How to Become an IPS Officer

So you want to become an IPS (Indian Police Service) Officer? IPS which is an All India Service is counted among the top three civil services in India. The other two being IAS and IFS (Indian Foreign Service). IPS has its own charm and status; you can serve the needy, stand for the helpless and voiceless, do good for the society at large. It also provides you high social standing and prestige. you can take on many challenges of different kinds like fighting organized crime, terrorism, traffic problems, women safety and so forth. No wonder many aspirants make IPS their first choice in the civil services examination .

* IPS Exam Eligibility :-

For getting selected to the IPS, there are two types of eligibility. One is that you should be eligible for appearing for the IPS exam and the other is that after clearing the mains and while appearing for the physical tests during the interview stage you should meet all the physical and other requirements as mandated. Let’s discuss these in detail.

There are no special requirements for appearing for the IPS exam as it is part of the Civil Services examination. So if you fulfill the criteria for civil services exams you, by default, qualify for IPS exams as well. To be eligible for the civil services exams :

> You must be at least 21 years of age at the time of filling the Civil Services (Preliminary) Exam form and not more than 30 years of age (various relaxations are available for different categories).

> You must possess a graduate degree in any discipline of any of the Universities incorporated by an Act of Central or State legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament or declared to be deemed as a University under Section 3 of the UGC Act 1956, or possess an equivalent qualification.

> Candidates who are in the final semester or have taken their final degree exam but are awaiting the results can also appear for the IAS and IPS Preliminary examination provided they furnish their proof of degree while filling the Mains form.

* Special requirement for IPS and IAS :-

For these two services a candidate MUST be a citizen of India. Whereas for other services the citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, a Tibetan refugee who migrated to India after 1st January 1962, or persons of Indian origin from the countries mentioned in the notification can also apply.

* Special Physical Requirements for IPS :-

As mentioned earlier candidates appearing for the personality test on clearing the civil services mains exam have to meet certain physical requirements to be eligible for IPS.

> Minimum height of 165 cm for Men and 150 cm for Women (minimum height is relaxable to 160 and 145 cm for Men and Women respectively in the case of candidates belonging to ST and to races such as Gorkhas, Garhwalias, Assamese, Kumaonis, Nagaland Tribals etc.)

> Min Chest girth fully expanded: 84 cm for Men and 79 cm for Women. Expansion of 5 cm for Men and Women.

> Total amount of Myopia (including the cylinder) should not exceed minus 4.00 D and total amount of Hypermetropia (including the cylinder) should not exceed plus 4.00 D.

> Presence of Squint is a disqualification.

Vision Requirement for IPS

You should meet these special vision requirements to be eligible for India Police Service.

Parameters

Better eye Worse eye

(corrected vision)

Distant vision: 6/6 or 6/9 6/12 or 6/9

Near vision J1: J2

Corrections permitted: spectacles 

Color vision requirements: High grade 

Binocular vision needed yes

*Syllabus and Pattern for IPS Exam:

Again, as mentioned above the IPS is not separate exam from the civil services exam. The syllabus and pattern of IPS exam is as follows. It consists of two papers common to all with the following syllabus:

General Studies Paper I

Maximum marks : 200

Number of Questions : 100

Total Time : 120 minutes (02 hours)

SYLLABUS

1. Current events of national and international importance

2. History of India and Indian national movement

3. Indian and World Geography – physical, social, economic geography of India and the world

4. Indian Polity and governance – Constitution, political system, Panchayati Raj, public policy, Rights issues, etc.

5. Economic and social development – sustainable development, poverty, inclusion, demographics, social sector initiatives etc.

6. General issues on environmental ecology, bio-diversity and climate change – that do not require subject specialization

7. General Science

General Studies Paper II

Maximum marks : 200

Number of Questions : 80

Total Time : 120 minutes (02 hours)

SYLLABUS

1. Comprehension

2. Interpersonal skills including communication skills

3. Logical reasoning and analytical ability

4. Decision making and problem solving

5. General mental ability

6. Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude etc. – Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. – Class X level)

7. English language comprehension skills (Class X level)

Booklist for GS Mains 2013 All 4 Papers [New Syllabus]

hello all,

I am posting below the List of Books for various papers of the updated GS Syllabus, that have been collected after an elaborate research, talking to teachers and humanities subjects seniors. This is also tallying with what Ravindran Sir of Vajiram & Ravi has given and also has largely been posted on the forum in multiple places, recommended by co-aspirants.

Paper I

History & Culture :-

1. Facets of Indian Culture (New Edition by Spectrum) [Updated Link, working]
2. [Must Read]India after Independence by Bipan Chandra
3. India After Gandhi by Ramchandra Guha - Good to Read
4. [Must Read]History of the World by Arjun Dev & Indira Dev (Orinet Blackswan) OR Old NCERT of same name (Xerox is available - exactly same book)
5. Contemporary World by Arjun Dev / Old NCERT xerox by same author
6. [Must Read]Bipan Chandra's India's Struggle for Independence

If you're looking at a one stop book for World History, try Norman Lowe's Mastering World History. Its brilliant, written in question answer format, pointwise.

Social Issues :-

1. 11th Class NCERT book on Sociology
2. [Must Read]Social Problems in India by Ram Ahuja


Geography:-
1.[Must Read] Go Cheng Leon
2. Principles of Geography - NECRT 11th Book
3. Economic Geography of the World (11th Class NCERT)
4. Physical Geography of India (NCERT)
5. Environment & Economic Geography (NCERT - 9th Class)
6. Cultural & Economic Geography of India (NCERT)
7. Geography & You Magazine
8. For those who don't have time to hunt for NECRTs and dont like NCERT - by far the best book for Geography Paper - 1 is India & World Geography by TMH for paper 1

Paper II

Indian Polity :-
1. Democracy at Work -12th NCERT
2. Indian Polity by Laxmikant
3. DD Basu's Constitution of India - Selected Analytical Parts/One reading


Public Administration Topics :-
1. From Govt to Governance by Kuldeep Mathur (A very thin book, Out Of Print, Get Xerox from Delhi)
2. Social Thoery, Development Administration & Ethics by Mohit Bhattacharya
3. 2nd ARC Report on Ethics in Governance, Corruption, Security - Internal & External


International Relations:-
1. by Rajiv Sikri - Good To Read but Not Essential
2. The Hindu, Indian Express
3. World Focus Magazine (selective articles)
4. IDSA Website
5. The Diplomat

Paper III

Economy:-
1. NCERTs - 11th & 12th
2. [Must Read]Economic Survey 
3. Newspapers
4. [Must Read] Indian Economy by TMH - Get 5th Edition, which is more updated. Link for for 4th Edition is here

Science & Technology:-
1. Newspaper
2. Ministry of S & T Website
3. Department of Space Website
4. MoEF Website

Security Issues:-
1. Newspaper
2. Magazine - Frontline, Yojana Selected Articles
3. Home Ministry Website

Paper IV

1. ARC Reports
* Ethics
* Corruption
2. Lectures on the same on Youtube
3. cec edusat

Smart Work for IAS Preparation

Smart Work for IAS : This article is written with a special focus on the minimum requirements of IAS exam. The importance of this discussion is at a time when there are a wide variety of resources available around every aspirant to make him/her get confused. There is no shortage of books, materials or coaching in the market, but there is no proper guidance regarding what to study and what not. The root concept of smart work for clearing IAS exam lies in the same – knowing what to study and what not.

Utopian model of Civil Services Preparation:

If you are thinking that you need to read N number of books (the big ones, you know, with near size of a pillow and N is a variable which starts only from the smallest possible 3 digit number), attend IAS classroom coaching at ABC institute, BCD institute and XYZ institute for specialized classes for each subject, browse 15-20 websites and prepare notes from 5-10 newspapers and magazines each day to clear IAS, you are probably wrong. The exaggerated actions highlighted above are Utopian cases, which are neither practical nor necessary to clear Civil Services Exam. Even if an imaginary person does all what is stated above, there is still chance that he/she not clear Prelims/Mains.

