Revealed in Parliament: How many IAS-IPS officers are from SC-ST and OBC communities, know the latest figures

New Delhi. Data has been presented in Parliament regarding the caste-wise status of officers selected in the prestigious civil services of the country. Minister of Personal, Public Grievances and Pensions (Independent Charge) Dr. Jitendra Singh, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, told how the selection of OBC, SC and ST category candidates through UPSC Civil Services Examination was in the last five years (2020-2024).

Details of appointment of reserved categories

In the last five years (UPSC-Exam 2020 to 2024), the following number of candidates from OBC, SC and ST categories were appointed through direct recruitment in various services:

IAS: OBC – 245, SC – 135, ST – 67

IPS: OBC – 255, SC – 141, ST – 71

IFS: OBC – 231, SC – 95, ST – 48

Overall, 731 candidates from OBC, 371 from SC and 186 from ST got appointed in all three services.

Reduction in posts and vacancy status

According to the notification of UPSC 2026, applications have been invited for recruitment to a total of 933 posts this year, while recruitment was for 979 posts in 2025 and 1,056 posts in 2024. There has been a decline in the number of posts in the last three years.

As on 01 January 2025, the vacant posts in various services are as follows:

IAS: 1,300 vacancies, sanctioned posts 6,877

IPS: 505 vacancies, sanctioned posts 5,099

IFS: 1,029 vacancies, sanctioned posts 3,193

It is clear from these figures that the maximum number of posts are vacant in IAS and IFS, whereas the vacancy in IPS is less.