UPSC Civil Services Notification 2024 will be out on 14 February 2024! The commission had announced 1105 vacancies for recruitment to various posts through the UPSC CSE 2024 Examination.  In this article, candidates can check the complete details of the IAS Exam 2024.​

• The UPSC CSE selection process includes - Prelims Exam, Mains Exam, and Interview.
• The Age limit for UPSC Civil Services was 21 years to 32 years.
• The Minimum educational qualification required for the UPSC IAS position is Graduation.

What is IAS?

What is IAS? - IAS stands for Indian Administrative Service, which is one of the premier civil services in India. Previously, the IAS Exam (Indian Administrative Service) was known as the ICS (Imperial Civil Service). It is a highly respected and coveted service that offers a challenging and rewarding career for those who want to serve the country at the highest level. The IAS officers are responsible for implementing government policies, managing the administrative affairs of the country, and maintaining law and order.

To become an IAS officer, one needs to crack the highly competitive Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The exam consists of three stages: the Preliminary Exam, the Main Exam, and the Interview. Candidates who clear the IAS Exam / Civil Services Exam work closely with other government agencies to ensure the effective delivery of public services to the citizens of India. IAS officers are known for their expertise, leadership skills, and dedication to public service. They hold positions of great responsibility in the government and play a crucial role in shaping the future of India.

Also, read IAS Full Form here.

IAS Exam Important Dates

The important dates for the IAS Exam 2024 cycle are mentioned in the table below.

UPSC Vacancies 2024

UPSC Vacancies 2024 vacancies will be out shortly. The commission released 1105 vacancies for various posts in the UPSC CSE 2023 Examination.

• This includes 37 vacancies reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disability Category, i.e. 7 Vacancies for candidates of blindness and low vision; 5 Vacancies for deaf and hard of hearing.
• 15 Vacancies for locomotor disability including cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims and muscular dystrophy; and 10 Vacancies for multiple disabilities.
• The final number of vacancies may undergo change.
• Reservations will be made for candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, the Economically Weaker Sections and Persons with Benchmark Disability in respect of vacancies as may be fixed by the Government.  

For the 2022 cycle, the Commission released 861 vacancies. Candidates can check the previous year's notification for a category-wise list of vacancies from the link given below.

Check IAS Category-Wise Vacancy Notice

IAS Exam 2024 - Eligibility Criteria

Now that you are aware of the number of vacancies, let’s learn about the UPSC Eligibility Criteria. As per the official notification of the year 2024, certain criteria have to be fulfilled before applying for the Civil Services exam. Candidates can check the eligibility criteria for the UPSC CSE 2024 examination below.

UPSC Civil Services Exam - Age Limit

Candidates have to be in the age group of 21 years to 32 years on the 1st of August, 2024 i.e., the candidate must have been born not earlier than 2nd August, 1991 and not later than 1st August, 2002 or else they cannot apply for this exam. However, there are a few relaxations granted to various candidates which are given in the following table.

• Minimum age limit: 21 years
• Maximum age limit: 32 years

Age Relaxation

UPSC Civil Services Exam - Educational Qualification

• Candidates must possess a degree from a Government recognized University or possess an equivalent qualification.
• Candidates who are awaiting results or are in their final year are also eligible to appear for UPSC preliminary examination.
• Technical and professional qualifications are recognized by the Government as equal to professional and technical degrees.
• Medical students who have passed the final year of MBBS are also eligible for the UPSC exam.

Nationality

• The candidate must be a citizen of India or
• a citizen of Nepal
• a subject of Bhutan
• The candidate must have been a Tibetan Refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, to be settled forever in India
• The candidate must be a person of Indian Origin who has migrated from the given countries- Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda, Vietnam, Zaire, or Zambia with an intention of permanently settling in India.

Number of Attempts

As per the official notification, there is a restriction on the number of attempts available for each candidate. Here is the category-wise number of attempts for the IAS Exam.

IAS Exam Selection Process 2024

Candidates who have registered for the IAS Exam will have to go through a three-tiered selection process. There will be three stages to it. To be considered for recruitment by the committee, candidates must pass both stages. An online preliminary examination will be the first element of the selection process. Candidates who pass this step will be invited to take the main exam and have their documents verified. As a result, the UPSC selection process can be summarised as follows:

• Preliminary Examination
• Main Examination
• Interview

IAS Exam Pattern 2024

There will be two exams in the IAS Exam 2024 namely the preliminary exam and the main exam. You have to qualify in the prelims or else you cannot appear for the mains exam. The marks obtained by the candidates in the mains exam will be considered for the merit list. Here is the IAS Exam Pattern for both prelims and mains exams for the year 2024.

Phase-I (Preliminary Examination):

The UPSC CSE Preliminary Examination will be conducted on 26 May 2024. Candidates can start preparing for this exam by first going through the exam pattern given below. 

• Each question in both papers will be of objective nature.
• There is a negative marking of 1/3rd marks for each wrong answer in this exam.
• You have to score at least 33% in Paper II to qualify.

Phase-II (Main Examination):

Candidates who qualify in the preliminary examination will be eligible for the Civil Services Mains 2024. Here is the exam pattern for UPSC CSE Mains 2024. The latest IAS Mains 2024 exam pattern has been shared below.

