The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Examination (CSE) every year to recruit officers for India’s most prestigious services such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and several Central Civil Services (Group A & B). The release of the UPSC CSE 2026 Notification (Examination Notice No. 05/2026-CSE) marks the beginning of one of the toughest and most respected competitive examinations in the country.
UPSC CSE is not just an examination; it is a journey that tests a candidate’s knowledge, analytical ability, integrity, perseverance, and commitment to public service. With lakhs of aspirants competing every year and only a few hundred finally selected, proper understanding of the notification, eligibility, and selection process becomes extremely important.
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 is a three-stage competitive exam (Prelims, Mains, Interview) with Prelims scheduled for May 24, 2026, and Mains starting August 21, 2026. The 2026 exam features approximately 933 vacancies, with the application window open from February 4 to February 24, 2026.
This blog provides a complete details to UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026, covering vacancy details, important dates, eligibility criteria, age limits, age relaxation, educational qualification, salary structure, application fee, selection process, and step-by-step application procedure.
UPSC Civil Services Vacancy 2026
UPSC releases the number of vacancies for Civil Services Examination along with the official notification. The exact post-wise and category-wise vacancies may be revised later depending on service requirements.
Expected Vacancy Details (Indicative)
The vacancies generally include recruitment for the following services:
- Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
- Indian Police Service (IPS)
- Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
- Indian Revenue Service (IRS – Income Tax & Customs)
- Indian Audit & Accounts Service (IAAS)
- Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS)
- Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS)
- Indian Information Service (IIS)
- Indian Trade Service (ITS)
- Other Central Group A and Group B Services
UPSC 2026 Vacancy Breakdown :
| Category / Detail | Number of Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Other Categories (Gen/OBC/SC/ST/EWS) | 900 |
| Reserved for PwBD (Total) | 33 |
| — Blindness and Low Vision | 07 |
| — Deaf and Hard of Hearing | 11 |
| — Locomotor Disability* | 08 |
| — Multiple Disabilities | 07 |
| Total Vacancies (Approximate) | 933 |
Historically, UPSC notifies 800–1000 vacancies annually, including reservations for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwBD categories as per Government of India rules.
Candidates must note that vacancy numbers are indicative and final allocation depends on:
- Rank secured
- Service preference filled by the candidate
- Medical fitness
- Availability of posts
UPSC CSE 2026 – Important Dates
Candidates should carefully track all important dates to avoid missing deadlines.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 4 February 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 4 February 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply (Online) | 24 February 2026 (until 6:00 PM) |
| Prelims Admit Card Release | May 2026 (Tentative) |
| UPSC CSE Prelims Exam Date | 24 May 2026 (Sunday) |
| UPSC CSE Prelims Result | June 2026 (Expected) |
| UPSC CSE Mains Exam Date | Starts 21 August 2026 (5 Days) |
| Personality Test (Interviews) | February – March 2027 (Tentative) |
| Final Result Declaration | April 2027 (Expected) |
Candidates are advised to regularly visit upsc.gov.in for official updates.
Eligibility Criteria for UPSC CSE 2026
Before applying, candidates must ensure that they fulfill all eligibility conditions prescribed by UPSC. Admission at every stage of the examination is strictly provisional, subject to verification.
Age Limit for UPSC Civil Services 2026:-
Minimum Age: 21 years
Maximum Age: 32 years
A candidate must have been born not earlier than 2 August 1994 and not later than 1 August 2005.
Age Relaxation (Category-Wise) :-
UPSC provides age relaxation to reserved categories as per government norms:
- SC / ST: 5 years
- OBC: 3 years
- Defence Services Personnel (disabled during service): 3 years
- Ex-Servicemen: 5 years
- PwBD (General): 10 years
- PwBD (OBC): 13 years
- PwBD (SC/ST): 15 years
Educational Qualification :-
To be eligible for UPSC CSE 2026, candidates must:
- Hold a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university
OR - Possess an equivalent qualification recognized by the Government of India
Important Points :-
- Final-year students can apply, provided they submit proof of passing before the Mains Examination.
- Candidates with professional and technical degrees recognized by UPSC are eligible.
- There is no minimum percentage requirement.
