Indian Foreign Service 2024: Latest Details on Eligibility, Salary & Openings

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) – Indian Foreign Services Exam is a highly prestigious and competitive exam conducted by the UPSC to recruit candidates for the Indian Foreign Service (IFS). The exam is highly coveted among students who aspire to pursue a diplomacy and international relations career. The Indian Foreign Service (IFS) is responsible for representing India in diplomatic missions, negotiating treaties, and promoting India’s interests abroad. The UPSC Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Exam 2024 will be conducted in three stages: the preliminary exam, the main exam, and the interview.

The UPSC Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Exam 2024 requires candidates to be Indian citizens aged 21 to 32 with a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university, meeting specified physical and medical standards. It is a highly competitive selection process demanding strong knowledge of international affairs, effective communication, and analytical skills. It is considered one of India’s toughest exams, so it demands rigorous preparation and comprehensive personality development. With proper guidance, success in the UPSC IFS Exam 2024 can be a rewarding opportunity for candidates aiming to contribute to India’s global diplomacy.

In September 1946, just before India’s independence, the Government of India established the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) to manage the country’s diplomatic, consular, and commercial representation abroad. In 1947, the Foreign and Political branch of the British Indian government consistently changed into what then turned into the new Ministry of External Affairs and Commonwealth Relations, and in 1948, the first batch was recruited under the combined examination system of the Union Public Service Commission.

Indian Foreign Service (IFS) 2024: Overview

Below are the essential highlights of the IFS 2024 Recruitment examination:

Exam Name	Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Examination
Conducted by	Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Exam Level	National Level
Exam Frequency	Once a year
Mode of Exam	Offline (Pen and Paper)
Stages of Exam	2 stages: Preliminary and Main
Eligibility Criteria	Indian Citizen with a Bachelor’s degree
Age Limit	21 to 32 years
Maximum Attempts	6
Exam Pattern	Prelims: 2 papers (MCQ)
	Mains: 6 papers (4 compulsory and 2 optional)
Interview	Personality Test (275 marks)
Syllabus	History, Polity, Economics, Geography, International Relations, Current Affairs, and General Knowledge
Application Fee	Rs. 100 (except for SC/ST/female candidates)
Salary Range	Rs. 56,100 – Rs. 2,50,000 per month
Job Location	Indian Missions/Embassies abroad and Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi

Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Exam Dates 2024

The Indian Foreign Service Exam will be conducted in two shifts:

• Shift 1, which includes General Studies Paper-1,
• Shift 2 includes General Studies Paper-2 (CSAT)

Events	IFS Exam Date 2024
Indian Foreign Service Exam Notification release date	To be notified
Indian Foreign Service Exam Application Date	To be notified
Indian Foreign Service Exam Last Date of Application	To be notified
UPSC Indian Foreign Service Exam Date – Prelims	To be notified
Mains Exam Date	To be notified

Indian Foreign Service Eligibility Criteria 2024

IFS has no prerequisites or physical requirements. The eligibility criteria for Indian Foreign Service (IFS) are identical to those for UPSC eligibility, elaborated in the CSE Notification. The comprehensive eligibility requirements for IFS comprise three aspects:

• Age limit for IFS examination
• Educational qualifications for IFS
• Nationality

EDUCATION QUALIFICATION

No minimum qualifying percentage is required to apply for the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Exam, and candidates who have graduated from a recognized government institution or college are eligible. Individuals in their final year of graduation can also appear for the exam.

Nationality

To be eligible for the Indian Foreign Service, a candidate must fall under one of the following categories:

• Be a citizen of India.
• Be a subject of Nepal.
• Be a subject of Bhutan.
• I am a Tibetan refugee who migrated to India before 1st January 1962 to settle permanently in India.
• Be a person of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Burma, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Malawi, Zambia, Zaire, or Vietnam intending to settle permanently in India.

IFS Age Limit

The UPSC determines the age limit for the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), with age being calculated as of August 1st of the year in which the exam takes place. Candidates must be at least 21 years old to be eligible for the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) exam. The maximum age limit for the IFS Exam is also calculated as of August 1st.

• For candidates in the general category, the upper age limit for the IFS Exam is 32 years.
• Candidates belonging to Scheduled Tribes or Scheduled Castes may be eligible for a relaxation of the upper age limit of up to five years.
• OBC candidates may be eligible for a relaxation of up to three years, allowing them to sit for the UPSC Exam until they are 35.

