UPSC Exam Date 2026, Check Vacancy, Eligibility, Notification
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the exam date for the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 on its official website, upsc.gov.in. Candidates seeking information about the UPSC Exam Date are advised to read this complete article to know about the UPSC 2026 Exam Schedule, Notification date, and Vacancy details.
UPSC Notification 2026
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) releases its annual exam calendar a year in advance. As per the UPSC Calendar 2026, the UPSC Notification 2026 will be released on January 14, 2026, on the official website — upsc.gov.in.
Candidates aiming for the UPSC 2026 exam are advised to start their preparation early, ideally one year in advance, to cover the vast UPSC Syllabus and strengthen their conceptual clarity. Consistent revision, mock tests, and a well-planned study schedule are essential for success. Applicants must read the UPSC CSE Notification 2026 carefully before filling out the online form to ensure they meet all the eligibility conditions and are well-informed about the exam process.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| UPSC Notification 2026 Release Date | January 14, 2026 |
| UPSC Application Start Date | January 14, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | February 4, 2026 (Tentative) |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Official Website | https://upsc.gov.in |
| UPSC Prelims Exam Date 2026 | May 24, 2026 |
| UPSC Mains Exam Date 2026 | August 21, 2026 |
| Vacancies (Expected) | To Be Announced |
| Exam Level | National |
| Selection Process | Prelims → Mains → Interview |
| UPSC Helpline | 011-23385271 / 23381125 / 23098543 |
UPSC Exam Date 2026
As per the schedule, the UPSC CSE Prelims 2026 will be conducted on May 24, 2026, while the UPSC Mains Exam 2026 is to begin on 21st August 2026. Candidates are advised to keep a close watch on the official website — upsc.gov.in — for any updates or changes. Below you can check UPSC Exam Date 2026 details in a table.
| Event | Date (Tentative) | Details |
|---|---|---|
| UPSC Notification 2026 Release Date | January 14, 2026 | Official notification published on upsc.gov.in |
| UPSC Application Form 2026 Start Date | January 14, 2026 | Online registration begins |
| Last Date to Apply for UPSC 2026 | February 4, 2026 | Application window closes |
| UPSC Prelims Exam Date 2026 | May 24, 2026 | Objective-type exam (Paper 1 & Paper 2) |
| UPSC Prelims Result 2026 | June 2026 | Prelims result expected within a month |
| UPSC Mains Exam Date 2026 | August 21, 2026 (5 Day) | Descriptive written examination |
| UPSC Interview/Personality Test 2026 | February–March 2027 | Final stage of the selection process |
| UPSC Final Result 2026 | April 2027 | Declaration of final merit list |
UPSC Prelims Exam Date 2026
The UPSC CSE Prelims 2026 is scheduled to be held on May 24, 2026. This stage serves as a screening test to shortlist candidates for the Mains examination. It consists of two objective-type papers — General Studies (Paper I) and CSAT (Paper II) — conducted on the same day in offline mode across various exam centers in India.
UPSC Mains Exam Date 2026
The UPSC CSE Mains 2026 will commence on August 21, 2026, and continue for five days. This stage tests candidates’ in-depth knowledge, analytical ability, and writing skills nine descriptive papers, including Essay, General Studies, and Optional Subject papers. Only those who qualify for the Prelims are eligible to appear for the Mains exam.
UPSC Eligibility Criteria
The UPSC Eligibility Criteria 2026 are defined by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in its official notification. Every candidate applying for the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 must meet the required nationality, age limit, educational qualification, and UPSC Number of Attempts Criteria. These guidelines ensure that only eligible and qualified candidates appear for one of India’s most prestigious competitive exams.
