IFS Officers are a part of All India Services, and their primary role is to safeguard and promote the country’s political, economic, cultural and security interests abroad. Candidates have to pursue a bachelor’s degree in any discipline after class 12 to become an IFS Officer. They have to prepare for the prelims and main stages of the UPSC CSE exam and then appear in the personal interview to get selected as an IFS Officer. The salary of an IFS Officer can vary based on the different designations. average IFS salary in India is INR 60,000 per month. The grade pay ranges from INR 5,400 to INR 10,000 for officers in India.
Table of Contents
- How to Become an IFS Officer: Quick Facts
- What are the Qualifications to Become an IFS Officer
- What are the Eligibility Criteria to Become an IFS Officer
- Types of IFS Officers
- Courses to Become IFS Officer
5.1 Entrance Exams
How to Become an IFS Officer: Quick Facts
| Eligibility | Class 12 |
| Entrance Exams | UPSC Civil Service |
| Qualifications | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline |
| Average Salary (INR) | INR 60,000 |
| Top Recruiters | Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Indian Embassies and High Commissions, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Export Promotion Councils |
What are the Qualifications to Become an IFS Officer?
To become IFS Officers, candidates have to possess certain educational qualifications. The general requirements are mentioned in the following points.
- Candidates must clear class 12 with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognised board.
- Candidates should possess a bachelor’s degree in any discipline to appear in the CSE exam.
- They must clear the prelims and mains stage of the UPSC CSE exam to be eligible for a personal interview.
What are the Eligibility Criteria to Become an IFS Officer?
Candidates have to meet different eligibility criteria in order to become an IFS Officer. The criteria are as follows.
- Candidates must be citizens of India when applying for the CSE exam.
- The minimum age to appear in the exam is 21 years while the maximum is 32 years. There are age relaxations for candidates from the reserved categories.
- Candidates are required to hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university.
- General category candidates can appear in the exam only 6 times while candidates belonging to the OBC community can appear 9 times. There are no attempt restrictions for SC/ST candidates.
Types of IFS Officers
IFS Officers hold various roles within the MEA and Indian diplomatic missions. Some different types of IFS Officers are.
- Ambassador/High Commissioner
- Senior officers who represent India and manage diplomatic missions, promote bilateral missions and negotiate agreements.
- Counsellor
- They provide expertise in specific areas report on developments in their respective fields, and represent the country in international forums.
- Foreign Secretory
- They are responsible for the overall administration and management of the MEA. They play a critical role in shaping India’s foreign policy.
- Additional Secretory
- They are responsible for policy planning, decision-making and coordination with different divisions.
Courses to Become an IFS Officer
Candidates have to obtain a bachelor’s degree in any discipline which is one of the eligibility criteria set by UPSC. The details for some of the most pursued courses are mentioned in the following table.
| Parameters | BCom | BA LLB | BA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Class 12 | Class 12 | Class 12 |
| Entrance Exams | CUET, IPU CET, NPAT, SUAT | CLAT, MH CET Law, KITEEE, LSAT | CUET, NPAT, TISS BAT, IPU CET, JNUEE |
| Top Colleges | Delhi University, Calcutta University, Mumbai University | NLSIU, National Law University, NALSAR University of Law | Hindu College, Miranda House, Christ University, Ramjas College |
| Course Fees | INR 2,500 - 65,000 | INR 1.5 - 15 L | INR 5,000 - 80,000 |
| Average Salary (INR) | INR 2.4 - 5.4 LPA | INR 3 - 6 LPA | INR 3.6 LPA |
| Top Recruiters | E&Y, Accenture, Genpact, TCS, Capgemini, Wipro | AZB and Partners, Khaitan and Co, Trilegal, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas | Indian Civil Service, TATA Consultancy, High Lantern Group, Nat West |
Entrance Exams
Candidates are required to appear in Civil Services Exam (CSE) conducted by UPSC to become IFS Officers. It is a 2 stage exam which is followed by an interview for the selection. The exam details are as follows.
| Entrance Exam | Application Deadlines | Exam Dates | Result Declaration |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPSC CSE | February 21, 2023 | May 28, 2023 (Prelims) September 15, 16, 17, 23 and 24, 2023 (Mains) |
12 June, 2023 (Prelims) Result date for Main’s exam to be notified. |
What are the Skills Required to Become an IFS Officer?
