The moment of joy after seeing your name in the final UPSC civil services rank list soon gives way to a flurry of questions and concerns. Which service will I be allocated? What cadre will I be assigned to? How does the allocation process even work? If you've found yourself pondering these questions, you're not alone. The system of service and cadre allocation may seem daunting at first, but it's designed to ensure fair distribution of candidates across the nation, and not just within their home states. This article aims to shed light on the key factors influencing service allocation after successfully clearing the UPSC civil services exam and provide insights into the rank requirements for the coveted IAS, IPS, and other services.
The allocation of service to a candidate hinges on several factors:
- The candidate's rank in the CSE.
- The order of service preference indicated by the candidate.
- The category to which the candidate belongs.
- The availability of vacancies within the candidate's category.
- The Medical Board/Appellate Board's findings concerning the candidate.
Key Considerations:-
- Candidates must indicate their service preferences in order for all services included in the UPSC Exam . Skipping preferences, indicating zero preference, or repeating the same preference for multiple services is not permitted.
- Once service preferences are indicated, they cannot be altered.
- If a candidate fails to indicate preferences for all civil services and does not secure the services they prioritized, they might be considered for remaining services with vacancies, after allocating all other candidates based on their preferences.
- Reserved category candidates who secure a sufficient rank without availing any relaxation like age limit, number of attempts, etc. are designated as General Merit (GM) or Meritorious Reserved Category (MRC) candidates.
- GM or MRC candidates who do not secure their higher preference service in the unreserved category can opt to switch to their own category, thereby freeing up slots.
- A successful UPSC CSE result does not guarantee service appointment. The government must be satisfied with the candidate's character, antecedents, and overall suitability for service.
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