The number of candidates who apply for IAS Exam is increasing fast. There are many reasons – increase in salary, prestige, publicity, job security and so on. But how many candidates can get into any of the 24 civil services in a year?
The total number of vacancies are only approximately 1000
The answer is – only around 1000. But, there is nothing to feel bad about it. It’s the difficulty to get into services like IAS, IPS, IFS etc which makes it more attractive.
How tough is the IAS exam competition?
IAS exam (UPSC Civil Services Exam) is widely considered as the toughest exam in India. Why?
This is not because of the difficulty of the questions asked. Of course, the questions which come in the Preliminary, Mains or Interview stages of IAS exam are not easy. But IAS exam is tough to crack because the selection ratio is very less.
There are only limited number of vacancies every year (only approximately 1000, for all the 24 services combined like IAS, IPS, IFS etc – and this includes 49.5% reservation).
The competition is huge. And, the quantity and quality of the competition are increasing exponentially. The selection can now be rightly called ‘one in a million’ as more than 1 million aspirants apply for the exam – including those for IITs, IIMs, etc.
In this post, let us analyse in detail the number of candidates who – apply for the UPSC Civil Services exam, actually appear for the Preliminary exam, qualify the Preliminary exam, sit for the Main exam, appear for the Interview/Personality Test, and find a place in the final rank list.
Also read: Ishita Kishore Secures All India Rank 1 in UPSC CSE 2022
The number of candidates who applied for IAS exam and appeared for Prelims, Mains and Interview in the last 10 years – A comparison
Year |
Number of candidates who applied for Prelims |
Number of candidates who appeared for Prelims |
Number of candidates who qualified for mains |
Number of candidates who appeared for mains |
Number of candidates who were called for Interview |
Final Vacancies |
2006 |
383983 |
195803 |
7692 |
7496 |
1408 |
553 |
2007 |
333680 |
161469 |
9158 |
8886 |
1883 |
734 |
2008 |
325433 |
167035 |
11669 |
11330 |
2136 |
881 |
2009 |
409110 |
193091 |
11894 |
11516 |
2431 |
989 |
2010 |
547698 |
269036 |
12271 |
11865 |
2589 |
1043 |
2011 |
499120 |
243236 |
11837 |
11237 |
2415 |
1001 |
2012 |
550080 |
271442 |
12795 |
12190 |
2674 |
1091 |
2013 |
776604 |
3,23,949 |
14,959 |
14178 |
3003 |
1228 |
2014 |
947428 |
4,51,602 |
16706 |
16286 |
3308 |
1364 |
2015 |
939735 |
463391 |
15008 |
15000* |
2797 |
1164 |
2016 |
1128262 |
459659 |
15382 |
15149 |
2961 |
1209 |
2017 |
947728 |
456625 |
13300 |
13060 |
2568 |
990 |
2018 |
1041775 |
493972 |
10419 |
10246 |
1994 |
812 |
2019 |
1135261 |
568282 |
11845 |
11700* |
2034 |
927 |
2020 |
1057948 |
NA |
NA |
NA |
NA |
796 |
* – denotes approximate figure.
Note: As per UPSC, the number of candidates to be admitted for the Main exam will be about twelve to thirteen (12-13) times the total approximate number of vacancies to be filled in the year through this examination. Analyzing the above chart, it can be seen that this figure usually would be 12.5 times the approximate vacancies.
Note: As per UPSC, the number of candidates to be summoned for interview will be about twice the number of vacancies to be filled. But looking at the above data, it can be seen that, this number would be around 2.5.
Also read: How Many IAS Officers Are Selected Every Year?
Yes, the competition is increasing – but success favours the brave!
As per the above analysis, there is no doubt that the competition as increasing, despite the number of vacancies remaining more or less around 1000.
The last 10 years saw the addition of around 8,00,000 new UPSC preliminary exam applicants but the combined vacancies of all 24 services increased only by a meagre 100 or 200.
It should also be noted how high should be the all-India rank for an aspirant to get Into IAS, IPS or IFS.
But there is nothing to be worried about – if you are a serious aspirant. What matters in the IAS exam is right strategies and guidance.
IAS exam is not only cleared by doctors, engineers or those with PhDs, but it is an inclusive exam, equally conquered by everyone – irrespective of the financial, social or educational background. If you have potential and if you have self-belief, you should try this exam. You can clear IAS!
