Indian Economic Service Syllabus, Eligibility and Exam Pattern

• Every year, the UPSC conducts the Indian Economic Service examination. 
• This special civil service cadre is primarily tasked to handle challenging economic roles. 

Many economics students dream of Being an IES Officer; let’s discuss the Indian Economic Service syllabus, eligibility and exam pattern. The Indian Economic Service is a specialized cadre of civil services in India that deals with economic analysis, policy formulation, and implementation.  

The first Prime Minister of India envisioned the Indian Economic Services in 1961 to strengthen the country’s economic administration. It finally came into existence in 1964, and since then, it has been training economists in various government departments and ministries. These officers address complex economic challenges the country is facing. 

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) annually conducts the Indian Economic Service examination, mainly in June. The exam is conducted in stages: Stage 1, written examination, Stage 2, interview or personality test. It covers a vast syllabus that extensively tests aspiring candidates. 

The Indian Economic Service Syllabus

The IES syllabus covers many topics, from core economic concepts to a theoretical and practical focus on the Indian economic landscape. The written examination is worth 1000 marks and comprises six subjects. These six papers were conducted over three days, as shown below. 

General English worth 100 marks includes essay writing, comprehension, precise writing and grammar. This tests your ability to communicate effectively in English, an important trait required by an IES Officer during their tenure. 

General studies worth 100 marks cover current events, history, geography, Indian polity, science and technology, environment and disaster management. This assesses a candidate’s general awareness and knowledge of contemporary issues.  

General economics is divided into three parts: General Economics I, worth 200 marks; General Economics II, 200 marks; and Indian Economics 200. General Economics I focuses on microeconomics and includes the theory of consumer behavior, production and cost analysis, market structure and international trade. 

General Economics II covers macroeconomics, encompassing national income accounting, inflation, unemployment, economic growth, monetary and fiscal policy, and international finance. Indian Economics deals with Indian Economic history, development experience, planning process, agricultural and industrial development, public finance, poverty and inequality, and economic reforms. 

Personal Interview is the second and last stage of the IES examination. More than an interview, it’s a personality test where interviewers assess candidates’ overall personality, communication skills, leadership qualities, mental alertness, and suitability for an IES role. 

Indian Economic Services Exam Pattern

As discussed above, the Indian Economic Service examination is conducted in two stages: Written examination and interview. This two-stage selection process is conducted every year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to select an IES Officer capable of assessing the ongoing economic policies and help create and implement new ones. 

The UPSC conducts the Indian Economic Service examination in June every year. The examination is conducted in three days, as shown below. Candidates must score a minimum cutoff mark in the written exam to be selected for the final interview, worth 200 marks. 

The final interview is more of a personality test and is a conversation between the panel of experts and the candidate. During the interview, the panel assesses the candidates on various metrics, including general awareness, mental alertness, subject knowledge, etc. 

Eligibility Criteria for Indian Economic Service

To be eligible for the Indian Economic Service, a candidate must fulfill the following criteria. 

• You must be a citizen of India, Nepal, Bhutan or a Tibetian refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, mainly to settle permanently in India. 
• Candidates can also be people of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or East African countries like Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or Vietnam to settle permanently in India. 
• The age limit for a candidate is between 21 years and 30 years at the time of appearing for the examination. However, age relaxation is available for SC/ST/OBC, differently-abled candidates and veterans, as per the guidelines of the Government of India. 

The Indian Economic Service (IES) examination requires specific educational requirements. You must have a postgraduate degree in Economics, Applied Economics, Business Economics, or Econometrics from a recognized or foreign university that the Government of India approves. 

Candidates appearing for the exam during the final year of their degree should produce the degree during the interview Detailed Application Form (DAF). Moreover, the candidate should meet a set physical standard by the government. However, these standards are relatively relaxed and are mainly kept to ensure the candidate fits the job. 

Other criteria include that the candidate must not have been removed or dismissed from any government service in the past. Also, a candidate must not be involved in any criminal case and must be of a sound mind and good character. 

How to Apply for the Indian Economic Service

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released some important dates for the Indian Economic Service (IES) examination. 

• Date of Notification: April 10, 2024
• Last Date of Application: April 30, 2024
• Date of Examination: June 21, 2024

However, these dates could change, and the candidates are advised to stay updated. They can apply from the official website http://www.upsconline.nic.in. Applicants must prepare the following documents and details while applying for Indian Economic Services.

• Registered email ID and a valid mobile number. 
• Scanned photograph and signature.
  • The picture should be in JPG format, 200-300 KB. 
  • The scanned signature should be in JPG format, and the size must be 200-300 KB. 
  • You can present the PDFs for photo ID proofs and academic details. 
• Aadhar card or a valid ID proof. 
• Academic information is required for the examination. 
• Debit/Credit card details for fee payment.
  • The exam fee for General/OBC/EWS candidates is ₹200. 
  • While for other candidates, the application fee is ₹0. 

While filling out the application form, applicants have to pay attention to all the details entered in the form to avoid rejection of the application at a later stage. Also, candidates should read the UPSC IES eligibility criteria carefully and self-check the authenticity of the details. 

The Indian Economic Service is a prestigious Union Public Service Commission examination. The IES Officers selected through this exam are tasked with providing economic guidance in drafting and implementing essential economic reforms. 

At Ecoholics, we provide expert guidance for the Indian Economic Service examination. Our successful track record is that out of 25 candidates who cleared the IES interview, 17 were our students. Book your consultation today if you want to be a successful IES Officer.