Key Highlights

• Officers currently serving in IAS or IFS are not eligible for CSE 2026 unless they resign from their post.

• Candidates allotted IPS or other Group A services in 2026 can appear for CSE 2027 with a one-time training exemption.

• The last date to apply is February 24, 2026, and existing attempt limits remain unchanged.

UPSC 2026: What the Official Notification Says

The UPSC has published the official notification for Civil Services Examination 2026, outlining new eligibility conditions for candidates selected or appointed to elite Group A services such as IAS, IFS, IPS, and others. According to the revised framework, candidates selected through UPSC CSE 2026 for IAS, IPS, or IFS may appear once again in the immediately following cycle as an improvement attempt. However, these provisions are subject to strict conditions. The objective of these amendments is to streamline attempt usage and remove ambiguities related to reappearing in future UPSC examinations.

UPSC CSE 2026 Updated Rules Explained

As per the UPSC CSE 2026 notification, candidates selected through the 2026 examination for IAS, IPS, or IFS can avail a limited opportunity to reattempt the exam in 2027. However, if they wish to appear in CSE 2028 or later, they must first resign from the service allotted to them. Detailed rule-wise explanations are provided below.

No Re-Appearance for Serving IAS & IFS Officers

The UPSC notification clearly states:

“A candidate who is appointed to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) or the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) on the basis of an earlier examination and continues as a member of that service shall not be eligible to appear in the Civil Services Examination-2026. If such appointment occurs after the CSE (Preliminary) Examination-2026 and the candidate remains in service, he/she will not be eligible for the CSE (Main) Examination-2026 even if qualified in Prelims. Further, if appointment to IAS or IFS takes place after the commencement of the CSE (Main) Examination-2026 but before declaration of results, the candidate will not be considered for appointment to any service or post based on CSE-2026 results.”

IPS Candidates: Limits on Re-Allocation

Any candidate already selected or appointed to the Indian Police Service through a previous examination will not be eligible for allocation to IPS again based on the results of CSE 2026.

One-Time Improvement Opportunity for CSE 2026 Allottees

Candidates allotted to IPS or Central Services Group ‘A’ based on the results of CSE 2026 will be allowed to appear in CSE 2027, subject to the conditions mentioned below:

• The candidate must obtain a one-time exemption from training for the service allocated through CSE 2026 from the concerned authority.

• This exemption applies only for postponing training, enabling the candidate to appear in CSE 2027.

• During this period, the candidate will be required to join only the Foundation Course (FC).

• If the candidate neither joins training nor secures exemption, the service allocation from CSE 2026 will be cancelled automatically.

• If finally recommended through CSE 2027, the candidate may choose either the service allotted through CSE 2026 or CSE 2027 and will join training scheduled for CSE 2027. Allocation to the non-chosen service will stand cancelled.

• If no service is allotted through CSE 2027, the candidate may continue with the service allotted via CSE 2026.

• Failure to join training for either CSE 2026 or CSE 2027 allotted services will lead to cancellation of both allocations.

• Seniority will be decided based on the service finally joined (CSE 2026 or CSE 2027) and will not be adversely affected.

• Such candidates cannot appear for CSE 2028 or any subsequent examination unless they resign from the service allotted.

• If a candidate wants to use remaining attempts in later CSEs after availing the one-time exemption, he/she must not join any allocated service, and the allocation will stand cancelled automatically.

Special Provision for CSE 2025 & Earlier Allottees

Candidates allotted any service based on CSE 2025 or earlier examinations will be permitted one-time appearance in either CSE 2026 or CSE 2027, as per their choice, to utilize remaining attempts without resigning from service, provided all other eligibility conditions are fulfilled. However, for appearing in CSE 2028 or beyond, resignation from the allocated service will be mandatory.

UPSC Attempt Limits Remain Unchanged

The UPSC has not announced any revision in the number of permissible attempts. Existing attempt limits continue as earlier:

• General Category: Maximum 6 attempts (subject to age criteria)

• OBC & PwBD: Up to 9 attempts

• SC/ST: Unlimited attempts (up to prescribed age limit)

NOTE: Even appearing for a single paper in the Preliminary Examination is counted as one attempt.

Key Takeaways for Aspirants

What Should Aspirants Do Next?

• Carefully verify eligibility conditions before submitting the application (last date: 24 February 2026).

• Make well-informed service preference choices, especially if already serving or previously allotted a service.

• Be aware that resignation may be unavoidable for attempts beyond the limited exemption window.