UPSC Rule Change: IAS-IPS Officers Can No Longer Re-Attempt Civil Services Exam – 10 Key Points You Must Know

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has made a major change to the rules for serving officers who wish to reappear for the Civil Services Examination (CSE). Under the new rule, officers who are already in service can now appear for the exam only once more. Previously, officers could attempt the exam multiple times to improve their rank.

The official notification for CSE 2026 has been released on the UPSC website, detailing the updated regulations. Here’s what candidates need to know:

1. One More Attempt Allowed: Officers who secured a service based on CSE-2025 or earlier can appear once more in CSE-2026 or CSE-2027 without resigning from their allotted service, provided they meet eligibility criteria. For CSE-2028 and beyond, resignation from the current service will be required.

2. Previous Exam Results Count: Officers already appointed to IAS or IFS based on previous results are ineligible for CSE-2026.

3. Prelims Cleared? Doesn’t Guarantee Mains: Officers appointed to IAS or IFS after CSE-2026 prelims cannot appear in mains for that year.

4. Post-Mains Appointment Blocked: If an officer joins IAS or IFS before CSE-2026 results are declared, they cannot be considered for any service appointment based on CSE-2026 results.

5. No Second IPS Attempt: Officers already selected or appointed to IPS cannot choose or join IPS again based on CSE-2026 results.

6. Training Exemption Limited: Officers can attempt CSE-2027 only if exempted from training of their CSE-2026 allotted service. This exemption can be granted only once.

7. Mandatory Foundation Course: Selection is valid only if the officer joins the Foundation Course (FC). Not joining or taking exemption cancels the allotment.

8. New Selection Cancels Old: If an officer is selected in CSE-2027, the previous allotment from CSE-2026 will be canceled except for the service chosen in CSE-2027.

9. Non-Participation Cancels Both: Failure to join training for either CSE-2026 or CSE-2027 allotment cancels both allotments.

10. Resignation Needed for Third Attempt: Officers cannot take a third attempt without resigning from their current service.

Application Deadline: The online application process for CSE 2026 began on February 4, 2026, and candidates can apply until February 24, 2026. A total of 933 vacancies will be filled, including 33 reserved for benchmark-disabled candidates. Eligible applicants can apply on the official UPSC portal: upsconline.nic.in.