Table of Contents
How To Make A Career in the Civil Service
In recent years, we have seen a huge number of college students and young professionals considering joining the Indian Civil Services after experiencing the allure of corporate work in multinational corporations. In the previous few years, the number of applications for India’s Civil Services Exam (CSE) has more than doubled. When it comes to job options, the Indian Civil Services has long been regarded as the greatest option for Arts graduates! However, in recent years, graduates and young professionals from other fields such as science, commerce, and business management have begun to apply for the UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE) in order to join India’s coveted Civil Services. This tendency has now been amplified by the COVID Pandemic, which has led to the loss of millions of jobs in the private sector.
Civil Services
The Civil Service is the government’s permanent executive branch. These entities are in charge of the country’s administrative operations. That is to say, they carry out the duties of a government while also enforcing the law. A person who wishes to be a part of the process of constructing society and bringing about constructive social change should definitely apply to the Indian Civil Services. The more you indulge in this profession the deeper you can discover the advantages of UPSC preparation.
Why is the Indian Civil Services regarded as a career goal by so many?
The UPSC Civil Services Exam leads to positions such as IAS, IPS, IFS, and IRS (20+ jobs/services). The Civil Services, with its wide range of jobs, have a greater scope of jurisdiction and authority than any other service in India. Civil service provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pursue personal goals while also contributing to society. Civil Services include all a person wishes to achieve:
- For anyone working in whatever industry, career progression should be the most crucial criterion. “If I couldn’t see the upside, I couldn’t be bothered,” says a famous quotation, “and as soon as I couldn’t see the benefit in that position, I started searching elsewhere.”
- Possibility to contribute to nation-building and make a difference in people’s lives.
- Civil servants contribute to the country’s decision-making process, represent the country at international forums, maintain law and order, participate in developmental work, travel the length and width of the country meet various types of people, and so on.
- Salaries: Since after the 7th pay commission, civil servants’ salaries have been on par with those in the private sector. Aside from the wage scale, federal officials receive significant benefits and subsidies. Civil servants are regarded as powerful and prestigious symbols.
- Job Security: Civil officials are unable to be fired easily, giving them a strong sense of job security. Civil servants work until they reach the age of 60, with the possibility of an extension.
What are India’s primary civil services?
Civil Services are either employed by the federal government as the All India Civil Services and Central Civil Services, or by the states as State Services. The Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service(IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS) are three of the most well-known Civil Services. Let’s have a look at what each one does.
What is the role of an IAS officer?
The Indian Administrative Service is in charge of the administration of the country. The Indian Administrative Service is in charge of the government’s administration and day-to-day operations. IAS officers execute laws and policies at the local level and seek to keep the peace and order in the areas they supervise in place.
What is the role of an IFS officer?
The Indian Foreign Service is in charge of the country’s international affairs. The Indian government sends people to work in the IFS to serve in diplomatic missions and to represent India in foreign organizations.
What is the role of an IPS officer?
The Indian Police Service is responsible for public safety. Law and order are maintained by IPS officials, who collaborate with IAS officers at the district level. They also work with Indian intelligence organizations such as the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and Intelligence Bureau (IB), among others.
How do you become a member of the Indian Civil Service?
The Civil Services Examination, which is administered by the Union Public Service Commission, is the first phase (UPSC). The following stages make up this examination:
1. Preliminary Examination is the first stage.
There are two objective papers in this preliminary exam (General Studies Paper-I and General Studies Paper-II). This is a multiple-choice exam. The exam covers topics such as politics, history, geography, current events, English comprehension, and data interpretation.
2. The Mains Exam is the second stage
After passing the preliminary exam, you will be required to take the Mains Exam. This comprises nine written papers, followed by an interview-style personality exam. The following are the topics for the written papers in Mains:
1st Exam: One of the Indian languages specified in the Constitution of India’s Eighth Schedule that you can choose from.
2nd Exam: English
3rd Exam: essay.
4th Exam: Indian culture and heritage, international history and geography, and society
5th Exam: Governance, constitution, polity, social justice, and international relations.
6th Exam: Technology, biodiversity and economic development, the environment, security, and disaster management.
7th Exam: Integrity, ethics, and aptitude
8th Exam: An optional subject that you can choose from.
9th Exam: Optional subject
Eligibility to Take the Exam
The following are the requirements for sitting the Civil Service Exam:
- You must have a graduate bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university (or be prepared to take final year exams).
- On the day of the examination, you must be at least 21 years old and no more than 32 years old (relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST and those with a Jammu & Kashmir domicile; 3 years for OBC and defence persons; 10 years for blind, deaf-mute, and orthopedically disabled persons).
- General Category candidates get six chances to take the exam, OBC candidates have nine chances, and SC/ST applicants have a limitless number of chances to take the exam.
- To be eligible, you must be an Indian citizen.
Also read: What does a Software Engineer do?
FAQs:
Why is the Indian Civil Services regarded as a career goal by so many?
The UPSC Civil Services Exam leads to positions such as IAS, IPS, IFS, and IRS (20+ jobs/services). The Civil Services, with its wide range of jobs, have a greater scope of jurisdiction and authority than any other service in India. Civil service provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pursue personal goals while also contributing to society.
Is there any job security in civil services?
Job Security: Civil officials are unable to be fired easily, giving them a strong sense of job security. Civil servants work until they reach the age of 60, with the possibility of an extension.
What is the full form of UPSC?
UNION PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION