How to become an Indian Economic Service Officer (IES Officer)

The Indian Economic Service (IES) is the administrative inter-Ministerial and inter-Departmental organized Group ‘A’ Central Civil Services of the Government of India. IES Officer offers economic consultation and administration, policy enforcement and program development, and economic reforms and regulation.

·       Facilitate economic reforms in the Ministry/Department

·       Provide information in policy implementation and evaluation and other concerns to the departments

·       Carefully analyse economic consequences of changes in policy

·       Plan and formulate policies for economic concerns at micro and macro level

·       Offering linkage and continuity in policy-making vital for changes in policy

·       Counsel in policy concerns important for internal and external economic management

·       Assist the finance ministry in drafting annual financial or periodical statements

·       Provide consultation to the Ministries/Departments before finalizing Annual Budget Plans

·       Offers in-house analytical economic expertise for policy-making to the government.

Individuals who are patriotic, passionate to serve the nation and have ample knowledge on Indian Constitution, Laws, and other rules and regulations is fit to become an IAS Officer. They need to have strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills. They need to be comfortable with numbers and must be out-of-the-box thinkers.

They must be comfortable, firm and composed, while dealing with individuals, including talking to them during confrontational situations. They must also be skilled at interviewing, maintain diplomacy, and assertiveness in case of aggression and hostility.

Other skills required are problem solving, negotiation, decision-making, commercial, organizational, and analytical. They also need to be efficient in leadership, team and time management such as meeting deadlines, prioritize tasks, and take personal responsibility for a professional workload.

The field also demands self-discipline, patience, punctuality, commitment self-confidence and a desire to climb up the ladder. They must accept the responsibility attached to the limitless power. To handle things effectively a lot of hard work, stamina, alertness of mind, adaptability, and good team spirit is required. A proactive approach in planning and management is also expected.