Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the notification for Civil Services Examination 2026. This time UPSC has made many changes in the rules related to Civil Services Examination. These changes will significantly impact those candidates who once cleared the exam and appeared again and again to improve their rank. Let us understand the provisions of these new rules and know which candidates will become ineligible to appear in the examination after the implementation of these new rules.
In its notification released on Wednesday, UPSC said that this time recruitment will be done on 933 posts and candidates can apply till 24th February. The option of taking the exam again and again has been removed. Apart from this, the application process is the same as before. In simple words, candidates who are already in service will now get only one chance to improve their performance.
– They will not be able to appear in IAS or IFS exam in 2026. Also, if a candidate appears for UPSC preliminary exam and becomes an IAS or IFS officer through the previous exam before the main exam, he/she will not be able to appear for the main exam. This will be applicable even if he has passed the preliminary examination. Also, if someone becomes an IAS or IFS officer before the declaration of the final result of 2026, his/her appointment will not be considered.
For example, if someone has applied for the 2026 exam, but becomes an IAS officer during the selection process, he will not be able to join the service through the 2026 exam, even if he has cleared the preliminary exam.
Can IPS officers take the exam again?
– If someone is already an IPS officer, then he will not be able to become an IPS officer again on the basis of 2026 results. In other words, those who are already IPS officers cannot become IPS officers again. They will be given a chance to improve their rank.
– Those who become IPS officers on the basis of 2026 results can appear in the 2027 examination. They will be given one-time exemption from training to appear in the 2027 examination. For this they will have to take permission from their service training officer. Moreover, if an IPS officer neither attends the training nor takes leave from the training, his service will be terminated. – Candidates selected through CSE 2026 who want to appear in CSE 2027 will have to obtain permission. Resignation will be required to appear in CSE 2028 or later examinations.
– If you avail a service through CSE 2026, you will get only one correction opportunity in 2027. Additionally, if a candidate participates in 2027 and is not selected for any service, they can rejoin their 2026 service.
What are the rules for those who are not yet in service?
For those who are not yet in service, the rules are the same as before. They can appear in the examination 6 or 9 times.
How many chances do you get?
Candidates appearing in the Civil Services Examination will be given 6 chances. There is no limit for SC/ST reserved category candidates, and OBC candidates can appear for the exam 9 times. PWBD candidates can also appear 9 times.
What are the rules regarding age limit?
Candidates who are 21 years of age as on August 1, 2026, but not yet 32 years of age are eligible to appear for the exam. That is, the date of birth of the candidate should not be earlier than August 2, 1994 and later than August 1, 2005. There is relaxation for reserved category. Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe candidates get maximum age relaxation of five years, and OBC candidates get maximum age relaxation of three years. Age relaxation is also given to some defense personnel and ex-servicemen.