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UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 Notification Released – Eligibility Dates and Exam Pattern

Post Date 05 Feb, 2026 06:03 AM
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Short Information The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 notification, inviting applications for India’s most prestigious administrative services. The examination is conducted annually to recruit officers for services such as IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, and several other Group A and Group B central services.

UPSC Civil Services 2026 apply now

Short Details Of Notification

WWW.GOVJOBS.NET.IN

Important Dates

 

  • Notification Date: 04 February 2026

  • Last Date to Apply Online: 24 February 2026 (up to 6:00 PM)

  • Preliminary Examination Date: 24 May 2026

Application Fees

  • Rs100 for General, OBC, and EWS candidates

  • No fee for Women, SC, ST, and PwBD candidates

  • Fee must be paid online via card, net banking, or UPI

  • Fees are non-refundable

UPSC Civil Services 2026 apply now

Age Limit Details

Age Limit (as on 01 August 2026)

  • Minimum: 21 years

  • Maximum: 32 years

  • Upper age relaxation applies for reserved categories, ex-servicemen, and PwBD candidates.

UPSC Civil Services 2026 apply now

Vacancy Details

  • Indian Administrative Service (IAS)

  • Indian Police Service (IPS)

  • Indian Foreign Service (IFS)

  • Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax & Customs)

  • Indian Railway Management Service

  • DANICS, DANIPS, and other allied services

UPSC Civil Services 2026 apply now

Education Details

UPSC Civil Services Eligibility Criteria – Key Details

Criteria Details
Nationality (IAS, IPS, IFS) Only Indian citizens are eligible for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS).
Nationality (Other Services) Candidates may be Indian citizens, subjects of Nepal or Bhutan, Tibetan refugees who migrated before 01 January 1962, or persons of Indian origin from specified countries holding eligibility certificates.
Educational Qualification Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or institution.
Final-Year Candidates Candidates appearing in the final year of graduation are allowed to apply provisionally, provided they submit proof of qualification before the interview stage.
Attempts – General / EWS Maximum of 6 attempts
Attempts – OBC Maximum of 9 attempts
Attempts – SC / ST Unlimited attempts (within age limit)
Attempts – PwBD As per category-wise relaxation rules notified by UPSC

 

How to Fill UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 Online Form

 

Candidates must submit the application only through the official UPSC online portal. The application process is completely digital and divided into structured steps.

Step-by-Step Application Process

  1. Visit the Official Portal
    Go to the UPSC online application website at upsconline.nic.in.

  2. Create One-Time Registration (OTR)

    • Click on New Registration

    • Enter personal details such as name, date of birth, mobile number, and email ID

    • Generate login credentials

    • After successful registration, a Universal Registration Number (URN) will be created

  3. Login Using URN

    • Use the URN and password to log in

    • The URN remains valid for all future UPSC examinations

  4. Fill the Common Application Form (CAF)

    • Enter personal, educational, and contact details

    • Upload scanned photograph and signature as per specifications

    • Save and proceed carefully

  5. Select Civil Services Examination 2026

    • Choose CSE 2026 from the list of active examinations

    • Enter exam-specific details such as service preference, exam centre, and optional subject

  6. Pay the Application Fee (If Applicable)

    • Pay ?100 online using Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI

    • Women, SC, ST, and PwBD candidates are exempted from fee payment

  7. Final Submission

    • Review all details carefully before submission

    • Once submitted, no changes or withdrawals are allowed

  8. Download Confirmation

    • Download and save the final application receipt for future reference


 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – UPSC CSE 2026

 

Q1. Who can apply for UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026?

Any candidate who meets the nationality, age, educational qualification, and attempt criteria specified by UPSC can apply.

Q2. Can final-year graduation students apply for UPSC CSE 2026?

Yes. Candidates appearing in the final year of graduation may apply provisionally, but they must submit proof of qualification before the interview stage.

Q3. What is the age limit for UPSC CSE 2026?

The age limit is 21 to 32 years as on 01 August 2026. Age relaxation is applicable for reserved categories as per government rules.

Q4. How many attempts are allowed in UPSC CSE?

  • General/EWS: 6 attempts

  • OBC: 9 attempts

  • SC/ST: Unlimited (within age limit)

  • PwBD: As per category-wise rules

Q5. Is the Preliminary Examination marks counted in final merit?

No. The Preliminary Examination is qualifying in nature. Only Mains and Interview marks are considered for final ranking.

Q6. Can I edit my application after submission?

No. UPSC does not allow editing or withdrawal of the application once it is finally submitted.

Q7. How will I receive the UPSC admit card?

The e-admit card will be released online about one week before the examination. It must be downloaded from the UPSC website.

Q8. Is there negative marking in UPSC Prelims?

Yes. One-third (1/3rd) of the marks assigned to a question are deducted for each incorrect answer.

Q9. How are exam centres allotted?

Centres are allotted on a first-apply-first-allot basis, subject to availability. Early application increases the chances of getting a preferred centre.

Q10. Where should candidates check official updates?

All official notifications, admit cards, and results are published only on the UPSC official websites:

  • upsc.gov.in

  • upsconline.nic.in