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About
The Indian Railway Accounts Service is a specialized branch of the civil services in India, responsible for maintaining the financial accounts and managing the financial resources of the Indian Railways.
The IRAS officers are responsible for a variety of functions including budget preparation, allocation and management of funds, auditing and accounting of receipts and expenditures, and financial planning for the Indian Railways.
Table Of Content
- What is IRAS 2023?
- IRAS 2023 Dates
- IRAS Application Form 2023
- IRAS Notification 2023
- IRAS Registration 2023
- IRAS Application Fee 2023
- IRAS Eligibility Criteria 2023
- IRAS Exam Pattern 2023
- IRAS Syllabus 2023
- Latest Article 2023
- Admission Alert 2023
What is IRAS?
The Indian Railway Accounts Service is a Group 'A' civil service that one may get recruited into on clearing the UPSC civil services exam. Every year the government appoints 25-30 officers. The officers are responsible for maintaining and managing the finances and accounts of the Indian Railways.
The primary responsibility of Indian Railway Accounts Service officers is to maintain the financial accounts and manage the financial resources of the Indian Railways. They play a crucial role in budget preparation, allocation and management of funds, auditing and accounting of receipts and expenditures, and financial planning for the Indian Railways.
Indian Railway Accounts Service 2023 Dates
The dates for the Indian Railway Accounts Service exam 2023 have not been officially announced yet by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
- Notification release: March/April 2023
- Online application start date: March/April 2023Last date to submit online application: April/May 2023
- Admit card release: Two weeks before the exam date
- IRAS Preliminary Exam 2023 date: July/August 2023
- Result declaration of Preliminary Exam: September/October 2023
- Indian Railway Accounts Service Main Exam 2023 date: December 2023
- Result declaration of Main Exam: March/April 2024
- Interview/Personality Test: April/May 2024
- Final Result declaration: June/July 2024
IRAS Application Form
The application form for the Indian Railway Accounts Service is available on the official website of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), which conducts the Civil Services Examination.
Here are the steps to fill out the application form:
- Visit the official website of the UPSC - https://www.upsc.gov.in/ Click on the "Apply Online" button under the "Civil Services Examination" section.
- Read the instructions carefully and click on the "Yes" button at the bottom of the page.
- Fill out the basic registration form with your personal details, such as name, email address, phone number, and date of birth.
- After filling in the details, click on the "Submit" button.
- Once your registration is completed, you will receive an email containing your registration ID and password.
- Use your registration ID and password to log in to the UPSC website and fill out the detailed application form for the Civil Services Examination.
- In the detailed application form, you will be asked to choose your preferred services, including IRAS.
- Fill out all the required details carefully and upload scanned copies of your photograph and signature.
- Pay the application fee online using a debit card, credit card, or net banking.
- Submit the application form and take a printout of the confirmation page for future reference.
Latest Notification
IRAS Recruitment notification 2023 has not been published yet.
Registration
To become an Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS) officer, you need to appear for the Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
Here are the steps to register for the IRAS:
- Visit the official website of the UPSC - https://www.upsc.gov.in/
- Click on the "Apply Online" button under the "Civil Services Examination" section.
- Read the instructions carefully and click on the "Yes" button at the bottom of the page.
- Fill out the basic registration form with your personal details, such as name, email address, phone number, and date of birth.
- After filling in the details, click on the "Submit" button.
- Once your registration is completed, you will receive an email containing your registration ID and password.
- Use your registration ID and password to log in to the UPSC website and fill out the detailed application form for the Civil Services Examination.
- In the detailed application form, you will be asked to choose your preferred services, including IRAS.
- Fill out all the required details carefully and upload scanned copies of your photograph and signature.
- Pay the application fee online using a debit card, credit card, or net banking.
- Submit the application form and take a printout of the confirmation page for future reference.
Syllabus
IRAS Prelims Syllabus
Detailed Prelims Exam Syllabus is listed in the table below:
| Paper | Subject | Syllabus |
|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | General Studies | Current events of national and international importance, History of India and Indian National Movement, Economic Geography of India and the World, Indian and World Geography - Physical, Social, Economic and Social Development - Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector initiatives, Indian Polity and Governance - Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity, and Climate Change |
| Paper-II | CSAT | Comprehension, General mental ability, Logical reasoning, and analytical ability, Decision-making and problem solving, Interpersonal skills including communication skills, Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level), Data interpretation - Class X level (graphs, charts, tables, data sufficiency, etc) |
Note:
The CSAT Aptitude Test or Paper-II of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination will be a qualifying paper with a minimum of 33% to sit for the Civil Services (Mains) Examination only. The questions for both Paper-I (Current Affairs) and Paper-II (Aptitude Test) will be multiple-choice, for each of the 200 marks of objective type and the allotted time for each paper is 2 hours. Candidates are required to appear in both the prelim examination papers for assessment. Therefore, if a candidate does not appear in both the papers, he or she will be disqualified.