| Eligibility Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Must be an Indian citizen for IAS and IPS. For other services, citizens of India, Nepal, Bhutan, or Tibetan refugees (arrived before Jan 1, 1962) are eligible. |
| Educational Qualification | Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university. Final-year students awaiting results can also apply. |
| Age Limit | Minimum: 21 years Maximum: 32 years (as of August 1, 2026) |
| Date of Birth Range | Born between August 2, 1994, and August 1, 2005 (for general category) |
| Age Relaxation | OBC – 3 years (up to 35 years); SC/ST – 5 years (up to 37 years); PwD – 10 years |
| Number of Attempts | General – 6 attempts; OBC – 9 attempts; SC/ST – Unlimited attempts (till age limit) |
| Marital Status | Both married and unmarried candidates are eligible. However, female candidates who are pregnant beyond a certain stage may be deemed temporarily unfit during medical tests. |
| Physical Standards | Candidates must meet the medical and physical fitness standards as prescribed by UPSC for various services. |
List of UPSC CSE Posts
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Examination (CSE) every year to recruit candidates for various prestigious Group A and Group B posts in the Government of India. These posts offer not only high administrative responsibility but also an opportunity to serve the nation at different levels of governance. The services are broadly categorized into All India Services, Central Civil Services (Group A), and Group B Services.
All India Services
- Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
- Indian Police Service (IPS)
- Indian Forest Service (IFS)
Central Civil Services (Group A)
- Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
- Indian Revenue Service – Income Tax (IRS-IT)
- Indian Revenue Service – Customs and Indirect Taxes (IRS-C&IT)
- Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS)
- Indian Postal Service (IPoS)
- Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS)
- Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS)
- Indian Ordnance Factories Service (IOFS)
- Indian Trade Service (ITS)
- Indian Corporate Law Service (ICLS)
- Indian Information Service(IIS)
- Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES)
- Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS)
- Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS)
- Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS)
- Indian P&T Accounts and Finance Service (IP&TAFS)
Group B Services
- Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service (AFHQCS)
- Pondicherry Civil Service (PCS)
- Pondicherry Police Service (PPS)
- Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Civil Service (DANICS)
- Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Police Service (DANIPS)
UPSC Year-Wise Vacancy Trends
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) has seen a fluctuating pattern in vacancies over the years. In 2014, the number of vacancies was the highest at 1,364, while the lowest was recorded in 2021 with just 712 posts. Over time, the number of available positions has balanced out, ranging between 1,000 and 1,100 in recent years.
| Year | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,017 |
| 2024 | 1,056 |
| 2023 | 1,105 |
| 2022 | 1,022 |
| 2021 | 712 |
| 2020 | 836 |
| 2019 | 927 |
| 2018 | 812 |
| 2017 | 1,058 |
| 2016 | 1,209 |
| 2015 | 1,164 |
| 2014 | 1,364 |
UPSC Selection Process 2026
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 is conducted in three stages:
Preliminary Examination (Prelims) –
- Objective-type test (two papers: General Studies & CSAT).
- Serves as a screening test for the Mains exam.
- Marks not counted in the final merit list.
Main Examination (Mains) –
- Descriptive written exam consisting of 9 papers.
- Includes Essay, General Studies Papers I–IV, and Optional Subject Papers.
- Marks obtained are counted for the final ranking.
Personality Test (Interview) –
- Conducted by the UPSC Board to assess personality, communication, and leadership skills.
- Carries 275 marks.
- Final merit is prepared based on Mains + Interview scores.
UPSC Civil Services Application Fee 2026
The UPSC charges a nominal application fee for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026, which varies based on the candidate’s category. Candidates can pay the fee either online through debit/credit card or net banking, or offline by depositing cash at any SBI branch.
| Category | Application Fee | Payment Mode |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC (Male) | ₹100 | Online (Debit/Credit Card, Net Banking) or Offline (SBI Challan) |
| SC / ST / PwBD Candidates | Exempted | No fee required |
| Female Candidates (All Categories) | Exempted | No fee required |
| Mode of Payment | Online / Offline | Through SBI branches or online gateways |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Number of vacancies for different services (IAS, IPS, IFS, etc.)
- Eligibility criteria (age limit, education, nationality)
- Exam pattern and syllabus
- Application process and fee
- Important dates for Prelims, Mains, and Interviews