IAS 2020: Exam Dates(Postponed), Admit Card, Syllabus, Pattern & Sample Papers
Updated On -
May 20, 2020
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UPSC IAS 2020 Prelims has been postponed due to extension in the lockdown amid COVID-19 pandemic. Previously the exam was scheduled to be conducted on May 31, 2020. Revised dates will now be announced on or after June 05, 2020. IAS is a national level competitive exam conducted annually to recruit candidates for civil services like IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, IDAS, CAPF-AC, and others. IAS 2020 application form was available on the official website from February 12, 2020 – March 03, 2020. All the successfully registered candidates are eligible to download their admit cards from the first week of April 2020 (tentatively) till the date of the preliminary exam. Check here How to Download Admit Card
Latest: IAS Prelims exam is likely to be held in the month of July 2020.
As per IAS 2020 Eligibility, candidates holding a bachelor's degree can apply for the civil services exam. As per IAS 2020 Exam Pattern, the prelims paper will have two 2-hour long offline tests of 200 marks each having multiple-choice questions. General Studies 1 paper will have 100 questions and General Studies II (CSAT) will have 80 questions. CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) is a qualifying paper and 33% is the qualifying marks.
IAS 2020 Syllabus is set to test candidate’s aptitude and knowledge of general history, politics, science, environment, and current affairs. Candidates qualifying in the prelims exam will have to appear in IAS Main Exam on September 18, 2020. Main exam qualifiers will be invited for interview round and final merit will be based on performance in the main exam and interview round.
Must Read Mistakes to avoid in IAS Exam
Highlights of IAS Exam 2020
The key points about the IAS exam 2020 are highlighted below:
| Exam Name | UPSC Civil Services Examination 2020 |
| Exam Level | National |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
| Exam Periodicity | Yearly |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen-Paper Mode) |
| No. of Vacancies | Nearly 900 |
IAS 2020 Exam Dates
UPSC has announced official IAS 2020 Exam Dates, candidates can follow the timeline mentioned in the table below for IAS 2020:
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| IAS 2020 Notification Releasing on | February 12, 2020 |
| IAS 2020 Registration to begin on | February 12, 2020 |
| Last Day to Apply for IAS 2020 Exam | March 3, 2020 |
| Application Withdrawl Start Date |
March 12, 2020 |
| Application Withdrawl Last Date | March 18, 2020 till 1800 hours |
| Issue of IAS 2020 Admit Card | April 2020 |
| IAS 2020 Preliminary Exam Date | May 31, 2020 (Postponed) |
| IAS 2020 Main Exam Date | September 18, 2020 |
IAS 2020 Admit Card
The admit card for IAS Prelims Exam will be released in April 2020. Candidates can download their admit cards by following the steps mentioned below:
Step 1: Visit the official website of UPSC
Step 2: Click on the link ‘Download IAS Admit Card 2020’
Step 3: Read the instructions mentioned carefully and click ‘Yes’
Step 4: Enter Registration ID or Roll Number followed by the Date of Birth of the candidate
Step 5: Submit after entering the captcha in the given blank field. Print IAS Admit Card
Discrepancy in IAS Admit Card
In case the candidate finds any discrepancy in IAS 2020 Admit Card, he/she must report it immediately to the UPSC examination authorities. Note that following particulars must be enclosed in the redressal document:
- Name and Year of Examination
- Registration ID
- Roll number
- Name in BLOCK LETTERS
- Complete postal address
IAS 2020 Preliminary Exam Centers
Candidates can check the exam centers for the prelims of IAS 2020.
IAS 2020 Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit & Educational Qualifications for IAS
Candidates have to fulfil the eligibility criteria set by the authorities to take the exam. The eligibility parameters are set on the basis of Nationality, Age Limit, Educational Qualifications, Number of Attempts, and Physical Standards. Given below are the IAS Exam Eligibility Criteria:
Nationality
- For IAS and IPS, applicants must be a citizen of India.
- Other services require candidates to be either,
- Citizen of India
- Subject of Nepal
- Subject of Bhutan
- Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, to settle permanently.
- An Indian origin migrant from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia and Vietnam who came to permanently settle in India.
IAS Age Limit
- The lower age limit for IAS Exam 2020 is 21 years as on August 1, 2020, while the upper age limit is 32 years.