So what matters in UPSC IAS preparation is not the quantity (volume) of materials one had gone through, but the quality of learning and revision done. Besides, aspirants should develop personalized strategies knowing their strengths and weaknesses, as general strategies might not work in individual cases.

Books needed for UPSC Civil Services Preparation

As books in physical form are an indispensable prerequisite for IAS preparation, candidates should not worry spending a few bucks on the necessary books for UPSC exams. In-fact from the very beginning aspirants should keep aside a sum of around 5000-10,000 entirely for basic books, magazines and newspapers. But what are the essential books for IAS preparation?

Two versions of candidates can be observed if we keenly analyze the book buying habit of aspirants. The first group are extremely reluctant to spend on books, though they are happy to spend thousands on coaching classes (without any use), drinks, latest gadgets or parties.

The second version of aspirants consider being a book collector as the prerequisite for becoming an actual collector. Rooms of these guys can at any time beat any central library in terms of quantity of materials 

We at ClearIAS.com suggest a middle path. Though books are life long assets and the money spend on books can be seen as an investment, you should also consider the time factor. You have only limited time and UPSC does not expect you to read all the text books and magazines available in the market.

So candidates are advised to adopt a basic minimum program in the case of books and study materials that should be bought. Depending upon on time available, you may expand your book base from this basic minimum.

Even the minimum book list (listed below) might look exhaustive for some of the aspirants, but unfortunately we can’t help that. The one year long UPSC exam cycle expects you to go through at least these basics.  After all, you are doing smart work for IAS, and not any school tests! 

Smart Work for Clearing IAS : Books and Materials

This article is a miniature form of the same list for beginners, who can/should later expand their book bases to the detailed list.

Basic books you should cover before you take IAS Exam : Prelims and Mains

Basic Materials or Books for History Preparation for UPSC Civil Services Exam

• NCERT Books - Std 6-12
• India’s Struggle For Independence – Bipan Chandra
• (Additional books for mains GS : History Of Modern India by Bipan Chandra, Facets of Indian Culture – Spectrum)

Basic Materials or Books for Geography Preparation for UPSC Civil Services Exam

• NCERT Books - Std 6-12
• (Additional books for mains GS : Indian And World Geography – Hussain, Certificate Physical and Human Geography – Goh Cheng Leong)

Basic Materials or Books for Polity Preparation for UPSC Civil Services Exam

• Indian Polity for Civil Services Examinations – M. Laxmikanth OR Introduction to the Constitution of India – Durga Das Basu
• India Year Book
• (Also get updates about latest happenings related to Parliament like Bills from the official websites.)

Basic Materials or Books for Economy Preparation for UPSC Civil Services Exam

• NCERT Books - Std 11-12
• Indian Economy – Ramesh Singh  OR Indian – Economy – Uma Kapila
• Economic Survey (2012-13)
• India Year Book
• (Must read : Economy section of The Hindu newspaper.)

Basic Materials or Books for Science and Technology Preparation for UPSC Civil Services Exam

• NCERT Books - Std 6-12
• (The Hindu newspaper Science and Technology section)

Basic Materials or Books for Environment Preparation for UPSC Civil Services Exam

• (The Hindu newspaper Environment section)
• Ministry of Environment updates.

Basic Materials or Books for Foreign Policy Preparation for UPSC Civil Services Exam

• Ministry of External Affairs updates.

Basic Materials or Books for Ethics Preparation for UPSC Civil Services Exam

• Ethics – by Frankena K William
• Human Values and Professional Ethics with Case Studies

Basic Materials or Books for Current Affairs Preparation for UPSC Civil Services Exam

1. The Hindu News Paper
2. India 2013 – Publication Division
3. Manorama Yearbook 2013 OR Mathrubhumi Yearbook 2013 Plus

Basic Materials or Books for CSAT Paper 2 (Prelims) Preparation for UPSC Civil Services Exam

• CSAT 2013: General Studies for Civil Services Preliminary Examination (Paper – 2) by TMH OR Crack Civil Services Prelims (Paper – 2) by Disha Experts

What not to Study for IAS?

