What Rank Is Required for IAS: Last Rank for IAS, IPS, IFS 2025
Last UPSC Rank Cutoffs for IAS (78), IPS (252), IFS (107) in 2024. Category-Wise Safe Ranks, Past Trends and What Rank Guarantees Service Selection.
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UPSC Preparation Strategy
Gajendra Singh Godara
Nov 17, 2025
10
mins read
In UPSC terminology, your rank means your position in the final All-India Merit List after Mains and Interview. There is no separate rank for Prelims or Mains. The term “IAS rank” is not an official separate list; it means the rank you need to get in the merit list to be allotted IAS based on vacancies and preferences. In practice, this means the lowest AIR that resulted in an IAS posting in a given year.
The All-India Merit List is the final list of candidates after Mains and Interview (with total marks deciding the position) in the UPSC exam format. Every qualified candidate gets an All-India Rank (AIR); these ranks decide the service allocation. Vacancies in each service and a candidate’s category decide who gets what service.
For example, around 180 candidates are allotted to IAS every year, so the cutoff for IAS will be around that rank range (though actual AIR required depends on preferences and category). In practice, those within the all-India ranks up to the IAS vacancy will get IAS; others will be allotted to other services based on their list rank.
All India Services
Constituted under Article 312 of the Constitution; common to the Union and the States.
Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
Indian Police Service (IPS)
Indian Forest Service (IFoS)
Group ‘A’ Central Civil Services
They constitute the majority of Central Government’s higher administrative posts.
Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
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 Factories 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 Revenue Service (Income Tax & Customs & Indirect Taxes)
Indian Trade Service (ITS)
Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes) — distinct from IRS (IT)
Indian Railway Protection Force Service (RPF; now classified as Group ‘A’ by Ministry of Railways)
Group ‘B’ Central Civil Services
Handle administrative and policing functions at Union Territories and attached offices.
Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service (AFHCS)
Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service (DANICS)
Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Police Service (DANIPS)
Pondicherry Civil Service (PCS)
Pondicherry Police Service (PPS)
UPSC ranks are based solely on final exam scores. Prelims is qualifying (with limited influence), while Mains and Interview marks (totaling 2025 marks) determine the All-India Merit List. After the final results, UPSC publishes ranks by category (General/OBC/SC/ST). In parallel, candidates have indicated their service and cadre preferences.
Service allocation (which candidate gets IAS, IPS, etc.) is then done by the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) in order of rank and preferences. For example, the highest-ranked candidate preferring IAS gets the first IAS slot. Importantly, rank list and preference list are separate: your rank comes from marks, and allocation matches your rank to available vacancies based on your choices.
Many aspirants confuse achieving a certain rank with automatically getting IAS. It’s important to distinguish the two.
Rank is strictly the position on the merit list; service allocation is how that rank maps to IAS or other services. A top rank (e.g. AIR 10) can still result in non-IAS if the candidate chose IFS or IPS as top preferences.
Conversely, a rank near the usual cutoff may still lead to IAS if higher-ranked candidates opted out of IAS. Thus, rank and service are distinct: rank earns you a position in line; your service depends on vacancies and your choice at that rank.
IAS Last Rank by Category and Year (2016-2024)
IAS vacancies have remained steady over the last couple of years as well, with approximately 180 positions being allocated each year. This reflects the steady administrative staffing needs of different states and central cadres.
Year | General | OBC | SC | ST | EWS |
2024 | 78 | 435 | 567 | 625 | 278 |
2023 | 78 | 435 | 567 | 625 | 278 |
2022 | 77 | 338 | 502 | 547 | 320 |
2021 | 79 | 350 | 510 | 505 | 354 |
2020 | 79 | 350 | 510 | 505 | 354 |
2019 | 77 | 304 | 509 | 513 | 344 |
2018 | 96 | 446 | 595 | 620 | — |
2017 | 105 | 517 | 601 | 697 | — |
2016 | 107 | 534 | 786 | 802 | — |
IFS Last Rank by Category and Year (2016-2024)
For the last two years, the number of Indian Foreign Service (IFS) vacancies has been less than that of the IAS and IPS, remaining around 45 to 55 vacancies each year. This lower number can be attributed to the particular and global nature of the Foreign Service, which entails more targeted recruitment in accordance with diplomatic needs.The rank required over the years is given below.