• In this exam, there will be papers of both objective natures as well as descriptive natures.
• To qualify for this exam, you have to clear the cut-off in this exam.
• There is a negative marking in the objective type paper where 1/3rd of marks will be deducted for wrong answers.

How to Apply Online for IAS Exam 2024?

Only those candidates who are eligible as per the requirements given above can register for this exam. If you are looking to learn how to apply for this exam, follow the steps given below.

Direct Link To Apply Online for UPSC Civil Services Exam 2024

Step 1: Click on the direct link provided above.

Step 2: In Part - I registration, candidates will have to fill in all the personal information like name, age, address, etc.

Step 3: After the completion of this section, candidates must ensure/double-check that they have filled in all details correctly. Corrections cannot be made after clicking on the submit button.

Step 4: In Part - II registration candidates have to submit all the requisite documents, namely; educational certificates, ID proof, age relaxation if applicable, photograph, signature, payment details, and declaration. (Photograph & Signature should be uploaded in JPG format).

Step 5: Candidates must also choose the exam centre they wish to write the examination.

Step 6: Candidates must also ensure that they give a valid email address for further use.

Step 7: Candidates can finally click on the “I Agree” button and submit the application form after filling in all the details. A Registration Number will be provided to the candidates, make sure to keep it safe and also take copies of the application form for future reference.

UPSC Civil Services Exam Application Fee 2024

Each candidate who wishes to apply for this exam must pay the application fee along with the submission of the application form. As per the notification, the application fee differs for each category of candidates. Moreover, candidates can pay the following fees via Debit/Credit Card, Internet Banking or E-challan payment at the nearest SBI branch. For the year 2022, the application fee was Rs. 100 for the General, EWS, and OBC categories but it might change this year. The details will be available once the official notification is out.

IAS Exam Centres

As per the notification, there are a total of 79 exam centres allotted for the preliminary exam and 24 centres allotted for the main exam. Each centre of the exam will be allotted to a certain number of candidates. The allotment of the centre will be on a "First-Apply-First-Allot" basis and once a specific centre reached its maximum level, it will be frozen. Hence, it is recommended that candidates apply as early as possible. The table below mention all the Exam centres for Mains and prelims exam:

IAS Exam Admit Card 2024

The Commission releases the admit card once the application process is completed. Admit card is usually released 15-20 days before the exam. Candidates have to download the e-admit card and take a printout of the same. This is necessary as you have to carry the printed IAS Exam admit card to the exam hall. Here are the steps which you can follow to download & print the admit card.

Step 1: Visit the official website of UPSC once the admit cards are issued.

Step 2: Click on the freshly activated link for IAS Exam Admit Card 2023.

Step 3: Now enter your registration ID and password to gain access.

Step 4: Download the e-admit card and save it on your computer.

IAS Exam Answer Key 2024

The authority is anticipated to issue the UPSC Answer key within 2-3 weeks following the exam. Candidates can look at the answer key and calculate their scores.

How To Download The IUPSC Civil Services Answer Key?

Step 1: Click on the direct link given above.

Step 2: A new page will appear on the candidate’s screen in a PDF format.

Step 3: Candidates can download the answer key and start comparing their answers with it.

Step 4: Alternatively candidates can visit the official website and click on the UPSC Prelims/Mains Answer Key 2023 link. The candidates can then download the answer key for their use.

UPSC Civil Services Service Allocation Last Ranks

The service allocation is different for each category. The candidates can check the UPSC IAS Service Allocation Last Ranks 2021 from the below table.

IAS Exam Previous Year Question Papers

Solving UPSC CSE previous year papers can give candidates an understanding of the exam pattern, question types, and difficulty level of the exam. Regular practice with previous year papers can improve time management, accuracy, and speed, which are crucial for success in the UPSC CSE. By practising with the previous year papers, candidates can increase their chances of success in the exam.

Get the Last 10 Years UPSC CSE Previous Year Papers here.

IAS Exam 2024 Preparation Tips

Preparing for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) exam can be a daunting task, but with the right approach and strategies, it is possible to crack it.

1. Understand the exam pattern and syllabus thoroughly.
2. Prepare for each stage of the exam separately.
3. Stay updated on current affairs by reading newspapers and magazines regularly.
4. Create a UPSC Study Timetable and Study Plan and stick to it, setting realistic goals and prioritizing based on strengths and weaknesses.
5. Consider joining a coaching institute or taking online courses for guidance, study materials, and mock tests.
6. Practice previous year question papers and take mock tests regularly to improve time management, accuracy, and confidence.
7. Take care of your health and mental well-being by getting adequate rest, exercise, and proper nutrition.

By following these preparation tips with dedication, hard work, and proper planning, anyone can crack the IAS exam and fulfil their dreams of serving the nation.

Generate your personalised study plan for UPSC 2024-2025 here for free

IAS Exam Result 2024

The UPSC Civil Services Exam Prelims Result 2024 is released after the exam has been conducted. You can access the website and check the results to see whether you have cleared the exam or not. You can follow these instructions to check the IAS Exam results.

Step 1: Visit the official website of UPSC.

Step 2: Click on the IAS Exam 2024 Result Link.

Step 3: Check your result on the new window.

Step 4: You can also download this result in PDF format.

We hope you find this article about IAS Exam 2024 to be informative. You can also check out our UPSC Online Coaching program. For more information on the UPSC CSE (Civil Services Exam) download the Testbook App now!