New Delhi: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has unveiled its notification for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026, introducing sweeping changes that could reshape the aspirations of thousands of aspirants.
Aimed at curbing repeated attempts for rank improvement, these reforms primarily target those already in service, ensuring a more streamlined selection process.
This year, UPSC is recruiting for 933 coveted positions, with applications open until February 24. While the application process remains unchanged, the new rules clamp down on serial exam-takers. Candidates who have cleared previous exams and joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) or Indian Foreign Service (IFS) will be barred from participating in CSE 2026. Even if they qualify for the prelims, they cannot appear for mains if appointed to IAS or IFS beforehand. Moreover, any appointment secured through 2026 will be invalidated if the candidate joins IAS or IFS prior to the final results.
For Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, the landscape is nuanced. Existing IPS personnel cannot re-enter as IPS but get one shot at improvement in 2027, with training exemptions requiring permission from their training officer. Failure to join training could lead to service cancellation. Those selected in 2026 can attempt 2027 for enhancement, but subsequent exams (2028 onwards) demand resignation. If unsuccessful in 2027, they can revert to their 2026 allocation.
Non-serving candidates face no alterations: the general category gets six attempts, SC/ST unlimited, and OBC and PwBD nine. Eligibility requires candidates to be aged 21-32 as of August 1, 2026 (born not before August 2, 1994, or after August 1, 2005), with relaxations up to five years for SC/ST, three for OBC, and more for defence personnel and ex-servicemen.
These changes signal the UPSC’s push for efficiency, but they have sparked debates among aspirants eyeing better ranks.