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How to Become an Indian Economic Service Officer

Introduction
Skills Required
Eligibility & Courses
Top Colleges
Entrance exams
Work Description
Job profiles
Top recruiters
Pros & cons
FAQs
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Indian Economic Services

Introduction

The Indian Economic Services (IES) is a crucial part of the country’s administrative machinery, tasked with planning, managing, creating, and implementing policies. As the world globalizes rapidly, the need for a decision-making committee guided by economic logic is growing. This is where officials of the Indian Economic Services come into play.

The IES is an administrative inter-ministerial civil service that falls under Group A of the Government of India’s core civil services. In the IES, one undertakes economic analysis and provides data to plan and formulate developmental strategies, as well as monitor and evaluate various government initiatives. It is a highly specialized and professional agency that provides economic research and policy recommendations to the Indian Government.

If you aspire to become an Indian Economic Service Officer, you should know that deputations are also available for IES officials to serve in UN bodies, foreign governments, and state governments, among other places. The Union Public Service Commission conducts the All India Open Competitive Examination, often known as the IES Examination, which is used to select candidates.

Skills Required

Eligibility and Courses

Stream

Graduation

Post-graduation

After post-graduation

The candidate needs to pass class 12 with a minimum percentage to get admission to the graduation degree.

Now, the candidate needs to have a bachelor’s degree from a respected university.

The candidate should now pursue a master’s degree from a respected university.

Now, the candidate needs to appear for the UPSC IES examination.

The candidate can study any stream but mathematics should be a core subject.

They can pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Economics/ Applied Economics/ Business Economics/ Econometrics for 3 years.

They can pursue Pursue Master of Arts in Economics/ Applied Economics/ Business Economics/ Econometrics for 2 years

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After passing class 12 they are eligible to take admission for a bachelor’s degree.

After passing class a bachelor’s degree, they are eligible to take admission for a master’s degree.

After passing the master’s degree, they are eligible to give the IES examination.

After clearing the examination and then the interview, they can join Indian Economic Services.

The following are the steps that one should follow to apply for the IES exam-

  1. Visit the UPSC’s official website.
  2. On the front page, look for the link to the online application.
  3. Registration is the first step in the procedure. Use a valid email address and phone number to complete the signup form.
  4. Now you can start filling out the application form by submitting the registration form and logging into the website.
  5. Because the exam application is performed in two phases, you must complete both sections according to the official guidelines.
  6. Proceed to payment after submitting the papers and checking the form.
  7. You can pay your application fee over the internet.
  8. Finally, submit your application.
Age Limit

Candidates must be at least 21 years old and under 30 years old as of August 1, 2021. It means they must have been born between August 2, 1991, and August 1, 2000.

Age Relaxation
Nationality

The nationality of the candidate must be one of the following-

  1. The applicant must be an Indian citizen.
  2. Or the subject of Nepal.
  3. Or the subject of Bhutan.
  4. The candidate can be a Tibetan refugee who arrived in India before January 1, 1962, intending to stay permanently in India.
  5. A person of Indian descent who has moved to India permanently from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or the East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, Zaire, and Ethiopia, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, or Vietnam.
Educational Qualification

The candidate should have the following educational qualification to become eligible for the IES exam-

  1. Candidates must hold a master’s degree in economics, applied economics, business economics, or econometrics. 
  2. They must get a postgraduate degree from an Indian institution or a foreign university that has been approved by the Indian government.

Selection Process

The selection process for Indian Economic services include 2 stages-

  1. Written Exam (1000 marks)
  2. Viva Voce (200 marks)
IES Exam Pattern
  • Written Exam –

Candidates who pass the written exam will be invited to participate in the viva-voce. The IES viva-voce has a maximum score of 200 points. The IES result will be determined by adding the written exam and viva-voce scores to a merit list.

  • Viva-Voce –

Candidates who pass the written exam will be invited to participate in the viva voce or interview process. The interview will be graded on a scale of 200 points. The candidate will be interviewed by the examination board officials. The purpose of the interview is to determine whether the candidate will be able to continue in his or her current position. The interview is intended to supplement the written examination by assessing the candidate’s general knowledge and abilities.

The interview process isn’t about strict cross-verification; it’s about determining the candidate’s standards. The candidate should be well prepared for the Viva-voce.  To prepare for an interview, the aspirant should read competitive magazines and a good newspaper regularly. It would also be helpful to participate in mock interviews organized by economists.

Top Colleges

Entrance Exams

Exam name

Indian Economic Services (IES) Examination

Conducted By

UPSC (Union Public Service Commission)

Exam Frequency

Once a year

Exam Level

National Level

Age Limit

21-30 years

Minimum qualifications

Postgraduate degree

Number of attempts

6

Work Description

They are not only responsible for the creation, planning, administration, and execution of economic policies, but also for contributing to economic decision-making. They collaborate with the government regularly. Let’s take a look at some of the IES officer’s tasks and roles-

  1. Officers in the IES are exposed to different aspects of government operations and offer continuity and linkage in policymaking.
  2. They must be active with and linked with the economic changes in the Ministry/Department to which they are assigned.
  3. IES officials advise Departments on all policy-related issues, as well as their implementation and assessment.
  4. They work for international organizations such as the United Nations, foreign countries, and other regulatory agencies as well as for internal government ministries and departments.
  5. These officers’ responsibilities include economic advising, economic administration, and the execution of development policies and programs. They need to deal with other issues such as economic reforms and regulations.
Job Profiles

Job Name

Job Description

Economic Advisor:

IES officers can work as Economic Advisors in various government departments and ministries, such as the Ministry of Finance, the Planning Commission, and the Prime Minister’s Office. Their primary responsibility is to provide expert economic advice and analysis to the government on policy matters.

Policy Analyst: 

IES officers can work as policy analysts in various government organizations, such as the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog), the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). Their primary responsibility is to analyze economic trends and policy implications and provide recommendations to the government and regulatory bodies.

Project Manager:

IES officers can work as project managers in various government organizations, such as the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI). Their primary responsibility is to manage and implement projects related to economic development and rural infrastructure.

Budget Analyst:

IES officers can work as budget analysts in various government departments, such as the Ministry of Finance and the Planning Commission. Their primary responsibility is to analyze government budgets, evaluate their impact on the economy, and provide recommendations to policymakers.

Research Analyst:

IES officers can work as research analysts in various research organizations, such as the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) and the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP). Their primary responsibility is to conduct research on various economic issues, publish papers and reports, and provide policy recommendations to the government.

Top Recruiters
Pros
Cons
FAQs

What is the Indian Economic Service (IES)?

The IES is an administrative inter-ministerial civil service in India that provides economic research and policy recommendations to the Indian Government.

How to become an Indian Economic Service Officer?

To become an Indian Economic Service Officer, one needs to clear the All India Open Competitive Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission.

What are the responsibilities of an Indian Economic Service Officer?

An Indian Economic Service Officer undertakes economic analysis, provides data to plan and formulate developmental strategies, and monitors and evaluates various government initiatives.

What are the benefits of becoming an Indian Economic Service Officer?

Becoming an Indian Economic Service Officer offers opportunities to influence economic policies, serve in various national and international bodies, and contribute to the country’s development.

What is the process of becoming an Indian Economic Service Officer?

The process involves clearing the All India Open Competitive Examination, often known as the IES Examination, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission.
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