Quick answer. The Indian Statistical Service examination is conducted by UPSC alongside the Indian Economic Service under one combined notification. Selection is through a 1000 mark written examination across six papers and a 200 mark viva voce, for a total of 1200. Four papers are Statistics: two objective and two descriptive. Eligibility needs a Bachelor’s degree with Statistics as one of the subjects, and the age range is 21 to 30 years. The 2026 cycle had 28 vacancies.
At a Glance
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducted by | Union Public Service Commission |
| Notification | Combined with Indian Economic Service |
| Written examination | 1000 marks, six papers |
| Viva voce | 200 marks |
| Total | 1200 marks |
| Statistics papers | Four |
| Vacancies, 2026 cycle | 28 |
| Age limit | 21 to 30 years |
| Minimum qualification | Bachelor’s with Statistics as a subject |
| Application fee | Rs 200, women and SC, ST, PwBD exempt |
| Examination centres | 21 |
The Six Papers
| # | Paper | Type | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | General English | Subjective | 100 | 3 hours |
| 2 | General Studies | Subjective | 100 | 3 hours |
| 3 | Statistics I | Objective | 200 | 2 hours |
| 4 | Statistics II | Objective | 200 | 2 hours |
| 5 | Statistics III | Descriptive | 200 | 3 hours |
| 6 | Statistics IV | Descriptive | 200 | 3 hours |
| Written total | 1000 | |||
| Viva voce | 200 |
Statistics carries 800 of the 1000 written marks. General English and General Studies together carry 200, and both are shared with the Indian Economic Service paper.
Statistics I and II have 80 questions each in 120 minutes. Statistics III and IV are conventional essay type, split evenly between short answer or small problems and long answer or comprehension questions.
Statistics IV has seven sections and you choose any two. That single rule shapes a large part of your preparation, and the syllabus page explains why.
Start Here
Syllabus
All four Statistics papers, section by section, with the seven optional sections of Statistics IV and which two most candidates choose.
Previous Year Papers
Every paper from 2016 to 2026 organised by year, plus the older 2014 and 2015 papers. Free download with objective answer keys.
Download: UPSC ISS Previous Year Papers
Books
Paper by paper, with the chapters that matter and the ones you can skip.
Cut Off
Year on year cut off movement, category wise, and what it tells you about the marks you actually need.
Notification, Dates and Eligibility
Vacancies, age limit, fee, the four module application portal and the centre allotment rule that catches people out.
Read: UPSC IES ISS Notification
Marks Calculator
Enter your paper wise scores and see where you would have stood against previous cut offs.
Open: UPSC ISS Marks Calculator
Subject Deep Dives
Three sections of the syllabus are large enough to need their own guides. Each maps to a specific part of a specific paper.
Official Statistics
Statistics II, section three. The Indian Statistical System, national accounts, index numbers and the major official data releases.
Read: Official Statistics for UPSC ISS
Numerical Analysis
Statistics I, section three. Interpolation, numerical integration, difference equations and iterative methods.
Read: Numerical Analysis for UPSC ISS
Computer Application and Data Processing
Statistics I, section four. Computer fundamentals, data processing concepts and programming basics.
Read: Computer Application for UPSC ISS
Current Affairs and Interview
Current Affairs
Month by month, built for the General Studies paper and for the interview, with a focus on official statistics releases rather than general news.
Go to: UPSC ISS Current Affairs
Interview Series
The 200 mark viva voce, what the board actually asks, and how to prepare your own form and district.
Read: UPSC ISS Interview Series
Officer Life
What the job involves after selection, which departments you work in and what the career looks like.
Who This Examination Suits
Two things about ISS are unusual and worth knowing before you commit.
A Bachelor’s degree is enough. You need a Bachelor’s with Statistics, Mathematical Statistics or Applied Statistics as one of your subjects. You do not need a Master’s. IES, sitting under the same notification, does require a postgraduate degree.
That makes ISS accessible earlier than most Statistics students assume. A final year B.Sc. student is closer to eligible than they think.
Statistics is 800 of the 1000 written marks. This is not a general aptitude examination with a statistics section. It is a statistics examination with a small general component. If you enjoy the subject, that is the best news on this page.
How to Approach It
| Stage | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Read the syllabus properly and decide your two Statistics IV sections early |
| 2 | Build the objective base: Statistics I and II carry 400 marks between them |
| 3 | Start descriptive answer writing from month one, not month six |
| 4 | Work through previous year papers topic by topic |
| 5 | Add General Studies and current affairs alongside, not at the end |
| 6 | General English, which needs the least time of anything here |
Descriptive answer writing is the skill that takes longest to build and it is the one candidates postpone. Statistics III and IV are 400 marks written by hand under time pressure. One full answer a week from the start beats a panic in the final month.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UPSC ISS examination?
The Indian Statistical Service examination, conducted by UPSC alongside the Indian Economic Service, recruiting statisticians into a Group A central service.
How many papers are there in UPSC ISS?
Six. General English, General Studies, and four Statistics papers. Statistics I and II are objective and Statistics III and IV are descriptive.
What are the total marks for UPSC ISS?
1200. A 1000 mark written examination and a 200 mark viva voce.
Do I need a Master’s degree for UPSC ISS?
No. A Bachelor’s degree with Statistics, Mathematical Statistics or Applied Statistics as one of the subjects is sufficient.
How many vacancies does UPSC ISS have?
The 2026 cycle advertised 28 vacancies, of which two were reserved for PwBD candidates. The number is tentative and changes each cycle.
Can I apply for both IES and ISS?
No. A candidate may compete for only one of the two services.
How many Statistics questions are in the objective papers?
Eighty questions in each of Statistics I and Statistics II, worth 200 marks each, to be attempted in 120 minutes.
What is the age limit for UPSC ISS?
21 to 30 years on the reckoning date, with up to 5 years relaxation for SC and ST candidates and up to 3 years for OBC candidates eligible for reservation.
Figures on this page are from UPSC Examination Notice 07/2026-IES/ISS and are liable to change. The official UPSC website is the final authority.