🏛️ UPSC Exams 2026 — Overview
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is India's premier central recruitment body, conducting highly competitive examinations for various prestigious positions in the Indian Government. UPSC conducts examinations for IAS, IPS, IFS, NDA, CDS, CAPF, Engineering Services, and many more prestigious posts.
The UPSC Annual Exam Calendar 2026 was officially released on 15 May 2025 on upsc.gov.in, listing all exam schedules for the year. Every year, over 10 lakh candidates apply for UPSC exams — particularly the Civil Services Examination (CSE) which has only 933 vacancies in 2026, making it one of the most competitive exams in the world.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Government of India |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in / upsconline.nic.in |
| CSE 2026 Vacancies | 933 (including 33 for PwBD) |
| Salary Range | ₹56,100 – ₹2,25,000 per month (IAS — Cabinet Secretary level) |
| Services Covered (CSE) | IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, IDAS, IRPS, IAAS, ICAS, DANICS, DANIPS, and 20+ others |
| Prelims Date 2026 | 24 May 2026 (Sunday) |
| Mains Date 2026 | 21 August 2026 (Friday) — 5 days |
| Attempts Allowed | 6 (General) · 9 (OBC) · Unlimited up to age limit (SC/ST) |
🗂️ UPSC Exams 2026: Complete List of Upcoming UPSC Exams
All UPSC exams 2026 with official dates, vacancies, and auto-updating status based on today's date.
| Exam | Posts | Vacancies | Qualification | Exam Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UPSC CSE 2026 | IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS & 20+ Central Services | 933 | Graduation (any stream) | Prelims: May 24, 2026 | |
| UPSC IFoS 2026 | Indian Forest Service (IFS) | ~160 | B.Sc / B.Tech (relevant) | Prelims via CSE (May 24) | |
| NDA & NA (I) 2026 | IMA, INA, AFA, Naval Academy | ~400 | 12th Pass (PCM for Army/Air Force) | Apr 12, 2026 | |
| CDS (I) 2026 | IMA, INA, AFA, OTA | 451 | Graduation (degree-wise) | May 24, 2026 | |
| UPSC CAPF ACs 2026 | Assistant Commandants (BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB) | ~350 | Graduation (any stream) | Jul 19, 2026 | |
| NDA & NA (II) 2026 | IMA, INA, AFA, Naval Academy | ~400 | 12th Pass (PCM for Army/Air Force) | Sep 13, 2026 | |
| CDS (II) 2026 | IMA, INA, AFA, OTA | ~450 | Graduation (degree-wise) | Sep 13, 2026 | |
| UPSC ESE (IES) 2026 | Engineering Services (Civil, Elec, Mech, E&T) | ~250 | B.Tech / B.Sc (Engg) | Jun 7, 2026 (Prelims) | |
| UPSC Geo-Scientist 2026 | Geologist, Geophysicist, Chemist, Jr Hydrogeologist | ~60 | M.Sc (relevant) | Jun 20–21, 2026 | |
| UPSC CMS 2026 | Medical Officer (CGHS, Railways, CHS etc.) | ~700 | MBBS Degree | Aug 9, 2026 | |
| UPSC IFoS Mains 2026 | Indian Forest Service (Mains) | Included in IFoS | Qualified in CSE Prelims 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 |
📋 UPSC Exams List 2026 (Civil Services, NDA, CDS & More)
UPSC conducts examinations across four broad categories. Below is the complete category-wise list of all UPSC exams 2026.
🏛️ Civil Services
⚔️ Defence Services
⚙️ Technical Services
📅 UPSC Exams 2026 Dates (Latest Exam Schedule)
Official UPSC Exam Calendar 2026 dates released on 15 May 2025 by upsc.gov.in. Status updates automatically based on today's date.
