Sample Papers
Previous Year Papers
Syllabus
EXAM SYLLABUS
The UPSC Prelims syllabus is structured to assess a candidate’s fundamental knowledge of current affairs, general awareness, analytical skills, and aptitude. It comprises two papers—General Studies (GS) Paper 1 and the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT)—both of which are objective and conducted on the same day. Serving as a screening test, only the marks obtained in GS Paper 1 are considered for ranking, while CSAT is qualifying in nature, requiring a minimum of 33% to pass.
UPSC Prelims syllabus
General Studies Paper I: 200 Marks
Current events of National & International importance.
History of India & Indian National Movement.
Indian & World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India & the World.
Indian Polity & Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
Economic & Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity & climate change – that do not require subject specialization.
General Science.
The UPSC Prelims Syllabus for GS Paper 1 consists of 100 questions, carries 200 marks, and has a negative marking of 1/3rd(0.66 marks) for every wrong answer. The exam duration is 2 hours, and GS Paper 1 is merit-determining, meaning its marks decide whether a candidate qualifies for the Mains stage.
General Studies Paper II/CSAT: 200 marks
Comprehension.
Interpersonal skills including communication skills.
Logical reasoning & analytical ability.
Decision making & problem solving.
General mental ability.
Basic numeracy (numbers & their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc. – Class X level)
The UPSC Prelims Syllabus for CSAT Paper 2 consists of 80 questions for 200 marks, with a 1/3rd (0.83 marks) negative marking for wrong answers. The exam duration is 2 hours, and CSAT is qualifying in nature, requiring candidates to score 33% (66 marks) to clear Prelims. This exam is carried out in the second shift on the same day of preliminary examination.
UPSC Mains syllabus
The UPSC Mains syllabus encompasses a broad spectrum of subjects aimed at evaluating a candidate’s analytical skills, depth of knowledge, and ability to express ideas clearly through descriptive answers. It includes nine papers: an Essay paper, four General Studies papers, two papers on an Optional Subject, and two qualifying language papers. For merit ranking, the Mains carries a total of 1750 marks (out of the overall 2025 marks, including the interview), making it the most significant phase of the examination.
UPSC Mains Syllabus for Qualifying Papers (Indian Languages and English)
(i) comprehension of given passages.
(ii) Precis Writing.
(iii) Usage and Vocabulary.
(iv) Short Essays.
(v) Translation from English to the Indian Language and vice versa.
Note 1: The papers on Indian Languages and English will be of Matriculation or equivalent standard and will be of qualifying nature only. The marks obtained in these papers will not be counted for ranking.
Note 2: The candidates will have to answer the English and Indian Languages papers in English and the respective Indian language (except where translation is involved).
UPSC Mains Essay Syllabus
The UPSC Mains Essay Paper, carrying 250 marks, requires candidates to write two essays on topics related to society, governance, economy, philosophy, environment, and contemporary issues. It tests clarity of thought, coherence, originality, and balanced analysis.
Paper-I: Essay: Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. They will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion, and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.
UPSC Mains Syllabus for GS 1
Paper-II: General Studies-I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society.
Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.
The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.— their forms and effect on the society.
Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
Effects of globalization on Indian society.
Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
Salient features of world’s physical geography.
Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India).
Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location-changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
UPSC Mains Syllabus for GS 2
Paper-III: General Studies- II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations.
Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.
Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
Structure, organization and functioning of t
...Format
EXAM PATTERN
The UPSC exam is designed to assess candidates' knowledge, aptitude, and analytical abilities, and it comprises two stages: the Preliminary Examination (Prelims) and the Main Examination (Mains), followed by an interview/personality test.
The UPSC Syllabus for Prelims includes two compulsory papers: General Studies Paper-I and General Studies Paper-II (also known as the CSAT or Civil Services Aptitude Test).
