The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official notification for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 (commonly known as UPSC CSE or IAS Exam). This is one of the most prestigious and competitive examinations in India, recruiting candidates for elite Group A and Group B services including Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Revenue Service (IRS), and many other central services.
A total of 933 vacancies are announced for the 2026 cycle. The online application process opens on 04 February 2026 and closes on 24 February 2026 (till 6:00 PM). The Preliminary examination is scheduled for 24 May 2026, followed by Mains on 21 August 2026 (tentative dates).
If you are a graduate aged between 21 and 32 years (as on 01 August 2026) and dream of becoming an IAS, IPS, IFS officer or joining any of the top central services, this is your chance. The UPSC CSE is tough but fair — success depends on consistent preparation, smart strategy and discipline over 12–18 months.
This detailed guide explains everything in simple, straightforward language — eligibility, age limit, number of attempts, application process, exam pattern, syllabus overview, salary & career progression, preparation tips, common mistakes to avoid, and answers to the most frequently asked questions.
Important Dates – UPSC CSE 2026
| Event | Date / Status |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Release | Late January / Early February 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 04 February 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 24 February 2026 (till 6:00 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 24 February 2026 |
| Preliminary Examination (Prelims) | 24 May 2026 |
| Prelims Result & Cut-off | July 2026 (tentative) |
| Detailed Application Form (DAF) Submission | After Prelims result |
| Mains Examination | 21 August 2026 onwards (5 days) |
| Mains Result & Interview Call | December 2026 – January 2027 (tentative) |
| Personality Test (Interview) | February – April 2027 (tentative) |
| Final Result & Allocation | May – July 2027 (tentative) |
Note: Dates are based on the official notification pattern. UPSC may announce slight changes — always check upsc.gov.in regularly after January 2026.
Application Fee – UPSC CSE 2026
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹ 100 |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Female | No fee (exempted) |
Payment is accepted only online through Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking or UPI. Fee is non-refundable.
Age Limit (as on 01 August 2026)
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age | Born Between (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 21 years | 32 years | 02 August 1994 – 01 August 2005 |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 21 years | 35 years | 02 August 1991 – 01 August 2005 |
| SC / ST | 21 years | 37 years | 02 August 1989 – 01 August 2005 |
| PwBD (General) | 21 years | 42 years | – |
| PwBD (OBC) | 21 years | 45 years | – |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 21 years | 47 years | – |
Additional relaxations:
- Ex-Servicemen: Service rendered + 5 years
- Domicile of Jammu & Kashmir (1980–1989): +5 years
- Defence personnel disabled in operations: +3–5 years
Final age is calculated as on 01 August 2026. Always verify exact cut-off dates in the official notification.
Number of Attempts Allowed
| Category | Number of Attempts |
|---|---|
| General / EWS | 6 attempts |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 9 attempts |
| SC / ST | Unlimited (till upper age limit) |
| PwBD | 9 attempts (General/OBC) / Unlimited (SC/ST) |
Note: Attempts are counted only if you appear in the Prelims exam. Not appearing does not count as an attempt.
Educational Qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Qualification | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university |
| Final-year students | Can apply if they complete degree before Mains result declaration |
| Professional & technical degrees | MBBS, B.Tech, LLB, etc. are valid |
| No percentage criteria | Pass is sufficient |
Vacancy Details – 933 Posts (Tentative)
Total vacancies announced: 933 (exact number may be revised slightly after final cadre allocation).
These posts cover 24+ services including:
- Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
- Indian Police Service (IPS)
- Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
- Indian Revenue Service (IRS – IT & Customs)
- Indian Audit & Accounts Service (IA&AS)
- Indian Civil Accounts Service
- Indian Railway Traffic Service
- Indian Defence Accounts Service
- Indian Ordnance Factories Service
- And many other Group A & Group B central services
Reservation follows government norms:
- SC: ~15%
- ST: ~7.5%
- OBC: ~27%
- EWS: ~10%
- PwBD: 4% (horizontal)
Final service-wise and category-wise break-up is published after Prelims result.
