When you wish to serve the nation at the grassroots level, becoming an IAS officer offers the opportunity to bring real change in people’s lives through effective governance and public service. If you are wondering how to become an IAS officer, this article will walk you through every detail—from eligibility to salary, preparation tips to the UPSC selection process.
What is the full form of an IAS Officer?
The full form of IAS is Indian Administrative Service, which is a key administrator and policymaker in the Indian bureaucratic system. Usually selected through the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Service Examination (CSE), IAS officers play a direct role in shaping policies that impact vital sectors such as education, health, agriculture, and welfare in remote regions. As an IAS officer, you play a significant role in ensuring law and order, managing disasters, and upholding social justice within your administrative jurisdiction.
IAS Eligibility Criteria
When we decide to give wings to our dreams, what is the first thing we do? Yes, understand the path we must take to reach them. In the same way, while exploring how to become an IAS officer, the first and foremost aspect to understand is the eligibility criteria set by the conducting body, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
So, before you delve into your rigorous preparation for the UPSC CSE, let’s understand the requirements laid down by the Union Public Service Commission. These criteria cover a wide range of factors such as:
- Nationality: You must be an Indian citizen
- Educational qualifications: the minimum academic qualifications needed to apply
- Age limit: which varies based on category, and relaxation
- Number of attempts: so you know how many chances you have left.
It’s important to know these aspects as it helps you plan your preparation journey better. When you know how much time you have and what you’re allowed, you can prepare smarter and stay confident. We have covered every detail in this article in a clear, structured, and easy-to-follow way.
By the end of the article, you will have a strong understanding of where you stand and whether it’s the right time for you to chase your UPSC journey.
What are the UPSC Exam Eligibility Criteria for 2026?
The Union Public Service Commission has defined clear age-related eligibility criteria for candidates aspiring to appear for the Civil Services Examination:
The candidate must have attained the age of 21 years and should not exceed 32 years as of the 1st of August of the year of the examination. For instance, for UPSC 2025, candidates must be born not earlier than 2nd August 1994 and not later than 1st August 2005.
| Criteria | Details |
| Age Limit | Minimum: 21 yearsMaximum: 32 years (must not have completed 32 years) |
| Age Relaxation | OBC: 3 yearsSC/ST: 5 yearsPwBD: 10 years |
| Educational Requirement | Must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university |
| Number of Attempts | General: 6OBC & PwBD: 9SC/ST: No limit (until age limit is reached) |
| Nationality | Must be an Indian citizen |
UPSC CSE eligibility criteria for 2025: Category-wise Details of Age Limit
| Candidate Category | Minimum Age | Relaxation (Over General Limit) | Maximum Age |
| General | 21 years | None | 32 years |
| OBC | 21 years | +3 years | 35 years |
| SC/ST | 21 years | +5 years | 37 years |
| PwBD (Blind, Deaf-Mute, Orthopedically Handicapped) | 21 years | +10 years | 42 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (Discharged due to disability) | 21 years | +3 years | 35 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (Released due to disability): OBC | 21 years | +6 years (3+3) | 38 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (Released due to disability): SC/ST | 21 years | +8 years (3+5) | 40 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (After completing 5+ years of service): General | 21 years | +5 years | 37 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (After 5+ years): OBC | 21 years | +8 years (5+3) | 40 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (After 5+ years): SC/ST | 21 years | +10 years (5+5) | 42 years |
IAS Officer Age Limit (Including Female Candidates)
- Age range: 21–32 years old
- OBC: 21–35 years old
- SC/ST: 21–37 years old
- IAS Age limit for female – The same age limit applies to women, but widows, divorced women, and women who are judicially separated are exempt (up to 35 years for general and 40 for SC/ST).
What Qualification is Required for IAS?
To appear in UPSC must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university. Final year students can also apply, but they must produce proof of passing before the mains exam. So, if you are asking, Can I become an IAS officer? – The answer is YES, provided you fulfill the educational qualifications and other eligibility criteria.
Number of Attempts in UPSC CSE
- If you belong to the general category, you have only 6 attempts.
- For OBC candidates, there are 9 limited attempts
- If you belong to the SC/ST category, there is no limit on attempts till 37 years of age.
