Indian Economic Service
Indian Economic Service is an organized ‘Group A’ Central Service which started in 1961. The Indian Economic Service officers are expected to provide economic analysis and advice for designing and formulating development policies, strengthening delivery systems, and monitoring and evaluating the public programmes in the Government of India.
A highly challenging exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to 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 pattern for the UPSC Indian Economic Service (IES) exam
The latest exam pattern for the UPSC Indian Economic Service (IES) exam is as follows:
1. Stage I: Written Exam
– The written exam consists of six papers, including two compulsory papers and four optional papers.
– Compulsory Papers:
a. General English: 100 marks
b. General Studies: 100 marks (covering current events, Indian polity, economy, and geography)
-Economics compulsory papers:
a. General Economics-I: 200 marks
b. General Economics-II: 200 marks
c. General Economics-III: 200 marks
d. Indian Economics: 200 marks
– Each paper is of a duration of three hours.
2. Stage II: Viva Voce (Interview)
– Candidates who qualify in the written examination are called for a viva voce (interview) process.
– The interview carries a weightage of 200 marks.
3. Final Selection:
– The final selection is based on the combined marks obtained in the written examination (Stage I) and the interview (Stage II).
– The merit list is prepared based on the candidate’s performance in both stages.
Please note that the UPSC may make changes to the exam pattern from time to time. It is advisable to refer to the official UPSC website or the latest notification for the most up-to-date information regarding the exam pattern and syllabus of the UPSC IES exam.
Strategy to crack Indian Economic Service
Success in competitive tests such as the UPSC is strongly reliant on having the correct strategy in place, as well as thorough preparation. Expert assistance and the appropriate attitude and focus can help you beat other candidates and stay one step ahead.
The following are some steps to remember in order to pass this exam:
Know your syllabus: Before starting picking up heavy books and taking up online courses for your preparation make sure that you have done your research on the syllabus and the pattern of the exam.This will help you plan your strategy ahead
Consistency: Putting the same amount of hard work into your daily preparation will lead to high scores, so make sure you learn, practise, and revise with planned gaps to cool yourself down simultaneously.
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 organised as well so you can find whatever you need quickly. Make sure you don’t waste your time making notes for everything and make notes that help you during your revision.
Built your basics: Before moving on to complex topics, ensure your basics are clear. Clear your doubts and build a strong foundation by starting with NCERTs.
Make newspapers your best friend: Make sure you stay updated and read the newspaper religiously daily as it will give you an edge over other candidates. With economics optional, make sure you always cover all economics-related news regularly.
Solving previous year’s question papers: Make sure you are well versed with exam patterns, understand the needs and expectations of different levels, and manage your time accordingly.
IES eligibility
If you want to appear for the Indian Economic Service exam a candidate must have obtained a Post Graduate Degree in Economics/Applied Economics/Business Economics/Econometrics from a recognized university or a foreign university approved by the Central Government of India from time to time.
IES Coaching
While self preparation may sound like a good idea, good coaching can help you pick up pace and get your way ahead of other aspirants. While going to a coaching can be a task, an online coaching is what every aspirant needs. Ecoholics is the one-stop destination for all your learning needs. Study economics the smart way and get an in-depth understanding of this dynamic subject with our holistic approach. Our team of expert faculties help you polish your knowledge and provide you with one-on-one mentorship and doubt-clearing sessions, so you leave no stone unturned when it comes to your preparation. By signing up with us, you can access our live classes, video lectures, test series and get the hard copy of study material delivered to your doorstep, so your preparation never hits a bump!
UPSC INDIAN ECONOMIC SERVICE (IES) EXAM-2023
- The Indian Economic Service (IES) is an organized Group ‘A’ Central Service.
- The IES was constituted in 1961 with the objective of institutionalising a core professional capacity within the Government to undertake economic analysis and render advice for designing and formulating development policies, strengthening delivery systems, and monitoring and evaluating the public programmes. With the initiation of large-scale economic reforms in 1991 and the proliferation of the regulatory role of the government, such analysis and advice within the domain of the service has increased manifold.
Exam | Indian Economic Service |
Conducted by | Union Public Service |
Frequency | Once a year |
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 |
Offical Website | www.upsc.gov.in |
- The service is, therefore, an inter-Ministerial and inter-Departmental service. The posts are primarily located in Ministries/ Departments dealing with economic and social sectors. Even within organizations that account for a large proportion of its Cadre posts, like the Planning Commission, IES officers posted therein serve in a diverse range of subject areas, such as finance, social sector, rural development, education, health, agriculture, industry, trade, transport, and information technology.
