At a glanceUPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE) 2026 Details
The UPSC Civil Services Examination is a national-level examination held each year to select officers for IAS, IPS, Indian Foreign Service and other Group A and Group B services. The selection process has three stages: Prelims, Mains and the Personality Test.
UPSC CSE 2026National-level Civil Services Examination
Offline examObjective Prelims and descriptive Mains
3 stagesPrelims, Mains and Personality Test
Graduate degreeMinimum educational qualification
21-32 yearsGeneral age band on 1 August 2026
Online applicationUPSC's application portal and URN system
| Particular | UPSC CSE 2026 detail |
|---|
| Exam name | UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 |
| Conducting authority | Union Public Service Commission |
| Notification number | 05/2026-CSE |
| Exam level and mode | National-level, offline examination |
| Expected vacancies | Approximately 933, including 33 PwBD vacancies |
| Application mode | Online |
| Application fee | ₹100 for General/EWS/OBC male candidates; exempt for women, SC, ST and PwBD candidates |
| Prelims papers | GS Paper I and qualifying GS Paper II (CSAT) |
| Mains papers | Nine descriptive papers, including two qualifying papers |
| Exam stages | Prelims, Mains and Personality Test |
| Exam centres | To be announced |
| Official websites | upsc.gov.in and upsconline.nic.in |
UPSC Calendar 2026
The UPSC Calendar 2026 was released on 15 May 2025. The CSE application process began with the notification on 4 February 2026, Prelims was scheduled for 24 May 2026 and the Civil Services Main Examination was scheduled to commence on 21 August 2026.
Notification and applications openedExamination Notice No. 05/2026-CSE was issued.
Application deadlineThe portal accepted applications until 6:00 PM.
Civil Services Preliminary ExaminationObjective screening examination.
Civil Services Main Examination commencedThe annual calendar listed a five-day examination schedule.
| UPSC Calendar 2026 event | Date/status |
|---|
| UPSC Notification 2026 release date | 4 February 2026 |
| Registration started for UPSC Prelims 2026 | 4 February 2026 |
| UPSC Prelims 2026 last date to apply | 24 February 2026, 6:00 PM |
| UPSC Prelims admit card | To be announced |
| UPSC Prelims Exam Date 2026 | 24 May 2026 (Sunday) |
| UPSC Prelims Result Date 2026 | To be announced |
| Registration for DAF-I | To be announced |
| UPSC Mains admit card | To be announced |
| UPSC Mains Exam Date 2026 | 21 August 2026 |
| UPSC Mains Result Date 2026 | To be announced |
| Registration for DAF-II | To be announced |
| UPSC Personality Test 2026 | To be announced |
| UPSC Final Result 2026 | To be announced |
UPSC Admit Card 2026: The Prelims and Mains admit-card dates are to be announced. UPSC issues e-admit cards separately before each examination stage.
1
Choose preferences carefully
Candidates should select available city preferences while completing the examination-specific application module.
2
Allotment depends on availability
Centre capacity can be limited, so completing the application early may provide more available choices.
Current status: The detailed UPSC Exam Centre 2026 information is To be announced.
933
Expected vacancies
The figure covers participating civil services and posts notified through CSE 2026.
33
PwBD vacancies
The notification provides disability-category distribution and associated functional requirements.
UPSC Eligibility Criteria 2026
Eligibility is not determined by one condition alone. Candidates must satisfy nationality, age, educational qualification, attempts and any service-specific requirements.
| Criterion | Core requirement |
|---|
| Nationality | Indian citizenship is compulsory for IAS, Indian Foreign Service and IPS. The notification states permitted nationality categories for other services. |
| Age on 1 August 2026 | At least 21 years and below 32 years: born not earlier than 2 August 1994 and not later than 1 August 2005. |
| Upper-age relaxation | Up to 3 years for eligible OBC candidates; up to 5 years for SC/ST candidates; and other relaxations as specified for eligible categories. |
| Education | A graduate degree from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification. |
| General/EWS attempts | 6 attempts, subject to the age limit. |
| OBC attempts | 9 attempts, subject to the age limit. |
| SC/ST attempts | Unlimited attempts within the applicable age limit. |
| PwBD attempts | 9 for General/EWS/OBC PwBD and unlimited for SC/ST PwBD, within applicable age limits. |
What counts as an attempt? Appearing in at least one paper of the Preliminary Examination counts as an attempt. Simply submitting the application does not.