The IAS selection process
Now, let’s know about the three stages of UPSC CSE selection in your journey to become an IAS. The selection process includes :
- Preliminary exam (Objective Paper)
- GS Paper 1: General Studies
- GS Paper 2: CSAT (Qualifying in nature)
- Mains (Written and Descriptive)
- There are a total of 9 papers, including an Essay, GS-IV, and optional papers.
- Interview: (275 marks)
This three-tier procedure to become an IAS officer evaluates knowledge, aptitude, and personality.
How to Become an IAS Officer: Step-by-Step Process
To become an IAS officer and contribute to the nation-building process, one must qualify through the Civil Service Examination conducted annually by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Yes, we are talking about one of the toughest exams in the country, UPSC CSE, through which you can get into the most prestigious administrative positions, including IAS, IPS, IFS, and various central and allied services.
Step 1: Understand the Examination Cycle
The UPSC publishes its official notification for the Civil Services Examination around February- March of each year, inviting applications. The Preliminary Examination, the first stage of the Civil Services Examination, is usually held in May or June of that year.
Step 2: Apply for the Civil Services Examination
Once the notification has been released, you must submit your applications through the UPSC website. Stay updated and regularly monitor the news and UPSC portal for the latest updates on the recruitment process.
Step 3: Clear the Preliminary Examination
The Preliminary Examination is the screening test, which consists of two compulsory MCQ-based papers
- General Studies Paper I (200 marks)
- General Studies Paper II (CSAT) (200 marks; qualifying in nature)
Each paper is of 2 hours duration. The marks obtained in the Prelims are not counted for the final ranking but are essential to qualify for the Mains.
Step 4: Submit the DAF for the Mains Examination
After clearing the UPSC CSE Prelims, you need to fill out the Detailed Application Form (DAF) for the Mains Examination. Candidates need to submit this form online through the UPSC portal. Kindly note that this is a very important step on your journey toward becoming an IAS officer as you won’t be able to write Mains exam if you do not fill up this form.
Step 5: Clear the UPSC Mains Examination
The Main Examination is subjective and typically conducted in September–October. It comprises 9 papers:
- Compulsory Indian Language
- English
- Essay
- General Studies I
- General Studies II
- General Studies III
- General Studies IV
- Optional Paper I
- Optional Paper II
UPSC Civil Services (Mains) Exam Pattern
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Nature |
| Paper A | Indian Language (Qualifying) | 300 | Qualifying (Only for merit if passed) |
| Paper B | English (Qualifying) | 300 | Qualifying |
| Paper I | Essay | 250 | Counted for merit |
| Paper II | General Studies I (History, Geography, etc.) | 250 | Counted for merit |
| Paper III | General Studies II (Polity, Governance, etc.) | 250 | Counted for merit |
| Paper IV | General Studies III (Economy, Environment, etc.) | 250 | Counted for merit |
| Paper V | General Studies IV (Ethics, Integrity, etc.) | 250 | Counted for merit |
| Paper VI | Optional Subject – Paper I | 250 | Counted for merit |
| Paper VII | Optional Subject – Paper II | 250 | Counted for merit |
Key Points about the Mains Exam
- Total Marks for Merit (Papers I–VII): 1750 Marks
- Qualifying Papers (Paper A & B): Must score a minimum of 25% (i.e., 75 marks out of 300) in each to be evaluated for merit.
- Interview (Personality Test): 275 Marks
- Grand Total (Mains + Interview): 2025 Marks
For the Mains stage of the Civil Services Examination, you must prepare extensively and develop strong answer-writing skills. Unlike the Preliminary stage, which is objective, the Mains examination is descriptive and tests your analytical ability, clarity of thought, and articulation. Answer writing is a skill that requires regular practice, a clear understanding of current affairs, and the ability to link them with static portions of the syllabus.
Tip: Choose your optional subject wisely, as it carries significant weight and can greatly influence your final score. Opt for a subject you are genuinely interested in and can study in-depth over a long period.
Step 6: Crack the UPSC Personality Test (Interview)
After qualifying the Mains, candidates are called for the Personality Test, which carries 275 marks. The interview panel includes senior bureaucrats, subject experts, and psychologists. It evaluates the candidate’s personality, communication skills, awareness, and overall suitability for civil services.
Step 7: Undergo Training at LBSNAA
Here’s your big day when your result is declared. Just imagine the happiness on your parents’ faces, just think about those struggles, and you finally realise that everything was worth it. Based on the final rank, successful candidates are allotted services. It’s your time to go to the LBSNAA. The selected IAS trainee undergoes a comprehensive training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie.
