The IAS exam or the Civil Services Examination (CSE) is a nationwide competitive examination conducted all across India for recruiting candidates for various Civil Service roles for the Government of India.
The examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission for recruitments to the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Foreign Service, and Indian Police Service.
The Civil services Exam is popularly known as the UPSC examination. The examination is conducted in three phases which includes a preliminary examination of two objective-type papers covering general studies.
The preliminary examination is popularly known as Civil Service Aptitude Test (CSAT). After the Aptitude test, the main examination of nine papers (essay-type answers) is conducted.
Out of the nine papers, two papers are qualifying and the marks of the remaining seven are counted. The last round is a personal interview.
What is the Nationality eligibility for UPSC Exam (IAS Exam)?
To be eligible and apply for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), the Indian Police Service (IPS), and the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) the candidate has to be a citizen of India.
For candidates giving the UPSC exam for applying to services other than IAS, IPS, and IFS the candidate has to be one of the following:
- An Indian Citizen
- A citizen or subject of Nepal/Bhutan
- A refugee from Tibet who has permanently settled in India from 1 January 1962.
- A person of Indian origin (PIO) from Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia or Vietnam who has shifted to India with the intention to permanently settle.
What is the UPSC exam age eligibility criteria?
A candidate applying for the Civil Services should be aged between 21 and 32 years. For example, a candidate applying for UPSC CSE 2021 on 1st August 2021 should be born not earlier than 2nd August 1989 and not later than 1st August 2000. The Age Limit criteria is an essential factor in the eligibility criteria for UPSC exams.
There are few exceptions to the age criteria with respect to caste reservations as below:
- For candidates from Other Backward Castes (OBC) the upper age limit is 35 years.
- For candidates from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), the age limit is 37 years.
- For Defence Services Personnel who have got disabled during hostilities while on duty, the age limit is 40 years.
- For PWD candidates, the age limit is 37 years.
What is the educational qualification for the UPSC exam? Is a distance education degree valid for the UPSC exam?
- The minimum qualification for the UPSC exam is a graduation degree. The candidate is required to have a degree from Government recognized Universities or own an equivalent qualification recognized by the Government of India. The candidate can attain a degree from any Central, State or Deemed University. A degree from a distance education university or any open university is also valid and acceptable. A degree from any foreign university recognized by the Association of Indian Universities
- Final year students awaiting their results can appear for the UPSC Preliminary Examination. If qualified for the main examination, such students are required to submit proof of having passed their graduation examination along with the application for the main examination.
- Candidates with professional and technical qualifications like ICAI, ICWAI, ICSI that are recognized by the Government are also eligible to apply for the UPSC exam.
- Final year medical students who have passed the MBBS exams but have not completed their internship are also eligible to attempt the UPSC exam.
If you are eligible to apply for the UPSC exam but have not been able to complete your graduation due to some reasons, don’t feel disheartened.
It is not difficult to complete your graduation and earn a degree even after taking a break in your education. You can complete your degree through distance education and fulfil your dream to become an IAS officer.
A distance education degree is valid and acceptable for the UPSC exam. CIIS is a leading organization that provides Distance Education courses across the world.
Over the years CIIS has imparted education to thousands of students and working professionals in India through various approved and acclaimed universities by the UGC, AICTE, AIU, MPSC, Ministry of Human Resource Development and Councils, etc.
Contact us today to know more about the distance education degree courses which you can enroll to complete your graduation and apply for the UPSC exam.