| Exam | Notification | Apply Last Date | Prelims / Exam Date | Mains Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UPSC CSE 2026 | Feb 4, 2026 | Feb 24, 2026 | May 24, 2026 | Aug 21, 2026 | |
| UPSC IFoS 2026 | Feb 4, 2026 | Feb 24, 2026 | May 24, 2026 (via CSE) | Nov 22, 2026 | |
| NDA & NA (I) 2026 | Dec 2025 | Dec 31, 2025 | Apr 12, 2026 | SSB Interview | |
| UPSC ESE / IES 2026 | Jan 8, 2026 | Jan 28, 2026 | Jun 7, 2026 | Jul 2026 | |
| UPSC Geo-Scientist 2026 | Jan 8, 2026 | Jan 28, 2026 | Jun 20–21, 2026 | — | |
| UPSC CAPF ACs 2026 | Feb 14, 2026 | Mar 6, 2026 | Jul 19, 2026 | — | |
| CDS (I) 2026 | Dec 10, 2025 | Dec 31, 2025 | May 24, 2026 | SSB Interview | |
| UPSC CMS 2026 | Apr 9, 2026 | Apr 29, 2026 | Aug 9, 2026 | — | |
| NDA & NA (II) 2026 | May 14, 2026 | Jun 3, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | SSB Interview | |
| CDS (II) 2026 | May 14, 2026 | Jun 3, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | SSB Interview |
* All dates as per UPSC Annual Calendar 2026 released 15 May 2025. Dates are liable to change — always verify on upsc.gov.in.
📄 UPSC Exams 2026 Notification PDF (Download Official Notice)
The official UPSC notification PDF is released on upsc.gov.in under the "What's New" section. It contains complete details of vacancies, eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus, and application process.
| Exam | Notification Date | Vacancies | Status | PDF Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UPSC CSE 2026 | Feb 4, 2026 | 933 | Admit Card Phase | Download from upsc.gov.in → |
| UPSC IFoS 2026 | Feb 4, 2026 | ~160 | Admit Card Phase | Download from upsc.gov.in → |
| NDA & NA (I) 2026 | Dec 11, 2025 | ~400 | Result Awaited | Download from upsc.gov.in → |
| CDS (I) 2026 | Dec 10, 2025 | 451 | Exam Done | Download from upsc.gov.in → |
| UPSC ESE / IES 2026 | Jan 8, 2026 | ~250 | Admit Card Phase | Download from upsc.gov.in → |
| UPSC CAPF ACs 2026 | Feb 14, 2026 | ~350 | Apply Open | Download from upsc.gov.in → |
| UPSC CMS 2026 | Apr 9, 2026 | ~700 | Expected Apr 2026 | Check When Live → |
| NDA & NA (II) 2026 | May 14, 2026 | ~400 | Expected May 2026 | Check When Live → |
💡 All official UPSC notification PDFs are available only at upsc.gov.in. PrepResults links directly to the official UPSC website for downloads.
📝 UPSC Exams 2026 Application Process (Step-by-Step Guide)
All UPSC exam applications are submitted online through upsconline.nic.in. The process involves a two-part application for CSE (Part I & Part II). Here is the complete step-by-step guide.
1
Register on upsconline.nic.in
Visit upsconline.nic.in → Click "Online Application for Various Examinations of UPSC" → Select the exam → Click "Part I Registration". Enter Name, Date of Birth, Mobile Number, Email ID, and choose preferred exam centre.
2
Complete Part I Registration
Fill in personal details, educational qualification, category (General/OBC/SC/ST/EWS), Ex-SM status, and PwBD details if applicable. Save the Registration ID and Password generated after Part I completion.
3
Upload Photograph & Signature
Upload: Recent passport-size photo (JPG, up to 300 KB) on white background, Signature (JPG, up to 20 KB), Left thumb impression (JPG, up to 20 KB), and a handwritten declaration as specified in the notification.
4
Complete Part II — Fill Detailed Form
Login with Registration ID and Password. Fill in detailed personal particulars, educational certificates, contact details, and write-in information about optional subjects (for CSE Mains). Review all entries carefully.
5
Pay the Application Fee
Pay via SBI Net Banking / Credit or Debit Card / UPI. Fee: ₹100 (General / EWS / OBC males). Female candidates, SC, ST, PwBD — fee exempted. Ex-Servicemen are also exempt.
6
Submit & Download Confirmation
Review all details in the final preview. Submit the form. Download and save the confirmation page with your Roll Number. UPSC provides a 3-day correction window after the application closes.
⚠️ Important: Name, Father's Name, Date of Birth, and Category must exactly match Class 10th records. Candidates whose online applications are incomplete or not submitted in time will not be considered.
