The Indian Economic Service (IES) and Indian Statistical Service (ISS) exams, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), are designed to recruit candidates for the Indian Economic Service and Indian Statistical Service, respectively. The eligibility criteria for both exams are stringent and involve various aspects, including educational qualifications, age limits, nationality, and other relevant conditions.
Here’s a comprehensive, updated response regarding the eligibility criteria for both the IES and ISS exams:
1. Eligibility Criteria for Indian Economic Service (IES) Exam:
A. Nationality:
- The candidate must be a citizen of India.
- Citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet who came to India before 1st January 1962 and intended to settle in India may also be eligible.
- A person of Indian origin who has migrated from other countries like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Vietnam, East African countries, and some other Commonwealth countries (as specified by the government) can also apply, provided they meet certain conditions as set by the Indian government.
B. Age Limit:
The age limit for candidates applying for the IES exam is as follows:
- Minimum Age: 21 years
- Maximum Age: 30 years
Age relaxation is provided for specific categories:
- SC/ST candidates: 5 years relaxation (maximum age = 35 years)
- OBC candidates: 3 years relaxation (maximum age = 33 years)
- Physically Disabled (PwD) candidates: 10 years relaxation (maximum age = 40 years for general, 43 years for OBC, and 45 years for SC/ST)
- Ex-Servicemen: 5 years (subject to other conditions)
- Defense Services Personnel: 5 years relaxation for those who have been in the armed forces.
C. Educational Qualifications:
Candidates applying for the IES exam must have the following educational qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree with at least 60% marks in Economics or Applied Economics or Business Economics or Econometrics from a recognized university or institution.
- Note: Candidates appearing in the final year of their degree or awaiting their result may also apply, but they must provide proof of qualification during the interview stage.
D. Physical Fitness:
Candidates must be in good physical health to undertake the duties associated with the post. The UPSC may require a medical fitness certificate from candidates who qualify for the final selection process.
E. Number of Attempts:
- The number of attempts is restricted for candidates based on their category:
- General category: 6 attempts
- OBC category: 9 attempts
- SC/ST category: Unlimited attempts, subject to the upper age limit.
F. Other Conditions:
- Candidates who have already appeared for the IES exam three times (for any stage) are not eligible for further attempts.
2. Eligibility Criteria for Indian Statistical Service (ISS) Exam:
A. Nationality:
- The candidate must be a citizen of India.
- The same nationality conditions apply for citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, and other Indian origin candidates from specified countries, as mentioned for the IES exam.
B. Age Limit:
The age limit for candidates applying for the ISS exam is as follows:
- Minimum Age: 21 years
- Maximum Age: 30 years
Age relaxation is provided for specific categories:
- SC/ST candidates: 5 years relaxation (maximum age = 35 years)
- OBC candidates: 3 years relaxation (maximum age = 33 years)
- Physically Disabled (PwD) candidates: 10 years relaxation (maximum age = 40 years for general, 43 years for OBC, and 45 years for SC/ST)
- Ex-Servicemen: 5 years relaxation (subject to other conditions)
C. Educational Qualifications:
Candidates applying for the ISS exam must have the following educational qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Statistics or in Mathematics with Statistics as one of the subjects, or a Master’s Degree in Statistics or Mathematical Statistics or Applied Statistics from a recognized university or institution.
Candidates must have completed the degree before the date of the exam. Those in the final year of their degree can apply, but they must meet the required qualification before the interview stage.
D. Physical Fitness:
Similar to the IES exam, candidates applying for the ISS exam must meet the medical and physical fitness requirements. They may be required to submit a medical fitness certificate at the final stage of selection.
E. Number of Attempts:
- The number of attempts is also restricted for candidates based on their category:
- General category: 6 attempts
- OBC category: 9 attempts
- SC/ST category: Unlimited attempts, subject to the upper age limit.
F. Other Conditions:
- Candidates who have already appeared for the ISS exam three times (for any stage) are not eligible for further attempts.
Summary of Key Eligibility Criteria for IES and ISS:
| Criteria | IES Exam | ISS Exam |
|-----------------------------|-------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------|
| Nationality | Citizen of India (or other specified categories) | Citizen of India (or other specified categories) |
| Age Limit | 21 to 30 years (relaxations as per category) | 21 to 30 years (relaxations as per category) |
| Educational Qualification| Bachelor’s degree in Economics or related fields | Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Statistics or related fields |
| Physical Fitness | Required for service-related duties | Required for service-related duties |
| Number of Attempts | 6 for General, 9 for OBC, Unlimited for SC/ST | 6 for General, 9 for OBC, Unlimited for SC/ST |
| Other Conditions | Must meet qualification requirements before the interview | Must meet qualification requirements before the interview |
Important Points to Note:
- Nationality and Age Relaxation: Both IES and ISS exams allow age relaxation for various categories like SC/ST, OBC, and PwD.
- Educational Requirements: IES candidates need a degree in Economics or related fields, while ISS candidates require a degree in Statistics or related fields.
- Physical Fitness: Both exams require candidates to meet the physical fitness criteria, though the specifics may vary based on the position.
- Ex-Servicemen: Ex-servicemen are given a relaxation of 5 years in age.
- Attempts: Candidates must be aware of the number of attempts allowed and plan accordingly. If a candidate has reached the limit of attempts, they are no longer eligible to apply.
Conclusion:
The eligibility criteria for the IES and ISS exams are similar in many aspects, but the key difference lies in the educational qualifications required for each. Candidates should ensure they meet all the criteria, including educational qualifications, age limits, and nationality requirements, before applying for the exams. It’s important to keep track of the UPSC notifications for any updates or changes to the eligibility conditions.