UPSC Civil Services Examination CSE 2026 – Apply Online for 933 IAS/IPS/IFS Posts

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026: IAS, IPS, IFS & Other Group A and B Services

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official notification for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 and Indian Forest Service (IFS) Examination 2026 on 04 February 2026. This is India’s most prestigious and competitive examination for recruitment to various All India Services and Central Civil Services including IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, and other Group A & B services. A total of 933 vacancies have been announced for this cycle. Graduate candidates can now apply online through the official UPSC portal. The application window is open from 01 February 2026 and will close on 24 February 2026.

Quick Information Table: UPSC Civil Services Examination CSE 2026

Detail	Information
Conducting Authority	Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Examination Name	Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 & IFS 2026
Total Vacancies	933 Posts (Approximate)
Educational Qualification	Bachelor’s Degree from Recognized University
Application Start Date	01 February 2026 (10:00 AM)
Application Last Date	24 February 2026 (6:00 PM)
Prelims Exam Date	24 May 2026 (Sunday)
Mains Exam Date	21 August 2026 (Friday) onwards
Age Limit	21–32 years (as on 01 August 2026)
Number of Attempts	Gen: 6, OBC: 9, SC/ST: Unlimited
Selection Process	Prelims, Mains, Personality Test (Interview)
Application Fee	₹100 (Female/SC/ST/PwBD: Exempted)
Mode of Application	Online Only
Official Website	upsc.gov.in

Vacancy Details

The UPSC has announced approximately 933 vacancies for the Civil Services Examination 2026. These vacancies are distributed across various prestigious All India Services and Central Civil Services under Group A and Group B categories.

Services Available Through UPSC CSE 2026

All India Services:

• Indian Administrative Service (IAS) – The premier administrative service
• Indian Police Service (IPS) – Elite law enforcement service
• Indian Forest Service (IFS) – Forest and wildlife management service

Central Civil Services – Group A:

• Indian Foreign Service (IFoS)
• Indian Revenue Service (IRS) – Income Tax
• Indian Revenue Service (IRS) – Customs & Central Excise
• Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS)
• Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS)
• Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS)
• Indian Postal Service (IPoS)
• Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS)
• Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS)
• Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS)
• Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES)
• Indian Information Service (IIS) – Grade ‘A’
• Indian Trade Service (ITS) – Grade ‘A’
• Indian Corporate Law Service (ICLS)
• Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service
• And other Group A services

Central Civil Services – Group B:

• 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)
• Pondicherry Civil Service (PONDICS)
• Pondicherry Police Service (PONDIPS)

Vacancy Breakdown

Category	Number of Vacancies
Total Posts	933 (Approximate)
Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD)	33 Posts

Note: The final number of vacancies may vary based on inputs from Cadre Controlling Authorities. The exact service-wise distribution will be announced during the final result declaration.

Comparison with Previous Years

Year	Total Vacancies
2024	1,056
2025	979
2026	933

The vacancies have seen a declining trend, making the competition more intense.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s 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 or declared to be deemed universities.

Important Points:

• Final year students can also apply provisionally, provided they produce proof of passing the degree examination by the time of interview
• Candidates with equivalent qualifications as recognized by the Government are also eligible
• Professional and technical qualifications recognized by the Government are acceptable

Age Limit

As on 01 August 2026:

• Minimum Age: 21 years (born not later than 01 August 2005)
• Maximum Age: 32 years (born not earlier than 02 August 1994)

Age Relaxation

Category	Age Relaxation	Upper Age Limit
General	Nil	32 years
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)	3 years	35 years
SC/ST	5 years	37 years
PwBD (General)	10 years	42 years
PwBD (OBC)	13 years	45 years
PwBD (SC/ST)	15 years	47 years
Ex-Servicemen	As per rules	Variable
Defence Personnel (specified categories)	3 years	35 years
J&K Domicile (1980-1989)	5 years	37 years
J&K Domicile (1990-2009)	3 years	35 years

Number of Attempts

Category	Number of Attempts	Age Limit
General	6 attempts	Up to 32 years
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)	9 attempts	Up to 35 years
SC/ST	Unlimited	Up to 37 years
PwBD	Unlimited (within age)	As per category

Note: A candidate who has appeared in the Personality Test (Interview) of this examination will be deemed to have made an attempt.

