The Ministry of Home Affairs has released the cadre-wise and category-wise vacancy details for recruitment to the Indian Police Service (IPS) through the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2024. The latest allocation reveals a notable reduction in the number of available positions compared to the previous cycle, increasing competition among aspirants.

Category-Wise Vacancy Distribution

The vacancies have been allocated across various reservation categories as follows:

• Unreserved (UR): 74 posts
• Other Backward Classes (OBC): 41 posts
• Scheduled Castes (SC): 22 posts
• Scheduled Tribes (ST): 10 posts

These positions are distributed among 25 IPS cadres across the country.

Cadres with the Highest Number of Vacancies

Some cadres have not received any vacancies in the current allocation cycle. Chhattisgarh and Himachal Pradesh have been allotted zero posts this year.

Background and Allocation Timeline

The vacancy notification arrives after discussions surrounding delays in service and cadre allocation processes earlier in the year. Candidates had expressed concerns regarding extended timelines and uncertainty over final allocations.

Although this notification does not represent the final cadre allotment, it provides a clearer picture of the number of officers expected to be inducted into different cadres through the current recruitment cycle.

What This Means for UPSC Aspirants

The reduced vacancy count is expected to make IPS selection more competitive. With fewer openings available, candidates may require stronger ranks to secure both their preferred service and cadre.

While final allocations depend on multiple factors, the vacancy distribution serves as an early indicator of the opportunities available and the level of competition likely to be seen during the allocation process.