Not Just IAS, IPS Or IFS: UPSC CSE Opens Doors To 24 All India Services – News18

Last Updated:April 24, 2025, 17:21 IST

The UPSC Civil Services Exam recruits for 24 services, not just IAS, IPS, or IFS. In 2024, 1009 candidates succeeded, with 180 IAS, 147 IPS, and 55 IFS vacancies

Many aspirants believe that clearing the UPSC Civil Services Examination guarantees a post in the IAS, IPS, or IFS. However, that’s not true. While these are the most coveted services, the UPSC CSE actually recruits candidates for 24 different civil services. Here’s a look at the various roles filled through this prestigious exam.

In the UPSC CSE 2024 results, a total of 1009 candidates were declared successful. This included 335 from the General category, 318 from OBC, 160 from SC, and 109 from EWS category. The recruitment announcement listed 180 IAS vacancies, divided into 73 for General, 24 for SC, 13 for ST, 52 for OBC, and 18 for EWS. Additionally, there were approximately 147 posts for IPS and about 55 for IFS. Other services such as IRS, IRTS, IAAS, ICFS, IRAS, IRPS, ITS, ICLS, IDAS, IIS, IDES, and IFoS also have vacancies.

Recruitments through the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) cover a total of 24 different services, which are categorised into three groups: All India Services, Central Civil Services (Group A), and Central Civil Services (Group B).

The All India Services include the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Forest Service (IFoS). While the UPSC conducts a separate preliminary examination for IFoS, it still falls under All India Services.

Central Civil Services (Group A) encompass several services such as the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Revenue Service (IRS – Income Tax, Customs and Excise), Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS), Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS), Indian Corporate Law Service (ICLS), Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS), Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES), Indian Information Service (IIS), Indian Ordnance Factory Service (IOFS), Indian Communication Finance Service (ICFS), Indian Postal Service (IPoS), Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS), Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS), Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS), Indian Trade Service (ITS), and the Railway Protection Force (RPF).

Central Civil Services (Group B) recruitments include services such as the Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service, Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli Civil Service (DANICS), Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli Police Service (DANIPS), Puducherry Civil Service, and Puducherry Police Service.

In the UPSC Civil Services exam, candidates are allotted services based on their rank and preferences. For instance, those securing the top 75 ranks in the General category typically become IAS officers, while securing a rank between 200-300 in the General category is generally required for IPS.