🏗️ Civil Services (IAS/IPS)

What it costs to get there

Indicative total tuition for the whole course in Karnataka

Tuition for the bachelor degree you take first — any degree qualifies. UPSC charges only a small application fee; optional coaching is a separate cost families should budget for deliberately.

Fees change every year and differ by college — confirm with the college before paying. Scholarships can cover much of this.

The journey, step by step

SSLC through to leadership.

1. 1Foundation · 1 Year🎓 SSLC — Class 10Finish Class 10. Your marks decide which colleges and subject combinations are open to you next.
2. 2Stream Selection · 2 Years📚 PUC — ArtsTwo years of pre-university study in the Arts stream. This is where you prepare for the entrance exam.
3. 3Entrance Exam · Exam year📝 UPSC CSEEntry to Any bachelor degree, then UPSC CSE is through UPSC CSE. UPSC CSE is run by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and leads to IAS, IPS, IFS and other central civil services. Dates change every year — always confirm on the conducting authority's official portal.
4. 4Degree · 3–4 Years degree, then exam preparation📘 Any bachelor degree, then UPSC CSECivil Services (IAS/IPS): 3–4 Years degree, then exam preparation. You can specialise in Public Administration, Political Science, Sociology, History and more.
5. 5First Job · After graduating💼 IAS OfficerCommon starting roles include IAS Officer, IPS Officer, IFS Officer.
6. 6Higher Studies · Optional🎯 LLMYou can continue with LLM, Policy Studies, Public Administration.
7. 7Research · 3–5 Years (PhD)🔬 PhD in public policyPhD in public policy · Policy think-tank research · UGC-NET Political Science · Public administration case research
8. 8Government Route · Exam-based🏛️ IAS / IPS / IFSIAS / IPS / IFS via UPSC CSE · KAS via KPSC · Indian Revenue Service · State administrative services
9. 9Entrepreneurship · Any time🚀 Civil-services coaching academyCivil-services coaching academy · Policy consultancy · Social enterprise
10. 10Leadership · Long term⭐ District CollectorDistrict Collector · Secretary to Government · Chief Secretary

Job roles and salary ranges

Salary figures are indicative annual ranges, not guarantees.

Where these facts come from

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination; KPSC for state services