How does cadre allocation work in UPSC and can I get my home state?

Cadre allocation is the process of assigning a state or joint cadre (like AGMUT) where an officer will serve for most of their career. With the Revised Cadre Allocation Policy 2026, the earlier five-zone system has been replaced by four alphabetical groups (Groups I to IV) to ensure more balanced regional distribution. 

How Allocation Works:

• Merit and Preference: Allocation is strictly based on your UPSC rank, category, and the preferences you list in your Detailed Application Form (DAF).
• Rotational Cycle System: Candidates are processed in cycles of 25 (the total number of cadres). This ensures that top-ranked insiders are distributed across cycles rather than all hoarding a single state's vacancies.
• Insider-Outsider Ratio: Each state maintains a ratio (usually 2:1) of "outsiders" to "insiders" to maintain the national character of the services. 
• Getting Your Home State:
  Yes, you can get your home state, but it is not guaranteed. To be considered, you must explicitly mark "Yes" for willingness to serve in your home state in your DAF-II. Allotment depends on whether an "insider" vacancy exists in your category at the point your rank is considered.