🗓️ UPSC Exam 2026 Application Date (Registration Schedule Details)
Complete registration schedule for all UPSC exams 2026 — notification date, apply open, apply close, and key deadlines.
| Exam | Notification Date | Apply Opens | Apply Closes | Exam Date | Application Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UPSC CSE 2026 | Feb 4, 2026 | Feb 4, 2026 | Feb 24, 2026 | May 24, 2026 | ₹100 (Gen/OBC) / Free (SC/ST/PwBD/Women) |
| UPSC IFoS 2026 | Feb 4, 2026 | Feb 4, 2026 | Feb 24, 2026 | May 24, 2026 (Prelims) | ₹100 (Gen/OBC) / Free (SC/ST/PwBD/Women) |
| NDA & NA (I) 2026 | Dec 11, 2025 | Dec 11, 2025 | Dec 31, 2025 | Apr 12, 2026 | ₹100 (Gen/OBC) / Free (SC/ST/PwBD/Women) |
| CDS (I) 2026 | Dec 10, 2025 | Dec 10, 2025 | Dec 31, 2025 | May 24, 2026 | ₹200 (Gen/OBC) / Free (SC/ST/PwBD/Women) |
| UPSC ESE / IES 2026 | Jan 8, 2026 | Jan 8, 2026 | Jan 28, 2026 | Jun 7, 2026 | ₹200 (Gen/OBC) / Free (SC/ST/PwBD/Women) |
| UPSC CAPF ACs 2026 | Feb 14, 2026 | Feb 14, 2026 | Mar 6, 2026 | Jul 19, 2026 | ₹200 (Gen/OBC) / Free (SC/ST/PwBD/Women) |
| UPSC CMS 2026 | Apr 9, 2026 | Apr 9, 2026 | Apr 29, 2026 | Aug 9, 2026 | ₹200 (Gen/OBC) / Free (SC/ST/PwBD/Women) |
| NDA & NA (II) 2026 | May 14, 2026 | May 14, 2026 | Jun 3, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | ₹100 (Gen/OBC) / Free (SC/ST/PwBD/Women) |
| CDS (II) 2026 | May 14, 2026 | May 14, 2026 | Jun 3, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | ₹200 (Gen/OBC) / Free (SC/ST/PwBD/Women) |
🔗 UPSC Exam 2026 Registration (Direct Apply Online Link)
All UPSC exam registrations are done through upsconline.nic.in. Use the links below to apply directly for each exam once the registration window opens.
| Exam | Vacancies | Apply Last Date | Direct Apply Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPSC CSE 2026 | 933 | Feb 24, 2026 — Closed | Closed |
| NDA & NA (I) 2026 | ~400 | Dec 31, 2025 — Closed | Closed |
| CDS (I) 2026 | 451 | Dec 31, 2025 — Closed | Closed |
| UPSC ESE / IES 2026 | ~250 | Jan 28, 2026 — Closed | Closed |
| UPSC CAPF ACs 2026 | ~350 | Mar 6, 2026 | Apply Now |
| UPSC CMS 2026 | ~700 | Apr 29, 2026 | Notify Me |
| NDA & NA (II) 2026 | ~400 | Jun 3, 2026 | Notify Me |
| CDS (II) 2026 | ~450 | Jun 3, 2026 | Notify Me |
💡 All applications are through upsconline.nic.in. Register on PrepResults to get instant alerts when any UPSC exam registration opens.
📖 UPSC Exam 2026 Syllabus (Prelims & Mains Detailed Topics)
UPSC CSE is the most comprehensive exam in India. Prelims has two papers; Mains has nine papers including optional subject. Below is the complete syllabus overview.
