IFS Indian Foreign Service

Civil service exams are conducted by the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission). They are one of the toughest competitive exams other than MBA or bank exams. However, if you are able to clear this exam, you can be a part of one of the most highly coveted careers. You can be a part of civil service, play a role in running the country and ensure its welfare. You would be the servants of the Government who get handsome pays and exciting incentives, which are very hard to resist. One of the most respected and highly coveted branches in Civil Service is of an IFS Officer (Indian Foreign Service).
UPSC conducts exams for the selection of IFS officers. Exams for IFS are known for being extremely challenging and difficult and only a few are able to clear these exams with meritorious marks and reach the interview level. While thousands of students appear for this exam, only a few hundred are selected who are again filtered during the interview session. The selection rate is 0.1 percent so you can imagine the worth of the exams and the demand of the job. Once you are selected, you undergo a probationary period where you are trained at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussourie. Then they come to Delhi for further training in the Foreign Institute of Delhi and later get placements with various government sections and travel abroad.
IFS are one of the most prestigious branches of Civil Service and one should prepare thoroughly for these exams. They consist of two exams, Preliminary Exams that consist of General Studies paper and CSAT (Civil Service Aptitude Test) and Mains which consist of 9 exams. Once you pass these exams, a grilling interview session follows that tests your intelligence, ability, and potentiality to be a part of IFS. They also question you on your knowledge regarding the Current Affairs, not only in India, but also abroad since Foreign Service deals with international events and global market.
Therefore, IFS is an important part of civil services, which provides you stature and a handsome pay at the same time. You also get to travel abroad, which broadens your vision of the world and helps you grow, both academically and on a personal level. UPSC provides an excellent opportunity to be a part of the Civil Service.