- There is upper age relaxation for reserved category candidates, which is as follows:
- SC/ST- Up to 5 years
- OBC- Up to 3 years
- Defense Services Personnel disabled in operations during hostilities- Up to 3 years
- Ex-servicemen- Up to 5 years
- ECOs/SSCOs who have completed an initial period of assignment of five years of Military Service- Up to 5 years
- PwD candidates- Up to 10 years
- Domiciles of Jammu and Kashmir from January 1, 1981, to December 31, 1990 - Up to 5 years. Check IAS 2020 Eligibility
IAS Educational Qualification Requirements
- Applicants must hold a graduate degree or equivalent qualification from a recognized university
IAS Number of Attempts
- Only six attempts are allowed for a candidate to clear IAS Exam 2020.
UPSC IAS 2020 Application Form
IAS 2020 Application Form will be available from February 12, 2020. Candidates can fill the civil services application form in online mode only at the official website – upsc.gov.in. The last day to apply for IAS 2020 Exam is March 3, 2020.
How to Fill IAS 2020 Application Form?
There are four simple steps involved in IAS Application Process – online registration, filling up the form, uploading documents, and fee payment. The step by step procedure to apply for IAS Exam is given below:
Step 1: IAS 2020 Registration
- Visit the official website – upsc.gov.in
- Click on the link ‘UPSC Civil Services Examination 2020’ under Active Examinations section
- Enter your Name, Date of Birth, Email Address, and Mobile Number.
- Enter the captcha and click on the “Submit” button. You will receive your login credentials at registered ID.
Step 2: Fill IAS 2020 Application Form
- Log in again using your credentials to fill the application form.
- Candidates have to fill their Personal, Educational, Parental, and Employment details.
- Keep saving each module after filling the details.
- You can make changes before the final submission.
- However, no changes would be possible after the final submission, hence fill the application form very carefully.
Step 3: Uploading Documents
Candidates have to upload the following documents in the application form:
- Passport-size photograph
- scanned image of their signature
Step 4: Pay IAS Application Fee
- Choose the payment method between online or offline mode
- For online payment, candidates can use credit card/debit card/Rupay card or Internet Banking Services.
- For offline payment, download the e-challan and submit the cash in SBI bank branches on the next day itself.
- IAS Registration fee is INR 100 for General, EWS, and OBC candidates whereas SC, ST, PwD, and Female candidates are exempted from fee payment.
IAS Vacancy
Posts Offered through IAS
There is a tentative of 782 vacancies this year via the civil services exam. Following posts are offered in two given groups:
| Group A Services | |
|---|---|
| Indian Administrative Service | Indian Post and Telecommunication Accounts and Finance Service |
| Indian Audit and Accounts Service | Indian Postal Service |
| Indian Civil Accounts Service | Indian Railway Accounts Service |
| Indian Corporate Law Service | Indian Railway Personnel Service |
| Indian Defence Accounts Service | Indian Railway Traffic Service |
| Indian Defence Estates Service | Indian Revenue Service (Custom and Central Excise) |
| Indian Foreign Service | Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) |
| Indian Information Service (Junior Grade) | Indian Trade Service (Gr. III) |
| Indian Ordnance Factories Service (Assistant Works Manager, Administration) | Assistant Security Commissioner in Railway Protection Force |
| Indian Police Service | -- |
| Group B Services | |
|---|---|
| Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Services (Section Officer’s Grade) | Pondicherry Civil Service |
| Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Civil Services | Pondicherry Police Service |
| Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Police Services | - |
IAS 2020 Exam Pattern
IAS Exam 2020 consists of 3 stages namely Preliminary, Mains, and Personal Interview. Each exam has a different pattern and number of questions.
- Preliminary exam in IAS Exam 2020 is just a screening test to shortlist candidates for the further selection process.
- Those who qualify Prelims are required to re-register for IAS Main 2020 which is qualifying in nature.
- Further, selected candidates will appear for the personal interview round.
IAS 2020 Exam Pattern is given in the table below:
| Specifications | IAS Preliminary Exam | IAS Main Exam |
|---|---|---|
| Mode | Offline | Offline |
| Medium | Bilingual (English and Hindi) | Bilingual (English and Hindi) |
| Number of qualifying papers | 2 | 7 + 2 language papers |
| Total weightage | 400 Marks (200 each) | 1750 Marks |
| Type of questions | Objective | Subjective |
| Negative marking for each incorrect answer | one-third (0.33) | - |
| Duration of exam | 2 Hours per Paper | 3 Hours per Paper |
IAS Syllabus & Books
IAS Syllabus is decided by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) each year. Each stage in the IAS exam has a different syllabus.
