Business and Management

UPSC - IES/ISS

UPSC Indian Economic Service/Indian Statistical Service

Conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

Business and Management Entrance Exam

Eligibility Criteria

Nationality: Candidate must be a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling in India, or a person of Indian origin who has migrated from specified countries with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Educational Qualification:
- For Indian Economic Service (IES): A post-graduate degree in Economics or Applied Economics or Business Economics or Econometrics from a recognized university.
- For Indian Statistical Service (ISS): A Bachelor's degree with Statistics or Mathematics as a subject for at least 2 papers or 300 marks, or a post-graduate degree in Statistics or Mathematics or Applied Statistics or Quantitative Economics or Econometrics or Mathematical Economics or Operations Research or Business Mathematics or Mathematical Statistics from a recognized university.
Age Limit: Typically, candidates must be between 21 and 30 years of age on August 1 of the exam year. Age relaxation is applicable to reserved categories as per government norms.

Mode of Exam: Written examination followed by an Interview (Personality Test). The written exam is conducted offline (pen and paper).
Number of Papers: The exam consists of three compulsory papers for Indian Economic Service and various papers for Indian Statistical Service depending on the streams.
Marking Scheme: Each paper carries fixed marks, usually totaling 600 marks for written papers, with the interview carrying 200 marks.
Subjects Covered:
- IES: General English, General Economics, and a specialized Economics paper.
- ISS: General English, General Studies, Statistics papers including Probability, Statistical Methods, Applied Statistics, and Mathematics.
Exam Schedule:
- Notification: Usually released in the month of March/April annually.
- Written Exam: Typically held in June/July.
- Interview: Held after the written examination and results announcement, usually between September and November.

General English: English Grammar, comprehension, precise writing, essay writing, and translation.
General Economics: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Quantitative Techniques, Indian Economy, and Economic Development.
Economics (Specialized Paper): Advanced Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Econometrics, Public Finance, International Economics, Economic Planning, etc.

General English and General Studies
Statistics Papers:
- Probability: Basic probability theory, discrete and continuous distributions.
- Statistical Methods: Sampling theory, hypothesis testing, estimation.
- Applied Statistics: Index numbers, time series, official statistics, demography.
- Mathematics: Linear algebra, calculus, differential equations, real analysis.

Visit the official UPSC website: https://www.upsc.gov.in.
Find the notification for Indian Economic Service/Indian Statistical Service Examination on the homepage or under 'Examinations'.
Register as a new user by providing basic details.
Fill the application form carefully with all required details.
Upload scanned documents and a recent photograph as per specifications.
Pay the application fee online via net banking/debit/credit card or offline through bank challan (if applicable).
Submit the application and print the confirmation page for future reference.

Indian Economic Service: Roles in economic advisory and policy making in various government departments.
Indian Statistical Service: Roles in statistical research, analysis, and policy formulation in government and allied sectors.

Highly competitive exam with a limited number of vacancies.
Recruitment to prestigious government posts in economic and statistical services.
Requires strong analytical and subject-specific knowledge.

Available for download from the UPSC website generally three weeks before the exam date.
Download steps: Login to UPSC portal > Click on Admit Card Link > Enter Registration no. and DOB > Download and print.
Carry a valid photo ID along with admit card to the exam center.

Understand the detailed syllabus thoroughly and refer to standard textbooks.
Practice previous years' question papers and mock tests.
Keep updated with current economic surveys, statistical data, and government reports.
Utilize online platforms and coaching materials specifically for UPSC IES/ISS.
Time management and consistent study schedule is key.

Q: Can a candidate apply for both IES and ISS exams?
A: Yes, candidates meeting respective eligibility criteria can apply for both exams.
Q: Is there any interview for this exam?
A: Yes, an interview/personality test is conducted after the written examination.
Q: Are there any negative markings in the written exam?
A: Generally, UPSC does not penalize for wrong answers in IES/ISS written papers.
Q: How many attempts are allowed?
A: There is no fixed limit on attempts, but age limits apply.