Category	Minimum Age Limit for IFS	Maximum Age Limit for IFS	Number of Attempts
General Category	21	32	6
EWS Category	21	32	6
IFS Age Limit for SC/ST	21	37	Unlimited
OBC	21	35	9

How to apply for the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Exam 2024?

Every year, the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Exam application form is released by UPSC, which eligible candidates can fill out on the UPSC official website. To apply, candidates must complete the UPSC Online Application before the deadline. Here are the steps to follow for filling out the application form:

• Go to the official website.
• The homepage will appear.
• Click on the Examination Tab and select ‘Active Examination’.
• Then, click on the Apply button.
• Fill in all the required details on the application form.
• Upload the latest photograph and signature.
• Review the application form before submitting it.
• Finally, click on the Submit button to complete the application process.

Application Fee

To be eligible to join the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), candidates must pay a fee of ₹100/- (Rupees One Hundred only). There are several ways to make a payment, including remitting money at any branch of the State Bank of India or using a Visa, Master, or RuPay credit or debit card, as well as SBI’s internet banking services. However, female, SC, ST, and Persons with Benchmark Disability candidates are exempted from paying the fee.

If you choose the “Pay by Cash” option, you must print the Pay-in-slip generated by the system during part II registration and deposit the fee at an SBI Branch counter on the next working day only.

Categories	Application Fee Amount
Female/ SC/ ST/ PwBD	Exempted
Others	₹ 100/-

UPSC Application Withdrawal

UPSC offers the facility to withdraw the appliance form for the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) exam before the exam. They introduced the facility a few years ago, as only half the candidates who fill out the application form appear for the exam.

For withdrawing the IFS form, here are the steps to follow:

• Visit the official UPSC website.
• Click the link to withdraw the appliance form under the ‘What’s New’ section.
• Click on the ‘click here link’ to proceed.
• After reading the instructions, click on the ‘Yes’ button.
• Enter your registration ID and click on the ‘Continue’ button.
• Proceed to withdraw the appliance form.
• Take a print of the receipt after successful withdrawal.

Candidates must note that there is no provision for a refund of the appliance fee on withdrawal of the application form. Per the official notification, they will not refund the application fee under any circumstances.

Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Admit Card 2024

In May 2024, the IAS Preliminary Admit Card for 2024 will be published on the official website by the Commission, according to their announcement. Those who have registered for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) Preliminary can access the website using their login credentials to download their IAS Prelims Admit Card 2024. Furthermore, the UPSC hall ticket for the aforementioned exam will remain accessible on the website until May 26, 2024, which is the exam date. In case of any difficulty or discrepancy in downloading the e-admit card, candidates are advised to contact the Commission immediately. Moreover, a roster of contenders who have retracted their web-based submissions for the 2024 Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination has been issued by the UPSC.

If you’re wondering about the steps to download the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination E-Admit Card 2024, follow the instructions below:

• Visit the official website of UPSC.
• Find the section labelled ‘e-Admit Cards’.
• Locate and click on the option for ‘e-Admit Cards for various UPSC exams’.
• Click the button labelled ‘Click Here’.
• Read the instructions thoroughly and select ‘Yes’ to proceed.
• Choose the option ‘By Registration ID’ or ‘By Roll Number’.
• Download your Admit Card and keep a printout for future reference.

MAINS IFS 2024

The UPSC is set to conduct the Civil Services Mains Exam for 2024, and candidates who have qualified for the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Mains Exam can soon download their Admit Cards from the official website. To access the UPSC Mains Admit Card 2024, aspirants need to log in using their roll number or registration number. The Commission has confirmed that the Civil Services Mains 2024 exam will take place on November 24, 2024.

Here are the steps to download the e-Admit Card for the UPSC Civil Services Mains Exam 2024:

• Go to the official website of UPSC.
• Navigate to the “Admit Card” section.
• Click on the link that says “E-Admit Cards for various Examinations of UPSC.”
• Search for the UPSC Civil Services 2024 Main Exam e-Admit Card link.
• Click on the link to access the Admit Card page.
• Provide your login details, such as your roll number.
• Submit the details to download the IFS Main Exam Admit Card.
• Download and print a copy of your Admit Card to carry to the examination centre.

Details on Admit Card

Upon downloading the UPSC admit card, candidates must ensure all the details are accurate. The following are the crucial details to verify on the UPSC admit card:

• Examination Date
• Name of the Candidate
• Roll Number
• Photo Identity Card (e.g., Aadhaar Card Number)
• Father’s Name
• Mother’s Name
• Examination Centre
• Venue of the Examination
• Candidate’s Photograph
• Registration ID located beneath the photograph
• Examination Schedule

Please note that the following important instructions regarding your admission to the examination:

• You will not receive an Admission Certificate through postal mail.
• Carefully review your e-Admit Card and immediately report any discrepancies to UPSC.
• You must bring your e-Admit Card to each session to gain admission to the Examination Hall. Keep it safe until the written result is declared, as it will be required for Service Selection Boards.
• You are responsible for the safekeeping of your e-Admit Card. If someone else uses your card, you must prove you did not use an impersonator.
• Your answer scripts will not be evaluated and your candidature may be cancelled if you appear at a center or sub-center other than the one specified on your e-Admit Card.
• If your e-Admit Card does not have a clear photograph or signature, you must bring a valid photo identity proof such as Passport, Aadhar Card, Driving Licence, Voter I Card, etc., and three passport-size photos (one for each session) along with a declaration.

Indian Foreign Service Exam Pattern

The IFS Exam employs a specific pattern to evaluate a candidate’s academic proficiency. Those who intend to take the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Exam must thoroughly review the entire exam pattern and adjust their preparation accordingly. The exam pattern for the Prelims, Mains, and Interview rounds is described below. Aspirants must comprehend the UPSC Exam Pattern and tactically approach each stage of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Exam to achieve good scores.

Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Prelims Exam Pattern

The Preliminary Indian Foreign Service exam pattern includes two MCQ-based papers.

a. General Studies-1 and General Studies-2 (CSAT) are included.

b. The General Studies-1 paper determines the cutoff, while the CSAT paper is the only qualifying paper in which candidates must earn at least 33% to pass.

c. The marks obtained in the prelims are not used in the final merit list.

d. Both papers are worth 200 marks, and each paper has a time limit of 2 hours.

Paper	Type	No. of questions	UPSC Total Marks	Duration	Negative marks
General Studies I	Objective	100	200 (+2 marks per question)	2 hours	Yes (One-third of marks allotted to each question)
General Studies II (CSAT)	Objective	80	200 (+2.5 marks per question)	2 hours	Yes (One-third of marks allotted to each question)

Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Mains Exam Pattern

The Indian Foreign Service (IFS) exam includes a total of 9 papers at the Mains stage. The first two papers—Compulsory Indian Language and English—are qualifying in nature. In addition to these, the main papers consist of 1 Essay paper, 4 General Studies papers, and 2 Optional Subject papers. The scores from the Mains exam play a crucial role in determining candidates’ ranks and service allocations.

Here’s a breakdown of the exam pattern:

• Compulsory Indian Language – Paper A
• English – Paper B
• Essay
• General Studies – 1: Indian Heritage & Culture, History & Geography of the World & Society
• General Studies – 2: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice & International Relations
• General Studies – 3: Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Security & Disaster Management
• General Studies – 4: Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude
• Optional Subject – Paper 1
• Optional Subject – Paper 2

Paper	Subject	Nature	Duration	Total Marks
Paper A	Compulsory Indian Language	Qualifying (25% Marks required)	3 hours	300
Paper B	English	Qualifying (25% Marks required)	3 hours	300
Essay	Merit Ranking in Nature		3 hours	250
Paper I	Merit Ranking in Nature	General Studies I	3 hours	250
Paper II	Merit Ranking in Nature	General Studies II	3 hours	250
Paper III	Merit Ranking in Nature	General Studies III	3 hours	250
Paper IV	Merit Ranking in Nature	General Studies IV	3 hours	250
Paper V	Merit Ranking in Nature	General Studies V	3 hours	250
Paper VI	Merit Ranking in Nature	General Studies VI	3 hours	250

Indian Foreign Service (IFS) INTERVIEW

Having successfully cleared the Mains level, the candidate has made significant progress toward becoming an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Officer. To prepare for the IFS Officer Interview, it’s essential to become thoroughly familiar with the Detailed Application Form (DAF). Taking notes and summarizing all the questions in the DAF is highly advisable, as most interview questions are typically based on this document, forming the foundation of the interview process. The second segment of the IFS interview will focus on the candidate’s service preferences. In this part, candidates can expect questions about recent international events, international organizations, India’s position on current global issues, and other relevant topics.

Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Syllabus 2024

IFS Prelims Syllabus

General Studies Paper 1

Interpersonal skills, including effective communication. Logical reasoning and analytical abilities. Decision-making and problem-solving skills. General mental ability. Basic numeracy at the Class X level, covering numbers, orders of magnitude, and their relationships. Data interpretation at the Class X level, involves the ability to interpret charts, graphs, and tables, and assess data sufficiency, all of which are important for the Indian Foreign Service (IFS).