- IAS Syllabus for Prelims evaluates a candidate’s knowledge and aptitude in current affairs.
- IAS Syllabus for Main assesses a candidate’s academic expertise in his specialized subject. It also tests his ability to present knowledge in a clear and coherent manner and his overall intellectual traits and understanding of concepts.
- IAS Exam 2020 covers questions from History, Polity, Geography and Agriculture, Science and Technology, Ecology and Environment, Economics, Arts and Culture, Social Welfare, and GK.
- In the Main examination, candidates have to choose two optional subjects in which they have specialization and the level of paper corresponds to the bachelors’ degree.
Read Complete IAS 2020 Syllabus
Preparation Books for IAS Exam 2020
The following books can assist candidates to prepare well for one of the most competitive government exams of the country. Find below the list of Preparation books for IAS Exam 2020:
| Book Title | Author/Publication |
|---|---|
| History Of Modern India (History) | Bipan Chandra |
| India’s Struggle For Independence (History) | Bipan Chandra |
| India’s Ancient Past (History) | R.S. Sharma |
| History Of Medieval India (History) | Satish Chandra |
| A New Look at Modern Indian History | BL Grover |
| The Wonder That Was India (Culture) | A.L. Bhasham |
| Indian Art and Culture (Culture) | Nitin Singhania |
| Our Parliament | Subash Kashyap |
| Geography of India (Geography) | Majid Husain |
| Oxford School Atlas (Geography) | Oxford |
| Science and Technology | TMH |
| CSAT Book Cracking the CSAT Paper-2 | Arihant |
| Certificate Physical and Human Geography (Geography) | Goh Cheng Leong |
| Indian Polity for Civil Services Examinations (Polity) | M. Laxmikanth |
| Indian Economy (Economy) | Ramesh Singh |
| Environmental Studies: From Crisis to Cure (Environment) | Rajagopalan |
| A History of Modern World | Ranjan Chakravarti |
| Environment for Civil Services Prelims and main (Environment) | Khuller |
| Facets of Indian Culture | Spectrum |
| Indian Constitution | PM Bakshi |
| Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R. S. Aggarwal |
IAS Previous Years’ Prelims Question Papers
How to Check IAS 2020 Result?
UPSC will declare IAS Preliminary Exam Result in July 2020 at upsc.gov.in. Candidates can follow the below steps to access IAS Result 2020:
- Visit the official website of IAS i.e. upsc.gov.in
- Click on the link which says ‘View IAS Result 2020’
- Find your roll number in the list of the roll numbers mentioned in the PDF
- Download PDF for future reference
IAS Cutoff 2020
- IAS Cutoff Marks is the minimum score that must be obtained by the candidate in order to qualify the exam.
- Candidates scoring more than or equal to the cutoff marks are eligible for the next stage of IAS selection process.
- The cutoff for both prelims and main depends upon a number of factors like the difficulty level of the exam, vacancies available and the number of appearing candidates, etc.
- The cutoff for each stage is released by the authorities post the completion of the entire process of civil services examination. Meanwhile, candidates can check IAS Previous Years’ Cutoff for different categories as tabulated below:
IAS 2018 Cutoff
| Category | Preliminary (Out of 200) | Main (Out of 1750) | Final (Out of 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | 98.00 | 774 | 982 |
| OBC | 96.66 |
732 |
938 |
| SC | 84.00 | 719 | 912 |
| ST | 83.34 | 719 | 912 |
| PH 1 | 73.34 | 711 | 899 |
| PH 2 | 53.34 | 696 | 908 |
| PH 3 | 40.00 | 520 | 754 |
| PH 5 | 45.34 | 460 | 718 |
IAS Selection Process 2020
The selection process of IAS Exam is a 3 stage assessment, wherein, candidates have to appear for Prelims, main and Personal Interview round.
- Preliminary exam is basically a screening test in which, over 8 lakh candidates participate every year.
- There are two papers for candidates to attempt compulsorily in IAS Exam 2020 Prelims.
- Further, on the basis of IAS Exam 2020 result for prelims, candidates register for the main exam.
- IAS main exam will cover 9 conventional essay type papers, 2 being optional in them.
- The main exam and interview session form the basis of a candidate’s selection.
- After the IAS Exam 2020 main examination of 1750 marks, candidates have to clear the cutoff as decided by UPSC.
- Those who clear the cutoff are called for the Interview session which is the last stage of IAS Selection Process.
