What is the rank required to become an IAS officer?

Vivek ChauhanLast Updated: 29th January 2025

4 minutes read

What is the rank required to become an IAS officer?

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The Rank Required to Become an IAS Officer: A Pathway with Plutus IAS

Being an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer is the crowning achievement in the careers of many aspirants in India. The IAS allows individuals to serve the country, have a hand in policymaking, and make a difference. However, to get there, one must clear the demanding Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exams considered amongst the toughest in the country.

What rank is to be achieved to become an IAS officer? Let us discuss this, and in this introduction, we will also open up the window to Plutus IAS, one of the best coaching institutes to help forge your dreams of joining the IAS.

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Aesthetic Considerations of IAS Selections

The journey toward being an IAS officer begins with the Civil Services Examination, which is conducted by UPSC every year. The exam consists of three parts:

Preliminary Examination: A qualifying examination comprising two papers-General Studies and Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT).
Main Examination: A written examination consisting of nine papers such as General Studies, Essay-writing, and an optional subject.
Interview: The interview is the last step in the selection process, assessing aspects such as personality, decision-making abilities, and administrative capabilities.
The rank that an aspirant secures in the final merit list is essential in determining whether the aspirant shall be working in the IAS or some other service specialized under the UPSC.

Rank Required to Get into IAS

The rank required for becoming an IAS officer fluctuates with the year with factors such as total vacancies, the general performance of the candidates, and the cutoff put forward by UPSC. However, as a rule of thumb:

Top 100 Ranks: For candidates falling in the top 100 ranks of the UPSC CSE, it is highly probable that they would be allotted the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), given they meet the category-specific cutoffs (General, OBC, SC/ST, etc.).
Rank 100-250: Candidates in this range can be allotted another prestigious service, like the IPS IFS or IRS, based on their preference.

Also, note that the total number of IAS vacancies normally ranges from 150-200 every year, and with thousands of aspirants competing, it generally has very high cutoffs. Hence, to rank within the top 100, a candidate would require consistent effort, smart study methods, and a deep understanding of the exam pattern.

How Plutus IAS Can Help You Achieve Your Dream

Plutus IAS is a well-reputed coaching institute that has helped a lot of students in their journey toward the UPSC exam to fulfill their dream of becoming IAS officers. Here is how Plutus IAS can help you in securing a rank that is eligible for IAS:

Experienced Faculty: The institute has a pool of expert faculty members with deep insight into the UPSC syllabus and the behavior of the exam. Their guidance can help focus your approach towards each segment of the exam with great clarity.
Comprehensive Study Material: Plutus IAS provides study material covering nearly every part of the UPSC syllabus. From in-depth notes to current affairs updates to practice questions, enough must be available to bring you to your best.
Mentoring with Personal Attention: While every other aspirant may have a different learning need, Plutus IAS provides personalized mentoring facilities for you to find out your strengths and weaknesses.
Mock Tests and Performance Analysis: The training avenue at Plutus IAS is comprised of routine mock tests and performance analysis. These enable students to evaluate their preparations while simultaneously honing their time management skills and becoming accustomed to the ambiance of the examination environment.
Current Affairs Focus: Since current affairs play an integral role during the UPSC interview, Plutus IAS lays strong emphasis on daily updates and discussions concerning both national and international issues. The dedicated current affairs classes shall ensure that you are well acquainted and prepared for the ever-dynamic General Studies paper.
Online and Offline Classes: Whether you prefer to study from home or wish to attend physical classes, Plutus IAS provides flexible options that include both online and offline modes of teaching. This flexibility helps the students to choose one mode that fits well according to their schedule and learning preferences.

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Key Tips to Secure a Rank for IAS

While enrolling in a reputed institute like Plutus IAS can set you up well at the starting point, here are a few useful tips for bettering your chances of securing a top rank:

Concentrate on Core Subjects: Pay more attention to vital aspects such as General Studies, Polity, History, Geography, and Economy.
Develop Frequent Revision: Frequent revision will help you retain information for a longer duration and keep your nerves calm during the examinations.
Work on Answer Writing: One of the skills important for Mains is answer writing. Work on writing neat and concise answers in record time.
Be Updated on Current Affairs: Read newspapers, watch the news, and jot down things of significance.

Conclusion

To become an IAS officer, you need to secure a top rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. While the exact rank may vary each year. Generally, candidates within the top 100 ranks have a good chance of being selected for the IAS. Institutes like Plutus IAS can play a crucial role in your preparation by providing expert guidance, comprehensive study material, and personalized support.