Selection Process – UPSC CSE 2026
The exam is conducted in three stages:
- Preliminary Examination (Screening – 400 marks)
- Main Examination (Written – 1750 marks)
- Personality Test (Interview) (275 marks)
Final merit is based on Mains + Interview = 2025 marks.
Stage 1: Prelims (Objective – Qualifying)
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies | 200 | 2 hours | Merit (cut-off) |
| Paper II | CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) | 200 | 2 hours | Qualifying (33%) |
- Negative marking: 1/3 marks deducted for wrong answers
- CSAT requires only 33% (66/200 marks) to qualify — no sectional cut-off
Stage 2: Mains (Descriptive – Merit)
9 papers (total 1750 marks for merit):
- Paper A: Indian Language (qualifying – 300 marks)
- Paper B: English (qualifying – 300 marks)
- Paper I: Essay (250 marks)
- Paper II: General Studies I (250 marks)
- Paper III: General Studies II (250 marks)
- Paper IV: General Studies III (250 marks)
- Paper V: General Studies IV (250 marks)
- Paper VI & VII: Optional Subject (250 marks each)
Stage 3: Personality Test (Interview)
- 275 marks
- Conducted by UPSC panel in Delhi
- Tests personality, communication, current affairs knowledge, decision-making ability
Salary & Pay Scale After Selection
All selected candidates start at Level 10 of 7th Pay Commission (Junior Scale).
- Basic Pay: ₹56,100
- Approximate in-hand salary: ₹70,000 – ₹90,000 per month (depending on posting city)
- Annual CTC: ₹10–12 lakh in starting years
Allowances & Benefits
- Dearness Allowance (DA) revised every 6 months
- House Rent Allowance (HRA) – 8–24% of basic pay
- Transport Allowance
- Medical facilities for self & family
- Leave Travel Concession (LTC)
- Pension under NPS
- Official accommodation / HRA
- Study leave, foreign training opportunities
After promotions (based on seniority + performance), officers reach Level 14–17 (Cabinet Secretary level).
How to Apply Online – Step-by-Step Guide
- Visit official website: upsconline.nic.in or upsc.gov.in
- Click on “Online Application for Various Examinations”
- Click “Part I Registration” for Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026
- Fill basic details (name, DOB, category, email, mobile)
- Verify OTP
- Fill Part II – detailed form (education, address, optional subject, exam centre preference)
- Upload scanned photo & signature
- Pay fee online (if applicable)
- Submit and take printout of application / registration number
Note: Keep Aadhaar number, graduation marksheet, mobile and email active. Fill name, father name, DOB exactly as per graduation certificate.
Preparation Tips for UPSC CSE 2026
Prelims (400 marks – screening)
- GS Paper I: Current affairs (last 12–18 months), history, geography, polity, economy, environment, science & tech
- CSAT Paper II: Basic maths, reasoning, comprehension (only 33% needed)
Best books & resources
- NCERT textbooks (Class 6–12) – foundation
- Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
- History – Spectrum or Bipan Chandra
- Economy – Ramesh Singh or Economic Survey
- Current Affairs – The Hindu / Indian Express + monthly compilations
- CSAT – Arihant / Pearson books
Mains (1750 marks – merit)
- Essay: Practice writing on social, economic, philosophical topics
- GS Papers: Integrate current affairs with static portions
- Optional: Choose subject you studied in graduation or have interest in
Interview (275 marks)
- Read newspaper daily, know your DAF (Detailed Application Form) thoroughly
- Practice mock interviews for personality & confidence
General strategy
- Dedicate 10–12 hours daily for 12–18 months
- Make short notes & revise multiple times
- Solve previous 10 years’ papers
- Join test series for self-assessment
| Some Useful Important Links | |||
| Apply Online | Click Here | ||
| Download Notification | Click Here | ||
| Official Website | Click Here | ||
Final Advice for Aspirants
UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 with 933 vacancies is one of the most prestigious career opportunities in India. Becoming an IAS, IPS, IFS or other Group A officer gives you the power to make real change in society, along with respect, authority and excellent pay & perks.
Start preparing now — build strong basics from NCERTs, read newspapers daily, and stay disciplined. Apply early (04 February – 24 February 2026) to avoid last-minute stress. Fill the form carefully and choose optional subject wisely.
