UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 Overview
The UPSC CSE is a nationwide competitive examination conducted for recruitment to various Group A and Group B services of the Government of India. The selection process is rigorous, involving three distinct stages to identify the best talent for administrative roles.
| Organisation Name |
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name |
Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 |
| Post Category |
Group A & Group B Services |
| Total Vacancies |
Approximately 933 Posts |
| Official Website |
www.upsc.gov.in |
Vacancy Details
The recruitment covers several All India Services and Central Civil Services. The following table provides the distribution of the expected vacancies.
| Service Category |
Post Types |
Vacancies |
| All India Services |
IAS, IPS, IFS |
Included in Total |
| Central Services Group A |
IRS, IRMS, IDAS, Indian Postal Service, etc. |
Included in Total |
| Central Services Group B |
DANICS, DANIPS, AFHQ, PONDICS |
Included in Total |
| Total |
All Services |
933 (Approx.) |
Important Dates
Candidates must adhere to the following schedule for the UPSC CSE 2026 recruitment process.
| Event |
Date |
| Official Notification Release |
04 February 2026 |
| Online Application Starts |
04 February 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online |
24 February 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Preliminary Examination Date |
24 May 2026 |
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Candidates must hold a Graduate Degree in any discipline from a university incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament. Candidates appearing for their final year examination are also eligible to apply provisionally.
Age Limit (as on 01-08-2026)
The age requirements for the candidates are as follows:
- Minimum Age: 21 Years
- Maximum Age: 32 Years
Age Relaxation:
- SC / ST Candidates: 5 Years
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) Candidates: 3 Years
- PwBD Candidates: Up to 10 Years
Application Fee
The application fee must be paid online through Net Banking, Credit/Debit Cards, or UPI.
| Category |
Fee Amount |
| General / OBC / EWS |
Rs. 100/- |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Female |
Nil (Exempted) |
Selection Process
The recruitment process for the Civil Services Examination consists of three successive stages:
- Stage 1: Preliminary Examination - Objective type (MCQs) for shortlisting candidates for the Main exam. It consists of GS Paper I and CSAT (Qualifying).
- Stage 2: Main Examination - A written examination consisting of 9 papers (2 qualifying and 7 merit-based papers).
- Stage 3: Personality Test (Interview) - A final interview conducted by the UPSC board to assess the candidate's suitability for a career in public service.
How to Apply for UPSC CSE 2026
Interested candidates should follow the steps mentioned below to complete their application:
- Visit the official UPSC application portal at upsconline.nic.in.
- Complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) process if not already registered.
- Log in using your credentials and select the "Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026" link.
- Fill in the required personal and educational details accurately.
- Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and valid photo ID proof as per the prescribed format.
- Pay the application fee (if applicable) through the online payment gateway.
- Review the application form and submit it before the deadline of 24th February 2026.
- Print a copy of the submitted application form for future reference.
Important Instructions
- Candidates must ensure they meet all eligibility criteria before applying.
- The CSAT paper in the Preliminary exam is qualifying in nature with a minimum requirement of 33% marks.
- Negative marking of 1/3rd of the marks assigned to a question applies to the Preliminary Examination.
- Applications submitted after 6:00 PM on 24th February 2026 will not be accepted.
Important Links
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