Paper | Subject | No. of Questions | Marks | Negative Marking | Duration | Nature |
Paper I | General Studies (GS) | 100 | 200 | 0.66 (1/3rd) | 2 Hours | Counted for Merit (Prelims qualifying for Mains cutoff) |
Paper II | CSAT (Aptitude Test) | 80 | 200 | 0.83 (1/3rd) | 2 Hours | Qualifying (Must score 33%) |
The syllabus of UPSC Mains examination is more specialized and consists of nine papers, including one essay paper, four General Studies papers, two optional subject papers, and two language papers (both qualifying in nature).The UPSC CSE exam follows a three-stage pattern: Prelims, Mains, and the Interview.
Qualifying Papers | Subjects | Marks |
Paper-A | One of the Indian Languages to be selected by the candidate from the Languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution | 300 |
Paper-B | English | 300 |
Papers to be Counted for Merit | ||
Paper | Subject | Marks |
Paper I | Essay | 250 |
Paper II | General Studies-I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society) | 250 |
Paper III | General Studies-II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations) | 250 |
Paper IV | General Studies-III (Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management) | 250 |
Paper V | General Studies-IV (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude) | |
Paper VI | Optional Subject – Paper 1 | |
Paper VII | Optional Subject – Paper 2 | |
Sub Total (Written Test) | 1750 | |
Personality Test (Interview) | 275 | |
Grand Total | 2025 | |
The Prelims comprise two objective-type papers—GS Paper 1 and CSAT—primarily for screening candidates. The Mains consist of nine descriptive papers that evaluate analytical skills, depth of knowledge, and writing ability, and these scores form the foundation of the final merit ra
...Eligibility
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Candidates willing to apply, are required to fulfill certain conditions to be eligible for it. The candidate who does not satisfy the Eligibility criteria like Age, Minimum educational qualification, their candidature shall be rejected by the authorities.
Nationality
To appear for the UPSC CSE Exams you need to be a citizen of India, for all other services, you must be either:
A citizen of India,
Or a subject of Nepal,
Or a subject of Bhutan,
Or a refugee from Tibet that came to India before the 1st of January 1962 with the intention of settling in India permanently.
Or an individual with Indian origin who has migrated from Burma, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, East African countries of Uganda, Zambia, Zaire, Kenya, the united republic of Tanzania, Malawi, Ethiopia, & Vietnam, with the purpose of settling permanently in India.
Note
(1) If you belong to categories b), c), d), and e), then you’d need a certificate issued by the govt. of India to be eligible.
(2) Also belonging to the b), c), d), and e). Categories will bar you from being eligible to be appointed to the Indian Foreign Services.
Age Limit
As per the age limit eligibility criteria, those between 21 to 32 years, can fill the UPSC CSE application form.
Relaxation Of Upper Age Limit
Categories | Age Relaxation |
SC/ST | 5 Years |
OBC | 3 Years |
Defence Services Personnel, disabled in operations during hostilities with any foreign country or in a disturbed area and released as a consequence thereof | 3 Years |
Ex-servicemen including Commissioned Officers and | 5 Years |
Visually challenged/hearing | 10 Years |
Number of Attempts
The number of times candidates are permitted to take the Exam is given in the below table:
Category | Number of Attempts |
General | 6 |
OBC | 9 |
SC/ST | No Restriction |
Physically Handicapped (General) |
Schedule
IMPORTANT DATES
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 notification was released on February 4, 2026, announcing approximately 933 vacancies for services including IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, and others. The online application window, initially set to close earlier, was extended due to technical issues; the final deadline is today, February 27, 2026 (6:00 PM IST). A correction window will open from February 28 to March 3, 2026. The Prelims remains scheduled for May 24, 2026, with Mains commencing from August 21, 2026 onwards.
Events | Dates |
Application Begin | February |
Last Date For Apply Online | March |
Date for Correction Window | March |
Date Of Preliminary Examination | 24 May 2026 |
Admit Card Of Preliminary Examination | To be declared |
Result Of Preliminary Examination | July 2026 |
Mains Exam | 21 August 2026 |
Analysis
EXAM ANALYSIS
UPSC CSE 2025 (Last Conducted Cycle) – Exam Details & Analysis (The most recent full cycle before 2026, used as the primary benchmark for patterns.)
