History Of IAS Exam

The Indian Administrative Service is one of the main administrative parts of India's All India Services of Government. Even Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel has talked about the significance of the Indian Administrative Service. Every year, lakhs and lakhs of candidates sit for the IAS exam to reach the country's administrative level and secure a job there. Before proceeding further, let us know more about the background of the IAS exam. 

Background of IAS 

Want to know what is IAS? How it all started? Well, the origin of the civil service exam can be traced back to the days of the English East India Company. After 1757, the British Company began the CCS or Covenanted Civil Service, where the members had to sign with the company. After the revolt of 1857, the rule of the company had ended, and the power was transferred to the hands of the British Crown. Then, it was known as the Imperial Civil Service. Later, it came to be known as the Indian Civil Service. 

In the Macaulay Committee in 1854, it was recommended that a merit-based system needs to be established. After 1855, candidates were recruited based on merit. Competitive exams began to be held in which candidates had to appear and pass to acquire an administrative post. However, from the very beginning, this exam was restricted only to the Indians. 

Further, in 1886, the chairperson of the Aitchison commission, Sir Charles Umpherston Aitchison, proposed that Indians should also be given a chance to get employment in public service jobs. Another development happened in 1912 when the Islington Commission suggested that 25% of the Indians should apply for higher posts. Then, the recruitment was divided between India and England. 

The year 1926 saw the establishment of the Union  Public Service Commission of India on October 1, 1926, with Sir Ross Barker as its chairman. From 1939, there was a shortage of European candidates. So, after independence, the ICS was changed to the Indian Administrative Service.

Conclusion 

Right from Indian independence, the IAS exam has been held every year by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry. Although it is considered as one of the toughest exams, yet many succeed with a lot of dedication and hard work.