Indian Economic Service
Indian Economic Service is an organized ‘Group A’ Central Service which was constituted in 1961 with the actual operationalization of service taking place in 1964. The Indian Economic Service officers are expected to provide economic analysis and advice for designing and formulating development policies, strengthening delivery systems, and monitoring plus evaluating the public programmes in the Government of India. The Union Public Service Commission was given the responsibility to directly recruit officers for various positions in the Indian Economic Service. Students passionate for economics can definitely opt for this exam. The exam doesn’t only provide an opportunity to be involved in policy making and economic interaction in India but also fulfills aspirations of gaining a highly dignified profession.
The Indian Economic Service (IES) was conceived by Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru for formulating and implementing economic policies and programs of the country. After independence, economic reconstruction and development was envisioned as one of the foremost objectives and a challenge to the national planners. The most important prerequisite in this development process was the formulation of suitable plans, policies and measures for the effective utilization of material, financial and human resources. It was in this context that Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru envisaged the creation of a separate cadre of economists for steering the economic development of the nation.
Exam | Indian Economic Service |
Conducted by | Union Public Service |
Frequency | Once a year (June or July Month) |
Exam Mode | Pen & paper-based |
Number of attempts Age Limit | No Limit 30 (unreserved) |
Duration of the | 3 days |
Vacancies (approximately) | 32 |
Test Centres | 19 |
Expected registrations | More than 2 lakh |
Official Website |
Exam pattern for the UPSC Indian Economic Service (IES) Exam
The latest exam pattern for the UPSC Indian Economic Service (IES) exam is as follows:

Indian Economic Service Syllabus
Exam Name | Part | Subject | Sub-Topic |
General Economics I | Part A | Theory of Consumer’s Demand |
|
Theory of Production |
| ||
Theory of Value |
| ||
Theory of Distribution |
| ||
Welfare Economics |
| ||
PART B: Quantitative Methods in Economics | Mathematical Methods in Economics |
| |
Statistical and Econometric Methods |
| ||
Income distribution |
| ||
General Economics II | Economic Thought |
| |
Concept of National Income and Social Accounting |
| ||
Theory of employment, Output, Inflation, Money and Finance |
| ||
Financial and Capital Market |
| ||
Economic Growth and Development |
Theories of growth Classical Approach:
Theories of Economic Development:
| ||
International Economics
|
Ricardo, Haberle, Heckscher- Ohlin and Stapler Samuelson
| ||
Global Institutions |
| ||
Balance of Payments |
| ||
General Economics III | Public Finance |
| |
Environmental Economics |
| ||
State, Market and Planning |
| ||
Industrial Economics |
| ||
Indian Economics | History of development and planning |
| |
Federal Finance |
|
Check out full syllabus here: http://ecoholics.in/syllabus/
Strategy to Crack Indian Economic Service
Wasn’t it a big, never ending syllabus? Scary right? Don’t worry, we will get through this. Success in competitive exams such as the UPSC Indian Economic Service is strongly reliant on having the correct strategy in place, as well as thorough preparation. Expert assistance and the appropriate attitude and focus can give you an advantage over other aspirants to stay a step ahead.
The following are steps you can take to pass the exam:
Know your syllabus: Before starting picking up heavy books make sure that you know the syllabus and pattern of the exam extremely well. This step is crucial and helps in taking major decisions such as strategy, mode of study (online or offline), method of study, and time table. Mark what you know, distribute your topics in range of your strengths and weaknesses and allot time to each topic. At Ecoholics, the team prepares a schedule allotted to each topic in one class adjoining it with a test every week. ( Testing phase is icing on the cake of preparation. )
Consistency: Put daily effort into your exam preparation, try to have a no-zero day. If it starts to feel overwhelming, then read lighter topics, books or news instead of covering difficult topics. Your daily preparation will lead to confidence, and that will make sure you get high scores, so learn, practice, and revise with planned gaps required from time to time.
Concise notes: You must be well aware of the syllabus’s vastness, so you must make notes smartly and include only what’s essential by cutting out the clutter. Make sure your notes are organized as well so you can find whatever you need quickly. You have to make notes in a manner that will help you in revision. Notes Reading Time = Revision Time!
Build your basics: Before moving on to complex topics, ensure your basics are clear. (This is one of most popularly given pieces of advice, and it’s worth following). Clear your doubts and build a strong foundation by starting with NCERTs. Our classes are alloted to at first clearing the basics, then moving towards advanced concepts in the theories. We understand it gets confusing, so we have kept the unlimited doubt resolution option for students.