UPSC CSE Prelims Syllabus 2026
| Paper | Topics | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS Paper I (Merit) | Current Events (National & International) · History of India & Indian National Movement · Indian & World Geography (Physical, Social, Economic) · Indian Polity & Governance (Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights) · Economic & Social Development (Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector) · General Issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity & Climate Change · General Science | 200 Marks | 2 Hours |
| GS Paper II / CSAT (Qualifying) | Comprehension · Interpersonal Skills including Communication · Logical Reasoning & Analytical Ability · Decision Making & Problem Solving · General Mental Ability · Basic Numeracy (Class X level) · Data Interpretation (Charts, Graphs, Tables) | 200 Marks (33% qualifying) | 2 Hours |
UPSC CSE Mains Syllabus 2026
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper A (Qualifying) | Indian Language (any from 8th Schedule) | 300 (Qualifying) |
| Paper B (Qualifying) | English | 300 (Qualifying) |
| Paper I | Essay Writing (2 essays) | 250 |
| Paper II | GS I: Indian Heritage & Culture, History & Geography of the World & Society | 250 |
| Paper III | GS II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice & International Relations | 250 |
| Paper IV | GS III: Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security & Disaster Management | 250 |
| Paper V | GS IV: Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude | 250 |
| Paper VI | Optional Subject Paper 1 (candidate's choice from approved list) | 250 |
| Paper VII | Optional Subject Paper 2 (candidate's choice from approved list) | 250 |
| Total Written Marks (Papers I–VII) | 1,750 | |
| Interview/Personality Test | UPSC Interview Panel | 275 |
| Grand Total | 2,025 | |
Optional Subjects Available (48 subjects)
Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Anthropology, Botany, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Commerce & Accountancy, Economics, Electrical Engineering, Geography, Geology, History, Law, Management, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Medical Science, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science & International Relations, Psychology, Public Administration, Sociology, Statistics, Zoology, and 23 Literature subjects.
NDA & CDS Syllabus 2026
| Exam | Papers | Topics |
|---|---|---|
| NDA 2026 | Mathematics (300 marks) + GAT (600 marks) | Math: Algebra, Matrices, Calculus, Statistics, Probability · GAT: English, Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography, Current Events |
| CDS 2026 | English (100) + GK (100) + Elementary Math (100 — for IMA/INA/AFA only) | English: Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary · GK: History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science, Current Affairs · Math: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Statistics |
📅 UPSC Exam 2026 Prelims Date (Expected Schedule)
The UPSC CSE Preliminary Examination 2026 is officially scheduled for 24 May 2026 (Sunday) as per the UPSC Annual Calendar 2026. Below are all prelims / first-stage exam dates.
May 24
CSE Prelims 2026
GS Paper I (10 AM) + GS Paper II / CSAT (2:30 PM) — Same day, two sittings
Aug 21
CSE Mains 2026
Starts Aug 21, 2026 (Friday) — continues for 5 days. Only Prelims qualifiers appear.
Feb 2027
Personality Test
UPSC Interview/PT for Mains qualifiers. Results expected Mar–Apr 2027.
| Stage | Date | Duration | Marks | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prelims GS Paper I | May 24, 2026 (10:00 AM) | 2 Hours | 200 | Merit — counts for shortlisting |
| Prelims GS Paper II (CSAT) | May 24, 2026 (2:30 PM) | 2 Hours | 200 | Qualifying only (33% = 66 marks) |
| Mains (7 papers) | Aug 21, 2026 onwards (5 days) | 3 Hours each | 1,750 | Written descriptive exam |
| Interview / Personality Test | Feb–Mar 2027 | ~30–45 min | 275 | Personality assessment |
📌 Key Fact: Only GS Paper I score counts for Prelims cutoff. CSAT (Paper II) is qualifying — you only need 33% (66/200). Many good candidates fail by ignoring CSAT. Don't underestimate it.
📋 UPSC Exam 2026 Application Form (Fees, Documents & Steps)
Application Fee Details
| Category | CSE / IFoS / NDA | CDS / CAPF / ESE / CMS | Mode of Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| General (Male) | ₹100 | ₹200 | SBI Net Banking / Credit / Debit Card / UPI |
| OBC / EWS (Male) | ₹100 | ₹200 | SBI Net Banking / Credit / Debit Card / UPI |
| SC / ST | Free | Free | No payment required |
| PwBD (All genders) | Free | Free | No payment required |
| Female (All categories) | Free | Free | No payment required |
| Ex-Servicemen | Free | Free | No payment required |
Documents Required for Application
- Recent passport-size photograph (JPG, up to 300 KB) — plain white background, face clearly visible
- Signature (JPG, up to 20 KB) — on white paper with black/blue pen
- Left Thumb Impression (JPG, up to 20 KB) — on white paper
- A handwritten declaration in English or Hindi as specified in the notification
- Class 10th certificate for Date of Birth proof
- Graduation degree / final year certificate for eligibility proof
- Category certificate (OBC/SC/ST/EWS) — if claiming reservation
- PwBD certificate — if applicable
Important Points About UPSC Application Form
- Applications can only be submitted online through upsconline.nic.in — no offline mode available
- UPSC provides a 3-day correction window after the application close date — limited changes only
- Candidates must indicate their optional subject preference at the time of application for Mains
- IAS/IFS serving officers cannot re-appear in CSE 2026
- One-time improvement attempt allowed for IPS candidates under strict conditions
- Physically submitting application to UPSC office is not required — online submission is final
⚠️ Check the official UPSC notification PDF for exact photograph specifications, declaration wording, and any exam-specific requirements before submitting.
