The Indian Foreign Service (IFS) is one of the civil, diplomatic service conducting by UPSC every year. It is the Central Civil Services under the executive branch of the Government of India. The candidates selected as a member of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) will represent the country (India) in international territory. This service is unique from other services as it deals with diplomacy, trade, and cultural relations, and its primary goal is to frame foreign policies and management of Indian missions abroad.
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Annually, on average of 8-12 persons were elected or appointed as Indian Foreign Service. At present cadre strength of the service (IFS) will be at approximately 600 officers around 162 Indian missions and posts abroad lock home.
| IFS full form | Indian Foreign Service |
| Formed | October 9, 1946 |
| Headquarters | South Block, New Delhi |
| Training ground. | Foreign Service Institute, New Delhi |
| Controlling Authority | Ministry of external Affairs |
| Legal Personality | Government services |
| Preceding service | Indian civil service, |
Essential dates for IFS;
| An official notification release | February 2021 |
| Online applicationn form last date for Essential(Prelims) | March 2021 |
| IFS 2021 Admit Card | To be Updated |
| Examination date of IFS Pre Exam | June 2021 |
| Pre Exam Result announcement | To be Updated |
| Commencement of the IFS (Mains) | December 2021 |
| Mains Result announcement | December 2021 |
| IFS interview date announcement | December 2021 |
Eligibility to appear for IFS entrance exam:
1. Nationality
The candidate should be a citizen Of the following countries
- India
- Nepal
- Bhutan
They can also be the migrant of the following countries
- Pakistan
- Burma
- Sri Lanka
- East African countries of Kenya
- Uganda
- The United Republic of Tanzania
- Zambia
- Malawi
- Ethiopia
- Zaire and
- Vietnam.
He or she can also be a refugee from Tibet.
2.Educational qualification:
The candidate must possess a degree from an acknowledged University.
3. The age limit of the candidates:
The age limit for the candidate to appear for the exam is 21 to 30 years. however, there is some relaxation in the age limit based on the caste, Ex-service members. They are followings:-
No.of relaxation years -Type of candidates
Maximum of 5 years. – SC/ST candidates
Maximum of 3 years -OBC candidates.
maximum of 5 years. – candidates from Jammu and Kashmir
Maximum of 5 years -Defense Services personnel.
Maximum of 5 years -Ex-servicemen
Maximum of 10 years. -Blind, deaf-mute and handicapped persons
Note:
The maximum number of attempts also differ according to caste.
- General category. – 7 attempts
- ST/SC candidates. -no limit
- OBC candidates. -9 attempts
It remains the same, likes payments do for other Services.
Training period disabled through:
The selected candidates of Indian Foreign Service (IFS) cadre are provided training at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), situated at Mussourie. The train evening will be 3 to 4 months. The candidates would be trained on diplomatic skills, knowledge, and all the qualities of a diplomat.
After this, probationers/candidates are sent to the Foreign Service Institute in New Delhi.
There, candidates will undergo training in the various disciplines in which their career diplomat needs to familiarize.
- It includes lectures, attachments with various wings of the Government, International Relations,( Indian Foreign Service Pay, Leave and Compensatory Allowances )IFS-PLCA Rules, Foreign Trade, functioning of Indian missions in neighbouring South Asian countries, getting socialize with the Army, Navy and the Air Force, and also with district and the state administrations including corporate sectors.
Learning a foreign language,
After completion of the above training, candidates will be given training in their respective division of the Ministry of External Affairs for a period of six months. During their training its compulsory for them to learn foreign Languages such as Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Russian, Spanish or others.
At last;
Before getting a post as a IFS they will be posted as a Third Secretary (Language Trainee) in an Indian mission abroad.
After this, based on their performance on test conducted by the School of Foreign Languages (SFL), Ministry of Defense, they will be confirmed as an IFS officer.
Totally it comprises of three years to become an IFS officer officially, since from Mussoorie training days.
Roles and responsibilities:
- The major part of IFS officers is to represent India in its various
places, eg. High commissions, multilateral organizations, etc.
- To protect India’s national interest in countries all over the world.
- To Improve India’s friendship with other countries
- To oppose any development in a foreign country that would affect India’s development
- To act as a mediator and handle all diplomatic problems between India and other countries
- To continually keep updating about the events of the foreign country.
- These are some of the challenging roles of IFS officers, along with some more.
SKILLS EXPECTED FROM IFS:
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Analytical skills
- Learning interest in International relations and affairs
- Diplomacy
- Decision-making skills
- Logical thinking
- Leadership
- Survival of the fittest
- Sensitivity to other cultures
Salary structure :
SALARY:
| Grade | Rank | Actual pay | Grade pay |
| Junior time scale | Under secretary | Rs.8000/- | Rs.5400/- |
| Senior time scale | Under secretary | Rs.10700/- | Rs.6600/- |
| Junior administrative scale | Deputy Secretary | Rs.12750/- | Rs.7600/- |
| Selection grade | Counsellor director | Rs.15100/- | Rs.8700/- |
| Senior administrative scale | Joint secretary | Rs.18400/- | Rs.10000/- |
| High Commissioner | Foreign Secretary | Rs.26000/- | Nil |
Important Links:
1. Syllabus
2.Previous Year Paper
3. The Hindu News Analysis
