The Union Public Service Commission has declared the final results of the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025, with Anuj Agnihotri securing All India Rank (AIR) 1 among 918 candidates who qualified this year.

But beyond the topper list, the results reveal a striking trend in India’s most competitive recruitment exam: a significant number of successful candidates had already secured ranks in previous years.

According to the merit list, 239 out of the 918 candidates in UPSC CSE 2025 had appeared on the final merit lists in either 2023 or 2024. In other words, more than one in four successful candidates had previously cleared the exam but returned to attempt it again in hopes of improving their rank or securing a more preferred service.

Rank improvement strategy common among aspirants

For years, it has been common for candidates who secured lower ranks to reappear for the examination even after entering a civil service. Many aspirants sought to upgrade their allocation — often aiming for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) or a more desirable cadre.

This practice has significantly influenced the composition of the final merit list, with repeat candidates frequently improving their ranks after gaining experience with the exam process.

Several candidates in the 2025 list demonstrate this trend clearly. Akansh Dhull improved dramatically from rank 342 in 2023 and 295 in 2024 to secure AIR 3 in 2025, while Astha Jain, who ranked 131 in 2023 and 186 in 2024, climbed to AIR 9 this year.

Others such as Vineeth Lohidakshan (ranks in 2023 and 2024 before securing rank 129 in 2025) and Jeenu Sri Jaswanth Chandra (ranked in both earlier years before finishing at rank 23) illustrate how multiple attempts often led to significant rank improvements.

New UPSC rules from 2026 tighten repeat attempts

However, this long-standing pattern may soon change.

New rules introduced for the Civil Services Examination 2026 significantly restrict the ability of already selected candidates to attempt the exam again while remaining in service.

Under the revised framework, officers serving in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) will not be allowed to reappear in the examination while continuing in service. Those wishing to attempt the exam again must first resign from their posts.

The rules also impose limits on officers from other services. Candidates already appointed to the Indian Police Service (IPS) will not be allowed to take the exam again with the aim of securing the same service.

Additionally, candidates selected through the 2026 examination and allotted to the IPS or other Group A services will be allowed only one opportunity to improve their rank in the next examination, and that too under specific conditions. Any attempt beyond that will require resignation from service.

Transitional window for earlier candidates

Candidates selected through the 2025 or earlier examinations will be granted a transitional provision. They will be allowed one additional attempt in either 2026 or 2027 without resigning from their service.

From 2028 onward, however, candidates wishing to attempt the examination again will have to resign before appearing.

For instance, a candidate who joins the IPS through the 2026 examination may take one more attempt in 2027 to try for the IAS. Any further attempt after that would require the officer to first resign from service.

What happens if a rank holder does not join?

If a candidate secures a rank but chooses not to join the allotted service, the vacancy does not remain unfilled.

The civil services recruitment process maintains a reserve list of candidates. When a selected candidate declines or fails to join, the next eligible candidate from the reserve list may be recommended for appointment, ensuring that the sanctioned number of posts is eventually filled.

Why the rule change matters

The presence of 239 repeat rankers in the 2025 list underscores how widespread the “rank improvement” strategy had become among civil services aspirants.

Many candidates continued appearing for the exam for several years even after securing a rank, hoping to upgrade to a more prestigious service or cadre. Critics have long argued that this practice limited opportunities for fresh aspirants because already selected candidates continued to compete again.

The new rules aim to address this concern by limiting repeat attempts after selection and creating greater stability in service allocation.

As a result, the composition of future civil services merit lists may gradually change. With fewer repeat candidates competing again, a larger share of successful candidates could be first-time rank holders.

For now, however, the UPSC CSE 2025 results offer one of the last snapshots of a system where rank improvement through multiple attempts remained a defining feature of the competition.