PaymentUPSC application fee for CSE 2026
| Candidate category | Prelims fee | Further Mains fee after qualifying |
|---|
| General/EWS/OBC male candidates | ₹100 | ₹200 |
| Female, SC, ST and PwBD candidates | Exempt | Exempt |
The notification permits online payment using the supported net-banking, card and UPI methods. Fee once paid is not refundable or adjustable against another examination.
Step-by-step processHow to Fill UPSC Application Form 2026
The UPSC Application Form 2026 was released with the notification on 4 February 2026 and remained open until 24 February 2026 at 6:00 PM. The 2026 process used Account Creation, Universal Registration, the Common Application Form and an examination-specific module. Universal Registration generates a lifetime URN, while the application number changes for each examination.
Create the applicant account
Open the UPSC online portal and complete account creation using accurate personal and contact details.
Complete Universal Registration
Finish the Universal Registration module to generate the unique lifetime Universal Registration Number (URN).
Complete the Common Application Form
Enter common profile, educational and supporting information and prepare required documents in advance.
Submit the CSE-specific application
Select Civil Services Examination 2026, complete the examination-specific module, upload documents, choose centres, pay the applicable fee and retain both URN and application number.
Document caution: Names, date of birth and other particulars should match supporting records. Candidates should retain the submitted form, payment record, URN and examination-specific application number.
ID
Documents required for UPSC Registration 2026
Keep a recent photograph, scanned signature, valid photo identity details, educational records and applicable category or PwBD certificates ready in the formats prescribed by UPSC.
✓
Review before final submission
Check personal details, qualification, centre preferences, uploaded documents and fee status; then save the submitted form and acknowledgement for reference.
Stage 1Prelims
Two objective papers of 200 marks each. CSAT is qualifying at 33%; Prelims marks do not count in final merit.
Stage 2Mains
Nine descriptive papers. Seven merit papers contribute 1,750 marks; two language papers are qualifying.
Stage 3Personality Test
A 275-mark interview. Final merit is calculated from 1,750 Mains marks plus 275 interview marks.
Services and posts covered by CSE 2026
Service allocation depends on final rank, category, medical suitability, service preferences and available vacancies.
All India and principal services
Other notified Group A and Group B services
Indian Audit and Accounts ServiceIndian Civil Accounts ServiceIndian Corporate Law ServiceIndian Defence Accounts ServiceIndian Defence Estates ServiceIndian Information ServiceIndian Postal ServiceIndian Revenue ServiceIndian Trade ServiceIndian Railway Management ServiceAFHQ Civil ServiceDANICSDANIPSPONDICSPONDIPS
Preparation action planWhat aspirants should do after reading the notification
1
Audit eligibility and records
Check age, attempts, degree status, reservation documents and name/date consistency before the next application cycle.
2
Use the syllabus as a checklist
Map books, classes, current affairs, revision and tests directly to the official syllabus.
3
Analyse previous papers
Use PYQs to understand recurring themes, question depth, elimination and Mains directive words.
4
Build a test-and-revision cycle
Combine timed practice, error analysis, short notes and repeated revision instead of collecting excessive sources.
UPSC Notification 2026 FAQs
When was UPSC Notification 2026 released?
UPSC issued Examination Notice No. 05/2026-CSE on 4 February 2026.
How many vacancies were announced for UPSC CSE 2026?
The notification states approximately 933 expected vacancies, including 33 PwBD vacancies. The final figure may change after UPSC receives firm vacancies from cadre-controlling authorities.
What was the last date to apply?
The CSE 2026 online application deadline was 24 February 2026 at 6:00 PM.
What is the UPSC age limit for 2026?
A candidate must have attained 21 years and must not have attained 32 years on 1 August 2026. Category-based relaxations apply as specified in the notification.
What degree is required for UPSC CSE?
A candidate must hold a graduate degree from a recognised university or possess an equivalent qualification. The notice also explains provisional eligibility for candidates awaiting qualifying results.
Is the UPSC application portal based only on OTR?
The 2026 notification describes Account Creation, Universal Registration, Common Application Form and an examination-specific module. Universal Registration generates the lifetime URN.