UPSC CSE Notification 2026
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 notification, marking the start of one of India’s most prestigious recruitment cycles. This year, the commission has announced a total of 933 vacancies across various services, including the IAS, IPS, and IFS. Aspiring candidates can now submit their applications via the official portal, with the registration window open from February 4 to February 24, 2026. With the UPSC Prelims 2026 scheduled for May 24, it is time for aspirants to transition from preparation to a high-gear exam strategy. In this guide, we break down everything you need to know about the 2026 notification—from new eligibility rules to the step-by-step application process.
UPSC CSE 2026 Overview
- Name of Exam: UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026
- Conducting Body: Union Public Service Commission
- Posts: Group A and Group B Officers
- Popular Services IAS, IPS, IFS, and IRS
- Application Mode: Online
Important Statistics for UPSC CSE 2026
- Name of the Services:
- Indian Administrative Service
- Indian Foreign Service
- Indian Police Service
- Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
- Indian Civil Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
- Indian Corporate Law Service, Group ‘A’
- Indian Defence Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
- Indian Defence Estates Service, Group ‘A’
- Indian Information Service, Group ‘A’
- Indian Postal Service, Group ‘A’
- Indian Post & Telecommunication Accounts and Finance Service, Group ‘A’
- Indian Railway Management Service (Traffic), Group ‘A’
- Indian Railway Management Service (Personnel), Group ‘A’
- Indian Railway Management Service (Accounts), Group ‘A’
- Indian Railway Protection Force Service, Group ‘A’
- Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes) Group ‘A’
- Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) Group ‘A’
- Indian Trade Service, Group ‘A’ (Grade III)
- Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service, Group ‘B’ (Section Officer’s Grade)
- Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Civil Service (DANICS), Group ‘B’
- Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Police Service (DANIPS), Group ‘B’
- Pondicherry Civil Service (PONDICS), Group ‘B’
- Pondicherry Police Service (PONDIPS), Group ‘B’
UPSC CSE 2026 Eligibility
- Educational Qualification: A candidate must have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
- Age limit: A candidate must have attained the age of 21 years and must not have attained the age of 32 years on the 1st of August, 2026 i.e., the candidate must have been born not earlier than 2nd August, 1994 and not later than 1st August, 2005.
Selection Process for UPSC CSE 2026
- The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Examination annually to select candidates for important positions in Group A and B across various government departments, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Revenue Service (IRS). The selection process consists of three stages: the preliminary exam, the main exam, and the personality test.
- The Civil Services (Preliminary) examination consists of two objective-type papers worth a total of 400 marks and functions as a screening tool to select candidates for the next phase. The scores from the preliminary exam do not affect the final ranking, but roughly twelve to thirteen times the number of available vacancies will be chosen from those who pass the exam to appear for the Civil Services (Main) Examination. Only those candidates who meet all eligibility requirements and are deemed qualified by the Commission in the preliminary exam can proceed to the Main Examination. To be eligible for the Main exam, candidates must obtain at least 33% in General Studies Paper-II and meet the overall qualifying marks in General Studies Paper-I, as specified by the Commission.
How to apply for UPSC CSE 2026
The UPSC Apply Online 2026 link is active now, candidates need to fill the UPSC Application Form 2026 with the correct details to cause any difficulty later. The late date to apply online will be 24th February 2026. Check out the Steps to Apply Online for UPSC CSE Exam 2026 below.
- Step 1: Visit the official website.
- Step 2: Click on the OTR registration link
- Step 3: Fill out the details including the name, email, and phone number as well as the other personal, educational, and contact details.
- Step 4: Upload your photograph, signature, and any other required documents.
- Step 5: Fill the application fee through online banking, debit card, or credit card.
- Step 6: Review UPSC Application Form 2026 and submit before the deadline i.e 24th February 2026.
UPSC 2026 Important Dates
- UPSC CSE 2026 Notification Released: 4th February, 2026
- Application Window Ends: 24th February, 2026 till 6:00 PM.
- Prelims: May 24, 2026 (Objective type).
- Mains: Starting August 21, 2026 (Descriptive type).
- Interview: Dates to be announced (TBA).
Important Links
