Cadre Allocation Policy 2026

On January 23, 2026, the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) officially overhauled the Cadre Allocation Policy for the All India Services (IAS, IPS, and IFoS). This new policy, effective starting with the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026, represents the most significant shift since the 2017 zonal system.

Why This Matters?

This policy shift is more than administrative fine-tuning; it reflects a broader government effort to strengthen national integration, ensure equitable officer distribution, and reduce regional disparities that emerged under the former zonal arrangement. By aligning cadre allocations more closely with merit and transparent criteria, the reform seeks to enhance trust in the allocation process and deliver a more balanced civil services landscape for future officer cohorts.

Cadre Allocation Policy.

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