Make newspapers your best friend: Make sure you stay updated and read the newspaper religiously daily. This will help you the most in stage II (interview round) of the Indian Economic Exam. Make sure you always cover all economics-related news regularly.
Solving previous year’s question papers: This can not be skipped for the Indian Economic Service exam preparation. Make sure you are well versed with exam patterns, understand the needs and expectations of different levels of questions, and manage your time accordingly. You can find the Indian Economic Service Previous Year’s Question at Ecoholics. We have separated the questions into year and marks wise. We thought students need a base to refer to what an answer could be like, so we also provide the solutions of PYQs.
INDIAN ECONOMIC SERVICE EXAM 2024 APPLICATION FORM:
- Candidates are required to fill the application form for the Indian Economic Service which is available from the official website of the Union Public Service Commission.
- Check the instructions before you fill the application form.
- Once you are through with filling out the personal and other details, scan the recent photograph as well as signature.
- Don’t forget to pay the application fee.
- Most importantly, take a print out of the application form and challan also for further reference.
- While filling the application form online, the candidate will automatically get the registration number and after filling the challan number and the registration number, press enter to end the process.
UPSC INDIAN ECONOMIC SERVICE 2024 APPLICATION FEE:
- The cost of the Indian Economics Service application fee will be Rs 200/- for General/OBC candidates.
- SC/ST/PH /female candidates are exempted from paying the application fee.
- Mode of payment can be a credit card, debit card or internet banking.
- You can also make payment via offline mode using e-challan through any branch of SBI.
How can we help?
Ecoholics is the one-stop destination for all your learning needs for the exam. We will provide you with three important Ts. Test Papers of Previous Years, Test Series, Teaching Expert. A team of expert faculties understand the seriousness of the exam. They will help you understand the intricacies of the economic subject, expand your knowledge by making you understand the application and connection of the subject with real life, and provide you with one-on-one mentorship and doubt-clearing sessions, so together we will leave no stone unturned when it comes to your preparation. On signing up with us, you will get access to the live classes, and recorded video lectures for thorough revision. Then, comes the most important tools: test series and study material in hard copy delivered to your doorstep, so your preparation never hits a bump! All the best for exam preparation, you can contact us here in case you need a mentor to help you.
FAQ:
If an aspirant wants to appear for the Indian Economic Service eligibility condition are he/ she must obtain a Postgraduate Degree in Economics/Applied Economics/Business Economics/Econometrics from a recognized Indian university, deemed to be university, or a foreign university approved by the Central Government of India from time to time. He/She must be a citizen of India or a subject of Nepal or Bhutan or a Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962 or a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka or East African countries with the intention of permanently settling in India. The aspirant must be between 21 and 30 years of age as on August 1 of the year of examination. There are some relaxations for certain categories of candidates.
The Indian Economic Service officers role can be broadly categorized in terms of economic advice, economic administration, implementation of development policy and programmes, besides dealing with other areas such as economic reforms, regulation, price fixation, and monitoring and evaluation. An Indian Economic Service officer assists the Ministry of Finance in preparing annual or periodic statements for complying with the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act 2003. They spearhead reforms and innovations in the economic domain as per the vision of the government.
The Indian Economic Service officer’s career prospects are very bright, as they can work in various domestic and international organizations, such as UN bodies, foreign governments, state governments, and regulatory bodies. They can also get promoted to higher grades and designations, such as Deputy Director, Assistant Economic Adviser, Senior Research Officer, Director, Joint Secretary, Additional Secretary, etc
The UPSC Indian Economic Service cut off is announced after considering the factors such as the difficulty level of the exam, the number of candidates appeared for the exam, the vacancies for the Indian Economic Service, and previous years cut off.
The Indian Economic Service Salary 2023 would be based on candidates posts, and area of designation. The Junior Time Scale Officer / Assistant Director / Research Officer pay scale is INR 15,600 – 39,100 plus Grade Pay: 5,400. Beyond this, the officers are provided Dearness allowance, Travel Allowance, and HRA.
The Indian Economic Service and Indian Statistical Service are the administrative inter-ministerial civil services of the Indian government’s executive branch. The function of analyzing and providing recommendations within the service area have multiplied since the start of extensive economic reforms in 1991 and the expansion of the regulatory role of the government. In the initial constitution of the Indian Economic Service, all statistical positions from various ministries and departments were combined to form the Indian Statistical Service.
In compliance with the guidelines published by the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation in the Gazette of India, the Union Public Service Commission will hold a joint competitive examination for recruitment to the Junior Time Scale of the Services.
Important Books for Indian Economic Service Exam
