Conducted by the apex government-recruiting agency, the Indian Foreign Service is one of the Central Civil Services of the executive branch of the Indian government. The Indian Foreign Service or IFS members represent the nation in international territories. Unlike other branches of Civil Services, IFS engages with the country’s external affairs like trade, diplomacy, international relations, and so forth. It is also tasked with framing the Indian government’s foreign policies and the management of India’s overseas missions. Now that we have touched upon the basics let us look at the Indian Foreign Service exam eligibility criteria.
WHO CAN BE AN IFS OFFICER?
Nationality Eligibility
To be selected for the post of an Indian Foreign Service officer, your nationality must be either of the following –
- Citizen of India
- Nepal-related subject
- Subject of Bhutan
- Tibetans who arrived in India before January 1, 1962, and have established themselves there permanently
- Migrants from the following countries who have permanently settled in India – Sri Lanka, Burma, Pakistan, countries of East Africa such as Uganda, Kenya, the United Republic of Tanzania, Malawi, Ethiopia, Zambia, Zaire, and Vietnam
Age Limit
The minimum age limit for the Indian Foreign Service exam eligibility is 21 years, and the maximum age is 30 years. The concessions in terms of age for different groups include –
- Five years for SC/ST candidates
- Three years for OBC candidates
- Up to 5 years for people from the state of Jammu and Kashmir
- Up to 5 years for Defense Services Personnel
- Up to 5 years for Ex-servicemen, including Commissioned officers and ECO/SSCOs who have rendered a minimum of five years in the military and are released
- Up to 5 years for ECO/SSCOs who have completed an initial period of assignment of five years in the military service
- Up to 10 years for deaf, blind, mute, and orthopedically handicapped persons
Educational Eligibility
The educational qualifications and soft skills required to become an IFS officer include –
- Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree from any recognized university in India or must have equivalent qualification skills.
- Practical thinking
- Decision-making skills
- Good communication competencies
- Knowledge about foreign affairs
- Abreast with contemporary knowledge
- Excellent leadership abilities
Number of Attempts Allowed to Candidates from Different Categories
Reservation status dictates the maximum number of attempts you can make-
- Seven attempts for General Category candidates
- No restrictions for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe candidates
- Nine attempts for candidates from Other Backward Castes
Now that we have comprehensively looked at the eligibility criteria to become an IFS officer let us briefly glance at the roles and responsibilities of the same.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF AN INDIAN FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER
To begin with, an IFS officer represents India in its embassies, high commissions, multilateral organizations, and commissions. Indian Foreign Service is that branch of the Central Civil Services that deals with protecting the country’s national interests in international territories and strives to promote and foster cordial relationships and friendships with other nations. The role of an IFS officer is invigorating, promising, lucrative, and highly challenging.
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