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 tact’s 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%.