due to its tough competition and wide syllabus. Hard work along with smart work, the right approach, proper guidance and right attitude will leads an  aspirant to get a high rank in IAS Exam.

UPSC Civil Service Toppers 2017 with Minister Jitendra Singh

IAS Exam Preliminary, Mains and Interview Pattern

Civil Service Exam conducted by Union Public Service Commission , a government agency, who selects appropriate candidates to top most services. Every year around 4- 5 lakhs of candidates appear for the exam and only around 1000 are got the selection.

As a matter of fact, IAS Exam is considered as one of the toughest exams in the world, because of its high competition, huge syllabus and exam duration [extends to one year].

On the one hand, the Preliminary exam is objective type consists of two papers General Studies Paper and CSAT(Paper 2). General studies Paper  1 counted for screening to the Mains exam stage while Paper 2 is minimum qualifying in nature.

On the other hand, the Mains exam consists of 9 papers, including optional (2 papers), which is descriptive in nature. However, English language paper and regional language paper are qualifying in nature. Essay paper, four general Studies papers and 2 optional papers are considered for merit,  along with interview marks.

IAS Exam Eligibility Criteria

An Indian with any degree from [ For IAS and IPS]

1. Any of the universities incorporated by an act of central or state legislature in India.
2. Other educational institutions established by the act of parliament.
3. Or a deemed university as per section 3 of university grants commission act, 1965.
4. Posses an equivalent qualification.
5. Final year students and candidates awaiting results can also apply. Results need to submit at the time of filing application for mains exam.
6. No percentage bar for any of the services.

For other services :

1. A citizen of India or,
2. A subject of Nepal or,
3. A subject of Bhutan or,
4. A Tibetan refugee who came to India, before January 1, 1962, with an intention to settle permanently in India.
5. A person of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries [ Kenya, Uganda, the united republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Zaire, Malawi, Ethiopia and Vietnam ]with the intention of permanently settle in India.

 IAS Exam Age limit

The minimum age limit is 21 years. Age limit is calculated as on 1^st of August every year which exam take place.

Upper age limit and number of attempts

Cumulative age relaxation: apart from mentioned age limits, SC/ST and OBC candidates will get cumulative age relaxation. In other words, age limits added in special cases. For example, if a person is OBC and ex-serviceman, he will get 5+7=12 of extension. Hence, his upper age limit will be 42 years.

IAS Exam Syllabus

Every year UPSC conducts exams under prescribed syllabus. Having a clear idea of the  Syllabus and proper methodology of study will help aspirants to tackle the dream of clearing Civil Service Examination. Here is the list of the latest syllabus as per UPSC.

1. UPSC Syllabus for Prelims and Mains
2. General Studies(GS) Paper 1 Syllabus(Mains)
3. General Studies(GS) Paper 2 Syllabus(Mains)
4. GS Paper 3 Syllabus( Mains )
5. General Studies Paper 4 Syllabus(Mains)

UPSC Papers counted for the Final Ranking

How to clear IAS Exam

• Candidates should adopt the methodology of hard work+ smart work+ right approach+ proper guidance + right attitude. That is known as proper strategy.
• For proper guidance and approach aspirants opt for classroom teaching from coaching academies.
• Online sites like IASSolution.com  are a real treasure that provides proper guidance and approach.
• Besides all, the importance of mock tests cannot be neglected.

IASSolution Prelims Mock Test Series

 Tips for Clear IAS Exam

1. In the first place, the role of coaching institutes is just 3 percent while online sites like IASSolution.com treasure trove of knowledge played 50% of the role.
2. For common subjects like History, Geography, Economics study materials, and guidance are easily available.
3. Moreover, clarity of thoughts and ideas is vital because most of the questions opinion based.
4. Empathy is the most important factor for government servant for providing better solutions to a common man.

Also Check: UPSC Books for Civil Service Prelims and Mains Exam

Recommended list of Books for IAS Exam Preparation

We have prepared the best book list for IAS Preparation by taking inputs from UPSC toppers. Links are provided to buy books online.

IAS Exam Dates

IAS Exam Dates for the year 2020 will publish soon. Civil Services Examination popularly known as IAS Exam is will held on June 2020. Furthermore, Notification is expected to publish on February 2020 and the last date for the application is March 2020.  Moreover, Civil Services Mains exam 2018 has scheduled from October 2020 and will last for 5 days.

IAS Exam Notification

UPSC will publish notification for 2020 Civil Services Examination on  February, 2020, while online applications can submit on or before 6.00 PM, March, 2020. Furthermore, the civil service preliminary exam will be on 9th June 2019. You can also download UPSC Civil Services 2019 Notification from this link for reference.