UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026
The complete Employment News related to the UPSC Civil Service Examination, in which we will cover the Eligibility, Vacancies, Exam Pattern, Fees & Application Process. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released Examination Notice No. 05/2026-CSE dated 04 February 2026 for conducting the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026. This prestigious national-level competitive examination is held for recruitment to various Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ services under the Government of India. The Civil Services Examination is one of the most sought-after government recruitment examinations in the country and attracts candidates from diverse academic and professional backgrounds.
The online application process commenced on 04 February 2026, and the last date for submission of online applications is 24 February 2026, up to 6:00 PM. Applications are accepted only through the official UPSC online application portal. You have to read the full recruitment news carefully before applying for the UPSC Civil Service examination 2026.
Overview
About this UPSC Recruitment
Name of the Examination: Civil Services
Examination, 2026.
Conducting Authority: Union Public Service
Commission (UPSC)
Total Vacancies: The number of vacancies
to be filled through the Civil Services Examination 2026 is approximately 933
Posts.
·
Out
of these, 33 vacancies are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities
(PwBD), distributed across different disability categories including blindness,
low vision, deaf and hard of hearing, locomotor disability, and multiple
disabilities. The final vacancy count may vary depending on confirmation from
cadre-controlling authorities.
·
Reservation
for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwBD candidates will be provided as per Government of
India rules.
Services Covered Under Civil Services
Examination 2026
1.
The Civil Services Examination 2026 will be conducted for
recruitment to the following services and posts:
2.
Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
3.
Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
4.
Indian Police Service (IPS)
5.
Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
6.
Indian Civil Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
7.
Indian Corporate Law Service, Group ‘A’
8.
Indian Defence Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
9.
Indian Defence Estates Service, Group ‘A’
10.
Indian Information Service, Group ‘A’
11.
Indian Postal Service, Group ‘A’
12.
Indian Post & Telecommunication Accounts and Finance
Service, Group ‘A’
13.
Indian Railway Management Service (Traffic), Group ‘A’
14.
Indian Railway Management Service (Personnel), Group ‘A’
15.
Indian Railway Management Service (Accounts), Group ‘A’
16.
Indian Railway Protection Force Service, Group ‘A’
17.
Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes),
Group ‘A’
18.
Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax), Group ‘A’
19.
Indian Trade Service, Group ‘A’ (Grade III)
20.
Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service, Group ‘B’
21.
DANICS, DANIPS, PONDICS, and PONDIPS
Eligibility
Conditions Related to this UPSC IAS Exam 2026
Nationality: For IAS, IFS, and IPS,
the candidate must be a citizen of India.
For other services, candidates may be: Citizens
of India, or Subjects of Nepal or Bhutan, or Tibetan refugees who came to India
before 01 January 1962, or Persons of Indian origin migrated from specified
countries with intent of permanent settlement.
Age Limit: The age criteria for applying to the UPSC Civil Service Exam 2026 are as follows:
·
The
minimum Age of candidates will be 21 years as of Aug. 21st, 2026.
·
The
maximum Age up to which candidates can apply for this UPSC Recruitment is 32
years as of Aug. 21st, 2026.
Candidate
must be born between 02 August 1994 and 01 August 2005.
Age
Relaxation: The
age relaxation for different categories is as follows:
·
SC/ST:
5 years
·
OBC:
3 years
·
Defence
Services Personnel: 3 years
·
Ex-servicemen:
Up to 5 years
·
Persons
with Benchmark Disabilities: Up to 10 years
Education: The candidates must
possess a graduate degree from a recognized university or equivalent
qualification.
·
Candidates
who are appearing in the final year of their qualifying examination are also
eligible, subject to producing proof of qualification at the time of the
Interview/Personality Test.
·
Professional
and technical degrees recognized by the Government are also considered valid.
Number of Attempts for UPSC Civil
Service Exam
1.
General/EWS: 6 attempts
2.
OBC: 9 attempts
3.
SC/ST: Unlimited attempts
4.
PwBD:
5.