General Studies Paper 2

Interpersonal skills, including effective communication abilities. Logical reasoning and analytical skills. Decision-making and problem-solving capabilities. General mental aptitude. Basic numeracy at the Class X level, encompassing numbers, orders of magnitude, and their relationships. Data interpretation at the Class X level, which involves interpreting charts, graphs, tables, and assessing data sufficiency—all essential for the Indian Foreign Service (IFS).

IFS Mains Syllabus

Paper	Subject	Syllabus	Marks
Paper A	Compulsory Indian language	Comprehension of given passages Precis Writing Usage and Vocabulary Short Essays Translation from English to the Indian Language and vice-versa.	300
Paper B	English		300
Paper I	Essay		250
Paper-II	General Studies I	General Studies-I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society)	250
Paper III	General Studies II	General Studies -IV (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude)	250
Paper IV	General Studies III	General Studies -III (Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management)	250
Paper V	General Studies IV	General Studies -IV (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)	250
Paper VI	Optional I	Optional Subject – Paper 1	250
Paper VII	Optional II	Optional Subject – Paper 2	250

Here’s a list of the optional subjects available for the Main Examination:

Optional Subject

Agriculture Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Anthropology Botany Chemistry Civil Engineering Commerce and Accountancy Economics Electrical Engineering Geography Geology History Law Management Mathematics Mechanical Engineering Medical Science Philosophy Physics Political Science and International Relations Psychology Public Administration Sociology Statistics Zoology Literature of any one of the following languages: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, English

Indian Foreign Service- Roles and Responsibilities

The role of an IFS officer varies depending on the position and country they are posted in. Their primary responsibilities include:

Diplomatic Duties:

• Representing India in bilateral and multilateral negotiations.
• Working on treaty formulations, trade agreements, and resolving conflicts between nations.
• Promoting India’s national interests and supporting Indian citizens in foreign countries.

Policy Formulation and Implementation:

• Providing expert advice on international affairs and shaping the country’s foreign policy.
• Coordinating with ministries of finance, defense, and home affairs to execute international policies.

Public Diplomacy and Outreach:

• Engaging with foreign governments and international organizations.
• Promoting cultural exchange programs, tourism, and trade relations between India and the host country.

Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Selection Process

Here’s an overview of the selection process for Indian Foreign Service (IFS)

• Preliminary Examination
• Main Examination
• Personality Test/ Interview
• Final Selection
• Medical Examination
• Training

Indian Foreign Service Result 2024

The Indian Foreign Service (IFS) exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for recruitment to the Indian Foreign Service (IFS). The exam is conducted in three stages: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Interview/Personality Test. Here’s how to check and download the IFS exam results for all levels:

Preliminary Examination Result:

The results of the Preliminary Examination are typically announced within a month of the exam date. Candidates can check the results on the official UPSC website (https://www.upsc.gov.in/) by following these steps, particularly those aspiring for the Indian Foreign Service (IFS).

• Visit the UPSC website and click on the ‘Examination’ tab.
• Click on the ‘Active Examinations’ tab and select ‘Indian Foreign Service (Preliminary) Examination’.
• Click on the link for the Preliminary Examination result.
• The result will be displayed in a PDF format. Candidates can search for their roll number to check their results.

Main Examination Result:

The Main Examination result is usually declared after one to two months of the exam date. Candidates can check the result on the official website of UPSC by following these steps:

• Visit the UPSC website and click on the ‘Examination’ tab.
• Click on the ‘Active Examinations’ tab and select ‘Indian Foreign Service (Main) Examination’.
• Click on the link for the Main Examination result.
• The result will be displayed in a PDF format. Candidates can search for their roll number to check their results.

Interview/Personality Test Result:

• The Interview/Personality Test result is usually declared a few weeks after the test date. Candidates can check the result on the official website of UPSC by following these steps:
• Visit the UPSC website and click on the ‘Examination’ tab.
• Click on the ‘Active Examinations’ tab and select ‘Indian Foreign Service (Interview) Examination’.
• Click on the link for the Interview/Personality Test result.
• The result will be displayed in a PDF format. Candidates can search for their roll number to check their results.

To download the result, candidates can follow these steps:

• Click on the link for the result of the respective stage.
• Press Ctrl+F and enter your roll number to search for your result.
• If your roll number is present in the PDF, right-click on the PDF and click on ‘Save As’ to download the result.

Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Cut-Off 2024

the cut-off marks for the previous year’s (2021) IFS Exam in a tabular form:

Stage	Category	Cut-off Marks (out of 1200)
Preliminary Exam	General	98.00
	OBC	96.66
	SC	84.00
	ST	83.34
	EWS	93.34
Main Exam	General	642
	OBC	602
	SC	540
	ST	545
	EWS	580
Final Selection	General	720
	OBC	686
	SC	616
	ST	610
	EWS	656

Note: The cut-off marks for the IFS Exam vary yearly and are subject to change based on various factors. These are just the previous year’s cut-off marks and should only be taken as a reference.

Indian Foreign Service Training

Once selected, Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officers undergo a comprehensive training program that equips them with the skills needed for their diplomatic duties. The training focuses on the following:

• Diplomatic Etiquette: Learning the intricacies of diplomacy, protocol, and international law.
• Language Training: Language skills are crucial for IFS officers as they work in diverse cultural environments. Learning foreign languages helps them communicate better and build stronger relations with foreign counterparts.
• Cultural Studies: Understanding different cultures, customs, and practices is vital when working in foreign nations. Officers are trained to respect and adapt to cultural nuances.
• Foreign Policy: In-depth learning of India’s foreign policy and strategic interests is essential for any IFS officer.
• Role-Specific Training: Officers are trained based on their future diplomatic assignments, whether it’s representing India at embassies, consulates, or multilateral organizations.

Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Salary Structure 2024

Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Officer’s initial salary in India is around 60,000 INR per month, including perks and allowances. The salary increases with promotions. However, the salary of IFS Officers appointed outside India is different due to the special foreign allowance they receive, which significantly increases their monthly salary.

Apart from salary, Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Officers are also entitled to the following benefits:

• Accommodation
• Water and electricity expenses borne by GOI
• Free phone calls
• Retirement benefits and pension
• Government transportation
• Security and house help
• Medical expenses

Here is the tabular form of the Indian Foreign Service Officer’s Salary as per their grade:

Grade	Rank	Basic Pay/Grade Pay
Junior Time Scale	Under-Secretary	₹8000/₹5400
Senior Time Scale	Under-Secretary	₹10700/₹6600
Junior Administrative Scale	Deputy Secretary	₹12750/₹7600
Selection Grade	Counselor Director	₹15100/₹8700
Senior Administrative Scale	Joint Secretary	₹18400/₹10000
High Commissioner/Ambassador	Foreign Secretary	₹26000 (Fixed)

Indian Foreign Service Preparation Tips

• Understand the exam pattern: The first step to success is grasping the exam structure. The Indian Foreign Service (IFS) entrance exam generally consists of two stages: the preliminary and main exams. The preliminary exam assesses your general knowledge and aptitude, while the main exam evaluates your writing and analytical skills. Make sure to study the syllabus in detail and familiarize yourself with the exam format.

• Read widely: Reading is an excellent way to improve your general knowledge and analytical and writing skills. Read newspapers, magazines, and books regularly, focusing on topics such as international affairs, economics, history, and politics.

• Practice writing: Writing is a crucial skill for the Indian Foreign Service exam. Practice writing essays, letters, and reports, paying close attention to grammar, structure, and style. Get feedback from your peers and mentors, and work on improving your writing skills.

• Use online resources: There are several online resources available that can help you prepare for the Indian Foreign Service exam. Use online study materials, mock tests, and previous year’s question papers to get a better understanding of the exam.

• Join coaching classes: Joining coaching classes can help prepare for the Indian Foreign Service exam. Coaching classes provide structured guidance and help you stay on track with your preparation. Additionally, they offer the opportunity to interact with other aspirants and learn from their experiences.

• Stay updated with current affairs: Current affairs play a vital role in the Indian Foreign Service exam. Stay updated with the latest developments in India and the world, and analyze their impact on international relations.

• Develop a study schedule: Create a study schedule that works for you and stick to it. Allocate time for reading, writing, practising mock tests, and revising. Regular revision is essential to retain what you have learned.

• Stay motivated: The Indian Foreign Service exam is highly competitive, and it can be challenging to stay motivated. However, remember that hard work and perseverance pay off in the long run. Stay focused on your goals and stay positive.
• Additionally given acceptable convenience, family help, official vehicles, safety officers, abroad investigation alternatives, and retirement advantages and benefits.

Check Out Other Police Exams :

IAS Exam Dates, Fees, Eligibility & Notification

IPS Exam Dates, Fees, Eligibility & Notification

IRS Exam Dates, Fees, Eligibility & Notification

CSAT Exam Dates, Fees, Eligibility & Notification

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)