Prelims 2025
Exact Date: 25 May 2025 (Sunday)
Shift Details & Timings (standard two-shift format):
GS Paper-I (200 marks, merit paper): 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
CSAT Paper-II (200 marks, qualifying – minimum 33% i.e. 66.67 marks): 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Reporting: Gates closed 30 minutes before each shift (9:00 AM for morning, 2:00 PM for afternoon).
Difficulty & Pattern Analysis:
Overall: Moderate to Difficult. GS Paper-I was lengthy, tricky with heavy statement-based/assertion-reason questions, multi-concept integration, and strong current affairs linkage (especially Environment, Science-Tech, Polity, and Economy).
Subject-wise trends: Polity & Environment dominated with application-based questions; History & Geography moderate; Economy required deeper analytical understanding; Science & Tech had conceptual surprises.
CSAT: Notably tougher than recent years – lengthy reading comprehension passages, tricky logical reasoning, and time-consuming quant. Many candidates found it the biggest hurdle (indirectly affecting overall shortlisting).
Key Takeaways: Increased emphasis on analytical & application-oriented questions rather than direct facts. Paper rewarded consistent current affairs + static revision + elimination techniques. Negative marking (1/3rd) played a bigger role due to close options.
Expected Cut-off for GS Paper-I (Prelims qualifying – official marks released only after final result):
General: 80–86 marks (most experts converged around 82–86; some predicted as low as 80 due to tough CSAT)
OBC: 78–84
EWS: 78–82
SC/ST: 65–72 (Trend: Slightly lower than 2024 due to paper toughness.)
Mains 2025
Exact Schedule: Commenced 22 August 2025 (Friday) and concluded 31 August 2025 (Sunday) – spread over two consecutive weekends (5 days total).
Timings (standard): Forenoon 9:00 AM–12:00 Noon | Afternoon 2:30 PM–5:30 PM.
Difficulty & Pattern Analysis:
Standard UPSC descriptive format with no major surprises. GS papers continued the trend of current affairs integration, multi-dimensional analysis, and case studies (especially GS-2, GS-3, GS-4).
Essay paper: Balanced philosophical + contemporary themes.
Optional subjects: Varied by choice; answer writing quality and structure remained decisive.
Overall: Moderately difficult; rewarded depth, balanced views, diagrams/maps, and contemporary relevance.
Expected Cut-off for Mains (out of 1750, to qualify for Interview – official after final result):
General: 720–735
OBC: 695–705
EWS: 685–700
SC: 680–690
ST: 675–690 (Trend: Stable to slightly lower than previous years’ 729–741 range.)
Expectations for UPSC CSE 2026 (Based on 2025 Trends)
Prelims 2026
Expected format & timings: Identical two-shift Sunday pattern (morning GS-I 9:30–11:30 AM, afternoon CSAT 2:30–4:30 PM).
Pattern & Difficulty Outlook: UPSC will likely maintain or slightly intensify the 2025 trend — more analytical, statement-based, and current affairs-heavy questions. CSAT may remain challenging (focus on comprehension & reasoning speed). Expect surprises in Environment, Science-Tech, Polity, and Economy.
Target Score for Safety: Aim 90–100+ in GS-I + comfortable CSAT qualifying (80+). Cut-off likely in the 80–88 range for General (highly paper-dependent).
Preparation Insight: Prioritise PYQs 2018–2025, monthly current affairs linkage, and full mocks under timed conditions. Elimination technique & accuracy will be more important than ever.
Mains 2026
Expected schedule: Similar late-August to early-September window over 5 days.
Pattern & Difficulty Outlook: Continued emphasis on answer structure, multi-dimensional analysis, diagrams, and contemporary examples. GS-3 & GS-4 (Ethics case studies) usually decide ranks.
Target Score for Interview Call: 750+ out of 1750 (safe zone for General).
