UPSC New Attempt Limit 2026 – Category-Wise Relaxation & Restrictions

UPSC Attempt Limit 2026: UPSC attempt limit 2026 is an important aspect of the Civil Services Examination (CSE) eligibility framework. As per the latest notification released by the Union Public Service Commission on 4 February 2026, the Commission has clarified and expanded the UPSC eligibility rules 2026, especially for candidates who are already appointed to IAS, IPS, IFS, or other Group ‘A’ services.

UPSC New Attempt Limit 2026 aims to ensure clarity, transparency, and uniform application of rules across different categories of candidates, while also maintaining administrative continuity within the civil services.

UPSC Attempt Rule 2026 for Serving Officers

UPSC new attempt limit 2026 introduces clearly defined conditions for candidates who are already appointed or allocated to civil services through previous Civil Services Examinations. These rules aim to maintain service continuity while allowing limited flexibility for eligible candidates to utilise their remaining attempts. The restrictions vary depending on the service already allotted and the stage of appointment or training.

Restrictions for Candidates Appointed to IAS or IFS

Candidates appointed to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) or Indian Foreign Service (IFS) through an earlier Civil Services Examination are subject to strict eligibility conditions.

• A candidate who continues to be a member of IAS or IFS is not eligible to appear in the Civil Services Examination 2026.
• If such appointment takes place after the Prelims 2026, the candidate will not be allowed to appear in the Mains 2026, even if they have qualified the Preliminary Examination.
• If the appointment to IAS or IFS occurs after the commencement of the Mains Examination but before the declaration of results, the candidate will not be considered for appointment to any service based on the CSE 2026 results.

These provisions ensure that officers already inducted into the premier services do not re-enter the examination cycle.

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Restrictions for Candidates Selected or Appointed to IPS

For candidates selected or appointed to the Indian Police Service (IPS) through an earlier examination:

• They are not eligible to opt for or be allocated IPS again on the basis of the CSE 2026 results.

Eligibility of Group ‘A’ and IPS Officers for CSE 2027

Candidates allocated to IPS or any Central Service Group ‘A’ on the basis of CSE 2026 may be permitted to appear in the immediate next examination (CSE 2027), provided they meet specific conditions.

UPSC New Attempt Rules

Understanding these core rules is vital for aspirants to ensure whether they fulfil UPSC eligibility criteria 2026. These upsc new attempt limit 2026 guide candidate participation.

1. General Rule:

   • Every eligible candidate is allowed six (6) attempts at the CSE.

2. Relaxation in Attempts:

   • SC/ST, OBC, and PwBD candidates who meet eligibility criteria have extra attempts. The number of attempts for each category is as follows:

Note: GL = General, EWS = Economically Weaker Sections, SC = Scheduled Castes, ST = Scheduled Tribes, OBC = Other Backward Classes, PwBD = Persons with Benchmark Disability.

3. Important Notes:

   • Note I: Categories (GL, EWS, SC, ST, OBC, PwBD) denote the candidate’s category while attempting the exam.

   • Note II: Every appearance in the Preliminary Examination counts as one attempt at the CSE.

   • Note III: If a candidate appears in any one paper of the Preliminary Examination, it will still be counted as an attempt.

   • Note IV: Even if a candidate is later disqualified or their candidature is cancelled, the appearance in the exam will still count as an attempt.

4. Provision:

   • The attempts allowed are subject to Rule-12 of the Civil Services Rules, 2026.

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