Nationality

For IAS and IPS:

• Must be a citizen of India

For other services:

• Citizen of India, OR
• A subject of Nepal, OR
• A subject of Bhutan, OR
• A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 01 January 1962 with intention of permanently settling in India, OR
• A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, Vietnam) with intention of permanently settling in India

Physical Standards

Different services have specific physical requirements (height, chest, eyesight, etc.) which will be checked during medical examination. Candidates should refer to the detailed notification for service-specific physical standards.

New Rules and Changes in UPSC CSE 2026

1. Serving Officers Restrictions

Critical Change: Candidates already appointed to IAS or IFS cannot appear in CSE 2026 unless they resign from their current service before applying.

Stage-wise Restrictions:

• If appointed to IAS/IFS after Prelims but before Mains: Cannot write Mains unless resigned
• If appointed after Mains but before final results: Will not be considered for service allocation through CSE 2026

2. IPS Re-allocation Ban

Candidates already selected for IPS in previous examinations can appear for CSE 2026 to aim for IAS/IFS, but they are strictly prohibited from being re-allocated to IPS. This prevents candidates from holding an IPS seat while trying for a better cadre within the same service.

3. One-Time Training Exemption (CSE 2027 Window)

Candidates allocated to IPS or Group A services in 2026 can appear in CSE 2027 only if they secure a one-time exemption from joining their Foundation Course training. This is designed to allow rank improvement in the immediate next cycle.

After utilizing this opportunity, candidates must resign from their current service if they wish to appear in CSE 2028 or beyond.

4. Face Authentication & Live Photo

New anti-impersonation measures introduced:

• Live photo capture during registration
• Face authentication at examination centers
• Candidates must reach exam centers early for verification
• Document checking will be more stringent

Application Process

How to Apply for UPSC CSE 2026?

Step 1: Visit Official Website

• Go to upsc.gov.in or upsconline.nic.in

Step 2: One Time Registration (OTR)

• If you’re a first-time applicant, complete OTR by providing:
  • Basic personal details
  • Valid email ID
  • Mobile number
  • Create username and password
• If already registered, login with existing credentials

Step 3: Fill Part-I Registration

• Select “Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026”
• Fill in personal details:
  • Name (as per matriculation certificate)
  • Father’s name, Mother’s name
  • Date of birth
  • Gender
  • Category (General/SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD)
  • Nationality
  • Educational qualifications
• Enter address details (permanent and correspondence)
• Choose examination center preferences
• Review details carefully before proceeding

Step 4: Upload Documents (Part-II Registration) Upload scanned copies of:

• Recent Photograph (JPEG format, 40-100 KB, colored, white background)
• Signature (JPEG format, 10-40 KB, signed three times on white paper with black ink)
• Photo Identity Card (Aadhaar/PAN/Voter ID/Passport/Driving License)
• Educational Certificates (for final year students)
• Caste/Category Certificates (if applicable)

Important Upload Specifications:

• Photo: Colored, passport size, white background, face clearly visible
• Signature: Must be signed three times clearly on white paper using black ink
• Documents must be clear and legible
• File sizes must be within specified limits

Step 5: Pay Application Fee

• Choose online payment mode (Credit Card/Debit Card/Net Banking/UPI)
• Complete payment transaction
• Save payment receipt/transaction ID

Step 6: Review and Submit

• Thoroughly review all entered information
• Check for spelling errors, date mismatches
• Preview the application form
• Once satisfied, click on “Final Submit”
• No changes allowed after final submission

Step 7: Download Confirmation

• Download and save the confirmation page
• Take multiple printouts for future reference
• Save the Registration ID and Password securely