Preparation Insight: Daily answer writing from now, full test series, and 4–5 revisions of notes. Focus on presentation & originality.
Overall Trend Insight for 2026
UPSC is becoming more unpredictable and application-oriented.
2025 proved that strong basics (NCERTs) + consistent current affairs + mock practice are non-negotiable.
Cut-offs fluctuate with paper difficulty & vacancies (~933 for 2026), but the gap between toppers and average is widening due to CSAT & answer quality.
Study Tips
STUDY TIPS
Here are practical, proven study tips for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026, covering Prelims, Mains, and Interview (Personality Test). These draw from consistent topper strategies, official patterns, and effective approaches used in recent cycles.
Prelims Tips (Build accuracy & elimination skills)
Master the basics first: Start with NCERT textbooks (Class 6–12) for History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science, and Environment to build strong conceptual clarity—almost every topper emphasizes this foundation.
Daily current affairs routine: Read one reliable newspaper (The Hindu or Indian Express) + monthly compilations (Vision IAS/Insights) for 1–1.5 hours. Link news to static syllabus topics.
PYQs are gold: Solve previous 10–15 years' Prelims questions topic-wise alongside reading—helps spot patterns and recurring themes.
Mock tests & revision: Take full-length mocks weekly (from Vision IAS, Insights, or ForumIAS) under timed conditions. Revise weak areas immediately; aim for 3–5 full revisions of notes before exam. Focus on high-yield subjects: Polity, Economy, Modern History, Environment, and Science-Tech.
CSAT strategy: Don't ignore it—practice comprehension, maths (Class 10 level), and reasoning daily to safely cross 33%. Use RS Aggarwal or previous papers.
Time management: Study 8–10 hours daily with breaks; avoid new sources after March 2026—stick to revision + mocks to maximize score (target 100+ in GS Paper-I).
Mains Tips (Depth, structure & expression)
Integrated prep from day one: Prepare Mains-oriented notes while doing Prelims (e.g., make concise, analytical notes for GS papers). Cover syllabus holistically—don't separate Prelims/Mains completely.
Answer writing is king: Practice daily (1–2 answers) from Day 1 of Mains phase. Focus on structure: Intro - Body (multi-dimensional points) - Balanced conclusion. Use headings, sub-headings, diagrams/maps where relevant.
GS papers strategy:
GS1 & GS2: Use standard books (Laxmikanth, Spectrum, etc.) + current examples.
GS3: Economy (Ramesh Singh + budget/economic survey), Environment (Shankar IAS), Security/Disaster (link to news).
GS4 (Ethics): Case studies practice + thinkers' quotes; build real-life examples.
Optional subject: Choose early (overlap with GS if possible). Dedicate 8–10 months; revise 3–4 times + solve past papers.
Essay: Write 1 essay weekly; practice philosophical & current themes. Aim for balanced, original views.
Revision & mocks: Join a good test series (Vision/Forum/Insights) for full Mains mocks. Revise notes multiple times—toppers do 4–5 revisions. Target 850+ aggregate with strong answer quality.
Interview (Personality Test) Tips (275 marks – Be authentic & balanced)
DAF is the core: Know every detail of your Detailed Application Form (hobbies, education, work, home state, etc.)—panels ask 60–70% from it. Prepare honest, logical answers.
Current affairs depth: Stay updated till interview (national/international issues, government schemes, your state/District news). Form balanced opinions on controversial topics.
Mock interviews: Join 4–6 quality mocks (reputed institutes like Samkalp, Vajiram, or online) to simulate pressure, improve body language, communication, and handling unknowns.
Personality traits: Be confident yet humble; speak clearly, maintain eye contact, sit straight. If you don't know an answer, politely say so and reason logically—don't bluff.
Common prep: Prepare "Why Civil Services", strengths/weaknesses, hobbies in detail, ethical dilemmas. Read editorials for diverse views; practice with friends/mentors.
Mindset: Stay calm, positive, and authentic—panels assess suitability, not knowledge perfection. Top scorers (180–200+) emphasize honesty and composure.