IRAS Mains Syllabus
Detailed Mains Exam Syllabus is listed in the table below:
| Paper | Subject | Syllabus |
|---|---|---|
| Paper-A | Modern Indian language | Comprehension of given passages, Short Essay, Precis Writing, Usage and Vocabulary, Translation from English to the Indian language, and vice-versa |
| Paper-B | English | Comprehension of given passages, Short Essay, Precis Writing, Usage, and Vocabulary |
| Paper-I | Essay | Candidates must write essays on multiple topics. They will be expected to stay close to the subject of the essay to organize their ideas neatly and to write briefly. |
| Paper-II | General Studies-I | Modern Indian History, Indian Heritage, World History, Indian Society, Geography |
| Paper-III | General Studies-II | Indian Polity, Indian Constitution, Social Justice, Indian Governance, International Relations |
| Paper-IV | General Studies-III | Indian Economy, Science & Technology, Environment & Bio-diversity, Disaster Management, Security |
| Paper-V | General Studies-IV | Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration, Ethics and Human Interface, Attitude, Aptitude, Probity in Governance, Emotional Intelligence |
IRAS Interview Syllabus
The board will examine the candidates in various fields ranging from their careers to general interests. The assessment will be on his social characteristics along with his intellectual qualities and his interest in the present subject. It will also assess the mental capacity of the candidate. Judicial qualities include mental alertness, critical ability to assimilate, clear and logical expression, the balance of judgment, depth of diversity and interest, social cohesion and leadership ability, and intellectual and moral integrity. There is no specific syllabus for Interviews, hence, candidates are advised to work more on their personalities.
Eligibility Criteria
IRAS Age Limit
The minimum age of a candidate should be 21 years and the maximum age will not be more than 32 years. The upper age limit prescribed below is relaxable for the following candidates:
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ ST/ Ex-servicemen/ ECOs/SSCOs | 5 Years |
| OBC/ Defence Services personnel | 3 Years |
| Blind, deaf-mute, and orthopedically handicapped persons | 10 Years |
IRAS Educational Qualification
Candidates applying for the IRAS 2022 must have to fulfill educational qualifications as mentioned below:
- Bachelor’s Degree from any UGC recognized university or institute or its equivalent.
- Candidates must have appeared or to appear for the qualifying exam.
- Candidates can attempt or appear for the Preliminary Exam if their results are awaited.
- Candidates who have passed the final year of MBBS or any Medical Examination are also eligible.
- Those who have completed their medical degree yet, but the internship is still pending can also appear for this civil service exam.
- Applicants who have a professional and technical qualification recognized by the Government or its equivalent can apply for the same.
IRAS Nationality
Initially, the applicant must be a citizen of India. However, candidates from some other countries are also eligible for the same. These are listed below:
- Citizen of India
- Belong to Nepal
- Belong to Bhutan
- A Tibetan refugee who arrived to settle in India permanently before January 1, 1962
- A person of Indian descent who wishes to remain permanently in India in Burma, East African countries of Kenya, Ethiopia, Malawi, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda, Vietnam, Zaire, and Zambia.
Latest Articles
Reservation
The Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS) follows the reservation policy as per the guidelines of the Government of India. The reservation policy is applicable to all the services offered under the Civil Services Examination, including IRAS.
- Scheduled Castes (SC): 15%
- Scheduled Tribes (ST): 7.5%
- Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL): 27%
- Economically Weaker Sections (EWS): 10% (from 2019 onwards)
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): 4% (reservation provided within the categories of SC, ST, OBC, and General)
Candidates who belong to the reserved categories are required to provide proof of their category at the time of the application process. The reservation policy is implemented in the recruitment process to provide equal opportunities to candidates from all backgrounds and to ensure that the workforce of the IRAS and other Civil Services reflects the diversity of the country.
Counselling
The Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS) does not have a separate counselling process as it is a part of the Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
After the results of the Civil Services Examination are declared, the candidates who have qualified for the IRAS and other services are required to participate in a personality test or an interview conducted by the UPSC. The interview or personality test is conducted to assess the suitability of the candidates for the services they have applied for.
