Indian Foreign Service

Overview

Indian Foreign Service is a central civil service, which marks India’s Presence abroad and comes under Group A of the Central Services of the Government of India. As a career diplomat, the Foreign Service Officer is required to project India?s interests, both at home and abroad on a wide variety of issues. These include bilateral political and economic cooperation, trade and investment promotion, cultural interaction, press and media liaison as well as a whole host of multilateral issues. Recruitment is based on civil services examination conducted by UPSC every year. Candidates must clear each round of the exam and acquire a recommendation from UPSC to get appointed as an IFS officer. Then new entrants undergo a multi-faceted and comprehensive training programme.

Professional Opportunities

Third Secretary(Entry level)

⦿ Representing India in its Embassies, High Commissions, Consulates, and Permanent Missions to multilateral organisations like UN; – Protecting India?s national interests in the country of his/her posting; – Promoting friendly relations with the receiving state as also its people, including NRI / PIOs; – Reporting accurately on developments in the country of posting which are likely to influence the formulation of India?s policies; – Negotiating agreements on various issues with the authorities of the receiving state; and – Extending consular facilities to foreigners and Indian nationals abroad.

Vice-Consul/ Consul/General Consul

⦿ Indian consulates abroad- the Foreign Service Officer is required to project India?s interests, both at home and abroad on a wide variety of issues. These include bilateral political and economic cooperation, trade and investment promotion, cultural interaction, press and media liaison as well as a whole host of multilateral issues.

Career Path

Stream

⦿ Class XII with any Stream and with any subjects.

⦿ Apply for civil services exam by UPSC

⦿ Class XII in Humanities

Graduation

⦿ Pursue Bachelors in any Subject

⦿ Pursue Bachelor of Arts in any subject

⦿ Pursue Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs for 3 years

⦿ Pursue Bachelor of Arts in Public Adminitration for 3 years

After Graduation

⦿ Apply for civil services exam by UPSC

Important Facts

⦿ Recommendation from Upsc to get appointed as an IFS officer. Age should be between 21 years to 30 years. A graduate degree from any of the recognised universities or must have an equivalent qualification.

Work Description

⦿ Representing India in its Embassies, High Commissions, Consulates, and *Permanent Missions to multilateral organisations like UN

Pros & Cons

Pros
⦿ Dealing with bilateral political and economic work Looking after policy planning, multilateral organizations, regional groupings, legal matters, disarmament, protocol, consular, Indian Diaspora, press and publicity, administration and other aspects. The prestige and perks which are attached with this job is very high and will continue with you even after retirement.
Cons
⦿ Studying for the entrance exam and clearing it requires large amount of effort and dedication with extensive in-depth study of the material. The intake into the Indian Foreign Service has averaged between 30-35 persons annually. However, lakhs of people apply. Thus, the competition is quite high.