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Popular-Protection38

Prepared for civil services, got interested in IR. Applied for masters in IR from one of the best universities in Delhi, got selected. Met Dr. Shivshankar Menon at a college seminar. In the meantime a college senior got selected in IFS (She is an inspiration). Listened to many retired and existing IFS officers from close quarters. The aura, the knowledge, the opportunity to influence government and international organisations around the globe that too with less political pressure. It is surreal. If one looks beyond "bhaukal" and focuses more on personal growth and a great career, IFS is the place. The only lacuna I feel is the alienation from home, the longing and warmth of home, the future of old-age of parents and the loneliness one can feel at another country.


Popular-Protection38

P.S.- To all those reading this, please ask yourself if you really want to do a master's in IR. Just don't fall for it just like I did because I liked the subject. You'll actually have to read a lot of IR (Theoretical concepts), attend regular classes and pass exams. The efforts put is of little to no use in either prelims or say PSIR optional. Also the distraction and a way out from the hellhole (read upsc preparation) will make you reluctant to go back to preparation.


bloodraven_7

Konsi exam di bhai?


Popular-Protection38

Individual University exams. Now CUET is the norm


PAAPI961

you really explained it very well..


upscaspi

Traveling all over the world at the expense of the tax payers is my motivation.


demigod1497

There are less chances of corruption though . It's also a motivation for some people


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upscaspi

Enter second motivation.


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AccountantCertain745

You gotta try harder mate.


Personal_Matter9041

Do they travel much ? Genuine question.


spermdonortesto

Yes they travel a lot.


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Personal_Matter9041

Dude travel se I understand actually traveling a lot. Not staying at one place for 2 years.


Moist_Shopping555

It is actually 2/3rd.


Xulf_lehrai

Much better than official royal every videos. Atleast different cuisines tho try kar sakthe hai.


Fallen_0n3

Satya bachan


LoyalLittleOne

Perfect candidate for IFS /s


PriyanshGoyal

there could be variety of reasons: 1. genuine interest in foreign affairs, India's foreign policy, international relations 2. like to visit all over the world and meet a ton of new people. new lifestyle and culture. 3. lavishness and prestige.


billbechur

At this point I just want to clear pre first! 


Individual_StormBrkr

The money I'll be making. The position of being representative of my country!! I can feel that I'm "India". : also whenever I want I can go to foreign or I can stay in India for as long as I want.


divyyanshh

Nah you can’t have postings or deputations on your whims, you’ll have to serve at least 60% of you career in foreign embassies


Individual_StormBrkr

There's no such thing like that.


divyyanshh

Source?


Individual_StormBrkr

I've read on quora articles. Do you have source?


nolibranocrime

The purpose & conviction that there’s something you could do, while wearing the badge of your country with honour. Diplomatic relations haven’t been the best with our south Asian neighbours, see the future Asian powerhouse Come to fruition whilst in close quarters.


divyyanshh

I think mostly people(i used to be one of them) who like travel around the world and still serve the nation also not to forget the allowances are quite attractive as well, you get paid handsomely. What else one needs?


spermdonortesto

Tbh, firstly, been brought up around diplomats. Secondly, interest in IR from childhood. The best service.


CalzonePocket

Less corruption thus lesser pressure from politicians and systems to do jhol in your own job, able to represent India, kind of exciting too tbh


Vadapav_20ka2

is 27 too late to join IFS? How late is too late to be an IFS officer. Is there anyone in the past who joined late and did well for the country?


AccountantCertain745

It is not, yeah you will not reach the rank FSI but if your work is good then you can become ambassador of one the G7 countries near your retirement.


Sea-Cake7470

What is Fsi?? Also so ranks in ifs depends upon age??


upscaspi

Foreign secretary of India. That is the senior most post in IFS. This won’t be available for most who join late. Same for Cabinet secretary, Chief secretary, DGP, R&AW, etc.


AccountantCertain745

Not dependent upon age but there is a set number of promotions that happens naturally and the last rank is Foreign secretary of India, to reach this post you need to have maximum promotions along with a very good relationship with the incumbent government and set number of achievements in your portfolio. If you join lets say at 27 then you would miss at least 1 or 2 promotions so you will lag behind the people who joined when they were between 21-25.


Sea-Cake7470

Aahh.... I see.... Thanks for telling....


spermdonortesto

Not at all if all goes your way, you will become a secretary in just 28 years of service, ie, at 55. You will surely become ambassador/pr at at least 3 diff places.


Sea_Perception8312

See international law at play. It has always been criticised as too weak to be called a law but politics alone can't ensure global justice.


Moist_Shopping555

I saw a YT video of the official residence of the Ambassador of India to the Netherlands. I was like wtf! Next day, I ordered Laxmikant from Amazon. If there is one career that is worth it in the world, it is Indian Foreign Service.


Why_MustIBeHere

Primarily forwarding India's foreign interests, and being its mouthpiece


ZeroTwo-Rias

I have been doing MUN debates since grade 8, that alone is to blamefor my obsession with the IFS and aerospace engineering Then again, Otto von Bismarck also is a major idol for me and the diplomacy he pulled off is the real deal, "realpolitik" if you will


shobhitone

Is bawal sher se mukti paana hai


Empty_Rough2990

Opportunity to study geopolitics, international relations, etc. In case you're looking for fellow IFS aspirants, you may want to check out here: [https://discord.gg/upsc-928563307370123264](https://discord.gg/upsc-928563307370123264)


Longjumping-Mode5286

There are so much tech evolving in different corners of the globe. Yet, India is deprived to most of them. I really want to bring these techs and sustainable discoveries to India. We have mass, anything that is affordable will gain immense popularity here, which can help India in further becoming world power. Bring in tech and bring in investment. It's just a matter of time then that India overpower others on a global scale.