Nationality Criteria :-
- IAS & IPS: Candidate must be a citizen of India
* Other Services:
Citizen of India
OR Subject of Nepal/Bhutan
OR Tibetan refugee (before 1 January 1962)
OR PIO from specified countries (with eligibility certificate)
UPSC 2026 Salary (Rank-Wise)
UPSC officers are compensated according to the 7th Pay Commission pay matrix. Most Group ‘A’ officers start at Pay Level 10 with a basic pay of ₹56,100.
| Rank / Designation | Pay Level | Basic Pay (Monthly) |
|---|---|---|
| IAS: SDM / Under Secretary IPS: DSP / Asst. Commissioner | Level 10 | ₹56,100 |
| IAS: ADM / Deputy Secretary IPS: Additional SP | Level 11 | ₹67,700 |
| IAS: District Magistrate (DM) IPS: Superintendent of Police (SP) | Level 12 | ₹78,800 |
| IAS: Selection Grade DM / Director IPS: Senior SP (SSP) / DIG | Level 13 / 13A | ₹1,18,500 – ₹1,31,100 |
| IAS: Divisional Commissioner / Joint Secy IPS: Inspector General (IG) | Level 14 | ₹1,44,200 |
| IAS: Principal Secretary / Addl. Secy IPS: Additional Director General (ADG) | Level 15 | ₹1,82,200 |
| IAS: Chief Secretary / Secretary (GoI) IPS: Director General of Police (DGP) | Level 17 | ₹2,25,000 |
| IAS: Cabinet Secretary of India (Apex Scale) | Level 18 | ₹2,50,000 |
Additional Benefits :–
- Dearness Allowance (DA)
- House Rent Allowance (HRA) or Government accommodation
- Travel Allowances
- Medical Facilities
- Official vehicle & staff (for senior posts)
- Pension & post-retirement benefits
UPSC 2026 Application Fee
The application fee for the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 is categorized based on gender and community status.
| Category | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS (Male) | ₹100 |
| Female (All Categories) | Exempted (Nil) |
| SC / ST | Exempted (Nil) |
| Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) | Exempted (Nil) |
Payment can be made through:
Debit Card
Credit Card
Net Banking
SBI Challan
UPSC Civil Services 2026 Selection Process
The UPSC selection process for 2026 is a three-stage elimination cycle designed to filter over a million applicants into roughly 933 officers.
Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (Screening)
The Prelims is an objective-type qualifying stage held on 24 May 2026. Marks from this stage are used only for shortlisting (roughly 12–15 times the vacancy count) and are not counted in the final merit list.
- Paper I: General Studies (GS)
- Format: 100 MCQs | 200 Marks | 2 Hours.
- Scoring: +2 for correct; -0.66 for incorrect.
- Paper II: Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT)
- Format: 80 MCQs | 200 Marks | 2 Hours.
- Scoring: +2.5 for correct; -0.83 for incorrect.
- Requirement: Mandatory qualifying score of 33% (66.67 marks).
Stage 2: Main Examination (Merit-Based)
The Mains is a descriptive written test starting on 21 August 2026. It evaluates depth of knowledge and analytical skills across nine papers.
- Qualifying Papers (2):
- Paper A (Indian Language) and Paper B (English).
- 300 Marks each; candidates must score at least 25% to have their remaining papers evaluated.
- Merit Papers (7):
- Includes 1 Essay, 4 General Studies (GS I-IV), and 2 Optional Subject papers.
- 250 Marks each | Total Written Score: 1750 Marks.
Stage 3: Personality Test (Interview)
Shortlisted candidates (roughly 2.5 times the vacancies) are called to the UPSC office in New Delhi for a 20–30 minute board interview.
- Total Marks: 275.
- Focus: Mental alertness, critical assimilation, leadership, and intellectual integrity.
Final Merit Calculation
The final ranking is determined by the grand total of the Mains (1750) and Interview (275) scores, out of a maximum 2025 marks. Candidates then undergo Document Verification and a Medical Examination before service allocation.
How to Apply for UPSC CSE 2026 – Step-by-Step Guide
Candidates must apply online only through UPSC’s new application portal.
