Preparation
Preparation and Examination Record
His marks in the Civil Services Examination 2016, the approach he set out in two published essays, and answers to the questions aspirants ask most.
Examination Record
- 2010J&K Combined Competitive Examination: Rank 22, first attempt. Optionals Public Administration and Veterinary Science (425/600). Also sat the Civil Services preliminary examination; did not qualify.
- 2012Indian Forest Service Examination: All-India Rank 23. Optionals Zoology and Veterinary Science (198/400). Civil Services preliminary: did not qualify.
- 2013–15Third attempt at the Civil Services preliminary examination while training at IGNFA and joining as Deputy Conservator of Forests.
- 2016Civil Services Examination: All-India Rank 10, fourth attempt. Prepared while serving as a forest officer in Lucknow.
Marks Obtained, Civil Services Examination 2016
| Component | Marks | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Written examination (Main) | 896 | 1750 |
| Optional: Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science (Papers I and II) | 304 | 500 |
| Personality test | 182 | 275 |
| Total | 1078 | 2025 |
Published article · UPSC final marks list as reproduced by BYJU'S Published article · Insights IAS, 2018
Approach, in His Published Words
Two first-person essays for Insights IAS set out his approach. The 2017 essay stresses patience, perseverance and hard work; reading and revising the NCERT textbooks before other material; and treating the Preliminary and Main examinations as distinct in method. The 2018 essay, on the optional, warns against searching for special coaching material and recommends the standard veterinary textbooks with self-made notes against the syllabus. He has repeated the same points to students at Cluster University Kashmir (2023), the University of Kashmir (2024) and GDC Budgam (2025).
Answer Writing
His published essays do not set out a separate answer-writing method beyond practising with previous years' questions and revising notes rather than books in the final months. Nothing further is attributed to him here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What rank did Dr Bilal Bhat secure in the UPSC Civil Services Examination?
All-India Rank 10 in the Civil Services Examination 2016, declared on 31 May 2017, with 1,078 marks (896 in the written examination and 182 in the personality test).
In how many attempts did he qualify?
Four. He did not clear the preliminary examination in his first three attempts (from 2010) and secured All-India Rank 10 in his fourth attempt in 2016.
What was his optional subject?
Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, in which he scored 304 out of 500. His detailed strategy for the optional is published on Insights IAS.
Which other examinations did he qualify?
The J&K Combined Competitive (KAS) Examination 2010 at his first attempt (Rank 22) and the Indian Forest Service Examination 2012 (All-India Rank 23, Uttar Pradesh cadre).
What is his educational background?
Minto Circle School and Amar Singh College, Srinagar; B.V.Sc & A.H. from the College of Veterinary Sciences, SKUAST-Jammu (2010); professional training at IGNFA Dehradun and LBSNAA Mussoorie.
Has he written a book?
Yes. Environment and Ecology for UPSC CSE by Dr Bilal M Bhat, IAS, published in 2024.
Which batch and cadre does he belong to?
Indian Administrative Service, 2017 batch, AGMUT cadre (Jammu & Kashmir). He is presently Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag.