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Exam Date: August 17, 2025
The Indian Statistical Service (ISS) Examination 2025, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), is a prestigious national-level exam aimed at recruiting officers for the Indian Statistical Service, a Group A service under the Government of India. These officers are primarily responsible for statistical analysis and policy formulation across various ministries and departments
Eligibility Criteria
• Nationality: Indian citizens, or candidates from Nepal, Bhutan, Tibetan refugees (settled before January 1, 1962), or persons of Indian origin from specified countries intending to settle permanently in India.
• Age Limit: 21 to 30 years as of August 1, 2025. Age relaxations are applicable for reserved categories as per government norms.
• Educational Qualification: A Bachelor's degree with Statistics, Mathematical Statistics, or Applied Statistics as one of the subjects, or a Master's degree in the same disciplines from a recognized university.
• Physical Standards: Candidates must meet the prescribed physical standards, which are generally relaxed for certain categories.
Exam Pattern
The ISS exam is conducted by UPSC and includes two stages:
Stage 1: Written Examination
Total Papers: 6 Papers
Total Marks: 1000 Marks
Type: Descriptive (Pen & Paper mode)
Medium: English only (except for General English)
Paper-wise Breakdown:
General English – 100 marks
General Studies – 100 marks
Statistics-I (Objective Type) – 200 marks
Statistics-II (Objective Type) – 200 marks
Statistics-III (Descriptive) – 200 marks
Statistics-IV (Descriptive) – 200 marks
Each paper duration: 3 hours
Negative marking: Applicable for objective papers (I & II)
Use of scientific calculator: Allowed in Statistics papers
Objective vs Descriptive:
Statistics I & II: Objective (MCQs)
Statistics III & IV: Descriptive (problem-solving)
Stage 2: Interview / Viva Voce
Marks: 200
Purpose: Test candidate’s overall personality, subject knowledge, awareness of statistical applications, and suitability for public service
Total Marks (Final Selection)
Written Exam: 1000 marks
Interview: 200 marks
Grand Total: 1200 marks
Career Prospects
Upon selection, candidates are appointed as Junior Time Scale (JTS) officers in the Indian Statistical Service. They are posted in various ministries and departments, including the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Agriculture. The career progression includes promotions to higher administrative grades, with opportunities to serve as Directors, Senior Economic Advisers, and Principal Advisers.
Application Process
• Online Application: Candidates must apply through the official UPSC website:
• Application Fee: ₹200 for General and OBC candidates; no fee for SC/ST, female, and PwBD candidates.
• Documents Required: Scanned photograph and signature, valid ID proof, and educational certificates.
SYLLABUS:
Stage 1: Written Examination
Paper I: General English
Topics:
• Essay Writing
• Precis Writing
• Comprehension
• Grammar
• Vocabulary
• Antonyms and Synonyms
• Idioms and Phrases
Paper II: General Studies
Topics:
• Indian Polity and Governance
• Indian Economy
• History of India and Indian National Movement
• Geography of India
• General Science
• Current Affair
Paper III: Statistics-I (Objective Type)
Topics:
Probability:
• Classical and axiomatic definitions
• Bayes' Theorem
• Random Variables and Distributions
Statistical Methods:
• Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion
• Bivariate and Multivariate Data
• Regression and Correlation
Numerical Analysis:
• Finite Differences
• Interpolation and Extrapolation
• Numerical Differentiation and Integration
Computer Applications:
• Basics of Programming
• Data Processing Techniques
Paper IV: Statistics-II (Objective Type)
Topics:
Linear Models:
• Theory of Linear Estimation
• Gauss-Markov Models
Statistical Inference:
• Maximum Likelihood Estimation
• Confidence Intervals
• Hypothesis Testing
Official Statistics:
• Index Numbers
• National Statistical Systems
• Population Census
Paper V: Statistics-III (Descriptive Type)
Topics:
Sampling Techniques:
• Simple Random Sampling
