I aim to join the Indian Foreign Service
I’m a student of Std XI in the Humanities stream. I aim to join the Indian Foreign Service in the future. I’d like to know about the courses and colleges that I should go in for in order to pursue the same. I’m average in academics with an average percentage that ranges between 85 to 90%. My dream college continues to be St Stephen’s College, DU. But considering my percentage, I guess that is an option I shouldn’t be thinking of right now. In my understanding, an excellent college/university is mandatory to get into the field. Please guide.
Anoushka Rajan (16)
St Mary’s Convent Sr. Sec. School, Udaipur
Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officers are recruited through the combined Civil Services Examination administered by the Union Public Service Commission. This examination has three stages — a preliminary exam, a main exam, and an interview — and is known for being extremely challenging. The entire selection process lasts 15 to 20 months.
Entry into the IFS is considered very difficult; most applicants rank it and the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) as their top choices because of the high prestige, salary, and benefits that come with such positions. Eligibility is graduation (any stream) from any recognized college. So it is not about the college, rather about succeeding in this examination, which requires thorough preparation.
Dr Vibha Gupta, a feature writer, is a Ph.D. in Mathematics from IIT Roorkee. Her book Careers: A Pathfinder and articles in various publications are an attempt to guide students in choosing a career according to their natural strengths, talents and skills.