UPSC Indian Statistical Service (ISS) Examination — Eligibility, Syllabus & Exam Pattern
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Indian Statistical Service (ISS) Examination to recruit statisticians for a Group 'A' Central Service. ISS officers play a crucial role in the national statistical system, contributing to data collection, analysis, and policy formulation in various government departments. This is a highly specialized exam for candidates with a strong background in statistics. The selection process involves a comprehensive Written Examination with six papers (a mix of descriptive and objective types), followed by a Viva-voce (Interview) to evaluate the candidate's subject expertise and professional suitability.
📌 Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
A candidate must be a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, to permanently settle here.
Age Limit
A candidate must be between 21 and 30 years of age as of August 1st of the examination year. Age relaxation is available for certain categories (OBC, SC/ST, PwBD) as per government rules.
Educational Qualification
A candidate must have obtained one of the following qualifications from a recognized university:
- A Bachelor's Degree with Statistics/Mathematical Statistics/Applied Statistics as one of the subjects.
- A Master's degree in Statistics/Mathematical Statistics/Applied Statistics.
Candidates who have appeared or are yet to appear in their final year of the degree examination are also eligible to apply.
✍️ Exam Syllabus & Pattern
Part I — Written Examination (Total 1000 Marks)
The written exam consists of six papers. Papers I & II are descriptive, Papers III & IV are objective, and Papers V & VI are descriptive.
| Paper | Subject | Type | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General English | Descriptive | 100 | 3 hours |
| Paper II | General Studies | Descriptive | 100 | 3 hours |
| Paper III | Statistics - I | Objective | 200 | 2 hours |
| Paper IV | Statistics - II | Objective | 200 | 2 hours |
| Paper V | Statistics - III | Descriptive | 200 | 3 hours |
| Paper VI | Statistics - IV | Descriptive | 200 | 3 hours |
Syllabus for Written Exam
- General English: Essay writing, précis writing, comprehension, and other questions to test the candidate's ability to express themselves clearly in English.
- General Studies: General knowledge including Indian Polity, History of India, and Geography.
- Statistics - I (Objective): Probability, Statistical Methods, Numerical Analysis, and Computer Application basics (C & R).
- Statistics - II (Objective): Linear Models, Statistical Inference, and Official Statistics (NSSO, CSO, etc.).
- Statistics - III (Descriptive): Sampling Techniques, Econometrics, and Applied Statistics (Time Series, Index Numbers).
- Statistics - IV (Descriptive): This is a specialized paper where candidates must choose any two sub-sections from the following:
- Operations Research and Reliability
- Demography and Vital Statistics
- Survival Analysis and Clinical Trial
- Quality Control
- Multivariate Analysis
- Design and Analysis of Experiments
- Computing with C and R
Part II — Viva-voce (Personality Test)
| Total Marks | 200 |
|---|---|
| Evaluation Areas | The board assesses the candidate's suitability for the service, focusing on subject knowledge, critical thinking, mental alertness, leadership potential, and communication skills. |
👉 Note
- The final merit list is prepared based on the marks obtained in the Written Examination and the Viva-voce (Interview).
- For full official syllabus & eligibility, refer to UPSC official notification.
☞ Tip for Aspirants: Always refer to the latest official notification for syllabus and eligibility details as they may change year to year.