Guide to Become an IAS Officer After 10th Grade

Preparing to become an IAS officer may come as an early inspiration to some, while some are inspired later in life. There are stories of toppers in the past who had started just after their 10th boards and gained valuable knowledge and built a strong foundation for UPSC that kept them motivated throughout the journey. While motivation can serve as one of the keys towards becoming an IAS officer, early starters know that strategic planning, timely completion of the syllabus and building a strong foundation are the pillars upon which the entire IAS exam is structured. Read on as Vajirao and Reddy give young achievers a detailed guide on how to become an IAS officer after completing class 10th grade.

How to Become an IAS Officer After 10th Grade?

Becoming an IAS officer just after passing class 10th grade can be daunting. You should know that there are certain guidelines set by UPSC for you to take the IAS exam. Nevertheless, you can always start preparing for IAS regardless of your qualification. The following are the set criteria by the UPSC for aspirants specifying the requirements that need to be satisfied by a candidate to sit for the exam:

1. Educational Qualification: Students need to pass the graduation exam, regardless of the stream, from a recognised university to be able to take the IAS exam.
2. Age Limit: The minimum age limit as specified by the UPSC for candidates who want to sit for the IAS exam is 21 years. For detailed information, aspirants can visit the UPSC official website.
3. Nationality: Aspirants appearing for the exam should be Indian citizens.

Preparing for an IAS dream is a long and arduous challenge, hence, students should first focus on their 12th board after clearing their class 10 and continue with the graduation program. In the meantime, aspirants should remember to cultivate a habit of reading and, side by side, start building a strong foundation with NCERTs and also improve upon your general knowledge.

Tips to Become an IAS Officer After 10th Grade

Even though beginning the preparation early can be helpful, consistency throughout the journey can make or break the preparation. With the following tips, we aim to assist those candidates who wish to commence their IAS preparations after the 10th standard:

1. Like most endurance sports, UPSC preparation is a long journey. Having the right guidance can make all the difference.

2. Master the building blocks that can prove useful in the long run. Subjects like history, geography, political science and economics should be your top priority.

3. Start reading the newspaper on a daily basis. Magazines like Yojana or Kurukshetra can be beneficial as well. While self-paced learning can be very effective, an online UPSC course tailored to streamline your preparation can greatly improve your chances.

4. To familiarise yourself with the exam structure, practice past year question papers regularly and track your progress.

Steps to Become an IAS Officer After 10th Grade

The IAS exam is regarded as one of the esteemed career options in India and demands commitment, careful planning and a lot of effort. According to toppers, it is advisable to begin at the earliest because the work required to clear the IAS examination can be exacting. If you have finished your class 10, then these are the things you need to follow.

Step 1: Choose the appropriate Stream in the 11th

Following 10th grade, pick a stream that most aligns with the IAS syllabus. Although any stream is equally good to pursue the IAS, it is advisable to choose the arts and humanities as they include fundamental subjects of the UPSC syllabus such as history, politics, geography, and economics.

Step 2: Focus on NCERTs of 11th and 12th

Along with keeping a decent academic record in the 11th and 12th grades, you need to make sure that you build a good base of NCERTs for the UPSC CSE exam preparation. These books provide a reliable starting point because many questions are often reproduced verbatim.

Step 3: Go for Undergraduate Studies

Take the CUET UG entrance exam if you want to attain a bachelor's degree from a reputed college. It will assist you in achieving academic prowess and provide opportunities for engagement in extracurricular activities to shape your overall personality. Aim for a subject that you plan to choose for your UPSC Mains in your graduate studies.

Step 4: Start Preparing for the UPSC Exam

From your undergraduate level, begin working on the syllabus of UPSC CSE. Try devoting a few hours every day. Make use of appropriate books, follow up on daily newspapers as well as magazines, and try to start noting down important points. In the later parts of your final year, prepare thoroughly using past papers alongside frequent revisions and taking multiple mock exams.

Step 5: Sit for the IAS exam

When you feel ready and meet the requirements for the exam, make sure to apply at upsc.gov.in once the registration period opens. The first hurdle is the Prelims stage, which has two qualifying parts: general studies and CSAT. Those who meet the cutoffs for both parts will go on to appear for the Mains, which consists of nine papers. Finally, if you pass the mains, focus on the personality test to secure a top position.

Conclusion: Clear IAS Exam in First Attempt

Thus, to obtain the position of an IAS officer in your first attempt, always remind yourself of your goals and have an optimistic mindset. These are critical factors of success, like putting in the required effort, creating a well-structured plan, and maintaining a controlled schedule during your studies.