It is bad news for the Civil Services aspirants who take the exam even after getting selected to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) or Indian Foreign Service (IFS) for the sake of getting a better position and posting. The Union Public Service Commission has revised its framework to eliminate the provision of a second chance for candidates selected for IAS or IFS.
Under the revised rules, once a candidate is allocated either of the two premier services, the option to reappear at the Civil Services Examination (CSE) will no longer be available. Besides, the Commission introduces a one-time exemption rule for candidates allotted IPS or Group A services through the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026. Further, they will be allowed to defer only the foundation course.
It was clarified by the UPSC through a notification issued by it on Wednesday. While advertising the recruitment of 933 vacancies, the Commission said if such candidates clear the CSE 2026 Preliminary Examination but get appointed to IAS or IFS before the mains examination on the basis of a previous exam, they will not be allowed to write the mains exam.
Similarly, if they are selected as IAS or IFS officers after the mains examination but before the final results, the CSE 2026 result will not be considered for any service allocation.
These restrictions are milder for the IPS. Those selected or appointed to the IPS through an earlier examination will be allowed to appear for this year’s exam, but they cannot be allocated IPS again. It means they can take the exam for being selected as an IAS or IFS officer only.
Those who are allotted IPS or any Group ‘A’ service through CSE 2026 will get one additional attempt in CSE 2027, subject to strict conditions. Such candidates will have to obtain a one-time exemption from training with due permission from the competent authority. This exemption is allowed only once.
Failure to either join training or secure exemption will result in cancellation of the service allocation.
According to the revised rule, if a candidate appears in CSE 2027 and is selected again, they will be given the option to choose between the service allocated through CSE 2026 or CSE 2027. If no service is secured in CSE 2027, the candidate may still join the service allotted through the 2026 exam.
It has been clarified that seniority will not be reduced and will depend on the date of actual joining of service. After joining a service through CSE 2026 or CSE 2027, candidates will not be permitted to appear for CSE 2028 or later examinations unless they resign from service.
Candidates wishing to retain their remaining attempts must refrain from joining any service allotted through CSE 2026 or CSE 2027, in which case the service allocation will automatically stand cancelled.
There will be a one-time opportunity to appear in either CSE 2026 or CSE 2027 for candidates already allocated a service through CSE 2025 or earlier without resigning from service. If a candidate wishes to appear for CSE-2028 or subsequent examinations, resignation from the existing service will be mandatory.
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