This is one of the most misrepresented statistics in UPSC circles, so it is important to cite only verified data.

Verified data from Factly.in (sourced from RTI responses and UPSC annual reports):

• The share of recommended candidates who cleared in their first attempt fell from 14.8 percent in 2013 to 8.4 percent in 2020.
• The share of first-time Prelims candidates (as a proportion of total applicants) fell from 61.9 percent in 2013 to 49 percent in 2020.
• Only about 6.2 percent of total applicants across all attempts clear UPSC in their first attempt.

Attempt distribution among successful candidates:

• The fourth attempt has historically had the highest individual success rate at approximately 22 percent of final selections.
• The average successful candidate requires approximately 3 to 4 attempts.
• 90 percent of candidates in the final rank list required more than one attempt.

What this means for a first-timer: Do not plan for one attempt and treat Prelims failure as disqualification. The exam is structurally designed across multiple attempts. Use the first attempt as a learning exercise — map your gaps, experience the exam environment, and build on it.

• Shakti Dubey (CSE 2024 AIR 1) cleared in her fifth attempt
• Aditya Srivastava (CSE 2023 AIR 1) cleared in his third attempt
• Anuj Agnihotri (CSE 2025 AIR 1, result declared 6 March 2026) cleared in his third attempt

Caution: Statistics beyond 2020 have not been published in the same verified format by UPSC. Do not treat unverified social media claims about first-attempt success rates as accurate.