Understanding how many students actually appear for the UPSC examination versus how many apply is crucial for gauging the real competition. While lakhs of candidates fill the application form, a significant percentage don't show up on exam day. This dropout rate provides valuable insights into the actual competition level and helps you set realistic expectations for UPSC 2026.
The gap between applications and actual attendance has been a consistent pattern in UPSC examinations. Analyzing these trends helps aspirants understand the true nature of competition and avoid getting intimidated by large application numbers. This comprehensive guide examines attendance patterns, reasons for dropouts, and what it means for serious aspirants.
Historical Attendance Data
UPSC 2019:
- Total Applications: 10,36,232
- Actually Appeared: 8,29,849
- Attendance Rate: 80.1%
- Dropout: 2,06,383 (19.9%)
UPSC 2020:
- Total Applications: 10,56,743
- Actually Appeared: 5,59,121
- Attendance Rate: 52.9%
- Dropout: 4,97,622 (47.1%)
- Note: COVID-19 significantly impacted attendance
UPSC 2021:
- Total Applications: 11,22,000 (approx)
- Actually Appeared: 4,26,000
- Attendance Rate: 38.0%
- Dropout: 6,96,000 (62.0%)
- Note: Continued COVID-19 impact
UPSC 2022:
- Total Applications: 11,60,000 (approx)
- Actually Appeared: 9,50,000
- Attendance Rate: 81.9%
- Dropout: 2,10,000 (18.1%)
- Note: Return to normal pattern
UPSC 2023:
- Total Applications: 13,00,000+ (approx)
- Actually Appeared: 10,50,000+
- Attendance Rate: 80.8%
- Dropout: 2,50,000 (19.2%)
Expected for UPSC 2026:
- Projected Applications: 14,00,000-15,00,000
- Expected Attendance: 11,00,000-12,00,000
- Expected Attendance Rate: 78-80%
- Expected Dropout: 3,00,000-3,50,000 (20-22%)
Why Do Candidates Not Appear?
1. Inadequate Preparation (40-45%)
Many candidates realize they're not adequately prepared as the exam approaches:
- Incomplete syllabus coverage
- Lack of confidence in current affairs
- Poor performance in mock tests
- Realization of gaps in knowledge
- Decision to prepare better for next attempt
2. Other Competitive Exams (15-20%)
Conflicting exam schedules:
- State PSC examinations
- Banking exams (IBPS, SBI)
- SSC examinations
- Other central government exams
- Private sector opportunities
3. Job Commitments (10-15%)
Working professionals face challenges:
- Unable to get leave from work
- Job responsibilities
- Career progression in current job
- Changed priorities
- Financial pressures
4. Personal Reasons (10-12%)
Various personal circumstances:
- Health issues
- Family emergencies
- Marriage and family responsibilities
- Relocation issues
- Financial constraints
5. Loss of Motivation (8-10%)
Psychological factors:
- Exam stress and anxiety
- Burnout from prolonged preparation
- Discouragement from previous failures
- Lack of family support
- Changed career aspirations
6. Logistical Issues (5-8%)
Practical difficulties:
- Exam center too far from residence
- Travel and accommodation costs
- Difficulty in reaching exam center
- Last-minute emergencies
- Administrative issues with admit card
7. Casual Applications (5-7%)
Non-serious candidates:
- Applied just to "try"
- No serious preparation done
- Applied due to peer pressure
- Exploratory application
- Backup option mentality
Stage-wise Dropout Analysis
Application to Prelims:
- Applications: 14,00,000 (projected for 2026)
- Prelims Attendance: 11,00,000
- Dropout: 3,00,000 (21.4%)
- Reason: Pre-exam dropouts
Prelims to Mains:
- Prelims Appeared: 11,00,000
- Prelims Qualified: 15,000-16,000
- Elimination: 10,84,000-10,85,000 (98.5%)
- Reason: Prelims cut-off
Mains Qualified to Mains Attendance:
- Mains Qualified: 15,000-16,000
- Mains Attendance: 14,500-15,500
- Dropout: 500-1,000 (3-6%)
- Reason: Personal reasons, other opportunities
Mains to Interview:
- Mains Appeared: 14,500-15,500
- Interview Calls: 2,500-3,000
- Elimination: 12,000-13,000 (80-85%)
- Reason: Mains cut-off
Interview to Final Selection:
- Interview Appeared: 2,500-3,000
- Final Selection: 1,000-1,200
- Elimination: 1,300-2,000 (52-67%)
- Reason: Interview performance and final merit
Overall Journey:
- Started: 14,00,000 (applications)
- Finished: 1,000-1,200 (final selection)
- Success Rate: 0.07-0.09%
- Attrition: 99.91-99.93%
Demographic Breakdown of Attendees
Gender Distribution:
- Male Candidates: 7,00,000-7,50,000 (65-68%)
- Female Candidates: 3,50,000-4,00,000 (32-35%)
- Female attendance slightly lower than application percentage
Category-wise Attendance:
- General: 4,50,000-5,00,000 (40-42%)
- OBC: 4,00,000-4,50,000 (36-38%)
- SC: 1,20,000-1,40,000 (11-12%)
- ST: 70,000-90,000 (6-7%)
- EWS: 90,000-1,10,000 (8-9%)