- IES officers are, thus, exposed to development issues in diverse sectors and contribute to policy-making in the Central Government over the entire span of their service career. With the economic reforms having transformed the nature and domain of economic policy-making in the country, the IES, as a service, provides a pool of in-house economic expertise that is well placed to meet the growing demand for analytical economic inputs for policy-making in the government.
- Besides manning Cadre posts, IES officers go on deputation to serve in various domestic and international organizations such as UN bodies, foreign governments, state governments and regulatory bodies. Officers from the service are also appointed on deputation to posts in the Central Ministries/ Departments under the Central Staffing Scheme.
STEPS FOR APPOINTMENT
UPSC recommend to the Government, candidates successful in the IES Examination, for appointment to the service. Successful candidates are required to undergo Medical Examination Part-II (i.e. X-Ray examination of the Chest) by the Central Standing Medical Board. Offer of appointment is made to those successful candidates, who have been declared fit consequent to the Medical examinations, and after receipt of their satisfactory antecedent and character verification reports.
IES EXAM 2023 APPLICATION FORM:
- Candidates are required to fill the application form which is available from the official website.
- Check the instructions before you fill the application form.
- Once you are through with filling of the personal and other details, scan the recent photograph as well as signature.
- Don’t forget to pay the application fee in any branch of SBI.
- 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 while filling the challan number and registration number, press enters to end the process.
UPSC IES 2023 APPLICATION FEE:
- The cost of the 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
ROLES OF IES OFFICER
- Role of the service 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. In the rapidly globalizing environment, decision-making is increasingly guided by economic rationality. In view of the on-going reforms pursued by the Government, the role of IES officers has assumed much significance. Apart from the purely economic sectors, IES officers are making crucial contribution towards policy making in social sectors.
- IES officers are exposed to almost all the sectors of government functioning. These officers also provide link and continuity in policy-making, which is essential even for policy change. It is because of these factors that IES officers have been increasingly playing a versatile role, of an in-house economist with domain knowledge and experience.
- The Economic Advisers would provide the Ministries/ Departments with inputs on all policy-related matters, and their economic implications. The officers could be required to monitor and evaluate the policy parameters from the economic angle laid down in the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act 2003, and assist the Ministry of Finance in preparing annual or any other periodical statement required for complying with the provisions of the said Act. The Ministries/ Departments could also consult the concerned Economic Adviser before finalization of their Annual Plan Budgets.
- To ensure that policy pursued by individual Ministries/ Departments is consistent with the overall direction of economic policy contained in the Union budget, Five-Year Plans, etc., the Economic Advisers posted to different Ministries/ Departments would interact with the Chief Economic Adviser in the Department of Economic Affairs, on a continuous basis, and ensure that economic implications of policy changes are comprehensively analyzed, and facilitate individual Ministries/ Departments to spearhead reforms in the direction envisaged by the Government.
Authorized Strength and payscale according to the designation
No. | Grade/Designation | Pay structure | Strength |
Ⅰ | Duty Posts |
|
|
1) | Higher Administrative Grade + (HAG +)/Principal Adviser (Apex)s | ₹ 80,000 (fixed) | 5 |
2) | Higher Administrative Grade + (HAG +)/Senior Economic Adviser/Senior Adviser | ₹ 67,000- (annual increment@3%)- ₹ 79,000 | 15 |
3) | Senior Administrative Grade (SAG)/Economic Adviser/Adviser |
| 89 |
4) | Junior Administrative Grade (JAG)/ Joint Director/Deputy Economic Adviser
| Pay Band-4: ₹ 15,600- 39,100 plus Grade Pay: ₹ 7,600
Pay Band-4: ₹ 37,400 -67,000
| 148
|
5) | Senior Time Scale (STS)/Deputy Director/Assistant Economic Adviser/Senior Research Officer | Pay Band-3: ₹ 15,600- 39,100 plus Grade Pay: ₹ 6,600 | 114 |
6) | Junior Time Scale (JTS)/Assistant Director/ Research Officer | Pay Band-3: ₹ 15,600- 39,100 plus Grade Pay: ₹ 5,400 | 107 |
|
| Total Duty Posts | 471 |
Ⅱ | Reserves |
| 40 |
|
| Total Authorised Strength | 518 |
Important Books for Indian Economic Service Exam