Important Documents Required for UPSC Civil Services Examination CSE 2026

Mandatory for All:

• 10th Class Certificate (for Date of Birth proof)
• Bachelor’s Degree Certificate/Provisional Certificate/Mark Sheets
• Recent Passport Size Photographs (multiple copies)
• Signature samples
• Valid Photo ID (Aadhaar preferred)

For Reserved Categories:

• SC/ST Certificate issued by competent authority
• OBC-NCL Certificate (issued within last 1 year for current financial year)
• EWS Certificate (issued for current financial year)
• PwBD Certificate (as per format prescribed by Government)

For Special Categories:

• Ex-Servicemen Certificate
• J&K Domicile Certificate (if applicable)
• Tibetan Refugee Certificate (if applicable)

Fee Structure

The application fee for UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026:

Category	Application Fee
General / OBC / EWS (Male Candidates)	₹100/-
All Female Candidates	NIL (Exempted)
SC / ST Candidates	NIL (Exempted)
PwBD Candidates	NIL (Exempted)

Payment Mode: Online only (Debit Card / Credit Card / Net Banking / UPI / SBI Challan)

Note: The application fee is non-refundable and non-transferable under any circumstances.

Selection Process

The UPSC Civil Services Examination is conducted in three stages:

Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)

Date: 24 May 2026 (Sunday) Nature: Screening test (marks not counted for final merit) Duration: 2 hours per paper

Exam Pattern:

| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration | |—|—|—| | Paper-I | General Studies | 200 | 2 hours | | Paper-II | CSAT (Qualifying – 33% required) | 200 | 2 hours |

Paper-I: General Studies Syllabus:

• Current events of national and international importance
• History of India and Indian National Movement
• Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World
• Indian Polity and Governance
• Economic and Social Development
• Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change
• General Science

Paper-II: Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT):

• Comprehension
• Interpersonal skills including communication skills
• Logical reasoning and analytical ability
• Decision making and problem solving
• General mental ability
• Basic numeracy and data interpretation

Important: Candidates must secure minimum 33% marks in CSAT (Paper-II) to qualify. However, CSAT marks are not counted for final merit ranking.

Stage 2: Main Examination (Descriptive Type)

Date: Starts from 21 August 2026 (Friday) Nature: Written examination (marks counted for final merit) Total Papers: 9 (7 counted for merit)

Exam Pattern:

Paper	Subject	Marks	Type
Paper-A	Compulsory Indian Language	300	Qualifying
Paper-B	English	300	Qualifying
Paper-I	Essay	250	Merit
Paper-II	General Studies – I	250	Merit
Paper-III	General Studies – II	250	Merit
Paper-IV	General Studies – III	250	Merit
Paper-V	General Studies – IV (Ethics)	250	Merit
Paper-VI	Optional Subject – Paper 1	250	Merit
Paper-VII	Optional Subject – Paper 2	250	Merit
Total		1,750

Qualifying Papers: Candidates must secure minimum 25% in Paper-A (Indian Language) and 25% in Paper-B (English). These marks are not counted for ranking.

Merit Calculation: Only Papers I-VII (1,750 marks) are counted for preparing the merit list.

Optional Subjects: Candidates must choose ONE optional subject from the list of 48 subjects provided by UPSC (including Literature subjects, Science subjects, Social Science subjects, etc.)

Stage 3: Personality Test (Interview)

Marks: 275 Nature: Face-to-face interaction with UPSC Board Duration: 30-45 minutes approximately

Interview Assessment:

• Mental alertness
• Critical powers of assimilation
• Clear and logical exposition
• Balance of judgment
• Variety and depth of interest
• Ability for social cohesion and leadership
• Intellectual and moral integrity

Final Merit:

• Mains Exam: 1,750 marks
• Interview: 275 marks
• Total: 2,025 marks

Final All India Merit List is prepared based on aggregate marks secured in Mains and Interview.

Salary & Benefits

UPSC Civil Services officers enjoy prestigious positions with excellent salary and perks:

Salary Structure (7th CPC)

Service	Pay Scale	Initial Basic Pay
IAS/IPS/IFS	Level 10	₹56,100
Other Group A Services	Level 10	₹56,100
Group B Services	Level 6/7	₹35,400 – ₹44,900

Allowances & Perks

✅ Dearness Allowance (DA): Revised twice a year (currently ~50%) ✅ House Rent Allowance (HRA): 8-24% based on city classification ✅ Transport Allowance (TA): ₹3,600 – ₹7,200 per month ✅ Grade Pay: As per level and service ✅ Government Accommodation: Official residence provided ✅ Vehicle Facility: Official vehicle with driver and fuel ✅ Domestic Help: Cook, gardener, orderly, security provided ✅ Medical Benefits: Free medical treatment for self and family at government hospitals/empanelled hospitals ✅ Leave Travel Concession (LTC): All India LTC once in 2 years, Home Town LTC annually ✅ Children Education Allowance: Reimbursement of school fees up to specified limits ✅ Pension: Defined benefit pension scheme after retirement ✅ Official Tours: TA/DA for official tours and training ✅ Study Leave: Opportunities for higher education and foreign training

Approximate In-Hand Salary: ₹80,000 – ₹1,00,000 per month at entry level (after all allowances)

Career Progression: Regular promotions lead to salary increases. Senior IAS officers at Secretary level earn ₹2.25 lakh (basic) + allowances.

Important Dates

Event	Date
Notification Release	04 February 2026
Online Application Start	01 February 2026 (10:00 AM)
Application Last Date	24 February 2026 (6:00 PM)
Last Date for Fee Payment	24 February 2026 (6:00 PM)
Prelims Admit Card	To be announced (3 weeks before exam)
Prelims Exam Date	24 May 2026 (Sunday)
Prelims Result	June-July 2026 (Expected)
Mains Admit Card	To be announced
Mains Exam Date	21 August 2026 (Friday) onwards
Mains Result	March-April 2027 (Expected)
Interview/Personality Test	April-July 2027 (Expected)
Final Result	August-September 2027 (Expected)

Examination Centers

UPSC conducts the Prelims examination at the following centers across India:

Major Centers: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Patna, Jaipur, Bhopal, Thiruvananthapuram, Chandigarh, Guwahati, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Shimla, Srinagar, and many more.

Total Centers: 81 centers across India (including all state capitals and major cities)

Center Allocation: Based on candidate’s preference and availability. Final allocation is at UPSC’s discretion.

Note: Candidates should choose centers carefully as no change requests will be entertained later.

Important Instructions

1. Aadhaar Recommended: While not mandatory, Aadhaar is highly recommended for faster identity verification. Other valid IDs like PAN, Voter ID, Passport, and Driving Licence are also accepted.
2. No Changes After Submission: Once the application is finally submitted, no corrections or withdrawals will be allowed. Fill the form carefully.
3. Unique Registration Number (URN): Candidates can update URN details only once. Changes apply only to future applications, not submitted ones.
4. Admit Card: Only available online. Candidates must download and carry printed admit card with valid photo ID to the examination center.
5. Face Verification: New face verification and document checking measures have been introduced to prevent impersonation. Reach exam center early for verification process.
6. One Application Only: Candidates should submit only one application. Multiple applications will lead to rejection and cancellation of candidature.
7. Service Preferences: Choose your service preferences carefully at the time of application. These preferences matter during final allocation.
8. Optional Subject: Choose your optional subject wisely based on your interest, background, and scoring potential. This choice cannot be changed later.
9. Correspondence Address: Provide correct and complete correspondence address as all communications will be sent to this address.
10. Email & Mobile: Provide active email ID and mobile number as important updates, admit cards, and results will be intimated electronically.
11. Reservation Certificates: SC/ST/OBC/EWS certificates must be in prescribed format and from competent authority. OBC and EWS certificates must be valid for current financial year.
12. Character & Antecedents: Selected candidates will undergo character and antecedents verification by police/intelligence agencies before final appointment.

