The Indian Administrative Services, or IAS, is the most coveted employment in India. Every year, thousands of applicants work valiantly to secure a place in the nation’s elite federal services.
It is a unique career choice because of the experience and challenges it offers and because of the potential to improve the lives of millions of Indians. If someone wants to be an IAS, they must prepare from the 10th or 12th standard of their study.
When a student begins the preparation for the UPSC Civil Services Exam, they are faced with the decision of which stream to pursue, namely, Science, Commerce, or Arts, which will be most beneficial in the UPSC IAS exam.
It is the most prestigious national exam, with a yearly tradition of identifying India’s most capable civil servants. Because it is one of the most sought-after jobs, and the number of openings each year is limited.
A UPSC candidate endures extraordinary obstacles and experiences, and the fantasies that aspirants weave provide startling results at the end of their preparatory journey.
When Should You Begin Preparing for the IAS Exam?
- Many students start preparing for IAS just after their 10th because they only dream of becoming an IAS.
- The preparation and civil services exam is very tough and time-consuming, but if you are passionate about this, you can clear this exam. Those who clear this exam are privileged as extraordinary in society.
- The ideal age for taking the prep of IAS is after the 10th board test, so you have ample time to prepare yourself for this exam.
- Beginning IAS training at an early age allows you to build a much better foundation for the IAS Exam and have the advantage of clearing it in a first or second chance.
- To clear IAS, you must read NCERT books in schools because it will help.
Which stream is best for IAS?
To become an IAS Officer, the main criteria are to have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university in any stream. But many applicants favor the humanities courses subjects because they aid them extensively in their preparations.
Political Science, History, Geography, Sociology, English are the most preferred subjects students choose. Though no optional issue is superior to another, the capacity to understand well and write makes the difference what distinguishes them. We address the most desired subjects based on the newest UPSC syllabus.
- Sociology
- Literature
- Anthropology
- Agriculture
- Psychology
- Law
- Anthropology
- Political Science
- History
- Philosophy
- Economics
- Geography
The list of these subjects is not ended here, there are a lot more.
How Humanities can help you prepare for the IAS Exam?
Humanities is one of the most diverse courses available to students reading from your childhood. You can even take this course as a specialization in your 12th and graduation.
Arts has become an excellent option for college students looking for a dynamic career due to its wide range of disciplines. The Union Public Service Commission tests are held for recruitment inside India’s civil services. They are considered the giant of all exams, and this exam is the most competitive of all.
Higher education options in the arts and humanities
You can study humanities throughout the doctorate level. You can get many options to select your career once you study humanities.
- There are plenty of opportunities to get a job in colleges, universities, and various government and non-government organizations.
- You can even prepare yourself for India’s most remarkable career, IAS, apart from all these.
If you are studying arts subjects, it will be tremendous and advantageous in your IAS preparation.
Study the UPSC syllabus thoroughly
You must start your education by following the syllabus, and then you have to chalk out plans to prepare for the exam. You can check out the previous year’s papers to strengthen your preparation, put yourself on the right track, and help you take the practice correctly.
AS you have a limited amount of time, therefore make the most of it
There is a vast syllabus in the IAS exam, and you have to study a lot. There are questions in the examination from every sector, so you have to prepare thoroughly.
- You do not have unlimited times and attempts for this exam, so you should take the optional subject from your comfort zone, like arts.
- Humanities topics offer a variety of educational opportunities due to their exploratory nature.
Humanities are very popular
If you have completed your bachelor’s in History, Economics, Geography, Philosophy, Psychology, and any other humanities subjects, you can get a comfortable zone in your preparation of IAS.
With all of the vigor of youth and the sharpness of a student’s mind, you can have a better chance of passing the IAS exam with any humanities subject as your major. Humanities as a major, there is no shortage of possibilities.
Check out the toppers’ interviews
With the advent of new patterns, IAS preparation and tactics are constantly changing, so you have to be updated all the time. You can check out the toppers’ interviews who cleared this exam with great rank to make your strategy better.
Every year lakhs of students are preparing for IAS, but only a few get selected, so if you are thinking of framing this exam, you should be very focused and determined.
The journey of IAS
- The journey of an IAS officer begins at a young age, just after your 10th or 12th.
- You should check the curriculum for a better understanding on your own. Its curriculum contains several basic disciplines that you should be familiar with, such as geography, history, political science, economics, and the environment.
- You must develop an understanding of these disciplines from the early days of your IAS preparation and answer the questions that will be asked in the examination.
Always Follow Your Dreams
When selecting an optional subject, it is best to choose the one you enjoy the most. After all, you’ll be spending three to four years in that field, so it needs to be worthwhile.
There is no rule to crack this exam; it all relies on your interests and how you approach the questions in the end. To make your process more effective, you can create a timetable and give deadlines to each portion you complete within a specific time limit.
Every time try to improve your skills and try to make a difference. Additionally, you can include some good habits such as daily newspaper reading and taking notes on pertinent topics into your daily routine to get more involved in the study process.
These minor details can significantly impact your exam preparation, and you will feel more prepared on exam day.
