UPSC Civil Services 2026 Notification — 933 Vacancies, Dates, Eligibility & Apply Online

What is UPSC Civil Services Examination?

The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is India's most prestigious competitive exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. It recruits officers for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other Group A and Group B central services. The 2026 notification has been released for approximately 933 vacancies.

Important Dates

Vacancy Details

A total of approximately 933 vacancies are available across Group A and Group B services:

• All India Services: IAS, IPS, IFS
• Central Services Group A: IRS, Indian Railway Management Service, Indian Defence Accounts Service, Indian Postal Service, and others
• Central Services Group B: DANICS, DANIPS, AFHQ Civil Service, PONDICS

Detailed post-wise and category-wise vacancy breakdown will be notified separately.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age Limit: 21 to 32 years as on August 1, 2026
  • SC/ST: 5 years relaxation (up to 37 years)
  • OBC (NCL): 3 years relaxation (up to 35 years)
  • PwBD: Up to 10 years relaxation
• Educational Qualification: Graduate degree from a recognized university in any discipline
• Nationality: Indian citizen (with exceptions for certain services as per notification)
• Number of Attempts: General/EWS — 6, OBC — 9, SC/ST — Unlimited (up to age limit)

Application Fee

Payment can be made online via net banking, credit/debit card, or UPI.

How to Apply Online

1. Visit the official UPSC portal at upsconline.nic.in
2. Complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) and obtain your URN
3. Click on "Civil Services Examination 2026" application link
4. Fill in personal, educational, and preference details
5. Upload photograph, signature, and required documents
6. Pay the application fee (if applicable)
7. Review and submit the form before February 24, 2026 (6:00 PM)

Selection Process

The UPSC CSE selection has three stages:

1. Preliminary Examination (Objective) — Screening test
2. Main Examination (Written) — Descriptive papers
3. Interview / Personality Test — Final assessment

Prelims marks are only used for qualification to Mains. Final ranking is based on Mains + Interview marks.

Exam Pattern

Preliminary Examination

• Paper II is qualifying (minimum 33% required)
• Only Paper I marks count for Mains cutoff
• Negative marking: 1/3rd deduction per wrong answer

Main Examination

• Total Written Merit Marks: 1,750
• Interview Marks: 275
• Grand Total: 2,025

Syllabus (Brief Overview)

Prelims — General Studies (Paper I)

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

Prelims — CSAT (Paper II)

• Comprehension, Interpersonal Skills, Logical Reasoning
• Analytical Ability, Decision Making, Problem Solving
• General Mental Ability, Basic Numeracy, Data Interpretation

Preparation Tips

1. Start with NCERT textbooks (Class 6–12) for building a strong foundation in History, Geography, Polity, and Economy
2. Read newspapers daily — The Hindu or Indian Express — and make notes on current affairs
3. Practice previous year papers to understand the UPSC pattern and difficulty level
4. Choose your optional subject wisely — pick a subject you enjoy and that has good scoring potential
5. Take mock tests regularly to improve time management and accuracy in Prelims

FAQs

Q: What is the last date to apply for UPSC CSE 2026?

The last date to submit the online application is February 24, 2026 at 6:00 PM.

Q: How many vacancies are there in UPSC CSE 2026?

Approximately 933 vacancies across Group A and Group B Civil Services.

Q: Can final year students apply for UPSC CSE 2026?

Yes, candidates appearing in their final year of graduation can apply. They must produce proof of qualification before the interview stage.

Q: What is the exam fee for UPSC Civil Services?

General/OBC/EWS candidates pay ₹100. SC/ST/PwBD and women candidates are exempted.

Q: When is the UPSC Prelims 2026 exam date?

The Preliminary Examination is scheduled for May 24, 2026.

Q: Is there negative marking in UPSC Prelims?

Yes, 1/3rd of the marks allotted to a question are deducted for each wrong answer.

Important Links

• Official UPSC Website
• Apply Online at UPSC