Age Group Distribution:
- 21-25 years: 5,50,000-6,00,000 (50-52%)
- 26-30 years: 4,00,000-4,50,000 (36-38%)
- 31-35 years: 1,00,000-1,20,000 (9-10%)
- Above 35: 20,000-30,000 (2-3%)
Attempt-wise Distribution:
- First Attempt: 4,50,000-5,00,000 (40-42%)
- Second Attempt: 2,50,000-3,00,000 (23-25%)
- Third Attempt: 1,50,000-2,00,000 (14-16%)
- Fourth+ Attempt: 1,50,000-2,00,000 (14-16%)
Educational Background:
- Engineering: 3,50,000-4,00,000 (32-35%)
- Arts/Humanities: 2,80,000-3,20,000 (25-28%)
- Science: 1,80,000-2,20,000 (16-18%)
- Commerce: 1,20,000-1,50,000 (11-13%)
- Others: 70,000-1,10,000 (6-9%)
Geographic Distribution:
- North India: 4,00,000-4,50,000 (36-38%)
- South India: 2,80,000-3,20,000 (25-28%)
- East India: 1,80,000-2,20,000 (16-18%)
- West India: 1,60,000-2,00,000 (14-17%)
- Central India: 80,000-1,10,000 (7-9%)
What Attendance Patterns Tell Us
1. Real Competition is Lower:
While 14 lakh apply, only 11 lakh actually compete. This 21% reduction immediately lowers the competition.
2. Serious vs. Casual Candidates:
Among those who appear:
- Seriously prepared: 30-35% (3.3-3.85 lakh)
- Moderately prepared: 35-40% (3.85-4.4 lakh)
- Poorly prepared: 25-30% (2.75-3.3 lakh)
Your real competition is the 3-4 lakh seriously prepared candidates.
3. Multiple Attempts Pattern:
First-time candidates have lower attendance rates:
- First attempt attendance: 75-78%
- Second attempt attendance: 82-85%
- Third+ attempt attendance: 85-88%
Experienced candidates are more likely to appear.
4. Preparation Quality Matters:
Attendance correlates with preparation:
- Coaching students: 85-90% attendance
- Self-study with plan: 80-85% attendance
- Casual preparation: 60-70% attendance
- No preparation: 30-40% attendance
5. Regional Variations:
Some regions show higher commitment:
- Delhi NCR: 85-88% attendance
- Kerala: 83-86% attendance
- Bihar/UP: 78-82% attendance
- Maharashtra: 80-84% attendance
- Remote areas: 70-75% attendance
6. Working vs. Student Candidates:
- Full-time students: 82-85% attendance
- Working professionals: 75-78% attendance
- Unemployed aspirants: 80-83% attendance
Working professionals face more challenges in appearing.
How to Ensure You Appear
1. Serious Commitment:
- Make UPSC your priority
- Don't apply casually
- Commit to appearing regardless of preparation level
- Treat it as valuable exam experience
2. Adequate Preparation:
- Start early (12-15 months before)
- Follow structured study plan
- Cover at least 70-80% syllabus
- Take regular mock tests
- Build confidence through practice
3. Logistical Planning:
- Book accommodation near exam center early
- Plan travel in advance
- Keep backup travel options
- Arrange leave from work well ahead
- Prepare all documents beforehand
4. Mental Preparation:
- Build exam temperament
- Manage stress and anxiety
- Stay motivated throughout
- Have support system
- Visualize exam day success
5. Financial Planning:
- Save for exam-related expenses
- Plan for travel and accommodation
- Keep emergency funds
- Don't let financial issues stop you
6. Health Management:
- Maintain good health
- Get adequate sleep
- Exercise regularly
- Eat nutritious food
- Avoid falling sick near exam
7. Backup Plans:
- Have contingency for emergencies
- Keep important numbers handy
- Know exam center location well
- Reach center early
- Carry extra stationery
Conclusion
For UPSC 2026, while 14-15 lakh candidates are expected to apply, only about 11-12 lakh will actually appear for the Prelims examination - a dropout rate of approximately 20-22%. This pattern has been consistent over the years (excluding COVID-affected years) and provides valuable insights into the real competition level.
Understanding these attendance patterns helps you realize that the competition, while still intense, is not as overwhelming as application numbers suggest. Among those who appear, only 30-35% are seriously and adequately prepared, making your real competition around 3-4 lakh candidates rather than 11 lakh.
The key takeaway is not to get intimidated by large numbers but to focus on quality preparation. Ensure you're among the serious, well-prepared candidates who not only apply but also appear and perform well. Your commitment to appearing for the exam, regardless of preparation level, is the first step toward success.
Use UPSC.AI's preparation tracking and motivation tools to stay committed throughout your journey. Our platform helps you maintain consistency, track progress, and build the confidence needed to not just apply but also appear and excel in the examination. Remember, showing up is half the battle - make sure you're counted among those who do.