IFS Officers are required to have a diverse set of skills to efficiently carry out diplomatic, international relations, foreign policy and other works. Some of the top skills are tabulated below.
| Communication skills | Interpersonal skills | Cultural sensitivity |
| Language proficiency | Analytical skills | Problem-solving skills |
| Strategic thinking | Adaptability | Public speaking |
What are the Benefits of Becoming an IFS Officer?
Becoming an IFS Officer can offer a variety of benefits. Some of the top benefits include.
- Global exposure: IFS Officers can work in various countries and international organisations which helps in building a wide network of international contacts.
- Diverse roles: Apart from diplomatic roles. IFS Officers can find opportunities in economic, administrative and cultural capacities, providing a well-rounded experience.
- Attractive compensation: IFS Officers are generally compensated well along with various allowances and benefits.
- Job security: IFS positions, generally offer high job security with permanent positions and retirement benefits.
Top Recruiters of IFS Officers
IFS Officers are posted to different government ministries and departments related to foreign affairs. Some top organisations where IFS Officers are generally recruited are as follows.
| Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) | Indian Embassies and High Commissions | Ministry of Commerce and Industry |
| Ministry of Finance | Ministry of Defence | Export Promotion Councils |
Salary of an IFS Officer
In India, the salaries of IFS Officers are decided based on the 7th pay commission. The average IFS salary in India is INR 60,000 per month. The grade pay ranges from INR 5,400 to INR 10,000 for officers in India. The average salaries for different IFS Officer ranks are mentioned in the table below.
| Designations/Ranks | Basic Monthly Salary (INR) | IFS Officer Salary Grade Pay (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Under Secretary (Junior Time Scale) | 8,000 | 5,400 |
| Under Secretary (Senior Time Scale) | 10,700 | 6,600 |
| Deputy Secretary | 12,750 | 7,600 |
| Counsellor Director | 15,100 | 8,700 |
| Joint Secretory | 18,400 | 10,000 |
| Foreign Secretory | 26,000 | NA |
How to Become an IFS Officer: FAQs
Ques. What is the eligibility for an IFS Officer?
Ans. The candidates are required to be a citizens of India and must possess a bachelor’s degree in any discipline to be eligible for IFS Officer.
Ques. How is an IFS Officer selected?
Ans. IFS Officers are selected based on the UPSC CSE exam followed by an interview.
Ques. Is becoming an IFS Officer difficult?
Ans. The competitive selection process and rigorous training make the IFS selection process challenging.
Ques. What is the salary of an IFS Officer?
Ans. The average IFS salary in India is INR 60,000 per month.
Ques. Is IFS a stressful job?
Ans. IFS job can be stressful and demanding due to international diplomatic responsibilities and constant adaptation to various situations.
Ques. What are the major duties of an IFS Officer?
Ans. Diplomacy and negotiation, representation, political analysis, cultural and economic promotion and consular services are some of the major duties of an IFS Officer.
Ques. Can I become an IFS Officer without the UPSC?
Ans. No, to become an IFS Officer it is mandatory to clear the UPSC CSE exam.
Ques. Does IFS travel a lot?
Ans. Due to their diplomatic and representational responsibilities, IFS Officers often travel extensively.
Ques. Is the IFS salary low?
Ans. IFS salary is generally competitive and comes with various allowances and benefits.
Ques. Which is the highest post in IFS?
Ans. The foreign secretary is the highest post in IFS and serves as the head of the service.
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