Step 1: Account Creation
- Visit upsconline.nic.in and register using a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Verify your account via OTP to create your login credentials.
Step 2: Universal Registration Number (URN) Generation
- Complete the Universal Registration module with permanent details (Name, Date of Birth, Identity Proof).
- Upon successful completion, a permanent URN is generated, which is used for all future UPSC exams.
Step 3: Common Application Form (CAF)
- Fill in general profiles: Educational qualifications, social category, and address.
- New Rule: You must capture a live photograph during this stage and upload a scanned image of three signatures signed vertically on a white sheet.
Step 4: Examination-Specific Module (CSE 2026)
- Select “Civil Services Examination 2026”.
- Choose your exam centre (allotted on a “First-Apply-First-Allot” basis).
- Select your optional subject, medium of examination, and compulsory Indian language.
- Pay the application fee of ₹100 (exempt for Women/SC/ST/PwBD).
- Submit and download the confirmation page
Candidates should keep their URN and Application Number safely for future reference.
Important Tips for UPSC CSE Aspirants
Read the notification carefully before applying
Start preparation early with NCERTs and standard books
Focus on answer writing for Mains from the beginning
Practice CSAT to avoid surprises
Stay updated with current affairs
Follow a disciplined study schedule and revise regularly
General Instructions for Candidates
Candidates appearing for competitive examinations conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) or other national recruiting bodies are advised to carefully read and strictly follow all instructions issued in the official notification. Non-compliance with these guidelines may lead to rejection of candidature at any stage of the examination process. The following general instructions are meant to help candidates complete the application and examination process smoothly.
Read the Official Notification Carefully
Before applying, candidates must thoroughly read the examination notification, rules, and eligibility conditions. It is the sole responsibility of the candidate to ensure that they fulfill all requirements related to age limit, educational qualification, nationality, and other prescribed criteria. Admission at every stage of the examination is strictly provisional and subject to verification.
Online Application Process
Candidates are required to apply online only through the official examination portal within the stipulated time period. Applications submitted through any other mode will not be accepted. Candidates should ensure that all information entered in the application form is correct and matches the details mentioned in their official documents. Incomplete or incorrect applications are liable to be rejected without prior notice.
Registration and Application Number
Upon successful registration, candidates will be issued a Universal Registration Number (URN) and an Application Number for the specific examination. These numbers must be carefully preserved and quoted in all future communications with the Commission. The URN is generated only once and remains valid for all examinations conducted by the Commission.
Uploading Documents
Candidates must upload scanned copies of their photograph, signature, and identity proof in the prescribed format and size. Images that are unclear, mismatched, or do not meet the specifications may lead to rejection of the application. Candidates are advised to prepare all documents in advance to avoid last-minute issues during uploading.
Use of Valid Identity Proof
Candidates are strongly advised to use a valid and government-issued photo identity proof, preferably Aadhaar Card, for registration and verification purposes. The same ID proof must be carried to the examination centre and produced during document verification, if required.
Examination Centre and Admit Card
The e-Admit Card will be issued online and will not be sent by post. Candidates should regularly check the official website for updates regarding the release of admit cards. It is mandatory to carry a printed copy of the admit card along with a valid photo ID to the examination centre. Entry to the examination hall without these documents will not be permitted.
Conduct During Examination
Candidates must strictly adhere to the rules and instructions of the examination centre. The use of unfair means, electronic gadgets, or prohibited items inside the examination hall is strictly forbidden. Any violation of examination rules may result in cancellation of candidature and debarment from future examinations.
Communication with the Commission
All communication with the Commission must be done through the prescribed channels only. Candidates should regularly check the official website for notices, updates, and results, as the Commission does not entertain individual queries regarding examination progress.
| OFFICIAL WEBSITE | CLICK HERE |
| OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION PDF | CLICK HERE |
| APPLY ONLINE | CLICK HERE |
| WHAT’S APP LINK | CLICK HERE |
| TELEGRAM LINK | CLICK HERE |
| FACEBOOK LINK | CLICK HERE |
| INSTAGRAM LINK | CLICK HERE |
| MORE UPDATES | CLICK HERE |
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