Stages of IAS exam
Prelims
The Union Public Service Commission conducts the Civil Services Exam every year, and the IAS Prelims is the screening step. The Indian Civil Services (Preliminary) exam is the official name for this stage.
The IAS Prelims 2022 are scheduled to take place on June 5, 2022. History, Public Administration, Political Science, Geography, Psychology, Sociology, Economics, and other subjects from the Arts stream are crucial for both the Prelims and Mains General Studies Papers.
Mains
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Papers on General Studies
There are four papers in the General Studies category. If you belong to the Arts stream, it will be ideal for the IAS Exam. The syllabus for the IAS mains combines the syllabuses for each paper.
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Optional Subject Papers
Apart from General Studies, many subjects from the Arts stream are included in the list of Optional Subjects that you can select from. Some of the most popular Optional issues have included Geography, Sociology, and Public Administration.
Interview
When it comes to the last and final step of the IAS Exam, this is the Interview session. An IAS interview usually lasts roughly 30 to 45 minutes. The UPSC interview is a one-on-one personality assessment.
Aspirants must develop a viable IAS interview plan to pass the final round of the IAS selection process. Candidates’ mental acuity, general knowledge, and overall personality are tested in UPSC (IAS) interview questions. The IAS interview round includes questions on a wide range of topics.
Tips to Remember
- Preparing for the IAS is a time-consuming and exhausting procedure, so it’s essential to stay happy and calm all the time.
- You have to read a lot during the preparation, so with so much information blasted at you, it’s easy to lose your inner peace, but you have to stay determined.
- Maybe you are not selected in the IAS exam, but you have to realize that your entire life does not hinge on this one IAS exam; you’ll get many chances along the way, but neglecting your mental and physical health can have long-term consequences.
- It is a challenging exam in a single word, but if you are determined, you can crack it. Many students think that Math is the ultimate in the IAS exam, but this is not true, but if you want to be an IAS officer, you’ll need to know it to some extent.
- Although you only need a score of 33% to pass the test, if you are strong in arithmetic and logic, paper 2 will be a breeze for you, or you may find yourself stranded in the exam.
- An IAS’s work is not limited to a single field, so the contents covered in this examination include a wide range of topics that you have to read intensively.
FAQ: Which stream is best for IAS?
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Which of the UPSC’s optional subjects is excellent for humanities students?
Apart from Geography, Political Science, Sociology, Public Administration, International Relations, and History are the most popular optional studies, regardless of the candidates’ academic backgrounds.
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Which stream is the most suitable for IAS?
If you want to be an IAS, then it is recommended to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree. Political science and sociology are two popular options for majors. This topic will assist you in passing any government test, including UPSC, SSC CGL, State Public Commission Exams, and RRB.
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Is it possible to crack UPSC without tutoring?
The arts stream provides a competitive advantage in terms of course content. All you need to pass the UPSC exam is a solid preparation strategy, unwavering resolve, and practice.
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After 12th Humanities, which degree is ideal for IAS?
However, in the current situation, Humanities may not be the only topic with a high probability of success. Because of their relevance to most of the syllabus, bachelor’s degrees in history, economics, politics, and sociology are regarded as the most suitable courses for UPSC.
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How can I study for the IAS at home?
First and foremost, learn the UPSC pattern and procedure, examine the UPSC syllabus in detail, start beginning by reading a few books and watching online video lectures on a few essential subjects such as politics, history, and geography, and regularly read the newspaper.
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Is math part of the IAS test required?
In the UPSC IAS Mains, Mathematics is an optional subject. Math isn’t essential, but if you want to be an IAS officer, you’ll need to grasp some basics. The UPSC Prelims paper, dubbed CSAT, includes questions from logic, mathematics, and comprehension.
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What are the most significant factors to consider when preparing for the IAS exam?
By analyzing the UPSC syllabus and UPSC question paper simultaneously, applicants can gain a better understanding of the UPSC exam’s demands. Current events of national and worldwide importance and General Studies topics are crucial for the IAS test, whether it is the IAS prelims, mains, or interviews.
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Is it possible to select a language for the UPSC interview?
Candidates who choose the Indian Language as their medium for the written portion of the Civil Services (Main) Examination may select the same Indian Language, English, or Hindi for the interview.
Conclusion: Which stream is best for IAS?
There are three primary levels of the IAS exam, Preliminary, Mains, and the Personnel Interview round. Students who pass these phases must attend the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration for training (LBSNAA) to pursue their training period and understand the position’s role and responsibilities.
UPSC preparation necessitates gathering and comprehending an extensive syllabus, so students begin their preparation before they graduate and start an intensive study to clear this exam.
It’s always better to choose the proper path to success, especially if you want to pass the IAS Exam. Students have the option of selecting their subjects. Furthermore, beginning with the first year of graduation, the Indian education system allows individuals to pursue higher studies in the stream of their choice.
If a candidate has already decided to apply for the IAS Exam, it is preferred that heshe selects the most appropriate subject they liked to study in their 12th standard; however, change their course of study after graduation.
