UPSC CSE 2026 TENTATIVE VACANCIES BREAKUP
Service-wise and category-wise vacancies
| Sl. No | Service | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | UR | Total | LD | VI | HI | MD | PwBD Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IAS | 27 | 14 | 49 | 18 | 72 | 180 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
| 2 | IFS | 6 | 3 | 11 | 4 | 16 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 3 | IPS | 19 | 17 | 37 | 15 | 62 | 150 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | IA&AS | 3 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 9 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 5 | ICAS | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | ICLS | 2 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 9 | 20 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 7 | IDAS | 4 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 10 | 24 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 8 | IDES | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 9 | IIS | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 10 | IPoS | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | IP&TAFS | 1 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 8 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 12 | IRMS (Accounts) | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | IRMS (Personnel) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | IRMS (Traffic) | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | IRPFS | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | IRS (C&IT) | 14 | 7 | 26 | 9 | 38 | 94 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 17 | IRS (IT) | 28 | 13 | 48 | 18 | 73 | 180 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 |
| 18 | ITS | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 19 | AFHQCS | 6 | 3 | 11 | 4 | 20 | 44 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 20 | DANICS | 1 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 21 | DANIPS | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 22 | PONDICS | 2 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 11 | 21 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 23 | PONDIPS | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 133 | 72 | 243 | 88 | 397 | 933 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 7 | 33 |
🔎 Overall Vacancy Snapshot
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| SC | 133 |
| ST | 72 |
| OBC | 243 |
| EWS | 88 |
| UR | 397 |
| Total | 933 |
| PwBD | 33 |
✅ Key Takeaways:
Total vacancies: 933 → Moderately good number (not low like 2021–22).
UR seats (397) are the largest chunk (~42.5%).
OBC (243) is the second highest (~26%).
PwBD seats: 33 (distributed unevenly).
🏆 Top Services by Vacancy
| Service | Total Seats |
|---|---|
| IAS | 180 |
| IRS (IT) | 180 |
| IPS | 150 |
| IRS (C&IT) | 94 |
| IFS | 40 |
| AFHQCS | 44 |
🔥 Observations:
IAS = 180 → Strong intake.
IRS (IT) = 180 → Massive intake (almost equal to IAS).
IPS = 150 → Healthy but lower than IAS.
IFS = 40 → Consistently low (high rank pressure).
👉 Rank pressure will be highest in IAS & IPS (UR category).
📊 Service-Wise Strategic Insights
🥇 IAS (180)
UR: 72
OBC: 49
SC: 27
ST: 14
EWS: 18
PwBD: 7
🔎 Interpretation:
Good intake.
Cutoff may slightly stabilize if similar next year.
UR competition still extremely tight.
🥈 IFS (40)
Very limited seats.
Only 16 UR.
PwBD: 2.
🔎 Interpretation:
Requires Top 100–120 rank for safety.
Optional + Interview crucial.
🥉 IPS (150)
62 UR seats.
37 OBC.
19 SC.
17 ST.
🔎 Interpretation:
Healthy intake.
Physical standards + preference strategy important.
💰 IRS (IT) – 180
UR: 73 (Highest UR chunk after IAS)
OBC: 48
SC: 28
ST: 13
EWS: 18
🔎 Interpretation:
Strong absorption.
Safe backup option for rank 200–500 range.
📈 Category-Wise Competitive Pressure
🔹 UR (397 seats)
Approx 42.5% of total.
UR candidates need top ~400 rank for Group A security.
🔹 OBC (243 seats)
Good intake.
Competitive but relatively stable.
🔹 EWS (88 seats)
Moderate intake.
Increasing competition due to rising applicants.
🔹 SC/ST
SC: 133
ST: 72
→ Balanced distribution.
♿ PwBD Distribution (33 Total)
| Category | Seats |
|---|---|
| LD | 8 |
| VI | 7 |
| HI | 11 |
| MD | 7 |
Uneven distribution.
IRS (IT) & IAS have some share.
📉 Comparison Trend Perspective (Strategic)
933 vacancies → Decent but not extraordinary.
Not a “high-vacancy year” like 2013–2014.
Not a “low-vacancy crisis year” like 2021–2022.
Rank pressure remains intense due to increasing serious candidates.
🎯 What This Means for YOU (Strategy Angle)
If Target = IAS
Aim: Top 80 rank (UR) for safety.
Mains + Interview must be optimized.
If Target = IPS
Safe rank zone: Top 150–200 (UR).
If Flexible (Any Group A)
Target: Rank within 400 (UR).
Backup services: IRS (IT), IRS (C&IT), AFHQCS.
🧠 Conclusion
Total vacancies: 933
IAS & IRS (IT) highest intake (180 each)
IPS solid at 150
UR seats: 397
Moderate competition pressure
Rank within 400 = Strong safety zone (UR)