Year | General | OBC | SC | ST | EWS |
2024 | 107 | 525 | 645 | 687 | 515 |
2023 | 115 | 525 | 645 | 687 | 515 |
2022 | 88 | 398 | 517 | 600 | 369 |
2021 | 88 | 398 | 517 | 600 | 369 |
2020 | 103 | 403 | 474 | 625 | 376 |
2019 | 110 | 450 | 495 | 593 | — |
2018 | 134 | 450 | 468 | 603 | — |
2017 | 152 | 602 | 717 | 616 | — |
2016 | 208 | 615 | 988 | 740 | — |
IPS Last Rank by Category and Year (2016-2024)
For the previous two years, IPS vacancies have remained relatively stable, averaging approximately 140-150 openings each year. This consistent trend reflects the continuous need for police administration and leadership at both the state and central levels. Here is the detailed table of the last All India Rank required to get IPS (Indian Police Service) from 2016 to 2025:
Year | General | OBC | SC | ST | EWS |
2024 | 239 | 632 | 797 | 913 | — |
2023 | 229 | 643 | 793 | 965 | — |
2022 | 229 | 601 | 638 | 645 | — |
2021 | 225 | 656 | 793 | 913 | — |
2020 | 267 | 656 | 793 | 965 | — |
2019 | 245 | 630 | 717 | 616 | — |
2018 | 275 | 706 | 900 | 919 | — |
2017 | 329 | 706 | 900 | 919 | — |
2016 | 267 | 630 | 717 | 616 | — |
The IAS service remains the most sought after and is considered the most prestigious service since the competition is reflected in the cutoffs. They indicate the lowest scores a candidate had to achieve in the final consolidated merit list (Mains + Interview) for the IAS positions. These scores vary every year due to the level of difficulty in the exam, the number of vacancies, and the performance of the candidates.
Year | General | EWS | OBC | SC | ST |
2024 | 947 | 917 | 910 | 880 | 884 |
2023 | 953 | 923 | 919 | 890 | 891 |
2022 | 930 | 900 | 895 | 865 | 860 |
2021 | 920 | 890 | 885 | 860 | 855 |
2020 | 915 | 894 | 907 | 875 | 876 |
IAS cutoffs also vary by state cadre due to differing vacancies. However, central allotment is based on all-India rank, not state rank. Candidates from high-demand states (like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar) may need higher ranks to get their home cadre, whereas those who choose less-contested cadres might get them at slightly lower ranks. Category (General, OBC, SC, ST) makes the biggest difference in required rank, reflecting reservation seats and competition within each category.
Aiming for a comfortable rank is key.
For a general-category aspirant, targeting under 80 in the final merit list is advisable (recent cutoffs were 77–79).
OBC candidates may safely aim for ranks under 400 (2023 OBC cutoff was 435).
SC and ST aspirants had cutoffs around 600 (e.g. SC 567, ST 625 in 2023).
These are rough guidelines and vary with yearly vacancies and competition.
Factors Affecting the Rank for IAS in UPSC
Number of vacancies: More vacancies mean cutoffs (last ranks) can be slightly higher; fewer vacancies raise the cutoff.
Exam difficulty and competition: A tough exam or many high-scoring candidates can raise the cutoff rank, and vice versa.
Mains + Interview performance: The combined score from Mains (including optional) and Interview determines rank. Strong optional marks or a high interview score can significantly improve your rank.
Optional subject selection: A high scoring optional subject can boost your total marks, affecting where you fall on the rank list.
Preferences and category: If many top candidates skip IAS, a lower rank can still get it. Reserved-category quotas also allow higher-AIR aspirants to get IAS.
Strategies to Improve Rank for IAS
Aim for excellence in your optional subject and essay papers. High marks here can lift your overall ranking significantly.
Hone your personality test skills. A strong interview (275 marks) score can boost your final rank.
Maintain consistency across all stages. Ensure you clear Prelims comfortably, write well in GS papers, and balance every section of the exam.
Plan your service and cadre preferences wisely. List IAS high if that is your goal; have backup options so you don’t miss out completely.
Practice extensively with mock tests and previous papers to improve time management and reduce careless mistakes.
Frequently asked question (FAQs)
A clear target rank helps focus preparation; aspirants should prioritize performance and consistency rather than fixating on a number. Aim to maximize your score in Prelims, Mains (especially optional and essay), and Interview. Realistically, general-category candidates should aim for an AIR in the 70s or better (to stay safely within IAS range), while OBC/SC/ST aspirants can gauge goals from their category cutoffs. Remember, getting IAS depends on your aggregate rank and choices – not on one magic rank. A strong strategy and solid scores across all stages will earn the rank you need.
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