The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Examination (CSE) to recruit candidates for various civil services of the Government of India, including the prestigious Indian Administrative Service (IAS). Understanding the number of seats available can help aspirants gauge the level of competition and plan their preparation effectively.

1. Total Number of Seats

The total number of seats available for the IAS and other civil services varies each year. Typically, the total vacancies announced by UPSC for IAS range from 100 to 180 seats, depending on the requirements of different state governments and the central administration.

2. Other Civil Services

In addition to IAS, UPSC recruits for other civil services like the Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and various Group A and Group B services. The total number of vacancies across all services can exceed 700 seats in some years.

3. Variability in Seats

The number of seats may change annually based on factors such as:

• Government policies and administrative changes.
• Retirements and promotions within civil services.
• Changes in the number of state cadres required.

4. Conclusion

In conclusion, while the number of IAS seats typically hovers around 100 to 180, the overall vacancies across all civil services in UPSC examinations can be much higher. Aspirants should keep track of the official announcements from UPSC for accurate information on the number of available seats in any given year. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for aspirants aiming to succeed in the highly competitive civil services examination.