A secured career is the aim of every student these days. The students are always in search of career options, which would help them in building a safe and a bright future. There are a number of career options these days, but to choose the best among them is the most important task. Choosing the career field is the first and the most important step that a student needs to take towards the growth of his career. The selection of the right career opportunity can actually lead a student to a safe and a secure job. The right education in a right institution by the right student is the factors, which constitute towards the development of a prospering nation. The colleges in India are with time adopting the changes, to make the education process more refined and intellectual.

The career choices are always based on the interest of the students, which in a way adds to the hard work instilled by them towards the attainment of their goal. There are many career opportunities in India, which provides a secure and a safe future to the student. Career as an IAS officer, is one career option, which not only provides safety, but also entitles the student with the tag of a government officer. The student gets to work as a part of the Indian government. Also, the perks and other benefits of being a government servant are very huge and lucrative. Though its very tough to clear the entrance examination for being an IAS officer, which is UPSC, but once cleared, the future of the student is set. UPSC is Union Public Service Commission. The exam for UPSC can be given by any student having a graduation degree from one of the recognised universities of the country. Also, the student has to be a citizen of the country and should be of or above the age of 21.

The examination for becoming an IAS officer is called the civil services examination. The students clearing the civil services examination get to work in the civil administrative bodies and the law making associations. The examination for IAS officer, takes around a year to complete. The entrance form and the brochure can be collected from any of the post offices of the country. As there are three stages, which a student has to clear to pass the civil services examination. The three stages are:

Preliminary examinations: This is the first stage if civil services exam. This exam is conducted in the month of May or June, in which two papers are taken named as

oGeneral studies- In this the questions related to the Indian history, general awareness, Indian politics and economics, education culture, social reforms, national movements, developmental programmes, general science, etc can be asked. This test paper is for 150 marks.

oExam on Optional subject- There are a number of optional subjects, out of which a student can choose the subject of his choice. Almost all the subject are included in the optional list, due to which, students generally choose the subject of their graduation, so they have chances to score better. This test is for 300 marks.

The results of the preliminary examinations decides, whether the student can appear for the main exams or not. The results of the preliminary exams come in the month of July or August.

Main examinations: There are total of nine exams under the tag of main exams. The list of which is as following:

oOne Essay type Indian Language Qualifying Paper, 300 marks
oOne English Qualifying Paper, 300 marks
oOne General Essay type paper, 200 marks
oTwo General Studies papers, 300 marks each
oFour Optional subjects papers, 300 marks each

After clearing the main entrance examination, the student is called for an interview, where he is judged over his personality and communication skills. The positions in the IAS or IPS or other divisions of the civil services depend on the score one obtains in his overall test. The better a student scores, brighter are his chances of getting a good job in the IAS or IPS division. It takes years to prepare for the civil services examinations. Most of the students take classes for their preparation. There are many institutes in India, which makes a student prepare for IPS or IAS entrance tests, and which trains them to achieve the required level of knowledge and education to be able to compete in the entrance tests.

Stretching out your career for government jobs needs you to on take the civil service examination. This is one of the toughest exams held in India and comes along with proper guidance, preparation one can face the civil exam papers. Anyone aspiring for these must have the despicable quality like mental alertness, having interest in variety of subjects. One should have good intellect to tackle situations and subjects along with leadership qualities. Having the tacts and diplomacy and integrity and must knowledge in current affairs. Having a social and government interests in policies and development of the nation is equally important.

While first applying for the civil services examination one has to be selected, the first selection happens depending on certain criteria, these are as follows –

1. Only Indian nationals are eligible for IAS and IPS.A Tibetan refugee who came over to India before January 1, 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India. Candidates belonging to either category must produce an eligibility certificate issued by the Government of India.

2. Age Limits are also a considering factor, a candidate must have attained the age of 21 years and must not have attained the age of 30 years on 1st August of the year of taking the examination.

3. The candidate must hold a degree of any of the Universities incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament or declared to be deemed as a University under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956, or possess an equivalent qualification.

4. Every candidate appearing for the Civil Services Examination, who is otherwise eligible, shall be permitted four attempts at the examination.

Next comes in the preparation, civil services syllabus is huge and must come along with proper preparations. Proper books like Manorama Year book for general knowledge, current affairs should be read. Books on Indian economy, social and national issues, Indian policy, science and technology, statistics, geography and history and culture should be widely read. Civil exam papers are quite based on rigorous general knowledge and should be taken the best preparation.

Civil services examination comes along in various types. The first civil exam papers are on general studies and carry 150 marks. Questions include General Science, current events of national and international importance, history of India, world geography, Indian Politics and Economy, Indian national movement and general mental ability. The second paper, called optional’ is on the (one) subject chosen by the candidate and carries 300 marks. Subjects to choose from include Agriculture, Mathematics, Animal Husbandry & Vetinary Science, Mechanical Engineering, Botany, Medical Science, Chemistry, Philosophy, Civil Engineering, Physics, Commerce, Political Science, Economics and etc. the second round Consists of eight papers carrying 300 marks each. Two are qualifying papers, one in English and the other in any recognized Indian language chosen by the candidate (options include – Marks obtained are not added in the total score. Third and fourth papers are on general studies and carry 600 marks. Rest is on two optional subjects, carrying a total of 1200 marks. The options include – Agriculture, Management, Animal Husbandry & Vetinary Science, Mathematics, Anthropology, Mechanical Engineering, Botany, Medical Science, Chemistry, Philosophy, Civil Engineering, Physics, Commerce & Accountancy, Political Science & International Relations and many more. The final round is the personality and interview round, and then the result is announced. Successful candidates in Civil services examination are allotted services according to their ranks in the final list. Individual preferences of the candidates are also taken into account while allocation of service. It is helpful to try and choose the same optional subject for the prelim and the main exam.

The first 50 gets the IAS choice followed by IPS and others. Anyone thinking of taking up civil service should have an idea how difficult it is to get in as lakhs of candidates apply for the 400 to 500 vacancies that may arise. So once you decide to appear in Civil services examination, one should be prepared to slog endlessly because. The success rate in this exam is less than 10%.