Overall Golden Rules for 2026 Success:
Consistency > intensity: Study daily without long breaks.
Limited sources: Stick to 1–2 books per subject + notes; avoid too many materials.
Health & mindset: Sleep 6–7 hours, exercise, meditate—burnout kills preparation.
Track progress: Weekly self-review; adjust plan but avoid frequent changes.
STUDY PLANS
Here are two practical, generic study plans for UPSC CSE Prelims and Mains preparation—one intensive 6-month plan (ideal for focused, last-push attempts) and one comprehensive 1-year plan (better for building depth with multiple revisions). These are based on proven topper strategies and coaching frameworks (e.g., Vision IAS, Insights, Vajiram), emphasizing self-study, limited sources, and integrated Prelims-Mains prep.
Assume daily study of 10–12 hours (with breaks), stick to NCERTs (6–12) + 1 standard book per subject + daily current affairs (newspaper + monthly compilations), and join a reliable test series for mocks.
6-Month Intensive Plan (Prelims-Focused with Mains Bridge)
Goal: Clear Prelims + build strong Mains foundation in a short window.
Phase 1: Foundation & Core Coverage (Months 1–3)
Build basics: Complete NCERTs (History, Polity, Geography, Economy, Science, Environment) + first reading of standards (Laxmikanth for Polity, Spectrum for Modern History, GC Leong for Geography, Ramesh Singh for Economy, Shankar IAS for Environment).
Start Optional subject (choose one with GS overlap if possible; cover 50–60%).
Daily routine: 2 hrs current affairs, 6–7 hrs static GS/Optional, 1–2 hrs CSAT practice, 1 hr PYQs/notes making.
Weekly: 1 full Prelims mock + analysis; make concise notes.
Phase 2: Consolidation & Prelims Sprint (Months 4–5)
Second reading of all GS + integrate current affairs deeply.
Focus on high-yield areas: Polity, Economy, Modern History, Environment, Science-Tech.
Intensive mocks: 4–5 full-length Prelims tests/week (timed); revise weak topics immediately.
CSAT: Daily practice to ensure qualifying score.
Start light Mains prep: 1–2 GS answer writings/week.
Phase 3: Revision & Mains Transition (Month 6)
3–4 full revisions of notes + rapid static recall.
Post-Prelims shift: Daily answer writing (3–4 GS answers + 1 Essay), full Optional coverage, Ethics case studies.
Join Mains test series; attempt 8–10 full mocks.
Weekly targets: Full syllabus revision + current affairs linkage.
Common Tips: Limit sources; revise notes 4–5 times; track progress weekly; include exercise/meditation.
1-Year Comprehensive Plan (Balanced with Multiple Revisions)
Goal: Strong foundation, integrated Prelims-Mains, and buffer for depth/sustainability.
Phase 1: Foundation Building (Months 1–3)
Understand syllabus + analyze PYQs.
Complete all NCERTs + first reading of standards for GS.
...
General info
OVERVIEW
The UPSC CSE Exam (officially known as the Civil Services Examination) is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) annually. The Exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to appoint officers for the All India Administrative Civil Service. There are about services that come under the Civil Services Exam conducted by UPSC every year. These services include IAS, IFS, IPS, etc.
Particulars | Details |
Exam Name | UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) |
Exam Conducted By | Union Public Service Commission |
Exam Purpose | To recruit officers for IAS, IPS, IFS, and other central services |
Exam Frequency | Annually |
Exam Level | National |
Exam Date | May |
Exam Result Date | June |
Exam Official Website |
SOME MAJOR SERVICES
1. Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
The most prestigious service.
Involved in state and central administration, policy-making, and governance.
2. Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
Handles diplomacy and international relations.
Works in Indian embassies, high commissions, and represents India abroad.
3. Indian Police Service (IPS)
Responsible for law enforcement and internal security.
Posts in state and central police organizations, crime prevention, and public safety.