As we have covered the minimum materials (under basic minimum program!) one should study for clearing IAS, let us cover another most important area – What not to Study for Clearing IAS.You should never spend much time on the areas listed below. ( These details are never worth the time of a serious UPSC aspirant!)

1. Bollywood and all the other “filmwoods”- Don’t spend time remembering the pet names of actresses, music director’s uncles’ names, gossips, latest flops and masala stories.
2. Sports – Names of sports persons might be asked for 2 or 5 markers if they had made any notable achievement, but don’t spend time remembering all the centuries of Sachin, sixes hit by Gayle, IPL purple caps etc. Remember that you are going to write UPSC exam and not any Crorepathi shows in Television.
3. Politics – Neglect the entire local/state politics news. Just brief through central politics news, but there is no need to mug up the details of stories.
4. Names of Uganda President, Currency in Kiribati etc unless these makes headlines during the year.

In short, right materials along with a focused approach in alignment with the UPSC syllabus and previous question papers is the mantra for clearing UPSC exams with minimum time, effort and expense. Hard work without focus might not help you, but smart work in the direction required by UPSC surely will!

STRATEGY TO PREPARE SOCIOLOGY

Paper I

For short notes, these are the important sections in paper I:

• Sociology - The Discipline
• Scientific Study of Social Phenomena
• Techniques of data collection and analysis
• Economic System
• Political System
• Educational System
• Science & Technology

To prepare for the long questions in paper I, students are required to thoroughly prepare Pioneering contributions to Sociology. This includes

• Karl Marx: Historical materialism, mode of production, alienation and class struggle.
• Emile Durham: Division of labour, social fact, religion and society.
• Max Weber: Social action, ideal types, authority, bureaucracy, protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism.
• Talcott Parsons: Social system, pattern variables.
• Robert K Merton: Latent and manifest functions, anomie, conformity and deviance, reference groups.

Sociology SociologyGuide.com - A free guide to sociology Examinations.

While revising Pioneering contributions to Sociology', students need to focus on areas like socio-economic and political background, views of thinkers, their analysis, contemporary perspective and evolution. The section on `Pioneering contributions to Sociology' is the most important part of paper I. It helps to understand the theoretical inferences of paper II. So, if you are thorough with this section, it will be easier for candidates to get a gist of sections like Social Stratification, Economic System, Political System, Educational System, Social Movements and Social Change and Development. 

Candidates are required to understand argumentative aspect of thinkers like Karl Marx, Emile Durham, Max Weber, Talcott Parsons, Robert K Merton, with an eye to use their arguments in other sections of paper I. The theoretical inference of these thinkers need to be carried forward in paper II wherever required. 

For long questions, students need to focus on topics such as Pioneering Contributions to Sociology, Marriage and Family, Social Stratification and Mobility, Political System, Social Movements and Social Change and Development. Students who can thoroughly focus on these sections are expected to answer 70% of queries in paper I. They should, however, have an overall view of the paper with focus on emerging trends like education, religion and economic developments. 

Paper II

While preparing for this paper, students should ensure that they should not confine their preparation in terms of different sections. They need to focus on interrelation between different topics. Students need to have an analytical eye with focus on continuity and change. Like, despite so many changes, why caste system is still prevalent in our country. Or, despite the break-up of the joint family system, the mentality of joint family still exists among Indians. 

For short notes, the important sections are:

• Historical Moorings of the Indian Society
• Class Structure
• Marriage, Family and Kinship
• Education
• Political System
• Population Dynamics
• Social Movements
• Social Problems

For long questions, the important sections are:

• Caste System
• Class Structure
• Agrarian Social Structure
• Industry and Society
• Political Processes
• Tribal Societies
• Social Change
• Social Movements
• Women and Society

Apart from these, students need to keep an eye on sections like Caste System, Agrarian Social Structure and Tribal Societies. You can always have short or long questions from these three sections. Paper II actually works like mathematics and it is a high-scoring paper. 