Based on the performance of the candidates in the written examination and the interview, the UPSC prepares a final merit list, which is used to allocate the services to the successful candidates. The allocation of services is done on the basis of the preferences indicated by the candidates and the vacancies available in each service.
The candidates are required to undergo training at the National Academy of Indian Railways (NAIR) in Vadodara, Gujarat, which is the premier training institution for the IRAS. The training program is designed to equip the candidates with the necessary knowledge and skills required for their roles as IRAS officers.
Application Fee
The application fee for the Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS) and other services offered under the Civil Services Examination 2023 is as follows:
| Category | Application Fee (in INR) |
|---|---|
| General and OBC candidates: | INR 100 |
| SC/ST/PwBD and Female candidates | No Fee |
Exam Pattern
IRAS Prelims Exam
- The Preliminary Exam consists of two papers - General Studies and Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT).
- Both the question papers will be of MCQ type.
- Paper-2 (CSAT) in Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination is a qualified paper with a minimum qualification score of 33%.
- Each question paper consists of two papers with 200 marks.
- The question papers will be available in English and Hindi both.
- However, questions related to English language comprehension skills will be given in English only.
- Blind candidates will be given extra 20 minutes for each paper.
| Paper | Subject | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration | Medium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | General Studies | 100 | 200 | 2 Hours | English, Hindi |
| Paper-II | CSAT | 80 | 200 | 2 Hours |
IRAS Mains Exam
Candidates who have qualified in the Preliminary Examination can appear for the Main examination and based on the marks obtained in the Main examination, candidates will be called for the interview for the total number of the original examination. The sum of the interviews for the final result. The written test consists of the papers as tabulated below:
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper A | Indian Languages | 200 |
| Paper B | English | 300 |
| Paper-I | Essay | 250 |
| Paper-II | General Studies-I | 250 |
| Paper-III | General Studies-II | 250 |
| Paper-IV | General Studies-III | 250 |
| Paper-V | General Studies-IV | 250 |
| Paper-VI | Optional Subject-Paper 1 | 250 |
| Paper-VII | Optional Subject-Paper 2 | 250 |
| Paper-VIII | Personality Test | 275 |
IRAS Personal Interview
This step will assess the general knowledge, confidence level, and skills of the candidates. Only candidates shortlisted from the written test will appear for the personal interview round. The final result of the interview will depend on the main test and the number obtained from the interview.
Exam
The Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS) exam is a competitive exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to recruit candidates for the IRAS cadre. Here are some highlights of the IRAS exam:
- Exam Pattern: The IRAS exam is conducted in two stages - the preliminary exam and the main exam. The preliminary exam consists of two papers, each of 200 marks, and the main exam consists of five papers, each of 300 marks.
- Syllabus: The IRAS exam syllabus includes topics such as accounting, finance, economics, commercial management, and general studies. The questions are designed to test the candidates' knowledge and understanding of these topics.
- Eligibility Criteria: To be eligible for the IRAS exam, a candidate must have a bachelor's degree from a recognized university. There are also age and nationality criteria that candidates must meet.
- Selection Process: The selection process for the IRAS exam includes a preliminary exam, a main exam, and an interview. Candidates who qualify in the preliminary exam are eligible to appear for the main exam, and those who qualify in the main exam are called for the interview.
- Admit Card: The IRAS exam admit card is released by the UPSC a few weeks before the exam date. Candidates can download the admit card from the official website of the UPSC.
- Result: The IRAS exam result is announced by the UPSC a few months after the exam date. Candidates who qualify in the exam are called for the interview, and the final selection is based on the combined score of the main exam and the interview.
- Job Profile: The Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS) officers are responsible for managing the financial affairs of the Indian Railways. They work in various departments, such as finance, accounts, and commercial management, and are involved in budget preparation, financial planning, and audit functions.
Eligibilty Criteria
IRAS Age Limit
The minimum age of a candidate should be 21 years and the maximum age will not be more than 32 years. The upper age limit prescribed below is relaxable for the following candidates:
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ ST/ Ex-servicemen/ ECOs/SSCOs | 5 Years |
| OBC/ Defence Services personnel | 3 Years |
| Blind, deaf-mute, and orthopedically handicapped persons | 10 Years |
IRAS Educational Qualification
Candidates applying for the IRAS 2022 must have to fulfill educational qualifications as mentioned below:
- Bachelor’s Degree from any UGC recognized university or institute or its equivalent.
- Candidates must have appeared or to appear for the qualifying exam.
- Candidates can attempt or appear for the Preliminary Exam if their results are awaited.