4. Indian Revenue Service (IRS)
Works in tax and revenue departments.
Two main streams:
IRS (Income Tax)
IRS (Customs & Central Excise)
5. Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IAAS)
Works under the Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG).
Responsible for government accounts and audits.
6. Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS)
Handles accounts and financial management in government departments.
7. Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS)
Manages accounts and budgeting for the Ministry of Defence and armed forces.
8. Indian Information Service (IIS)
Handles government communications and media.
Works in press and public information campaigns.
9. Indian P&T Accounts & Finance Service
Works in the Department of Posts and Telecommunications for financial management.
10. Indian Ordnance Factories Service (IOFS)
Manages defence manufacturing and ordnance factories.
11. Indian Postal Service (IPoS)
Administrative and operational roles in postal services.
Involves post office management and logistics.
12. Indian Railway Services (IRS/IRAS/IRPS, etc.)
Group A services of Indian Railways.
Handles administration and technical management in railways.
13. Indian Trade Service (ITS)
Works in the Department of Commerce for trade policy and promotion.
Deals with international trade and export-import regulation.
14. Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES)
Manages defence lands and estates.
Supervises army and central government properties.
15. Indian Postal Accounts & Finance Service
Works in the accounts and finance wing of the postal department.
Notes:
Allocation of services depends on rank, preference, and category.
Top rankers usually get IAS and IFS.
Some services are all India cadre, while others are central/state cadre mix.
SELECTION PROCESS
The Selection Process for UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 is a rigorous, multi-stage process conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to recruit candidates for prestigious services like IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, and other Group A & B central services. It consists of three successive stages, as detailed in the official notification (No. 05/2026-CSE, released February 4, 2026) and consistent across cycles.
Stage I: Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination
Nature: Objective-type (screening/qualifying stage).
Papers:
General Studies Paper-I (200 marks): Covers current events, history, geography, polity, economy, environment, science & technology, etc. (merit-based for shortlisting).
General Studies Paper-II (CSAT) (200 marks): Comprehension, logical reasoning, analytical ability, decision-making, basic numeracy, etc. (qualifying only; minimum 33% required).
Total: 400 marks (only Paper-I counts for merit).
Negative Marking: 1/3rd (0.33) marks deducted for wrong answers.
Purpose: To shortlist candidates (typically 10–12 times the vacancies) for Mains.
Date for 2026: May 24, 2026.
Stage II: Civil Services (Main) Examination
...2026 exam
LATEST UPDATE 2026
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 notification, originally slated for release on January 14, 2026, was postponed by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) due to administrative reasons. It was subsequently released on February 4, 2026, announcing approximately 933 vacancies for services including IAS, IPS, IFS, and other central government roles.
The online application process commenced on the same day (February 4, 2026) and, following an extension prompted by technical issues on the portal, the last date to apply is now February 27, 2026 (until 6:00 PM) via the official portals: upsc.gov.in and upsconline.nic.in.
Key upcoming dates remain unchanged:
Preliminary Examination: Scheduled for May 24, 2026.
Mains Examination: To commence from August 21, 2026 onwards.
Candidates are advised to check the official UPSC website regularly for the detailed notification.
IMPORTANT DATES
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 calendar, as per the official Annual Calendar released by the Union Public Service Commission, features the Preliminary Examination scheduled for May 24, 2026 (Sunday), with the Main Examination commencing from August 21, 2026 onwards (spanning five days). The notification was released on February 4, 2026, applications opened the same day and closed on February 27, 2026 (6:00 PM IST), aligning with the extended deadline due to portal issues. These key dates remain unchanged from the official schedule on upsc.gov.in. Candidates should regularly check the UPSC website for any further updates or related announcements.
Events | Dates |
Application Begin | February |
Last Date For Apply Online | March |
Date for Correction Window | March |
Date Of Preliminary Examination | 24 May 2026 |
Admit Card Of Preliminary Examination | To be declared |
Result Of Preliminary Examination | July 2026 |
Mains Exam | 21 August 2026 |
VACANCY DETAILS
The official UPSC CSE notification (released February 4, 2026) announces approximately 933 vacancies to be filled across various All India Services, Group 'A' Central Services, and Group 'B' Services. This total includes 33 vacancies reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) (with sub-categories: Blindness/Low Vision – 7, Deaf/Hard of Hearing – 11, etc.).
