UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026: Notification, Vacancies, & Eligibility

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is set to conduct the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026, the most prestigious recruitment drive in India. This exam is the gateway to esteemed Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ services, including the IAS, IPS, and IFS. If you aspire to serve the nation and lead administrative changes, this is your definitive guide to the 2026 cycle.

Job Details

The UPSC CSE is a nationwide competitive examination for recruitment to various Civil Services of the Government of India.

Exam Name: Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026
Conducting Body: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Job Category: Central Government (Group A & Group B)
Job Location: Across India

Vacancies

While the exact number of vacancies will be officially announced in the February 2026 notification, current trends suggest approximately 933 posts. These are distributed across services such as:

Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
Indian Police Service (IPS)
Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
Indian Revenue Service (IRS)
Indian P&T Accounts and Finance Service, and more.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for UPSC 2026, candidates must meet the following requirements:

Nationality:
- For IAS, IFS, and IPS: Must be a citizen of India.
- For other services: Citizens of India, subjects of Nepal/Bhutan, or Tibetan refugees (as per specific guidelines).
Educational Qualification: A Graduate Degree from any recognized university in any discipline. Candidates in their final year of graduation are also eligible to apply for the Prelims.

Age Limits and Relaxations

The age is calculated as of August 1, 2026.

Category	Lower Age Limit	Upper Age Limit	Number of Attempts
General/EWS	21 Years	32 Years	6
OBC	21 Years	35 Years	9
SC / ST	21 Years	37 Years	Unlimited
PwBD	21 Years	42 Years	9 (GL/OBC/EWS) / Unlimited (SC/ST)

Salary and Benefits

Selected officers enjoy high social status along with a competitive pay structure under the 7th Pay Commission.

Starting Basic Pay: ₹56,100 (Level 10)
In-hand Salary: Approx. ₹85,000 – ₹95,000 (depending on city of posting).
Benefits: Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance, Government Accommodation (Bungalow), Official Vehicle, Security, and Lifetime Pension benefits.

Selection Process

The UPSC CSE is a three-stage rigorous selection process:

Stage I: Preliminary Examination (Objective)
- Paper I: General Studies (GS)
- Paper II: Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) – Qualifying (33%)
Stage II: Main Examination (Written/Descriptive)
- 9 Papers (including Optional Subject and Language papers).
Stage III: Personality Test (Interview)
- A face-to-face interview with the UPSC board to assess personality and suitability for public service.

Important Dates (Tentative)

Notification Date: February 2026
Last Date to Apply: March 2026
UPSC Prelims 2026 Exam: May/June 2026
UPSC Mains 2026 Exam: September 2026

Application process and more information – UPSC (CSE) 2026

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Apply for CSE 2026

Official Website

Application Instructions

OTR Registration: Candidates must first register on the One Time Registration (OTR) platform on the UPSC website.
Form Filling: Login using OTR credentials and fill out the application form for the “Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination.”
Upload Documents: Upload a recent photograph and signature as per specified dimensions.
Fee Payment: ₹100 for General/OBC/EWS males. Female, SC, ST, and PwBD candidates are exempted from the fee.
Submit: Review all details and submit. Keep a printout for future reference.

Important Instruction

Candidates are advised to read the official notification thoroughly once released. Ensure that your Photo ID Card (Aadhar, Voter ID, etc.) details entered in the application match the ID you carry to the exam hall. Negative marking of 1/3rd marks applies to incorrect answers in the Preliminary Examination.