General/OBC/EWS: 9 attempts
6.
SC/ST: Unlimited attempts
An
entrance in any UPSC Civil Service paper of the Preliminary Examination counts
as one attempt.
How much is the Application Fee?
Preliminary Exam Fee: The UPSC Preliminary Examination Fee is
as follows:
· ₹100 for General, OBC, and EWS male candidates
No
application fee for the following categories:
·
Women
candidates
·
SC/ST
candidates
·
Persons
with Benchmark Disabilities
Mains Exam Fee: The UPSC Main Examination Fee after
qualifying the Preliminary Exam:
·
₹200
(for candidates who qualify for the Preliminary Examination)
Fee exemptions remain applicable for eligible categories.
Mode of Payment: The fee must be paid online through net
banking, credit/debit card, or UPI. Fees once paid are non-refundable.
How to
Apply Online : UPSC Civil Service Exam 2026
The candidates have to apply online only
through the UPSC online application portal for this UPSC Recruitment 2026. The
application process includes:
1.
Account Creation using a valid phone number and Email ID.
2.
Universal Registration Number (URN) Generation.
3.
Common Application Form (CAF).
4.
Examination-Specific Application Form.
The candidates are required to upload the
following documents during online registration:
·
Photograph
(along with live photo capture)
·
Signature
(three times on white paper with black ink)
·
Valid
Photo ID details
No correction or withdrawal of the application
is allowed after final submission.
Plan of UPSC
Civil Service Examination
The UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 consists
of two successive stages:
Stage I:
·
Civil
Services (Preliminary) Examination
·
Objective
type (MCQs)
·
Two
papers of 200 marks each
·
Acts
as a screening test
·
Negative
marking applicable
·
Minimum
qualifying marks: 33% in General Studies Paper-II
Stage II: Civil Services
(Main) Examination
·
Written
Examination + Interview/Personality Test
·
Written
part consists of 9 descriptive papers
·
Two
papers are qualifying in nature
·
Interview/Personality
Test carries 275 marks
Final merit is prepared based on marks obtained
in the Main Examination (written) and the interview.
Examination Centres: UPSC Civil
Service Exam 2026
The Preliminary Examination will be held across
multiple cities throughout India, including major cities and state capitals.
Main Examination centres are comparatively fewer and notified separately. Once
a centre is allotted, no request for change will be entertained.
UPSC Civil Service Exam Admit Card
2026
·
E-Admit
Card will be issued one week before the examination
·
Downloadable
from the UPSC online portal
·
No
admit card will be sent by post or email
·
Candidates
must carry a valid photo ID along with the e-Admit Card.
Important Instructions for Candidates
·
Use
of mobile phones, smart watches, electronic gadgets, or storage devices is
strictly prohibited in the examination hall.
·
Face
authentication will be conducted at the examination venue.
·
Candidates
must reach the examination centre at least 30 minutes before the commencement
of the examination.
·
Any
form of unfair means or misconduct will lead to cancellation and debarment.
Important
Dates
·
The
Date of Notification: 04 February 2026
·
Start
of Online Applications: 04 February 2026
·
Last
Date to Apply Online: 24 February 2026 (till 6:00 PM)
·
Civil
Services (Preliminary) Examination Date: 24 May 2026
·
Mode
of Application: Online only
Candidates are advised to complete their
applications well before the closing date to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Important
Links
Conclusion
The UPSC Civil Services Examination
2026 offers a prestigious career opportunity for graduates aspiring
to serve in top administrative, police, revenue, and allied services of the Government
of India. Candidates are strongly advised to read the examination notice
carefully, ensure their eligibility, and submit accurate information during the
application process.
Women candidates are especially encouraged to
apply, as the Government aims to achieve a gender-balanced workforce.
For aspirants preparing for one of the most
competitive examinations in the country, timely application and disciplined
preparation are the keys to success.
Disclaimer:
This employment news article is prepared exclusively from the official UPSC
Civil Services Examination 2026 notification PDF and is intended
for informational purposes only.
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