- Marks obtained in personal interview out of the total of 275 marks will also be considered while preparing the list of finally selected candidates.
IAS 2020 FAQs
Ques. What is the IAS Exam?
Ans. IAS stands for Indian Administrative Service. It is a civil services exam that is conducted by UPSC each year. It contains 3 stages viz. Prelims, Prelims and Interview. All shortlisted candidates can choose from the given Group A/ B posts.
Ques. What is the salary of an IAS officer?
Ans. The 7th Pay Commission recommendations were approved by Cabinet on May 19, 2016. Now the basic pay of entry-level IAS officers is INR 56100. Allowances like Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and Travel Allowance (TA) will be extra. The salary will increase as experience increases. The basic pay of Cabinet Secretary is fixed at INR 2,50,000.
So, IAS Salary = Basic Pay + DA + HRA + TA
Ques. What are some useful websites to prepare for IAS?
Ans. Candidates preparing for IAS can take help from websites such as ClearIAS.com, cleariasexam.com, Mrunal.org, insightsonindia.com, iasbaba.com, gktoday.in, iasscore.in etc.
Ques. What are the minimum qualifying marks for clearing IAS interview?
Ans. There are no minimum marks to qualify the interview round. However, the interview round carries 275 marks.
Ques. What are the number of vacancies available through IAS each year?
Ans. The number of available vacancies is noted in each of the advertisements. They vary every year. However, in the last 4 years, the number of vacancies has varied between 1000-1200.
Ques. When will IAS 2020 Notification be released?
Ans. UPSC will release IAS 2020 Notification and Application Form on February 12, 2020.
Ques. I have studied at an Open University? Am I eligible to apply for IAS?
Ans. Yes, you can apply only if it is a recognized university and you possess the educational qualifications prescribed for the exam.
Ques. How many times can I appear for IAS?
Ans. A candidate from General Category can sit for IAS a maximum of 6 times. Candidates from reserved categories can sit as many times as they want. There is no restriction.
Ques. I don’t have my class X and XII Marksheet. Can I still sit for IAS?
Ans. Yes, provided the graduation has been completed from a recognized University and you possess the educational qualifications prescribed for the exam.
Ques. How and when will the students be able to fill the IAS 2020 application form?
Ans. Students will be able to fill the IAS 2020 Application form from February 12, 2020 to March 3, 2020, in online mode only.
Ques. When and what are the different phases in which the IAS 2020 exam conducted?
Ans. The IAS 2020 exam will be held in two different phases i.e. Prelims and main followed by an interview round. Prelims will be conducted on May 31, 2020 and the main exam will be held on September 18, 2020.
Ques. If students are unable to clear the Phase II exam can they able to appear for the interview round?
Ans. No, students qualifying IAS main exam will only be called for interview round.
Ques. Are 12th pass candidates eligible to appear for the IAS 2020 examination?
Ans. No, for appearing in the IAS 2020 Exam, the student must possess graduation degree from a recognized college or university.
Ques. What should be the students maximum and minimum age required to fill the IAS 2020 Application form?
Ans. Student’s minimum age should be 21 years and maximum age should be 32 years as on August 1, 2020.
Ques. In which year students must be born so that they are able to fill the application form.
Ans. Students must have been born not earlier than August 2, 1987, and not later than August 1, 1998.
The age limit for different categories is as:
| Category | Upper age limit |
|---|---|
| General | 32 years |
| OBC | 35 years |
| SC/ ST | 37 years |
| PWD | 42 years |
| J & K Domicile | Gen = 37 years, OBC = 40 years, SC/ ST = 40 years, PH = 50 year |
| Disabled Servicemen | Gen = 37 years, OBC = 40 years, SC/ ST = 40 years |
Ques. Other than Indian students who else can apply for the IAS 2020 exam.
Ans. Except for Indian Students, a citizen of Nepal or Bhutan or a Refugee from any other country can apply for IAS 2020 Exam but they must have a permanent plan to settle in India
Ques. What are the important details that students need to provide while filling the application form?
Ans. The details that students need to provide while filling the application form are applicants name, father's name, mother's name, address, contact no., and email ID, etc.
Ques. What are the documents that students need to bring along with them on the exam day?
Ans. On the examination day, students need to bring their admit card and ID proof along with them.
Ques. How much is the IAS 2020 Application fee and what are the methods to pay the fees?
Ans. For the general category, male candidates have to pay INR 100/- as application fees and SC/ ST/ PWD/ Female candidates don’t have to pay the application fees. Online or offline are both the mode to pay the application fees.
