UPSC makes major changes to CSE attempts, to affect IAS, IFS

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has introduced significant changes to the rules governing the Civil Services Examination (CSE). The revised norms will impact candidates aspiring for IAS and IFS posts.

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According to the notification released by UPSC today, these new rules have come into effect. It has been clearly stated that candidates who are already serving as IAS or IFS officers will not be eligible to take the Civil Services Examination in the current year.

The Commission has clarified that candidates who were appointed to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) or the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) based on any previous Civil Services Examination and are currently serving as members of those services will not be allowed to participate in CSE-2026.

UPSC has further made it clear that if a candidate is appointed to IAS or IFS after the completion of the CSE-2026 Preliminary Examination but before the Main Examination, and continues to remain a member of that service, then, despite qualifying the prelims, the candidate will not be permitted to appear for the CSE-2026 Main Examination.

Additionally, if a candidate is appointed to IAS or IFS after the commencement of the Main Examination but before the declaration of results, and continues to remain a member of that service, then such a candidate will not be considered for any service or post based on the CSE-2026 results.

Through these clear and strict rules, UPSC aims to make the Civil Services selection process more streamlined and disciplined, while also restricting repeated attempts by candidates who have already been selected earlier.