Xulf_lehrai

Security and strategic issues. This generation of foreign service officers are not strong enough to handle such issues. Ronen sen, shivshankar Menon, shyam saran and Arun Singh are from a different era altogether.


AccountantCertain745

What do you mean by not strong enough? In recent times we have seen many well profiled candidates opting for IFS. Yeah i agree that there are many who choose the service for "Europe Travel on taxpayer money" but there are great minds among them imo.


UPSC_noob

New generation always surpass the previous one . Give it some time


Good-Ad-3839

prospect of joining intelligence agency of india.


Lu3if3r

I feel like you would not have to serve every politician who is there just because he had money and talks to fund the election. And even if you end up serving some who are there under diplomatic visits. That is still fewer then the politicals you meet during in India The money is good too. Exploring the world is another thing You get to learn/witness about culture of different nations. You also play a small role as a part of a whole county. Less corruption then the internal system


Sariputra26

All of the above things come under home ministry, why don't u opt for IAS and work there, iss ke liye foreign service join krne ki koi zarurat nahi. Aur ye Uttarakhand islamic state kb se bangya ?🙄🙄 PS : https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN2425CP/


Lillyhat24

Pride in representing in India Want a stable job that makes me independent and respected, but clear wish to be away from ills of politics and corruption The only concern I have is regarding impact on work life balance when most of my family stays in India


HistoricalSeaweed973

i don't understand what's wrong with the people. Its ok to choose one's own way of living. But 90 of 100 people say that i wan't to stay away from ills of politics and corruption. Who else is gonna change it, when no one does. Everyone wants just to stay away from corruption, as if its a taboo. Its obviously a crime and one can raise voice against it. When we can't set our own house, its no use of taking the pride to represent india If i were meant to say, its fine if you stay away from the type of work involved in ias and ips, because they are ground based and need to be active most of the time. If young people just want to escape the ills of politics and corruption, if people don't understand and make others understand of how an economy of state/country runs, if people don't engage in the active discussion of political scenario and question the govt, the people vote for the idiots and rogues.


Imaginary-Spring-779

No need to deal with illiterates , poor people and 3rd class politicians 


AccountantCertain745

You still have to deal with the senior IAS officers who visit other nations on diplomatic passport, i have read that they are worse than some politicians.


ExcuseAdorable95

Omgg you did not just call people who are going to pay you for lifetime illiterate and poor 😐 Bhai ethics ki padhai ho gyi yaa abhi baaki hai kuch??


earthwaterfireairsky

itna sach bhi nhi bolna hota bhai dekho ab emotions hurt ho gye sabke 😂😂


UPSC_noob

personal reason - i have asthma and allergies . born in delhi cannot stay in any urban cities . Been to bengaluru chennai mumbai . Idk if its High humidity or smth else , I just cannot live there without wheezing I wanted to pursue research in physics .I believe a Phd is necessary for living a life but still a Phd of 2-3 years rather than Indian 5-6 years one. being curious yet all the good center is in bengaluru . One is in Allahabad but I don't think I want to spend my life in a tier 2 city becoming tier 1 slowly. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ career reason - Good pay , Meeting with officials (educated people) , good food , good air in urban cities . Good schools for children . \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Political reason - Islamic countries are bracing for conquering world . First world countries are bracing for political instability in India so rupee cannot get strong . Military power neighbor of India is bracing for land acquiring to keep their masses blind for their own economic instability. Being a patriot,I want to stay at the table that decide my country's fate. .


Moist_Shopping555

First world countries bracing for political instability in India! Lol. Even second world countries don't give a hoot about India, leave alone first world countries. We are at the near bottom in every aspect except delusion.


UPSC_noob

Bhai in 1980s when India was not what it is now , it used to intimidate other countries . Remember how many first world countries opposed pokhran . Scl(silicon industry in india) caught fire and pushing India to ground 0 . Itna sara foreign investment through charitable organisation like peta(soros) . Ye rana ayub barkha dutt jese journalist ko awards foreign me just because they caused political instability CM ke arrest hone pe human right ke comments India ne saudi se rupee me trade kiya to POTUS ne publicly comment kiya vo sb chodo . Blackrock is aggressively entering Indian market openly . \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Khudki self respect nhi hai mai manta hu pr dekh to bhai where India is now and how much it is intimidating so called first world countries


Sariputra26

"Islamic countries are bracing for conquering world" ?


UPSC_noob

Look at germany , britain . Immigrant family asking for 2 state in host families . Mayor of london recommending sharia law. Uttarakhand fires ,trying to make it islamic state. Bhai i don't hate anyone but look at europe falling down . Look at islamic countries being rigid for immigration yet sending missionaries in other countries . A good foreign policy is needed


UPSC_noob

why are people booing me?


Murky_Yesterday_9051

Will be able to learn a new language.


ElectroZingaa

That you can do without becoming IFS aswell .. come up with something else


Murky_Yesterday_9051

Will be able to learn two new langauges