Country edition: India

Economist (Indian Economic Service) — Step-by-Step Roadmap

Your journey, phase by phase

  1. Phase 1 · School years Class 12 (Maths helps) Any stream; Maths keeps top economics programmes open.
    • Science, Commerce and Arts students are all eligible.
    • Maths at Class 12 helps a lot for economics degrees at top colleges.
    • Most strong programmes and IES papers use maths and statistics.
  2. Phase 2 · Undergraduate BA / B.Sc Economics Build micro, macro and statistics basics.
    • Build microeconomics, macroeconomics and statistics foundations.
    • You cannot sit IES with only a bachelor's degree.
    • Keep maths and statistics strong for the postgraduate stage.
  3. Phase 3 · Postgraduate MA Economics Needed for IES and most economist roles.
    • IES needs a postgraduate degree in Economics, Applied Economics, Business Economics or Econometrics.
    • Banks, consultancies and rating agencies hire economists with a master's.
    • Other routes: RBI Grade B (DEPR), and UGC-NET for research and teaching.
  4. Phase 4 · Yearly UPSC cycle UPSC IES/ISS exam General English, General Studies and economics papers, then an interview.
    • UPSC runs one examination for the Indian Economic Service and the Indian Statistical Service.
    • IES papers: General English, General Studies and economics papers, followed by an interview.
    • Age limits and relaxations are in the current UPSC notice; IES is separate from the Civil Services (IAS) exam.
  5. Phase 5 · After selection IES or other routes Union ministries, NITI Aayog, RBI, research institutes, banks and consultancies.
    • IES entry: Group A central services start at Level 10 of the 7th CPC pay matrix (₹56,100 entry basic), plus DA, HRA and other allowances.
    • Government: Union ministries (finance, commerce and others), NITI Aayog, statistical and planning bodies; senior IES officers reach adviser-level posts.
    • Private and research: banks, rating agencies, consultancies, think tanks and universities.
    Entry pay
    Level 10 (₹56,100 basic)
    Central bank
    RBI research departments

Verify on the official source

Exam dates, fees, paper patterns and eligibility rules are revised by the regulator from time to time. Treat this roadmap as your map, and confirm the current rules on the official site before you register or pay any fee.

UPSC Full Economist career guide