There are many topics in paper II which seem to be essay-type. But in Sociology, they need to be approached through sociological perspectives. Suppose you are asked a question on poverty, this can have theoretical inferences. You need to give empirical or sociological or case studies examples to analyse the topics. 

Writing Short notes:

You need to directly start answering the question. Avoid flowery language with an eye on all perspectives while answering the question 

Long questions:

Perspectives which have been asked needs to be kept in view while answering the question. Theoretical dimension are to be substantiated with analysis.

Strategy to prepare Public Administration

Given the time constraint, a well-thought out strategy makes the difference between success and failure. Intensive and focused approach built on analysis needs to be scrupulously adhered to. Some ingredients of a 'smart strategy' are:

• Building a general overview
• Perusal of question papers of previous years
• Identification of 'thrust areas' for concentrated pursuit
• Examination-bias
• Adequate writing practice for time management and evolving right content
• Continuous review of performance and appropriate corrections
• At least two weeks before the examination, writing exercises should be stopped and the entire attention should be on revision.

Every candidate appearing for the mains examination should be conversant with the fundamentals of the structure, process, behaviour and environment of the administrative system. It's equally important that the student should be conversant with the contemporary and the current developments of socio-political and economic nature that have a close bearing on the functioning of the administration. For example, changing governors; direct grants to panchayats; economic reforms with a human face; globalisation and administration; second generation reforms and the social infrastructure; right to information and participative development. 

Amassing information is a big 'don't'. Candidates should be able to identify 'core areas' which cannot be avoided in the context of the mains examination and consolidate. Most importantly, study and writing practice should reinforce each other. Writing practice holds the key to success. It ensures legibility, time management and adherence to word limit. Effective introduction, logical build up and balanced conclusion send the right signals to the evaluator. Every question needs to be studied carefully to understand the exact requirements. For instance, some years ago, in the mains examination, the office of the Prime Minister was given and some took it for Prime Minister's Office. Several times, the questions are general in nature and not direct. For example, criminalisation of politics and politicisation of crime; public sector enterprises are neither public nor enterprises; recruitment of recruiters needs to be streamlined and planning in India needs to be depoliticised. 

For short questions, answers should be direct and precise. In a long essay, introduction should be appealing and effective. Elaboration of the theme should be properly prioritised. Sequencing should be done in such a manner that one paragraph logically follows from another. Depending upon the paper I or II, apt illustrations add value. While answering a question on welfare administration, the concept of welfare needs to be supplemented with the initiatives undertaken by the government highlighting the different types of programmes, the coverage and the resource profile. Unlike general studies, public administration requires interpretative skills, ability to correlate theory and practice; and synchronise conventional with the current. For example, presidential activism in India; budget as an instrument of socio-economic transformation; citizen-administration interface and e-governance; regulation and development; development and delivery models. 

Paper I
Administrative theory : Section - A

Theories of Administration: Scientific Management, Human Relations' School, Bureaucratic Theory and Systems Approach - These are all essential theories and students need to focus on critical aspects, which is not there in General Studies (GS). Students need to be exhaustive with their preparation, which should be based on 3Cs - comprehensive, clarity and critical approach. 

Structure of Public Organisations: In GS, a general approach to public sector is required whereas in Public Administration, the approach to this is actually amplification of government policy. Few years ago, a question in the main stage in the Public Administration paper was, `Welfare obligation of public sector has been abandoned in the era of liberalisation''.This question will never come in GS.The nature of this question is provocative and you need to respond with a positive attitude. Your reply could begin with:''Public sector still fulfil nation's goal of welfare....'' Or, there might be a question which says, ''Since 1967, position of governor has been politicised''. 

Administrative Behaviour: This topic is a real challenge and students need to be thorough with a concept like motivation. They need to be thorough with atleast three thinkers which include Maslow, Herzberg and Macgregor. They need to make a comparative account of all three of them. The year preceding, a quotation from Macgregor's original book of quotation was given. 

Accountability and Control: We are in a parliamentary system and students need to be clear about Parliament and its functions. They should read books on governance by Arun Shourie and Bimal Jalan. They also must be conversant on how Parliament functions in all aspects. 

