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The Civil Services Examination consists of two stages – an objective type examination called as CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) to be held in May / June which is used to screen the candidates and bring them to a manageable number. There is a negative marking in this examination. About 4 lakh candidates are expected to apply for the examination (however, not more than 2 lakhs would appear at the examination). Out of these aspirants about 12,000 will be selected for the Main examination. The Main examination is of a descriptive type held in October and comprises 9 papers. About 1800 candidates are selected from the 12,000 who appear in March of the following year for the Interview. The Interviews are held in Delhi and the marks scored by in the Main examination are added to the Interview marks to determine the Final merit list. About 650 + candidates are finally selected for all the services. Service allocation is based on ranking and preference.

The nature of the examination can be analysed through these points:

1. A comprehensive reading of the notification that would appear in detail in the Employment News and the website of UPSC (www.upsc.gov.in).
2. An analysis of the previous years papers and the recent trends – which are available in a few books and websites.
3. Discussing elaborately with successful candidates, seniors, and professionals.

Having known about the examination and the pattern it is time to evolve a proper strategy for the examination.

The first and important step is to decide the optional subjects for Main examination. It is always advisable to take proper advise from seniors or professionals about choosing the optional. The choice regarding optional should be made based on the following factors:

A). Whether you have a general interest in the subject and whether you can sustain the interest for a long period.
B). Availability of guidance – in the form of books, coaching etc.
C). Performance of the optionals in the last few years.

There are a few optionals such as Public Administration, Geography, Sociology, Anthropology and Psychology, have an advantage over others. The important advantages are the availability of coaching and guidance, the specificity of the syllabus and relevant to the day- to -day events.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will be notifying the Civil Services 2011 Examination during January 2011. Like the previous years the notification is expected for more than 650 vacancies. Recruitment to 22 or 23 services is sought to be conducted through this examination. Apart from the most coveted services like the Indian Administrative Service, the Indian Police Service, the Indian Foreign Service, these services include the Indian Revenue Service, the Indian Customs and Central Excise Service, the Indian Audit and Accounts Service, the Indian Railway Traffic Service, etc.

Following are the number of vacancies in Civil Services over a period of time:

1. 2002 – 417
2. 2003 – 286
3. 2004- 413
4. 2005 – 325
5. 2006- 474
6. 2007- 455
7. 2008 – 671

Why should one think of the civil services as a career? Primarily for the job security, ( makes a lot of sense during the present economic slow down ) the status and the overall societal respect commanded by a civil servant. Most of us identify the civil services only with the status and security. However, every aspirant should know the job profile and the pros and cons of the services. A brief profile of the services is given below:

A brief profile of some of the higher civil services is given below:

1. Indian Administrative Service: The only service that gets an exposure at all the three levels i.e., the District, the State and the Centre.

2. Indian Foreign Service: Diplomatic Status, the Satisfaction of representing the country, scope for lots of adventure and exposure.

3. The Indian Police Service: Exposure to varied activities in training like operating latest weapons, horse riding etc. which are not available in any other sector. Swift initial promotions where one becomes the Superintendent of Police in-charge of district within a span of five years of entry.

4. The Indian Revenue (Income Tax ) Service: Postings only in major towns and cities. Opportunities for deputation. Host of opportunities post retirement.

5. The Indian Revenue (Customs and Central Excise) service: Postings only in major towns and cities, exposure to the Corporate World etc. Service tax provides a new area of unexplored opportunity.

6. The Railway Traffic / Accounts Service: A chance to travel all over India and excellent support services in the form of housing, medical services, subsidized travel etc.

7. The Indian Postal Service: Freedom in aspects of management. Possibility of experience in armed forces (on deputation).