• Stratified Sampling
• Sampling with Probability Proportional to Size
Econometrics:
• Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) Estimation
• Simultaneous Equation Models
Applied Statistics:
• Time Series Analysis
• Index Numbers
• Inter-sectoral Flows
Paper VI: Statistics-IV (Descriptive Type)
Topics:
Operations Research:
• Linear Programming
• Transportation and Assignment Problems
Demography and Vital Statistics:
• Population Growth Models
• Census Data Analysis
Survival Analysis and Clinical Trials:
• Life Tables
• Kaplan-Meier Estimator
Quality Control:
• Control Charts
• Acceptance Sampling
Multivariate Analysis:
• Principal Component Analysis
• Factor Analysis
Design and Analysis of Experiments:
• Completely Randomized Design
• Analysis of Covariance
Computing with C and R:
• Statistical Computing Technique
Stage 2: Interview / Viva Voce
• Marks: 200
• Purpose: Assess the candidate's overall personality, communication skills, and suitability for a career in the Indian Statistical Service
1. Understand the Exam Structure
Written Examination (1000 marks)
Paper Subject Type Marks
Paper I General English Descriptive 100
Paper II General Studies Descriptive 100
Paper III Statistics-I (Objective) MCQs 200
Paper IV Statistics-II (Objective) MCQs 200
Paper V Statistics-III (Descriptive) Descriptive 200
Paper VI Statistics-IV (Descriptive) Descriptive 200
Interview / Viva Voce (200 marks)
2. Know the Detailed Syllabus
Download it from the official UPSC site: ISS Syllabus PDF
Focus areas:
Probability, Sampling, Inference, Regression, Econometrics, Design of Experiments
Operations Research, Demography, and Vital Statistics
General Studies: Indian polity, economy, geography, science & current affairs
English: Essay writing, comprehension, précis
3. Create a Smart Study Plan
Allocate 3–5 months for preparation depending on your background
Daily balance between technical subjects and GS/English
Reserve final 4–6 weeks for mock tests and revision
4. Recommended Books & Resources
Statistics
Fundamentals of Mathematical Statistics – Gupta & Kapoor
Statistical Inference – Casella & Berger
Sampling Techniques – Cochran
Operations Research – Kanti Swarup
Design of Experiments – Montgomery
Econometrics – Gujarati
English & General Studies
General English – Wren & Martin + Previous Year Papers
General Studies – Lucent GK, NCERTs (Polity, Geography, Economy)
5. Solve Previous Year Papers
UPSC repeats question patterns and concepts
Aim to solve at least 5–10 years of papers
Practice timed tests for both objective and descriptive papers
Previous Year Papers – ISS
6. Practice Answer Writing (For Descriptive Papers)
Focus on clarity, logic, diagrams, formulae, and conclusion
Don’t overwrite — quality > quantity
Structure your answers with introduction–body–conclusion
7. Mock Tests & Self-Evaluation
Take mock tests regularly for:
Statistics Objective Papers
English Essay and Comprehension
Analyze errors and improve weak areas
8. Interview Preparation
Brush up basic statistical concepts
Be ready to explain your educational background and interests
Practice mock interviews (Available from coaching centers like Sankalp, IMS, etc.)
UPSC ISS Notification Release: Usually in April 2025
• Start of Online Application: April 2025 (within a week of notification)
• Last Date to Apply: Mid-May 2025
• Admit Card Release: June 2025
• Written Exam Dates: July 2025
• Result Declaration (Written Exam): August-September 2025
• Interview / Viva Voce: September-October 2025
• Final Result Announcement: November 2025
The Indian Statistical Service (ISS) exam is a competitive exam conducted by the UPSC to recruit officers for statistical services in various departments and ministries of the Government of India, such as the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
You must have a Bachelor’s Degree with Statistics/Mathematical Statistics/Applied Statistics as one of the subjects, or a Master’s degree in Statistics/Mathematical Statistics/Applied Statistics from a recognized university.
21 to 30 years as on August 1 of the exam year.
Relaxation in upper age limit:
OBC: +3 years
SC/ST: +5 years
PwD: +10 years (as applicable)