Section B

Administrative Reforms: This is a dynamic area as the emphasis is on technology. Students need to be thorough with legislations like Right to Information, rendering administration through people-centric institutions like panchayats and nagar palikas. Concepts like social auditing and participatory governance need to be studied in detail. 

Comparative Public Administration: You need to read thinkers like Riggs. Earlier, public administration was centred around Western concepts whereas the focus is now on third world countries like India. Students are expected to be familiar with issues like governance, rural development, privatisation and human rights in Brazil, China and South Africa. 

Development Administration: Students need to approach this topic with an open mind and with some amount of reading. They need to follow international trends on how technology is impacting administration across third world and elsewhere. This is relevant for India as there is a political dimension to the whole concept as it deals in issues like federalism and decentralisation. It has a dimension of administration where you deal with various aspects like poverty alleviation, empowerment, retraining and administration machinery. 

Public Policy: It's a challenging topic and students need to be aware about Dror who spoke maximum on issues related to public policy. Students need to be aware of how the country is developing particularly on issues related to disinvestments. Students need to be aware of anti-poverty programmes and how employment-generation schemes have evolved all these years. 

Financial Administration: This topic is routed in Indian practices. You have issues like Parliament and Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) and how do they function but students have to be absolutely clear on these issues.There is premium on latest knowledge like the PM's and finance minister's recent speeches as well. 

Paper II
Indian Administration : Section - A

Evolution of Indian Administration: Areas which are crucial include criminalisation of politics and politicisation of crime, President's rule, Federal system in context of coalition government, fiscal and monetary policy. 

Constitutional framework: President, Parliament and judiciary: These are important but students should not follow the conventional mode while preparing for main paper. Questions are generally twisted and they need to muster facts while giving right interpretation. Like in GS, the questions will deal with discretionary power of Governor (Article 116) whereas for public Administration, they might ask, ''Governor is an agent of centre''. Similarly in GS, the question might be based on Panchayati Raj System based on 73rd amendment. In Public Administration, they might ask, ''Panchayats are not development delivery vehicle, they are an independent tier of governance in true Gandhian spirit''. Students need to read national dailies to prepare for these kind of topics. 

Union Government and Administration: The focus is on Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and Cabinet Secretariat. The PMO has acquired enormous importance during the last three to four decade. Students should focus on how the relationship between PMO and Cabinet Secretariat has evolved under these c i rc u m s t a n ce s. Newspapers and journals should be good source of information on this issue. 

State Government and Administration: Students need to be thorough with the Sarkaria Commission's report on Centre-State relations and National Commission to Review the Working of Constitution report which was submitted in 2002 

District Administration and Local Government: The changing role of collector vis-a-vis technology, District Rural Development Authority, District Development Authority, structure of panchayats and nagar palikas. There should focus on on issues like Right to Information, Cyber Governance. 

Section B

Public Services: There should be focus on UPSC, State Public Service Commissions and how ''recruiters should be properly recruited''. The constitutional aspect and functions of these institutions need to be studied. 

Control of Public Expenditure: Sections like Parliament and CAG have already been dealt in paper I. They need to further focus on Public Interest Litigation, judicial activism which includes extra ordinary intervention by Supreme Court and High Courts in order to restore dwindling public faith in system because of declining public morality at highest level. 

Administrative Reforms: Queries on Right to Information, social audit, panchayati raj, Voluntary R e t i re m e n t Schemes are part of the administrative reforms. 

Machinery for Planning: Student need to focus on Planning Commission and how the role has changed during all these years. They need to find out that whether Planning Commission should be merged with Finance Commission in the context of liberalisation. Students can gather information from national newspapers, periodical and journals. 

Administration of Law and Order: The role of central and state agencies in the maintenance of law and order and articles published on these issues should be given top priority 

Welfare Administration: This is an evolving area and there is no specific reading material available on this issue. Students need to go through annual report of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. 

Writing: Application is the key while writing this paper. Avoid jargon and abbreviation, be precise. Premium is on accuracy, insightfulness and application.