Important Note: UPSC provides the total approximate vacancies in the notification but does not specify exact service-wise/post-wise numbers (e.g., precise count for IAS, IPS, IFS) at the notification stage. These are finalized later based on cadre-controlling authorities' inputs, preferences during service allocation (after Mains/Interview), and actual requirements. Service-wise distribution varies yearly and is not fixed in the 2026 notification PDF.
List of Services/Posts Covered (as per official notification):
All India Services:
Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
Indian Police Service (IPS)
Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
Group 'A' Services (Central Civil Services):
Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS)
Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS)
Indian Corporate Law Service (ICLS)
Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS)
Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES)
Indian Information Service (IIS)
Indian Ordnance Factories Service (IOFS) – Note: May vary
Indian Postal Service (IPoS)
Indian Post & Telecommunication Accounts and Finance Service (IP&TAFS)
Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS) – Accounts, Personnel, Traffic
Indian Railway Protection Force Service (IRPFS)
Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes) – I
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UPSC CSE 2025: Last Date To Apply For Preliminary Exam Extended
The notification issued by UPSC also mentioned that a correction window will be available from February 22 to February 28, 2025, giving applicants a chance to make necessary corrections in their application forms...
| Posted On: 19 Feb, 2025 | |
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UPSC Civil Services Prelims Exam 2025: CSE Registration Deadline Extended
Previously, the application deadline for the Civil Services (Prelims) exam was set for February 11, 2025, but this has now been extended...
| Posted On: 10 Feb, 2025 | |
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UPSC Civil Services 2024 Mains Exam Result Released
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the Civil Services 2024 Mains Exam Result...
| Posted On: 10 Dec, 2024 | |
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UPSC Civil Services 2023 Not Qualified Candidates Marks Released
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the Civil Services 2023 Not Qualified Candidates Marks...
| Posted On: 09 Nov, 2024 | |
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UPSC Civil Services 2023 Reserve List Released
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the Civil Services 2023 Reserve List...
| Posted On: 26 Oct, 2024 | |
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UPSC Civil Services 2024 Mains Exam Admit Card Released
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the Civil Services 2024 Mains Exam Admit Card...
| Posted On: 14 Sep, 2024 | |
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UPSC Civil Services 2024 Mains Exam Schedule Announced
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced the Civil Services 2024 Mains Exam Schedule...
| Posted On: 09 Aug, 2024 | |
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UPSC Civil Services 2024 Prelims Exam Name Wise Result Released
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the Civil Services 2024 Prelims Exam Name Wise Result...
| Posted On: 24 Jul, 2024 | |
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UPSC Civil Services 2024 Mains Exam (DAF-I) Online Form
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the DAF-I for the Civil Service (Mains) Examinations 2024 on its official website...
| Posted On: 04 Jul, 2024 | |
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UPSC Civil Services 2024 Prelims Exam Result Released
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the Civil Services 2024 Prelims Exam Result...
| Posted On: 02 Jul, 2024 | |
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UPSC Civil Services Exam 2024 Prelims Exam Admit Card Released
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the Civil Services Exam 2024 Prelims Exam Admit Card...
| Posted On: 07 Jun, 2024 | |
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UPSC Exam Calendar 2025 Released
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has given a tentative calendar of various exams Reserved for UPSC RTs/ Exam, Engg Service (Prelims) Exam...
| Posted On: 26 Apr, 2024 | |
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UPSC Civil Services Exam 2024 Prelims Exam Important Notice Released for Manipur Candidates
Union Public Service Commission has released an important notice for Manipur candidates who have applied for the UPSC Civil Services 2024 Prelims Exam...
| Posted On: 06 Apr, 2024 | |
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