Planning to join IAS after Medical? Here is what you need to know

Joining Indian Civil Services today stands as indeed the most coveted position in the country. Off lately, many young medical practitioners are also appearing and even aceing the civil services exam, proving their mettle even at administrative jobs in the country.

With the success of many doctors, Indian Civil Services has indeed appeared as an alternative Career option for those looking at administrative services after MBBS. But -Before venturing into this alternative career option, Check out some of the basic FAQs regarding this exam particularly for medical professionals.

Q.1 What is Indian Civil Services?

Ans. The Civil Services of India runs the entire administration of the country. It is the executive wing of state, mainly responsible for policy making and execution. IAS ( Indian Administrative Service ), IPS (Indian Police Service ), IRS ( Indian Revenue Service ) are commonly known examples of ICS.

Q.2 What is IAS exam?

Ans.  civil servants are selected through the Civil Services Examination (CSE) commonly known as IAS exam, the toughest nationwide competitive examination in India with a success rate of 0.1-0.3 percent-- the least in the entire world.

Q.3 Who conducts Civil Services Examination?

Ans. The CSE is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for recruitment to the various civil services in the Government of India.

Q.4  What is the exam scheme?
Ans. It is a three-stage exam, with only successful candidates eligible to apply in subsequent stages. The first stage is the Preliminary Exam, open for all applicants. Upon clearing this the successful candidate has to apply again to sit for the Main Exam. Successful candidates at this stage are called for the Personality Test or Interview. Those passing the Personality Test are the ultimate successful candidates.

Q.5 What is the syllabus of Exam?

Ans. Check out http://med-ias.damsdelhi.com/

Q.6  What is the structure of UPSC Civil Service Prelims Exam?

Prelims exam is objective in nature. There will be two papers – 200 marks each. Paper 1 is related to General Studies and Paper 2 is related to Mental Ability and Aptitude. For selection to the main exam, only marks of Paper 1 will be counted, provided the candidate has 33 percent marks in Paper 2.

Q.7  What is the structure of UPSC Civil Service Mains Exam? (Latest Pattern)

Ans. The Main Examination will consist of written examination and an interview test. Now there are 7 + 2 = 9 papers to be answered in the main examination. All of them are of descriptive type. There are two qualifying papers 1) any modern Indian language of 300 marks 2) English of 300 marks. The marks of these two papers will not be counted in the merit list of the main examination.

The candidate is allowed to pick any one language from the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution or English as the medium for writing the mains examination.

According to the new pattern in the UPSC syllabus, there are "FOUR" General Studies paper each comprising of 250 Marks with a total of 1000 Marks are made compulsory. The scope of the syllabus of General Studies papers are of degree level.

There is only "ONE" optional subject to choose from the list of subjects. It comprises of two papers each of 250 marks.

Q.8 What is the eligibility to appear in the examination?

Ans. The candidate must hold a PASS BACHELOR'S degree from any of the Universities incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament or declared to be deemed as a University, under Section-3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956, or possess an equivalent qualification.

Q.9 What is the age limit criteria?

Age limits

A candidate must have attained the age of 21 years and must not have attained the age of 32 years on 1st August of the year of examination.

The upper age limit prescribed above is relaxed:

1. Up to a maximum of five years if a candidate belongs to a Scheduled Caste (SC) or a Scheduled Tribe (ST).


2. Up to a maximum of three years in the case of candidates belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBC) who are eligible to avail of reservation applicable to such candidates


3. Up to a maximum of five years if a candidate had ordinarily been domiciled in the State of Jammu & Kashmir during the period from the 1st January, 1980 to the 31st December, 1989


4. Up to a maximum of three years in the case of Defence Services personnel disabled in operations during hostilities with any foreign country or in a disturbed area and released as a consequence thereof.


5. Up to a maximum of five years in the case of ex-servicemen including Commissioned Officers and ECOs/SSCOs who have rendered at least five years Military Service as on 1st August, 2018 and have been released.


6. On completion of assignment (including those whose assignment is due to be completed within one year from 1st August 2018) otherwise than by way of dismissal or discharge on account of misconduct or inefficiency, or on account of physical disability attributable to Military Service, or on invalid.


7. Up to a maximum of five years in the case of ECOs/SSCOs who have completed an initial period of assignment of five years Military Service as on 1st August, 2018 and whose assignment has been extended beyond five years and in whose case the Ministry of Defence issues a certificate that they can apply for civil employment and that they will be released on three months notice on selection from the date of receipt of offer of appointment


8. Up to a maximum of 10 years in the case of blind, deaf-mute and orthopedically handicapped persons.

Q.9 I am an M.B.B.S student, when can I appear in CSE?

Ans. Earliest you can appear after finishing your final year exams and during the internship.

Q.10 Which optional subject is best suitable for a doctor?

Ans. Though it depends on your interest but Medical Science is best suitable for a doctor.

Q.11 What is the syllabus of Medical Science optional?

Ans. Check out http://med-ias.damsdelhi.com/

Q.12 When should one MBBS student start preparing for CSE?

Ans. CSE is an exam which needs a thorough understanding of various aspects of syllabus. Best time to start is your 2nd year of course, in initial 2 years be familiar with the topics, and prepare for your medical optional with your course subjects. You will need 12 months intensive preparation before appearing in the examination.

Q.13 How DAMS can help me?

Ans. DAMS offers you Test series for medical science optional papers. Test series simulates the UPSC exam pattern. Evaluation of test answers is done by experts. We provide you model answers of test papers.

DAMS will soon provide you updated preparation material for medical optional.

Q.14 Will DAMS provides classroom coaching?

Ans. DAMS will provide you Revision classes for medical science in the month of July.

Q.15 How can one join DAMS course?

Ans. Check out http://med-ias.damsdelhi.com/

An AIPGMEE topper himself, Dr Sumer Sethi is a radiologist and Director of DAMS,  one of the premier Medical IAS coaching institute in the country. For more details, check out the site of DAMS