UPSC 2026 New Rules Explained: No Second Attempt for IAS, IFS, IPS, Group A

UPSC 2026: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 notification. The notification consists of the new rules that have been set up by the commission regarding the eligibility of the selected and appointed candidates to Group A services such as IAS, IFS, IPS, and others. The new rules suggest that the candidates who will get selected in the UPSC CSE 2026 for IAS, IPS, and IFS posts will be eligible to appear for the improvement exam in the next cycle. These changes aim to tighten attempt limits and clarify when and how candidates can appear for future UPSC exams.

UPSC CSE 2026 New Rules

As per the official notification of UPSC CSE 2026, the candidates who have appeared for the UPSC CSE 2026 and got selected for Indian Administrative Services (IAS), Indian Police Services (IPS), and Indian Foreign Services (IFS) can go for another improvement attempt in the examination in 2027, but if they wish to appear for 2028 cycle, then they need to resign from the service they have been appointed and then can appear for the UPSC CSE. Check the full details regarding these new rules below:

No Second Chance for Serving IAS and IFS Officers

A new rule mentioned in the UPSC CSE 2026 notification says that, “A candidate who is appointed to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) or the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) based on the results of an earlier Examination and continues to be a member of that Service will not be eligible to appear at the Civil Services Examination-2026. In case such a candidate is appointed to the IAS or IFS after the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination-2026 is over and the candidate continues to be a member of that Service, the candidate shall not be eligible to appear in the Civil Services (Main) Examination-2026 notwithstanding having qualified in the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination-2026. If such a candidate is appointed to the IAS or IFS after the commencement of the Civil Services (Main) Examination-2026 but before the result thereof is declared by the Commission and continues to be a member of that Service, the candidate shall not be considered for appointment to any Service/Post on the basis of the result of the CSE-2026.”  

IPS Candidates: Restricted Re-Attempts

A candidate who has been selected or appointed to the Indian Police Service on the basis of the results of the earlier examination shall not be eligible to opt for or allocated to Indian Police Service on the basis of the result of CSE- 2026.

One-Time Improvement Chance for 2026 Allottees

A candidate allocated to Indian Police Service or a Central Service Group 'A' on the basis of result of the CSE-2026, will have the option to appear in immediate subsequent CSE-2027, if otherwise eligible, subject to following restrictions:

• Such a candidate shall be eligible to appear for the CSE-2027 if he/she is granted exemption from training for the service allocated to him/her on the basis of CSE-2026 from the Authority concerned. He/she will be eligible for grant of one-time exemption only from joining the training in order to enable him/her to appear in CSE- 2027.

• The selected candidate shall join the training in Foundation Course (FC) only.

• However, if such a candidate neither joins the training for the service allocated on the basis of CSE-2026 nor takes exemption from joining training, his/her allocation of service on the basis of CSE-2026 shall stand cancelled.

• If he/she is finally recommended on the basis of CSE-2027, he/she can accept the service allocated either on the basis of CSE-2026 or CSE-2027 and will join the training scheduled for CSE2027. His/her allocation to the service other than the one opted shall stand cancelled at this stage. In case he/she is not allocated to any service on the basis of CSE-2027 then he/she can join the service allocated through CSE-2026.

• However, if he/she doesn’t join training for service allocated on the basis of CSE-2026 or CSE2027, his/her allocation to both the services shall stand cancelled.

• The seniority of such candidates will be decided according to his/her joining the service allocated on the basis of CSE-2026 or CSE-2027 and the same shall not be depressed.

• However, he/she shall not be allowed to appear for CSE-2028 and any CSE thereafter, unless he/she resigns from the allocated service.

• If the candidate is desirous of availing his/her remaining attempts to appear in any subsequent CSE, if otherwise eligible, after availing such onetime exemption from joining training, he/she must not join any service allocated to him/her on the basis of CSE-2026 or CSE-2027, as the case may be, and the said Service Allocation shall stand cancelled automatically.

• In respect of a candidate who has been allocated to any service based on CSE-2025 or earlier years, he/she will be given a one-time opportunity to appear in either CSE-2026 or CSE-2027, as per his/her choice to enable him/her to utilize his/her remaining attempt, subject to fulfilling other eligibility criteria, without the need to resign from service. However, such candidates desirous of appearing in CSE-2028 or beyond, he/she shall have to resign from his/her allocated service. 

Standard UPSC Attempt Limits Still Apply

The new rules laid down by the commission do not say anything related to the number of attempts being increased or decreased. The number of attempts for each category remains the same.

• General category: Maximum 6 UPSC CSE attempts (subject to age limit).

• OBC & PwBD: Up to 9 attempts.

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

NOTE: An attempt is also counted if the candidate appears for only one paper in the Prelims examination.

Key Takeaways for Aspirants

What Aspirants Should Do Now

• Check eligibility before applying online (applications close 24 Feb 2026).

• Decide service preferences strategically, especially if already serving or previously recommended a service.

• Understand that resignation may be necessary for future attempts beyond the controlled exemption window.