- Candidates who have passed the final year of MBBS or any Medical Examination are also eligible.
- Those who have completed their medical degree yet, but the internship is still pending can also appear for this civil service exam.
- Applicants who have a professional and technical qualification recognized by the Government or its equivalent can apply for the same.
IRAS Nationality
Initially, the applicant must be a citizen of India. However, candidates from some other countries are also eligible for the same. These are listed below:
- Citizen of India
- Belong to Nepal
- Belong to Bhutan
- A Tibetan refugee who arrived to settle in India permanently before January 1, 1962
- A person of Indian descent who wishes to remain permanently in India in Burma, East African countries of Kenya, Ethiopia, Malawi, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda, Vietnam, Zaire, and Zambia.
Exam Pattern
IRAS Prelims Exam
- The Preliminary Exam consists of two papers - General Studies and Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT).
- Both the question papers will be of MCQ type.
- Paper-2 (CSAT) in Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination is a qualified paper with a minimum qualification score of 33%.
- Each question paper consists of two papers with 200 marks.
- The question papers will be available in English and Hindi both.
- However, questions related to English language comprehension skills will be given in English only.
- Blind candidates will be given extra 20 minutes for each paper.
| Paper | Subject | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration | Medium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | General Studies | 100 | 200 | 2 Hours | English, Hindi |
| Paper-II | CSAT | 80 | 200 | 2 Hours |
IRAS Mains Exam
Candidates who have qualified in the Preliminary Examination can appear for the Main examination and based on the marks obtained in the Main examination, candidates will be called for the interview for the total number of the original examination. The sum of the interviews for the final result. The written test consists of the papers as tabulated below:
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper A | Indian Languages | 200 |
| Paper B | English | 300 |
| Paper-I | Essay | 250 |
| Paper-II | General Studies-I | 250 |
| Paper-III | General Studies-II | 250 |
| Paper-IV | General Studies-III | 250 |
| Paper-V | General Studies-IV | 250 |
| Paper-VI | Optional Subject-Paper 1 | 250 |
| Paper-VII | Optional Subject-Paper 2 | 250 |
| Paper-VIII | Personality Test | 275 |
IRAS Personal Interview
This step will assess the general knowledge, confidence level, and skills of the candidates. Only candidates shortlisted from the written test will appear for the personal interview round. The final result of the interview will depend on the main test and the number obtained from the interview.
Syllabus
IRAS Prelims Syllabus
Detailed Prelims Exam Syllabus is listed in the table below:
| Paper | Subject | Syllabus |
|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | General Studies | Current events of national and international importance, History of India and Indian National Movement, Economic Geography of India and the World, Indian and World Geography - Physical, Social, Economic and Social Development - Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector initiatives, Indian Polity and Governance - Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity, and Climate Change |
| Paper-II | CSAT | Comprehension, General mental ability, Logical reasoning, and analytical ability, Decision-making and problem solving, Interpersonal skills including communication skills, Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level), Data interpretation - Class X level (graphs, charts, tables, data sufficiency, etc) |
Note:
The CSAT Aptitude Test or Paper-II of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination will be a qualifying paper with a minimum of 33% to sit for the Civil Services (Mains) Examination only. The questions for both Paper-I (Current Affairs) and Paper-II (Aptitude Test) will be multiple-choice, for each of the 200 marks of objective type and the allotted time for each paper is 2 hours. Candidates are required to appear in both the prelim examination papers for assessment. Therefore, if a candidate does not appear in both the papers, he or she will be disqualified.
IRAS Mains Syllabus
Detailed Mains Exam Syllabus is listed in the table below:
| Paper | Subject | Syllabus |
|---|---|---|
| Paper-A | Modern Indian language | Comprehension of given passages, Short Essay, Precis Writing, Usage and Vocabulary, Translation from English to the Indian language, and vice-versa |
| Paper-B | English | Comprehension of given passages, Short Essay, Precis Writing, Usage, and Vocabulary |
| Paper-I | Essay | Candidates must write essays on multiple topics. They will be expected to stay close to the subject of the essay to organize their ideas neatly and to write briefly. |
| Paper-II | General Studies-I | Modern Indian History, Indian Heritage, World History, Indian Society, Geography |
| Paper-III | General Studies-II | Indian Polity, Indian Constitution, Social Justice, Indian Governance, International Relations |
| Paper-IV | General Studies-III | Indian Economy, Science & Technology, Environment & Bio-diversity, Disaster Management, Security |
| Paper-V | General Studies-IV | Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration, Ethics and Human Interface, Attitude, Aptitude, Probity in Governance, Emotional Intelligence |
IRAS Interview Syllabus
The board will examine the candidates in various fields ranging from their careers to general interests. The assessment will be on his social characteristics along with his intellectual qualities and his interest in the present subject. It will also assess the mental capacity of the candidate. Judicial qualities include mental alertness, critical ability to assimilate, clear and logical expression, the balance of judgment, depth of diversity and interest, social cohesion and leadership ability, and intellectual and moral integrity. There is no specific syllabus for Interviews, hence, candidates are advised to work more on their personalities.
Counselling
The Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS) does not have a separate counselling process as it is a part of the Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
After the results of the Civil Services Examination are declared, the candidates who have qualified for the IRAS and other services are required to participate in a personality test or an interview conducted by the UPSC. The interview or personality test is conducted to assess the suitability of the candidates for the services they have applied for.
Based on the performance of the candidates in the written examination and the interview, the UPSC prepares a final merit list, which is used to allocate the services to the successful candidates. The allocation of services is done on the basis of the preferences indicated by the candidates and the vacancies available in each service.
The candidates are required to undergo training at the National Academy of Indian Railways (NAIR) in Vadodara, Gujarat, which is the premier training institution for the IRAS. The training program is designed to equip the candidates with the necessary knowledge and skills required for their roles as IRAS officers.
Old Question Papers
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Examination, which includes the Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS). The UPSC releases the previous years' question papers of the Civil Services Examination on its official website (www.upsc.gov.in)for the benefit of the candidates.
The candidates can access the previous years' question papers of the Civil Services Examination, including IRAS, from the "Previous Year Question Papers" section on the UPSC website. The question papers are available in both English and Hindi languages.
In addition, there are also various coaching institutes and educational websites that provide the previous years' question papers of the Civil Services Examination, including IRAS, along with the answer keys and solutions. Candidates can also purchase books and study materials that contain previous years' question papers and solutions.
It is important for candidates to practice previous years' question papers as it helps them understand the pattern and difficulty level of the examination, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and improve their time management skills.
Prep Materials
The Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS) is a branch of the Indian Civil Services that deals with the financial management of the Indian Railways. If you are preparing for the IRAS exam, here are some recommended study materials:
- Indian Railway Financial Code: This is the primary document that governs the financial management of the Indian Railways. It is a must-read for anyone preparing for the IRAS exam.
- Indian Railway Budget: The railway budget is an annual document that outlines the financial plan for the Indian Railways. It is an important source of information for IRAS aspirants.
- Indian Railway Accounts Code: This is a detailed manual that explains the accounting procedures and practices followed by the Indian Railways. It is a useful resource for understanding the financial management of the railways.
- Indian Railway Commercial Manual: This manual provides guidance on the commercial operations of the Indian Railways. It covers topics such as ticketing, freight transportation, and parcel services.
- IRAS Syllabus and Exam Pattern: It is important to be familiar with the IRAS exam pattern and syllabus before starting your preparation. This will help you to prioritize your study material and allocate your time effectively.
- Previous Years' Question Papers: Solving previous years' question papers can give you an idea of the type of questions asked in the IRAS exam. It can also help you to identify your strengths and weaknesses and adjust your preparation accordingly.
- NCERT books: For the general studies section of the IRAS exam, NCERT books for classes 6 to 12 can be a good starting point for your preparation.
- Economic Survey and Union Budget of India: These documents provide a broader perspective on the Indian economy and its financial management. They can be useful in answering questions related to the economic context of the Indian Railways.
- Economic and Political Weekly: This is a weekly publication that covers current affairs related to economics and politics. Reading this publication can help you to stay updated on the latest developments in these fields.
- Standard Reference Books: For specific topics such as accounting, economics, and finance, it is recommended to refer to standard reference books such as Financial Management by Prasanna Chandra, Accounting Standards by DS Rawat, and Macroeconomics by Mankiw.
Admit card
To download the Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS) admit card, follow the steps given below:
- Visit the official website of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) - www.upsc.gov.in.
- Click on the 'Admit Cards' tab on the homepage.
- Select the option 'e-Admit Cards for various Examinations of UPSC'.
- Look for the IRAS exam admit card link and click on it.
- Enter your registration number/roll number and date of birth/password.
- Solve the captcha and click on the 'Submit' button.
- Your IRAS exam admit card will appear on the screen.
- Check all the details mentioned on the admit card, such as your name, roll number, exam center, and exam date and time.
- Download and take a printout of the admit card for future reference.
