UPSC Exams-General Issues-FAQ-Frequently Asked questions and Free Counselling

Sir, What goes on after the interview is over? How are the services and cadres allotted?. Can anybody get into his service and cadre of his choice according to rank? Or the cadre is allotted randomly.

- Nithya Menon

After the Interview is over, the board discuses your performance and award marks. This mark is added with your written marks. Then final ranking is given based on the total marks taken by students.
The services are allocated/ allotted based on the final ranking and the preferences given by the students during main examination.

For example, if a person gives his top preference as IPS in the main application he/ she will be allotted IPS even he/ she tops in the final ranking. So one has to be very careful in filling up the main application.
Cadre allotment is applicable only in the case of IAS and IPS. Cadre is allotted based on the rank and availability of seats/ vacancies in a particular state. Number of vacancies and reservation also included in the allotment.
One has to fill his/ her Cadre choice also in the main application. So student's preference is also taken into consideration for cadre allotment.
There are occasions successful student with top rank also doesn't get his home cadre/ cadre of his/ her choice because of "No vacancy" Position.

So there are many factors involved in getting the Cadre of one's choice