UPSC New Cadre Allocation Policy 2026, IAS, IPS and IFoS Cadre Rules

The New Cadre Allocation Policy for IAS/IPS/IFoS, effective from CSE-2026, introduces a group-based system, replacing zones. It simplifies cadre preference and explicitly integrates EWS provisions. The policy details specific cycles for insider and outsider allocations, emphasizing merit and annual group rotation for fair distribution across states.

What Is Cadre Allocation in UPSC?

Cadre allocation is the process through which selected candidates of All India Services—IAS, IPS, and IFoS—are assigned to a state cadre or a joint cadre.

Under the Cadre Allocation Policy for the All India Services – IAS/IPS/IFoS, officers usually serve most of their career in the allotted cadre. This policy ensures that administration remains stable while officers gain deep knowledge of local governance.

Cadre allocation is done after the final UPSC rank list is released. Preferences, rank, category, and vacancy position all play an important role in the process.

What is the New Cadre Allocation Policy, and Why it introduced?

The New Cadre Allocation Policy dictates how successful candidates of the Civil Services Examination (CSE) are assigned to cadres. This policy applies to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Forest Service (IFoS).

• The UPSC New Cadre Policy 2026 was introduced to remove long-standing issues in the older system. Earlier, many candidates preferred a few popular cadres, while some regions faced officer shortages.
• One major goal of the New Cadre Allocation Policy is national integration. Officers get exposure to diverse cultures, languages, and administrative challenges. This helps build a more united and efficient civil service.
• Another important reason was to make the process fair and predictable. The new system reduces ambiguity and ensures that merit and preference are balanced properly.

The policy also addresses concerns of regional imbalance and ensures that all states get a fair share of officers.

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Key Changes in UPSC New Cadre Policy 2026

Here are key changes in UPSC Cadre Policy 2026 from 2017:

Vacancy Determination

Cadre Controlling Authorities (DoPT, MHA, MoEF&CC) determine the available vacancies.

• Vacancies are based on cadre gaps as of January 1st of the year after the examination.
• State Governments must provide their vacancy needs by January 31st.
• Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) vacancies are part of Unreserved (UR) vacancies. EWS candidates are plotted against UR slots.
• All determined vacancies are published before the final examination results.

Zones Removed, Groups Introduced

Under CAP 2017, cadres were divided into zones. Candidates had to rank zones first and then give cadre preferences within those zones. This often made the process lengthy and confusing.

The New Cadre Policy 2026 removes zones completely and introduces groups of states instead:

• Group-I: AGMUT, Andhra Pradesh, Assam-Meghalaya, Bihar, Chhattisgarh.
• Group-II: Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh.
• Group-III: Maharashtra, Manipur, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu.
• Group-IV: Telangana, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal.

Annual Rotation of Groups

Unlike CAP 2017, the New Cadre Policy 2026 introduces rotation of groups each year.

• Group-I from the previous year moves to the bottom of the list.
• The next year’s allocation begins with Group-II at the top, followed by Group-III, and so on.

This means that the grouping of cadres changes annually. As a result, no state or group remains permanently advantaged or disadvantaged. Over the years, all regions receive a fair share of officers from different ranks and categories.

Cadre Preference System Simplified

The earlier preference system required aspirants to carefully balance zone and cadre rankings, which many students found stressful. In the UPSC New Cadre Policy 2026, the cadre preference system is more straightforward. 

Candidates list their preferences in a clearer order, with fewer layers involved. This helps reduce confusion and allows candidates to make more informed and realistic choices.

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Home Cadre Rule or Insider Allocation More Clear

This process assigns candidates to their declared home state cadre.

• Candidates are listed by merit. Separate merit lists exist for UR/OBC/SC/ST.
• Allocation depends on the candidate’s rank, available vacancies, and their willingness for the home cadre.
• Allocation occurs in cycles (e.g., 1-25, 26-50, 51-75, etc.). Candidates are placed into cycles based on their merit rank.
• If multiple candidates with the same serial number fall into one cycle, lower-ranked candidates move to subsequent cycles.
• Reserved category candidates also follow this iterative allocation process.
• A reserved candidate clearing on general merit can get an insider UR vacancy if their rank permits. Otherwise, they are considered for their own category’s insider vacancy.

Exchange Mechanism for Insider Vacancies

If an insider vacancy cannot be filled by a candidate of its specific category, an exchange process is initiated.

• Unreserved (UR) Vacancy: First offered to an insider ST candidate, then insider SC, then insider OBC. Each step requires a corresponding outsider vacancy for exchange.
• OBC Vacancy: Offered to insider ST, then SC, then UR, under similar exchange conditions.
• SC Vacancy: Offered to insider ST, then OBC, then UR, with similar exchange terms.
• ST Vacancy: Offered to insider SC, then OBC, then UR, following similar conditions.
• PwBD Candidates: Candidates with Disabilities have a higher claim in these exchanges within their category.
• Any insider vacancy remaining unfilled after this exchange process becomes an outsider vacancy. It will not be carried forward to the next examination year.

Outsider Allocation

This system allocates candidates not placed in their home cadre. It uses a roster system after all insider allocations are complete.

• PwBD Candidates: Candidates with Disabilities (PwBD) who did not get their home cadre are allocated first.
• They can express a preference for one non-home cadre.
• If a vacancy exists in their preferred cadre, they are allocated there. If not, an additional vacancy is created for them in that cadre.
• PwBD candidates are placed in the last available cycle of their preferred cadre.
• Non-PwBD Candidates: Remaining outsider vacancies are filled using a roster system.
• Candidates are ranked by merit.
• The first allocation cycle begins with Group-I cadres. Each cadre receives one candidate if a vacancy exists.
• Subsequent cycles rotate, starting with Group-II, then Group-III, Group-IV, then back to Group-I.
• If a candidate is accidentally allocated to their home cadre as an ‘outsider’, they are exchanged with the next candidate in rank.

How the New Cadre Allocation Policy Works?

After the final result, candidates submit their cadre preference list. This includes zones and cadres arranged in order of choice. UPSC then processes allocation based on rank, category, and vacancy.

If a candidate gets a cadre in their preferred zone, the process stops there. If not, UPSC checks the next zone in the preference list. This ensures that every candidate gets a fair chance.

The system also ensures that no zone or state remains understaffed. At the same time, it avoids over-concentration of officers in popular cadres.

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New Cadre Allocation Policy Implementation

The New Cadre Allocation Policy 2026 is implemented with specific timelines.

• IAS cadre allocation aims to finish before the LBSNAA Professional Course begins.
• IPS/IFoS cadre allocations are done immediately after appointments.
• This policy supersedes previous policies. It is effective for the Civil Services Examination-2026 and Indian Forest Service Examination-2026.

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