27 June 2014
first of all, you need to prepare for CSAT...it is two-paper multiple choice examination conducted as prelim examination.
this requires basic GK, quantitative aptitude, english and reasoning preparation.
If you clear CSAT, you have to write second level examination which is more complicated:
you have the following subjective papers in this:
Qualifying papers (not considered for rank but you need to pass in these)
Paper A: any indian language (you can choose from 22 languages
Paper B: English
Ranking Papers
Paper 1: Essay
Paper II - GK I - World history geography etc
Paper III - GK II - governance, politics social justice etc
Paper IV - GK III - Science and technology etc
Paper V - GK IV - ethics, integrity and aptitude
Paper VI - Optional Paper I
Paper VII - Optional Paper II
For optional papers, you can pick any subject including commerce, economics, etc
Once you clear mains, there is an interview round.
The candidates who clear interview are placed on a merit list...IRS stands approximately fourth on desired posting after IFS, IAS, IPS with IRS (Direct tax) standing above IRS (excise and customs)
Therefore, there is no difference in prepartion for IAS, IPS, IRS etc. It all depends on the final rank. Higher the rank, more the are choices.
you get four attempts (for general category) with maximum age limit of 30 years. This year they have given relaxation upto 32 years but there is no clarity regarding how long this relaxation will be extended.
Also, there are expectations that from next attempt (2015) optional papers may be removed, which would be in line with last year's decision to cut down optionals from two subjects to one.
for more info, please refer http://upsc.gov.in/exams/notifications/2014/csp/CSP%202014%20English.pdf
and if you want to undergo coaching, Rajender Nagar in Delhi is the hub for english based coaching and mukherjee nagar for hindi based coaching.
CAclubindia