What are the strategies to clear IAS exam, and make sure you stay ahead in the race?
- Don’t go behind everything under the sun. Nowadays there is no dearth of study materials. But quality materials are still in shortage. So be focused. Your time is limited.
- Join ClearIAS Prelims Mock Test Series, which integrates learning with test-taking. Practising the right questions will surely boost your Prelims marks.
- Refer to the right study materials. ClearIAS study materials are easy to learn and helps in faster learning. Moreover, it’s available for free.
- Buy authentic textbooks – recommended by toppers.
- Practice ClearIAS mains answer writing.
- Join ClearIAS interview program, if you get an interview call. Our team will personally guide you.
- Read detailed toppers interviews published in clearias.com, where they share their success tips.
sir, please let me know if there any other alternative which i can prefer to ‘hindu’ newspaper because hindu newspaper is not easly available in our city!!
You can read ‘The Hindu’ online. The Indian Express is also a good alternative. You won’t miss major headlines of the most popular newspapers if you install the ClearIAS app. We have a section for Newspapers there.
reading online is too much cumbersome.
anyway.. thanks for your suggestions 😃
Respected sir I m Anup. Sir I want to ask u tht I hv passed class12 science from assam highsecondary education councli bt I got grace marks4 in class 12 exam so sir aftr completing my graduation m I elligible to apply for IAS. Pls reply me Sir m worried for class12 result
Ya u can..
Hii I want To know that
To become an ias officer does it very had?
No sir if u r determined and focused then it’s not impossible…. Best-up luck
sir…
now after completing my 12th by CBSE i m doing BA in english …so what could be the detailed strategy to clear ias examination because i m inj 1st year of my gtraduation. should i join the coaching for pre since now….?
Jaker padh din me 16-16 ghantaa,…sb nikal jayega….
HaHa
Sir….. I m from ELECTRICAL engineering background….. If i can choose my optional subject ELECTRICAL engineering…. Then what is the ratio of numericals & theory……. Or only theory is set in paper
Jai hind sir
I am jagsir and I had clear my 12 th class with non med. Now I will doing bsc non med. Which books I have to study for cracking upsc exam…
Sir I’m civil engineering student what’s ratio of Mark’s obtain as other optional subjects prefer
Hello sir, i m completing my 12 and 10 with second division so i can apply the IAS exam Or not
Graduation 🎓 important for upse
Sir is a humble request please help,i complete my 10th in 2010 and then i left i was not intrested, cuz i was making lot money by business,but now ,i m not satisfied with life,my GF left me,i m broke i have no aim,but kow i m very much interested UPSC,i m doing BPP after that i will able to do GRADUATION, SO my QUESTION is,is there will be any problem in future because of BPP?
Cuz i dont have HSLC.
Please sir reply me?is a humbke request.
First learn English brother then think about upsc
LOL…Every Tom, Dick and Harry is thinking about this exam without gauging self-capabilities!
Kunal upsc is not meant For Persons who r Intellectuals in English nor it is not a English fluency test for a professor post . And upsc can be written in any of the languages mentioned schedules. So don’t ever discourage any one based on their language. Firstly I advice u to make a good personality.
Respected sir , I done my +2 in vocational and IAM now in graduation so if I complete my graduation,is IAM eligible for this exam?
Yes obiusly theres only need an bachleor degree to be eligible
Dear Sir
I’m a Locomotor Disable Candidate with 45% of disability. I also need scribe to write my exams. My Questions are
what is the number of disabled candidates that appear in UPSC (Yearwise for last 5 years)
% reservation for disabled
Number of categories for disables (I assume there are three Locomotor, Visions impaired, and Hearing impaired)
Candidates PWD Category wise for last five years
Last date of EWS
EVERY LALU CHAPU WANTS TO BE IAS IN 2030 ABOUT 25LAKH ASPARAINTS AND 500 SEATS GAND MARA JAEGA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can You Give Me Online Coaching
I want to get prepared for this exam but I don’t have anyone who can guide me correctly
Brother’s didn’t you see this post either you become IAS or not buisness people win!
Whatever you do ! Best privileges (Mental , Spiritual , Financial etc.) And the best philanthropy is reserved for the politicians and Industrialists.
Can you give me your opinion about this?