IRS Exam 2025- Syllabus, Eligibility, Exam Date, Preparation Tips

Indian Revenue Service is a Group A Civil Service in India for which eligible candidates are recruited through the UPSC CSE 2025. Aspirants seeking to join this prestigious service undergo a rigorous selection process that comprises multiple stages (UPSC Prelims, Mains, and Interview), each designed to assess their aptitude and knowledge.

There are two branches for which the candidates are recruited through the IRS Exam 2025, which are Customs and Central Excise and Income Tax. IRS Prelims Exam will be conducted on 25 May 2025. Candidates who qualify Prelims will be appearing for the IRS Mains Exam from 22nd August 2025.

IRS Exam 2025

The Indian Revenue Service (IRS) is one of the most esteemed civil services in India holding the responsibility of managing the revenue system of India and collection of direct and indirect taxes, ensuring the financial stability and economic growth. This Indian Revenue Service is under the Department of Revenue in the Ministry of Finance and is divided into two main branches: IRS (Income Tax) and IRS (Customs and Central Excise).

IRS Exam 2025 Overview

The IRS Exam 2025 conducted by UPSC involves a rigorous selection process that includes three phases – Prelims, Mains, and the Interview. Upon successfully passing these three stages, candidates are assigned to various services based on their ranks and preferences. 

IRS Exam Date 2025

Individuals aspiring to clear the IRS Exam 2025 and become Indian Revenue Service Officers must start their preparations now to score well in the exam. It is crucial for all aspiring candidates to check out the IRS Exam Date 2025 so that they can start their preparations on time.

• UPSC Prelims 2025 Exam Date – 25 May 2025
• UPSC Mains 2025 Exam Date – 22 August 2025

IRS Roles and Responsibility

• IRS Officers hold the responsibility of collecting direct and indirect taxes accruing to the government of India. 
• IRS Officers are also involved in formulation of taxation policies, matters of investigation of tax evasion, resolving, updating and maintaining the relevant laws.
• IRS officers also negotiate treaties on behalf of the Indian Government in fiscal matters in both bilateral/multilateral forums like OECD and the Global Forum on Transparency in Tax Matters.
• IRS Officers are appointed for the intelligence and law enforcement organisations like the Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI), Research and Analysis Wing(RAW), Intelligence Bureau(IB) etc.
• IRS officers play a significant role in exposing scams in the country.

Step to Apply Online for IRS Exam 2025

Applying for the IRS Exam 2025 involves a straightforward online process through the UPSC website. Candidates need to fill out the application form, upload the necessary documents, and pay the application fee before the specified deadline. Check out the Step to Apply Online for IRS Exam 2025 below:

• Visit the official website of UPSC.
• Next, click on the “Examination” tab and choose “Active Examinations.”
• Then, Click on Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2025.
• Then, Click on the ‘apply’ option.
• Fill in all the necessary details and upload your most recent photograph and signature in the specified size and file format.
• After completing the form, review it, save a copy for your records, and then proceed to submit it.
• Pay the application fee as mentioned in the notification. The fee amount varies based on categories and is subject to change. Payment can be made online through various modes.

IRS Application Fee

Candidates have the option to pay the application fee through both offline and online methods. When applying for the UPSC IRS Exam 2025, candidates falling under this category are required to submit an application fee as outlined below.

Indian Revenue Service Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility of aspirants to participate in the UPSC IRS Exam 2025 depends on several factors, and individuals need to pass all these criteria to be eligible for this exam. The Indian Revenue Service Eligibility Criteria consist of four components:

IRS Education Qualification

• The minimum requirement is a bachelor’s degree in any field, so you can pursue any course. It is preferable to major in commerce, with Business Economics and Accountancy as electives.
• Degree from Central, State, or Deemed University. A degree through correspondence or distance education. Degree from an open university.
• Also, any qualification acknowledged by the Indian Government is equivalent to all the above-given qualifications.

IRS Exam Age Limit

IRS Exam Age Limit is between 21 and 32 years. This means that the minimum age requirement for all aspirants is 21 years, while the maximum age allowed for candidates is 32 years for the general category. The upper age limit for candidates of OBC is 35 years, and for candidates of SC/ ST is 37 years.

Nationality Criteria for the IRS Exam

Aspiring candidates for the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) must belong to one of the following categories:

• An Indian Citizen (A person of Indian origin is one in whose case either of his parents or any of his grandparents, was born in undivided India).
• A person of Indian descent who intends to permanently settle in India after migrating from Myanmar, Pakistan, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Uganda, Zaire, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Zambia, Malawi, or Vietnam is eligible.

Number of Attempts

• A Candidate for the general category or EWS has six attempts to pass the UPSC IRS exam.
• Candidates from the OBC have nine attempts.
• Candidates from the SC/ST have no maximum number of attempts (they can take the exam until they reach the upper age limit).

Indian Revenue Service Salary

Indian Revenue Service(IRS) has good salary packages, IRS Officers are also eligible for various perks like accommodation, medical expenses, transportation etc. The Indian Revenue Service Salary is determined on the basis of the rank they hold in the government department. The below table provides Indian Revenue Service Salary: