A. Sure you can appear for IAS exam even though your background is engineering. The IAS is open to all graduates regardless of whether they are from arts and humanities, commerce, science, medicine or engineering.

But yes, your choice of the optional papers may differ. Refer to the Civil Service syllabus and be careful while filling the application form. Also, the format of the exam is different from that of IES Exam. So appearing for IAS will give idea you an idea of the pattern of questions. As the IAS exams commence prior to IES, you can actually test yourself how well prepared you are.

For further details: www.upsc.gov.in/general/civil.htm.