Preparation Strategy

For Prelims

1. NCERT Foundation: Read NCERT books (Class 6-12) for basic concepts in History, Geography, Polity, Economics, Science
2. Standard Books: Follow standard reference books for each subject
3. Current Affairs: Read newspapers daily (The Hindu, Indian Express), monthly current affairs magazines
4. Previous Year Papers: Solve at least 10 years’ Prelims papers to understand question pattern
5. Mock Tests: Take regular mock tests to improve speed and accuracy
6. CSAT Preparation: Don’t neglect CSAT; practice comprehension, basic maths, logical reasoning
7. Revision: Regular revision is key; make short notes for quick revision

For Mains

1. Answer Writing Practice: Daily answer writing is crucial for Mains success
2. Essay Writing: Practice diverse topics; read good essays
3. Optional Subject: Deep study of optional subject; refer to toppers’ notes
4. GS Papers: Integrate current affairs with static syllabus
5. Ethics Paper: Study case studies, ethical thinkers, governance issues
6. Presentation: Work on handwriting, structuring answers with diagrams/flowcharts
7. Word Limit: Practice writing within word limits (150/200/250 words)

For Interview

1. DAF Analysis: Thoroughly analyze your Detailed Application Form; be ready for questions on every detail
2. Current Affairs: Be updated on recent developments, government policies, international relations
3. Optional Subject: Have good command over your optional subject
4. Mock Interviews: Take multiple mock interviews to build confidence
5. Body Language: Work on communication skills, body language, confidence
6. Hobbies & Interests: Be genuine about your hobbies; read about them
7. Be Yourself: Don’t try to be someone else; be honest and confident

Why Join Civil Services?

✅ Serve the Nation: Opportunity to contribute to nation-building and public welfare

✅ Power & Prestige: Most prestigious career in India with respect and authority

✅ Job Security: Permanent government job with lifetime pension

✅ Excellent Perks: High salary, official residence, vehicle, domestic help, medical facilities

✅ Career Growth: Regular promotions; can reach Cabinet Secretary (highest bureaucratic position)

✅ Diverse Work: Exposure to various departments, projects, and policy-making

✅ International Exposure: Foreign postings, training opportunities, international conferences

✅ Work-Life Balance: Better than private sector in most services

✅ Social Impact: Direct impact on people’s lives through policy implementation

✅ Intellectual Satisfaction: Challenging work involving governance, administration, policy formulation

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – UPSC CSE 2026

Quick Links & Information

Link Description	Details
Online Application Start Date	01 February 2026 (10:00 AM)
Last Date for Application	24 February 2026 (6:00 PM)
Prelims Exam Date	24 May 2026 (Sunday)
Mains Exam Date	21 August 2026 (Friday) onwards
Apply Online Link	Apply Here
Official Website	https://upsc.gov.in
Official Notification CSE PDF	Download Here
Official Notification FSE PDF	Download Here
Detailed Syllabus	View Here
Exam Calendar 2026	View Here
Join Our Telegram Channel	Join Here
Join Our WhatsApp Channel	Join Here

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In case of any confusion, we recommend you to go through the official notification and detailed advertisement on the UPSC website. For your convenience, we have provided links in the above-mentioned table.

Disclaimer: All information provided is based on the official UPSC notification for Civil Services Examination 2026. Candidates are advised to verify all details from the official website upsc.gov.in before applying. While we strive to provide accurate information, UPSC’s official notification shall be final and binding.

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Tags: UPSC 2026, Civil Services Exam, IAS IPS IFS, UPSC CSE 2026, UPSC Notification, IAS Exam 2026, UPSC Vacancy, Graduate Jobs, Central Government Jobs, All India Services

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