The training program lasts approximately 2 years, divided into:
- Foundation Course
- Phase I Training
- District Training
- Phase II Training
And thus, after this rigorous journey, you finally join the esteemed ranks of the Indian Administrative Service. As an IAS officer, you lead in policy formulation that directly impacts vital sectors such as education, health, agriculture, and welfare in remote regions.
You have to ensure law and order, manage disasters as well, and uphold social justice within your administrative jurisdiction.
As a frontline officer, you need to connect government schemes and beneficiaries so that they are utilized properly, and you bring transparency to the government when implementing these schemes. You also lead development initiatives on rural electrification, digital inclusion, and women’s empowerment, which include contributions to inclusive growth. You are more than an administrator, as you are likely a role model in society, and you must inspire the youth of today to embrace public service as a process of nation-building.
IAS officer salary
| Pay Level | Basic Pay (₹) | Years of Service | Typical Post(s) |
| 10 | 56,100 | 1–4 | Assistant Secretary (Central), Sub‑Divisional Magistrate (District) |
| 11 | 67,700 | 5–8 | Under Secretary (Central), Additional District Magistrate |
| 12 | 78,800 | 9–12 | Deputy Secretary (Central), District Magistrate/Collector |
| 13 | 1,18,500 | 13–16 | Director (Central)/Special Secretary (State), District Magistrate (larger districts) |
| 14–17 | Varies (up to ~2,50,000) | 17+ | Higher Administrative Grade (Additional Secretary, Principal Secretary, Secretary); Chief Secretariat roles |
| 18 (Apex) | ≈ 2,50,000 (fixed) | Cabinet Secretary | Cabinet Secretary (Union), Chief Secretary (State) |
Additional Salary Components
- Allowances (on top of basic pay):
- DA (Dearness Allowance): Adjusted semi‑annually; ~103% of basic (rising/decreasing per inflation)
- HRA (House Rent Allowance): Typically 8–24% of basic, depending on the city.
- TA (Transport Allowance): Based on grade and duty station.
- SDA (Special Duty Allowance): 30% of basic pay for postings in Northeast, Ladakh, etc
- Overall salary range: Including these allowances, monthly compensation ranges from approximately ₹56,100 at the entry level to ₹2,50,000 at the top (excluding perks)
Conclusion
On your wonder journey of how to become an IAS officer, we just want to say that yes, the journey is long but highly rewarding. If you consistently prepare, maintain discipline with the right strategy, anyone can achieve this prestigious goal. Whether you’re a student planning how to become an IAS officer after 12th, a graduate, or someone starting from scratch, this guide serves as your roadmap. If you’re still wondering, “Can I become an IAS officer?” — the answer is a resounding YES, if you are willing to work hard and stay committed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How to Become an IAS Officer After 12th
A: The specific answer is not direct. But you can start preparing for the UPSC exam after 12. You must complete your graduation first. After the 12th, follow these steps:
- Select a graduation course of your interest
- Begin reading NCERT books (6th to 12th)
- Start current affairs preparation (The Hindu, PIB)
- Join a foundation course if necessary
- Understand the process to become an IAS officer and plan accordingly
Q2. What is the process to become an IAS officer?
A: The process to become an IAS officer involves a three-stage exam pattern. You need to clear UPSC CSE Prelims. Mains, and Interview.
Q3. Is coaching necessary for IAS?
A: Not really. Many clear UPSC without coaching, but structured guidance can help.
Q4. What is the IAS officer age limit for female candidates?
A: Same as the general age limit, with some relaxations as per category.
Q5. What qualification is required for IAS?
A: You must have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline.
Q6. How to Become an IAS Officer After 10th?
A: Though you cannot appear for the UPSC exam after 10th, you can start early preparation. If you choose streams in the humanities and arts, it helps you to build a solid foundation. Develop the habit of daily newspaper reading as well as learn the art of essay writing. It gives you ample time to familiarize yourself with the IAS officer exam pattern.
Q7. How to Become an IAS Officer After Graduation?
A: Of course, if you’ve completed graduation, you are eligible to become an IAS officer. Once the UPSC releases the notification, apply for the exam through the official portal. Prepare for Prelims and Main exam, keep practicing answer-writing.