Ques. Other than Visa Card/ Debit Card or Credit card is there any other method for paying the online application fees.
Ans. No, online application fees can only be paid via Visa Card/ Credit Card or Debit card through net banking of SBI branches throughout India.
Ques. Except for the branches of SBI bank can students pay the application fees to other banks?
Ans. No, the application fees can only be paid at SBI branches.
Ques. Name the subjects from which the questions will be asked in IAS 2020 Prelims exam?
Ans. In IAS 2020 Prelims exam, the questions will be asked from the subjects namely General Studies and Aptitude Test.
Ques. In how many sections the IAS 2020 main exams is divided and name the subjects from which the questions will be asked.
Ans. The IAS 2020 Main exam is divided into 9 sections and the subjects from which the questions asked are Modern Indian Language Skills, English Language Skills, Essay Writing, General Studies – I, General Studies – II, General Studies – III, General Studies – IV, Optional Subject Paper – 1, and Optional Subject Paper – 2.
Ques. In which medium the exam is conducted and what is the total time duration to complete the paper?
Ans. The exam is conducted in both the English and Hindi medium. For the prelims exam, the total time duration given to complete per paper is 2 hours and for Main, to complete per paper 3 hours will be given.
Ques. What are the types of questions asked in both the Prelims and main exam?
Ans. The questions in the prelim exam are of objective type and for the main exam; the questions are of both objective and subjective type.
Ques. What is the marking scheme of the IAS 2020 Prelims exam? Is there is any marks deduction for wrong answers?
Ans. In IAS 2020 Prelims exam, each question in general studies carries 2 marks, and the civil service aptitude test carries 2.5 marks. For every incorrect answer, 0.33 marks will be deducted as penalty.
Ques. How many marks will students get for every correct answer in IAS 2020 main exam? Will the marks have deducted for wrong answers?
Ans. For every correct answer, students will get 2.5 marks. While 0.33 marks will only be deducted for every wrong objective type answer.
Ques. If students are unable to submit the filled-in application form, will they be able to download the admit card?
Ans. No, only those students are able to download the admit card who have successfully submitted their application form
Ques. When and who will release the IAS 2020 Admit card and what is the mode to download it?
Ans. The admit card will be released on the official website in the last week of May 2020. It can download through online mode only.
Ques. What if students did not bring the admit card on the examination day?
Ans. Those who did not bring the admit card will not be able to sit for the exam.
Ques. What information do students need to enter for downloading the admit card?
Ans. Students need to enter their registration number and date of birth for downloading the admit card
Ques. Where to report if the students found any discrepancy in the admit card?
Ans. In the case of any discrepancy in the admit card, students have to instantly report the higher authorities.
Ques. Why the cut off marks are so important in the recruiting process and who will consider it?
Ans. Cut off are important in the recruiting process for shortlisting the students. UPSC board will consider the cut off marks.
Ques. List down the impact of cut off marks in all the stages while shortlisting the candidates?
Ans. At the time of the prelims exam, cut off marks is applicable to shortlist the candidates for IAS main exam Cut off of the main exam helps to select students for the personal interview
Ques. When is the result of the IAS 2020 Prelims exam announced? Who is responsible for declaring it?
Ans. The IAS 2020 Prelims result will be announced in July and it will be declared by Commission on the official website.
Ques. How many rounds that students have to clear for their final selection?
Ans. For the student’s final selection they have to clear the three rounds i.e. Preliminary exam, Main Exam and Personal Interview round.
Ques. How will the final merit list be prepared and when is the merit list declared?
Ans. For preparing the final merit list, both the marks of written test and final interview will be taken into consideration and the merit list will be prepared after the declaration of the result.
Ques. How many times can students appear for an IAS exam? Is there any kind of restriction that students need to face for appearing in the exam?
Ans. General category candidates can sit for the exam for a maximum 6 times. There is no restriction for reserved category candidates (OBC- NCL category- 9 attempts), they can appear as many times as they want.
Ques. What is the total number of vacancies available for IAS and who will release it?
Ans. The total number of vacancies released by the UPSC every year for civil services is 782.
Ques. If a student writes the exam in English can they interview in Hindi or any other language?
Ans. No, if a student writes the exam in the English language they can give the interview in the same language only.
Ques. Can final year students of graduation apply for IAS 2020 examination?
Ans. Yes, final year students of graduation can apply for IAS 2020 but they have to give their passing proof.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.