The candidate must indicate his or her choice of service preferences, which include IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS (IT), and other options as announced by the UPSC, after qualifying for the main exam. The candidate must select the order of preference from distinct groups for the list of services in UPSC DAF (detailed application form).

Post Preference in UPSC DAF (Detailed Application Form)

• Strategic Ordering of Preferences: Some people undervalue themselves, prioritizing lower-quality or less desirable services on their list in order to ensure they receive them. Considering that you are eligible for the mains, why undervalue yourself? 
• No Room for Arrogance: Balancing confidence with humility is key, as arrogance can hinder selection. Choosing a lower option from the preference list is allowed, but opting for a higher option is not permitted.
• Academic Excellence vs. Service Availability: Even if you excelled academically in high school and college, you might not receive the best services available due to the unpredictable nature of civil services results.
• Remaining Options: Planning for Contingencies
  • Enumerating preferences in descending order ensures that candidates have viable options in case their preferred service is unavailable. This strategic approach allows for flexibility in the face of uncertainties.
• Social Status and Future Careers: Learn about the duties and postings for every service and their social status to potential future careers. Although you may initially despise certain services, in most cases, these are preferable to working for yourself or taking on other technical positions.
• Avoiding Regret: Thorough Homework
  • Candidates are advised to thoroughly research the duties, postings, and career prospects associated with each service. This proactive approach helps prevent regret and ensures informed decision-making during the main application process
• Category, Preference, Vacancies, and Rank
  • When you apply for the mains, you will then know which are the best services available to you to choose from. The distribution of cadre and services is contingent upon a candidate’s category, preference, vacancies, and rank.

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Let’s Examine the Process for Selecting the Cadre and Service Preferences in UPSC DAF

• System for allocating cadres: A state or collection of states/Union Territories from which officers of the All-India Services, such as the IAS, IPS, and IFOS, begin their tenure is known as a cadre.
• All India Services Act of 1951: The All India Services Act of 1951 grants the Union Government the authority to allocate cadres after consulting with state governments. 
  • By the act, the Indian government updated the cadre allocation guidelines for the Indian Forest Service (IFS), Indian Administrative Service (IAS), and Indian Police Service (IPS) in 2017. 
  • The states were divided into five zones by this revised policy, and candidates’ performance in the LBSNAA foundational course is given 10% weight.
• Cadres Availability: The following five zones comprise the joint cadres or states:
  • Zone 1 (Punjab, Uttarakhand, AGMUT, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand)
  • Zone 2 (Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh)
  • Zone-3: Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Chattisgarh
  • Zone-4 (Manipur, Nagaland, West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam-Meghalaya, and Tripura).
  • Zone-5 (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala) and 
• DoPT Office Memorandum: In accordance with the DoPT Office Memorandum, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) are the cadre controlling authorities that will decide on the openings and how they will be divided up.

How Does a Candidate Select Their Preferred Cadre?

1. The following is how the preference process operates:
   • The preferred zone must be chosen.
   • Selecting the cadre preference is the following step.
   • In addition, each Zone and Cadre must go through the procedure again in the preferred order. Furthermore, a person cannot select the same cadre twice.
   • Candidates who fail to indicate their preference for a particular cadre will be deemed to have no preference, and the authorities will be able to distribute both in accordance with that assumption.

What Services Are offered for Candidates to Select From?

What Should Be Done Before Completing the UPSC DAF’s Service Preference Form?

• Kind of Service: First, you have to determine what kind of service you wish to enter on your own. 
  • After that, carefully review each service to ensure you know its requirements. Sorting through your priorities will be aided by doing this. 
  • You can also speak with those fulfilling those job profiles to obtain fresh insight.
• Shortlist of the Services: 
  • Create a shortlist of the services you believe you would be interested in. You also need to consider the kind of life you will lead if you choose to enter that field. For instance, if you want to work in administration, policy-making, etc., you can choose IAS.
  • If you would like to work abroad, you can choose IFS. Additionally, if you have a strong interest in law and order, you can choose IPS. Choose your list according to the kind of life you will lead if you sign up for that service.
• Preferences as per Skill Sets:  You can jot down your skills and what kind of work you are interested in if you are unclear. UPSC offers a wide range of services, and you can match them with your interests.
• Consult with relatives: You can also speak with your relatives and friends. It is advantageous if you know someone who is serving because you can easily check the facts. Experienced individuals can also always provide you with guidance.
• Thorough Investigation: Lastly, since salaries, perks, and benefits vary from service to service, thoroughly investigate these topics. But always remember that work comes first.

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Preferences for CADRE in UPSC DAF

Popular Selections of Aspirants Services that are most favored:

• IFS, IPS, IRS IT, IRS Customs, IRTS, and IAAS
• Services that are less preferred include ICLS, RPF, IoFS, IPTAFS, Pondicherry civil services, and AFHQ.
• IRIS, IDAS, ICAS, IPOS, IDES, ITS, IIS, and IRPS are in the middle category.
• Using the data from the prior year:
• IPOS >IDES >IDAS>IDES IRTS >IRAS>IRPS IRS>IDAS>ICAS>ITS>ICAS>IIS.

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