Welcome to your comprehensive guide on the UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE) for IPS aspirants! The Indian Police Service (IPS) is one of the three All India Services, and the gateway to becoming a police officer is through the Civil Services Examination. Today, this is one of the most competitive exams in the world.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is responsible for conducting examinations for various government jobs in India. The UPSC organizes and conducts these examinations in accordance with a set pattern. The current UPSC IPS Syllabus 2026 (which is the Civil Services Syllabus) can be found in the article below.
⚠️ Important Clarification: There is no separate “IPS Exam.” Candidates must appear for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE). Based on your final rank and preference, you are allocated to the IPS, IAS, IFS, or IRS.
Highlights: UPSC CSE 2026 (For IPS Aspirants)
The Civil Services Examination is collectively conducted for posts like IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, etc., and is divided into 3 stages: Preliminary, Mains, and Interview.
From the table below, you can get key information about the exam cycle for the 2026 session.
| Name of Exam | Civil Services Examination (CSE) |
| Conducted by | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Service Allocated | Indian Police Service (IPS) |
| Number of attempts | 6 (General Category) |
| Notification Date | February 2026 (Tentative) |
| Preliminary Exam Date | May 24, 2026 (Tentative) |
| Mains Exam Date | September 2026 |
| Interview Date | February – April 2027 |
IPS Physical Eligibility Standards (Crucial)
Unlike IAS, the IPS has strict physical requirements. You must meet these to be eligible for the service:
| Criteria | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 165 cm (ST: 160 cm) | 150 cm (ST: 145 cm) |
| Chest | 84 cm (Min 5cm expansion) | 79 cm (Min 5cm expansion) |
| Eyesight | Distant Vision: 6/6 or 6/9 | Near Vision: J1 or J2 | |
Note on Vision: LASIK is permitted if performed 6 months prior, subject to medical board approval.
Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
Note: Selected candidates must also clear a Physical Efficiency Test (PET) involving a 100m run, Long Jump, and Shot Put during training.
Phase 1: UPSC Preliminary Syllabus 2026
The Preliminary exam is a screening test consisting of two objective papers. Marks secured here are not counted for the final ranking.
| Paper | Marks | Syllabus Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Paper I (General Studies) | 200 Marks | Current Events, History of India, Indian & World Geography, Polity, Governance, Economic & Social Development, Environment. |
| Paper II (CSAT) | 200 Marks (Qualifying Nature – 33% required to pass) |
Comprehension, Interpersonal skills, Logical reasoning, Decision-making, General mental ability, Basic numeracy (Class X level). |
Phase 2: UPSC Mains Syllabus 2026 (Written)
This is the decisive phase. It consists of 9 papers. The marks secured in the 7 “Merit Papers” determine your rank.
Qualifying Papers (Marks not counted)
- Paper A: Modern Indian Language (300 Marks)
- Paper B: English (300 Marks)
Merit Papers (Counted for Ranking)
Paper I: Essay (250 Marks)
Paper II: General Studies I (250 Marks)
Indian Heritage, History, and Geography of the World and Society:
- Modern Indian history, Freedom Struggle, and significant contributors.
- World history: Industrial revolution, colonization, and decolonization.
- Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
- Role of women, poverty, urbanization, and globalization.
- Physical Geography: Earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, Cyclone.
Paper III: General Studies II (250 Marks)
Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice & International Relations:
- Indian Constitution: Features, amendments, significant provisions.
- Functions of Parliament and State Legislatures.
- Structure of Ministries and Departments.
- Government policies for development in various sectors.
- Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections.
- India and its neighborhood relations.
Paper IV: General Studies III (250 Marks)
Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security & Disaster Management:
- Indian Economy, Government Budgeting, and Inclusive Growth.
- Major crops, irrigation, and food processing industries.
- Science & Technology: Indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
- Internal Security (Vital for IPS): Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
- Disaster Management.
Paper V: General Studies IV (250 Marks)
Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude:
- Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants, and consequences of ethics.
- Attitude: Content, structure, function.
- Emotional Intelligence: Concepts and utilities.
- Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration.
- Probity in Governance.
Paper VI & VII: Optional Subject (2 Papers)
(250 Marks Each = 500 Total)
Candidates must choose ONE optional subject. For IPS aspirants, popular choices include Public Administration, Sociology, History, or Political Science. This subject plays a crucial role in boosting your total score.
Rank & Cadre Allocation for IPS
Since IPS is a service allocation, your rank determines your future. Generally, to secure an IPS seat:
- General Category: Rank 100 – 250
- OBC Category: Rank 200 – 450
- SC/ST Category: Rank 400 – 650
Cadre Allocation: IPS officers are allocated to State Cadres (e.g., UP Cadre, Maharashtra Cadre) based on their rank and preference. Top rankers have a higher chance of getting their Home Cadre.
Watch: How to Prepare for UPSC IPS
Understand the strategy from toppers in this video guide.
FAQs
What subjects are in the IPS exam?
There are 9 papers in the Mains exam. This includes 4 General Studies papers (History, Polity, Economy, Ethics), 1 Essay, and 2 Optional Subject papers. Each Merit paper comprises 250 marks.
Is there a specific exam for IPS?
No. You must appear for the Civil Services Examination (CSE). Your rank in the final merit list determines whether you get IAS, IPS, or other services.
What should we study for the IPS exam?
Start with NCERT books (Class 6th to 12th) to build a foundation in History, Geography, and Polity. Then, move to standard books like Laxmikanth for Polity and Spectrum for Modern History.
