Significant Reduction in IPS Vacancies for UPSC CSE 2024

The Ministry of Home Affairs has announced a significant reduction in IPS vacancies for the UPSC CSE 2024, with only 147 positions available compared to 200 last year. This decline raises concerns about increased competition among candidates. The distribution of vacancies varies by state, with West Bengal receiving the highest allocation. The notification comes amid worries about delays in cadre allocation processes, emphasizing the need for candidates to achieve higher ranks to secure their desired positions. Read on for detailed insights into the implications of this announcement.

By Ambika Singh May 30, 2026, 13:50 IST

UPSC CSE 2024: IPS Vacancy Update

UPSC CSE 2024: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has released the cadre-wise and category-wise distribution of vacancies for the Indian Police Service (IPS) through the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2024. This year, there has been a significant reduction in the number of available positions. Only 147 IPS vacancies have been announced, a sharp decline from the 200 positions allocated in the previous cycle. This reduction of 53 vacancies is expected to intensify competition for candidates aspiring to join civil services.

Dramatic Drop in IPS Vacancies

The latest vacancy distribution indicates that a total of 147 IPS positions will be filled across 25 cadres. Out of these, 74 vacancies are allocated for the Unreserved (UR) category, 41 for Other Backward Classes (OBC), 22 for Scheduled Castes (SC), and 10 for Scheduled Tribes (ST). The decrease in vacancies is likely to have a direct impact on service allocation.

State-wise Distribution of IPS Cadre Allocations for 2024

- West Bengal has received the highest number of vacancies, with 15 positions allocated. Andhra Pradesh follows with 14 vacancies, while Uttar Pradesh has been assigned 12 positions.

- Assam-Meghalaya and Madhya Pradesh have each been allocated 11 vacancies, and Maharashtra has received 10 vacancies in the current cycle.

- However, not all states have vacancies this year. Chhattisgarh and Himachal Pradesh have not been allocated any positions, meaning no IPS officers will be appointed through the current recruitment process in these states.

Concerns Over Delays in Cadre Allocation Processes

The vacancy notification has been released amid concerns regarding delays in service and cadre allocation processes earlier this year. While the current list does not reflect the final cadre allocations, it provides candidates with a clear understanding of the available opportunities.

With only 147 IPS vacancies available through the Civil Services Examination 2024, candidates may need to achieve better ranks compared to previous years to secure their preferred cadre.