The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the notification for the Civil Services Examination 2026, introducing landmark changes to the exam’s conduct and eligibility. Along with 933 vacancies, the commission has tightened the screws on serving officers seeking to improve their ranks.

Mandatory Resignation & Limited Chances: Under the new regulations, candidates selected for Group ‘A’ services or IPS will get only one additional opportunity (in CSE 2027) to improve their rank, provided they take a one-time exemption from training. However, to appear for the exam in 2028 or later, the candidate must resign from their current post. Serving IPS officers are also barred from opting for the IPS cadre again.

IAS and IFS Restrictions: The UPSC has clarified that if a candidate is appointed to the IAS or IFS after clearing the Prelims but before the Mains, they will be disqualified from appearing in the Mains. This effectively limits serving top-tier officers from repeatedly blocking seats in subsequent years.

Technological Crackdown and Key Dates: To enhance transparency, ‘Facial Authentication’ has been made mandatory at exam centers. The last date to apply is February 24, 2026. The Preliminary examination is scheduled for May 24, while the Main examination is expected to commence on August 21, 2026.