The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will release the UPSC Civil Services 2026 notification for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 on 14 January, 2026, on its websites upsc.gov.in and upsconline.nic.in. Along with the UPSC Civil Service 2026 notification, the UPSC will also make available the online application form for eligible candidates. Aspiring civil servants must complete and submit their applications by February 3, 2026, as late submissions will not be entertained. Check UPSC 2026 Calendar.
UPSC Civil Services 2026 Overview
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Examination (CSE) annually to recruit candidates for various administrative positions in the Indian government, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other central services.
| Aspect | Details |
| Exam Name | UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Levels | Prelims, Mains, Interview |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Prelims – OMR-based, Mains – Descriptive) |
| Vacancies | To be announced (Expected around 1,000) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | https://upsc.gov.in |
UPSC CSE 2026 Notification
In Official UPSC Calendar 2026, The UPSC Civil Services 2026 notification is expected soon, inviting applications for one of India’s most prestigious exams. This exam recruits officers for key services like IAS, IPS, and IFS. Aspirants should stay updated on important dates, eligibility criteria, and exam details to begin their preparation for this highly competitive and rewarding career opportunity.
UPSC Civil Services (CSE) 2026 Important Dates (Tentative)
| Event | Expected Date |
| Notification Release | February 2026 |
| Application Start Date | February 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | March 2026 |
| Prelims Exam Date | May/June 2026 |
| Mains Exam Date | September 2026 |
| Interview (Personality Test) | January-March 2027 |
| Final Result | April 2027 |
Civil Services 2026 Eligibility Criteria
1. Nationality
- For IAS & IFS: Must be an Indian citizen.
- For other services: Indian citizen / Nepal/Bhutan subject / Tibetan refugee (before 1962) / PIO/OCI (as per Govt. rules).
2. Age Limit (as of August 1, 2026)
| Category | Age Limit | Maximum Attempts |
| General | 21-32 years | 6 |
| OBC | 21-35 years | 9 |
| SC/ST | 21-37 years | Unlimited (within age limit) |
PwBD (General) Up to 42 years 9 for OBC/PwBD, others as per category
3. Educational Qualification
- Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
- Final-year students can apply (must submit proof of passing before Mains).
UPSC Civil Services 2026: List of Posts
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 offers a diverse range of prestigious Group A and Group B posts in the Indian government. Candidates can select their preferred services while filling out the application form. Below is the complete list of posts available under UPSC CSE 2026:
Group A Services
- Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
- Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
- Indian Police Service (IPS)
- Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IAAS)
- Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS)
- Indian Corporate Law Service (ICLS)
- Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS)
- Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES)
- Indian Information Service (IIS)
- Indian Postal Service (IPoS)
- Indian P&T Accounts and Finance Service (IP&TAFS)
- Indian Railway Protection Force Service (IRPFS)
- Indian Revenue Service – Customs & Indirect Taxes (IRS-C&IT)
- Indian Revenue Service – Income Tax (IRS-IT)
- Indian Trade Service (ITS) – Grade III
- Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS)
Group B Services
- Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service (AFHCS) – Section Officer’s Grade
- Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Civil Service (DANICS)
- Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Police Service (DANIPS)
- Pondicherry Civil Service (PONDICS)
UPSC Civil Services 2026 Exam Pattern
1. Preliminary Exam (Objective)
| Paper | Subjects | Marks | Duration |
| GS Paper-I | Current Affairs, History, Polity, Geography, Economy, Science, Environment | 200 | 2 hours |
| GS Paper-II (CSAT) | Reasoning, Comprehension, Quantitative Aptitude | 200 | 2 hours |
- Qualifying Nature: Paper-II (CSAT) requires 33% marks; only Paper-I marks are counted for Prelims cutoff.
2. Mains Exam (Descriptive)
- 9 Papers (2 Qualifying + 7 Merit-based) totaling 1750 marks.
- Papers include Essay, GS (I-IV), Optional Subject (2 papers), English/Indian Language.
3. Interview (Personality Test)
- 275 marks, testing communication skills, leadership, and analytical ability.
UPSC Civil Services 2026 Syllabus
Prelims Syllabus
- General Studies (GS): History, Polity, Economy, Geography, Science, Environment, Current Affairs.
- CSAT: Logical reasoning, comprehension, basic numeracy.
Mains Syllabus
- Essay: Topics on national/global issues.
- GS Papers: Indian Heritage, Governance, International Relations, Ethics, etc.
- Optional Subject: Choose from UPSC’s list (e.g., Public Administration, Sociology, Geography).
How to Apply for UPSC CSE 2026?
- Visit UPSC Official Website.
- Click on “Apply Online” for Civil Services (Preliminary) Exam.
- Fill the form, upload documents, and pay the fee.
- Submit and print the confirmation page.
UPSC Civil Services 2026 Preparation Tips
- Understand the Syllabus: Focus on NCERTs (Class 6-12) for basics.
- Current Affairs: Read newspapers (The Hindu, Indian Express) and monthly magazines.
- Mock Tests: Practice previous years’ papers and take timed tests.
- Optional Subject: Choose wisely based on interest and scoring trends.
UPSC CSE 2026 is a highly competitive exam requiring consistent preparation. Start early, follow a structured plan, and stay updated with current affairs. For official updates, check UPSC’s website regularly.
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