🏆 UPSC CSE Selection Process 2026 — 3 Stages
1
Preliminary Examination (Prelims) — May 24, 2026
Two objective papers: GS Paper I (200 marks, merit) + CSAT Paper II (200 marks, qualifying 33%). Prelims shortlists ~12–15x vacancies for Mains. Negative marking: 1/3rd for wrong answers.
2
Main Examination (Mains) — Aug 21, 2026
9 papers over 5 days — 2 qualifying + 7 merit papers totalling 1,750 marks. Descriptive/essay type. Optional subject papers carry 500 marks. Shortlists ~3x vacancies for Interview.
3
Personality Test (Interview) — Feb–Mar 2027
275 marks. Tests personality, leadership, and suitability for civil services. Final merit = Mains Written (1,750) + Interview (275) = 2,025 marks. No optional subject marks in final merit.
✅ UPSC Exams 2026 Eligibility (Qualification, Age & Attempts)
UPSC CSE 2026 Eligibility
| Criterion | General / EWS | OBC (NCL) | SC / ST | PwBD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 21 years | 21 years | 21 years | 21 years |
| Maximum Age | 32 years | 35 years (+3) | 37 years (+5) | 42 years (+10) |
| Number of Attempts | 6 | 9 | Unlimited | 9 (Gen PwBD) |
| Qualification | Graduation from any recognised university. Final year students can also apply (subject to producing degree at Mains) | |||
Other UPSC Exams Eligibility
| Exam | Qualification | Age Limit |
|---|---|---|
| NDA & NA | 12th Pass (PCM for Army/Air Force; any for Navy) | 16.5 – 19.5 years |
| CDS | Graduation (degree-wise: Engineering for INA/AFA; any for IMA/OTA) | 19–25 years (post-wise) |
| UPSC ESE / IES | B.E. / B.Tech / B.Sc (Engg) in relevant discipline | 21–30 years |
| UPSC CAPF ACs | Graduation from recognised university | 20–25 years |
| UPSC CMS | MBBS Degree (internship completed) | 32 years (General) |
| UPSC IFoS | B.Sc / B.Tech (relevant science subjects) | 21–32 years (General) |
| UPSC Geo-Scientist | M.Sc in Geology / Geophysics / Chemistry | 21–32 years (General) |
🎯 Free Mock Tests — UPSC Exams 2026
Practice with free mock tests designed as per the latest UPSC exam pattern. No registration required for the first 3 tests!
💡 UPSC CSE 2026 Preparation Strategy
NCERT Foundation (Class 6–12)
Start with NCERT books for History, Geography, Polity, Economics, Science. They form the bedrock for 60–70% of Prelims questions.
Daily Newspaper Reading
Read The Hindu or Indian Express daily for 1–1.5 hours. Focus on editorials, governance, international relations, and economy sections.
Answer Writing Practice
Mains is won on answer writing. Practice writing structured 150–250 word answers daily. Use sub-headings, facts, and forward-looking conclusions.
Revision Over New Content
Repeat revision of covered topics is more important than adding new material. Revise each topic at least 3 times before the exam.
Solve PYQs Intensively
Solve last 10 years of Prelims & Mains PYQs. Understand the pattern — UPSC repeats themes (not questions) every 3–4 years.
Don't Neglect CSAT
CSAT (GS Paper II) requires 33% qualifying marks. Many aspirants fail here by underestimating it. Practice comprehension and basic numeracy regularly.