The Indian Foreign Service (IFS) is categorized in Group “A”, which is headed by The Foreign Secretary, of India.

Training: At Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussourie, where members of many elite Indian civil service organizations are trained. he entire training programme is for a period of 36 months.

Career and Ranks:
At a Embassy:

• Third Secretary (entry level)
• Second Secretary (promotion upon being confirmed in service)
• First Secretary
• Counsellor
• Minister
• Deputy Chief of Mission/Deputy High Commissioner/Deputy Permanent Representative
• Ambassador/High Commissioner/Permanent Representative

At a Consulate:

• Vice Consul
• Consul
• Consul General

At the Ministry of External Affairs:

• Under Secretary
• Deputy Secretary
• Director
• Joint Secretary
• Additional Secretary
• Secretary

Exam Date : Preliminary in 1st week of May & Mains in 2nd week of Oct

Eligibility:
Age Limit:

• 21 years on 1st August of the year.
• Maximum 30 for general category
• 33 for OBCs and 35 for SCs/STs.
• Ex-servicemen will get 5 more years exemption from the prescribed age limit

Number of Attempts:

• Four attempts for General
• Seven for OBCs
• No limit for SCs/STs.

Exam Pattern: The exam is conducted in two stages-

• Preliminary Examination: It is of objective type, which is a qualifying examination.
• Main Examination: It consists of written examination and interview.

The Preliminary Examination is held in May/June and the Main Examination in October/November.