Expansion for IFS is Indian Foreign Service. The IFS is a part of Civil services of Government of India. If you want to become an IFS officer0 this article helps to plan and practice for the IFS exam. This article helps to craft the needs of Civil Service aspirants.
After IAS & IPS, IFS is the most preferred choice among youngsters. Those get qualified in the IFS exam get decent score will be called for IFS training. The duties of IFS officer include PMO, MEA and major work in Indian Embassies around the world.
The important task of an IFS officer is to maintain a diplomatic relationship with other foreign countries. They are responsible for operating and managing foreign relationship with India. It is the most challenging job with various features that immensely satisfying the profession.
IFS officer gets more benefits and best salary package. It is the most respective post in society. It is a demanding and challenging job. They get additional benefits like pension, medical facilities, housing, and allowances.
Indian Foreign Service – Exam Preparation
More practice and in-depth knowledge are essential for becoming an IFS officer. It is the most challenging job that is favorable only to the deserving candidates.
If you want to become an IFS officer, you must qualify in UPSC exam conducted by Government of India with the task of conducting civil service exams. The candidate must know IFS syllabus to crack the tough civil services exam.
Know about Civil Services Examination (CSE)
Civil Services examination is the toughest exam in India. It is mainly conducted for the post of IAS, IPS, IRS, and IFS. The exam will be conducted every year. When a candidate missed the chance in the present year will get the chance only in next year.
The Civil Service Exam for IFS consists of three main parts:
- Preliminary Examination
- Main Exam
- Interview
For IFS exam lakhs of candidate apply and appear for the exam and those passed in each level of exam will be called for the next exam. The candidates who are not selected in the first part will not be called for the main exam.
The person who got selected in the Main exam will be called up for an interview. Even though the number of seats available for IFS officer is less, but still lakhs of candidates appear for the exam.
Stage by Stage Exam Clearance
The first stage of IFS is the preliminary examination. Candidate must enroll for the exam before the due date and start preparing from their home or through coaching center to clear the first level of exam.
A preliminary examination is a pure objective type. It consists of general studies and aptitude test. It contains negative marking for wrong answers. The correct answer carries positive mark whereas the wrong answer carries negative marks.
The candidate who passed in preliminary examination has to undergo the second test which is the main exam. The second stage of CSE is mains. It consists of nine papers totally. The candidate must put maximum effort to clear this exam. The candidates who secured good marks in the preliminary examination only called for the second stage.
Once the candidates clear all nine papers in the first attempt they will be called for the interview part. The candidates who got the best rank in preliminary examination and in the main examination only called for interview.
The Government of India filters a large number of candidates through each stage and only the deserving candidates can get IFS officer post & training. Once the candidates are selected as an IFS officer, then they will be called up for IFS training.
To become an Indian Foreign Service officer, the candidate must have knowledge about IFS syllabus and practice effectively to clear IFS exam.
Eligibility Criteria
If you want to become an Indian Foreign Service officer in India, you must have some of the basic qualifications to appear for the exam. The candidates must possess a minimum of following education qualification to appear in the exam.
- A degree from the university or Deemed University
- A degree must be completed through correspondence or distance education.
- A degree from Open University
- Any qualification is essential from the recognized university from the Government of India.
During the Main exam, the candidate must submit proof regarding their eligibility from competent authority from the institute/university at the time of the main exam. Those are failed to provide the above information they are not eligible to apply for the prelims or main exam.
Some exception cases are there for attending the IFS exam. They are
- A degree from Foreign University but the citizenship is from India.
- Candidates appeared in the final exam of MBBS but not completed their Internship program.
- Candidates who have passed the final exams of ICAI, ICSI, and ICWAI.
Age Criteria
- But for any eligibility criteria, there is an age limit to appear for an exam.
- The candidate must be between 31-32 years of age in case of OC As on 1 August of every year of examination. In case of SC, ST, Physically Handicapped there is an exception for age limit.
- In the case of Muslim and other OBC, the age limit is 35.
- In case of SC, ST the age limit is 37 years.
Nationality
The candidate who appeared for the IFS exam must be a citizen of India. A candidate from a citizen of Nepal or Bhutan is also eligible to write IFS exam.
A person of Indian origin but migrated from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Myanmar, Uganda, Tanzania, Zaire, Ethiopia, Malawi, Vietnam or Zambia are allowed to appear for the examination.
IFS posts and Career Growth
Once the candidates completed their preliminary examination and got qualified for the main exam will be called up for an Interview. Once they are selected in Interview they are sent for the training. The Candidates who got selected in IFS exam must undergo IFS training at LBSNAA, Missouri.
There will be the 15 weeks training session at LBSNAA for the candidates who join Indian Foreign Service at New Delhi. During the training process, they get trained in various fields’ areas such as
- International Relations Theory
- India’s Foreign Policy terms and conditions.
- In detail about the history & trade
- International law that helps for the tie-up with all international foreign services
- Get detailed knowledge in Military Diplomacy
- In-depth training about Trade India’s Foreign Policy & International Law
- Diplomatic Practice
JOB & Posting
After the successful completion of 15 weeks training, the IFS officers are allotted with a various posting in different places. At an embassy, an IFS Officer is called as ‘Third Secretary’ that is the entry-level post.
Initially, all the candidates work in the entry-level post as an IFS officer. Later they get promoted to higher posts like Second secretary, counselor, First Secretary, Minister, Minister, Deputy Chief of Mission, Deputy Permanent Representative, Deputy High Commissioner, and as an Ambassador or High Commissioner or Permanent Representative.
Job Security, Salary & Benefits
An IFS officer gets job security, highest salary package and a lot of government benefits like pension, medical facilities, job security, housing, car, tour packages, electricity bills, phone bills, water bills, facilities for dependencies like children, wife, parents, etc.
Based on the cadre the salary get varies but the job and salary are secured. An Indian Foreign Service officer gets more benefits than an IAS or IPS officer. Practice well and get selected as deserved IFS officer. All the best!!!
We are sure this article from CareerJobs360 will help you to understand about Tip to have victory in the IFS Officer.