Which Degree is Best to Become an IAS Officer?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of which degree is best to become an IAS officer. The IAS examination is open to candidates from various educational backgrounds, and success in the exam is primarily determined by the quality of preparation, dedication, and a strong desire to serve the nation.

IAS officers play a pivotal role in the administration of the country, and the journey to becoming an IAS officer is a rigorous and highly competitive one. One of the frequently asked questions by aspirants is, “Which degree is best to become an IAS officer?” In this article, we will explore the various educational backgrounds that can lead to a successful career in the IAS.

Best Degree to Become an IAS Officer

The best degree to become an IAS officer is a Bachelor of Arts (BA), as it covers many of the topics in the UPSC CSE syllabus. Many BA programs focus on humanities and social sciences, which are directly relevant to the syllabus. These subjects provide essential knowledge and perspectives on India’s history, politics, society, and culture, all of which are crucial for the civil services exam.

Some subjects that overlap with the General Studies papers of the UPSC Civil Service Exam include:

• Political Science and Public Administration (GS-2 and GS-4)
• Sociology, History, and Geography (GS-1)
• Economics (GS-3 and Optional)
• BA programs typically offer a wide range of subjects, including history, political science, sociology, economics, geography, and more. This diversity can be advantageous when choosing an optional subject for the UPSC mains exam. You can select a subject that aligns with your interests and strengths, which can enhance your chances of performing well in the optional paper.

Candidates who are interested in these subjects can choose to study them as part of their degree or as optional subjects in the UPSC Civil Service Exam.

Education Qualification to Become an IAS Officer

According to the UPSC Eligibility Criteria released in the official notification, the minimum educational qualification required to appear for the UPSC Civil Services Examination is a bachelor’s degree in any field. This means that candidates with degrees in arts, science, commerce, engineering, medicine, law, or any other discipline can apply. The choice of your bachelor’s degree largely depends on your interests and career goals.

Degree of IAS Toppers

Let’s have a look at the Bachelor’s Degree that IAS Toppers go for-

• IAS Topper 2023 Aditya Srivastava: IAS Aditya Srivastava pursued a Degree in Electric Engineering from IIT Kanpur. 
• IAS Topper 2022 Ishita Kishore: IAS Ishita Kishore pursued a Degree in Economics ( Hons) from Delhi University- Shri Ram College of Commerce.
• IAS Topper 2021 Shruti Sharma: IAS Shruti Sharma graduated from St. Stephan’s College with a Bachelor’s degree in History and later pursued Masters in Modern History from JNU.
• IAS Topper 2020 Shubham Sharma: IAS Shubham Sharma graduated from IIT Bombay with a degree in Civil Engineering.
• IAS Topper 2019 Pradeep Singh: IAS Pradeep Singh received a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Computer Science from Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology (DCRUST) in Murthal, India in 2012.
• IAS Topper 2018 Kanishk Kataria: IAS Kanishk Kataria pursued Civil Engineering from IIT Bombay.