Civil Servant (IAS/PCS)

Hi Shivam, In order to become an IAS Officer, you must apply for CSE exam conducted by the UPSC. You must also crack the exam (preliminary, Mains and interview) in order to get selected for the training. The basic eligibility criteria required to appear for this exam is candidate must possess Graduate Degree from a recognised University/Institution!
So technically, 12th passed students cant appear for this exam right after 12th. After completing 12th, they must complete Graduation first. After completing Graduation programme successfully, they may take a shot and CSE and become an IAS Officer subsequently!
AGE LIMIT
The candidate must be between the age of 21-32 years (for the General category candidate) on August 1 of the year of examination. However, age relaxations dies exist for SC, ST, OBC and Physically Handicapped candidates. For Other Backward Castes (OBC) the upper age limit is 35. For Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), the limit is 37 years. The upper age limit is relaxed for certain candidates who are backward with respect to other factors and physically handicapped (PH) people. Just as one prepares for IIT entrance from 9th standard onwards one should start preparing from school days for IAS entrance. I will suggest reading two regional, two national and two international newspapers everyday. Watching national and international news daily. When you follow events over a decade you develop an enormous mastery over a large number of subjects. Read all these for pleasure and for acquiring knowledge and not under stress racing against the time. You will automatically gain knowledge of national and international affairs, politics, foreign trade, social issues, crime, national development etc. This will become part of your psyche and you do not have to mug up things at the eleventh hour. Apart from your course of studies read other subjects which interest you. It will effortlessly prepare you for IAS exam while it will also break monotony of reading only course related books. Develop a habit of reading in libraries. In case you are in big cities where British Council and American Embassy libraries exit become member there. Attend other events conducted there. Enjoy reading good literature both by Indian, English and regional authors. Watch all the great movies made about important subjects, events or individuals. The cinema is a great way of learning. All the best.

You can pursue graduation in any course as you have to be a graduate for appearing in the UPSC CSE examination. Else, you can pursue graduation in a course that is listed to choose for UPSC Mains exams.
The list of subjects are:
Agriculture
Animal Husbandary and Veterinary Science
Anthropology
Botany
Chemistry
Civil Engineering
Commerce and Accountancy
Economics
Electrical Engineering
Geography
Geology
History
Law
Literature of any one of the non-English languages listed above
Management
Mathematics
Mechanical Engineering
Medical Science
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science and International Relations
Psychology
Public Administration
Sociology
Statistics
Zoology.

You can choose any stream of your interest because to write UPSC exams, you have to be a graduate in any course. UPSC uptakes candidates from any course. You can choose your stream according to the optional subjects also. The list of optional subjects are:
Agriculture
Animal Husbandary and Veterinary Science
Anthropology
Botany
Chemistry
Civil Engineering
Commerce and Accountancy
Economics
Electrical Engineering
Geography
Geology
History
Law
Literature of any one of the non-English languages listed above
Management
Mathematics
Mechanical Engineering
Medical Science
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science and International Relations
Psychology
Public Administration
Sociology
Statistics
Zoology
All the best.

Hi!
It depends where your interest lies. If you want to join the state administration at the sub-divisional level, as a sub-divisional magistrate, and look after law and order, general administration and development work in the area under your charge, you should opt for a career as an IAS. Journalism, on the other hand, is a different sector. If you fancy reporting news, editing, videography, news anchoring and such, Journalism is the right field for you. Also, you can pursue both because IAS is a highly competitive exam. The chances of cracking the exam cannot be speculated at all. You also need to be a graduate to be eligible to apply for Indian administrative services. You can opt for Journalism as your UG course and prepare for IAS alongside.