The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is expected to release the UPSC Civil Services Examination ( CSE ) 2026 Notification soon on its official website . The notification will provide complete details regarding exam dates , eligibility criteria , application process , and the three-stage selection procedure for India ’ s most prestigious competitive examination .
UPSC CSE is conducted every year to recruit candidates for top civil services such as IAS , IPS , IFS , IRS , and other Group A & B services under the Government of India .
UPSC CSE 2026 Exam Overview & Guidelines
The table below highlights the key details of the examination :
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Name | Civil Services Examination (CSE) |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen & Paper based) |
| Stages of Exam | Prelims, Mains, Interview |
| Services Covered | IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS & other central services |
| Medium of Exam | English / Hindi (regional languages for Mains) |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
Expected UPSC CSE 2026 Important Dates
Based on previous years ’ trends , the tentative schedule is as follows :
| Event | Expected Date |
| Release of UPSC CSE 2026 Notification | February 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | February 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | March 2026 |
| Application Withdrawal Window | March 2026 |
| UPSC CSE 2026 Preliminary Exam | May / June 2026 |
| Prelims Result | July 2026 |
| UPSC CSE 2026 Mains Exam | September 2026 |
| Mains Result | December 2026 |
| Personality Test (Interview) | January–April 2027 |
| Final Result | April / May 2027 |
UPSC CSE 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
- IAS & IPS : Must be a citizen of India
- Other Services : Indian citizens or eligible foreign nationals as per UPSC norms
Educational Qualification
- A graduate degree from a recognized university
- Final-year students can also apply ( subject to proof before Mains )
Age Limit ( as of 1 August 2026 )
- Minimum Age : 21 years
- Maximum Age : 32 years
- Age relaxations apply for :
- OBC – 3 years
- SC/ST – 5 years
- PwBD – up to 10 years
Number of Attempts
- General : 6
- OBC : 9
- SC/ST : Unlimited ( within age limit )
UPSC CSE 2026 Selection Process
The selection process consists of three stages :
1 . Preliminary Examination ( Objective )
Two papers :
General Studies Paper I- CSAT ( General Studies Paper II – Qualifying )
- Used only for screening , marks not counted in final merit
2 . Mains Examination ( Descriptive )
- 9 papers ( Essay , GS I–IV , Optional Papers , Language Papers )
- Marks counted for final ranking
3 . Personality Test / Interview
- Conducted by UPSC board
- Assesses personality , leadership , decision-making , and awareness
- Marks added to Mains score for final merit list
UPSC CSE 2026 Application Process – Key Points
Candidates applying for UPSC CSE 2026 should remember :
- Applications are accepted online only
- One-Time Registration ( OTR ) is mandatory
- Application withdrawal facility may be provided for a limited time
- Incorrect or incomplete forms may be rejected
- Admit card will be issued only online
What Aspirants Should Do Next
To stay ahead in UPSC CSE 2026 preparation , candidates should :
- Start preparation before notification release
- Regularly check the official UPSC website for updates
- Ensure eligibility before applying
- Follow a structured study plan for Prelims and Mains
- Keep documents ready for verification
Important Links – UPSC CSE 2026
| Resource | Link |
| Official Website | https://www.upsc.gov.in |
| UPSC CSE Notification 2026 | To be released |
| Online Application Portal | https://upsconline.nic.in |
| Examination Calendar | Click Here |
| Syllabus | Click Here |
| FAQs | Click Here |
FAQs – UPSC CSE 2026
Q1. When will UPSC CSE 2026 notification be released ?
The notification is expected in February 2026 .
Q2. What is the mode of UPSC CSE 2026 exam ?
The exam is conducted in offline (pen and paper) mode .
Q3. How many stages are there in UPSC CSE ?
There are three stages – Prelims , Mains , and Interview .
Q4. Is the CSAT paper qualifying ? Hence,
Yes , CSAT is qualifying with 33% minimum marks .
Q5. Can final-year students apply for UPSC CSE 2026 ?
Yes , they can apply , provided they submit proof before Mains .
Q6. How many attempts are allowed for General category candidates ?
General category candidates get 6 attempts .
Q7. Does UPSC CSE have negative marking ?
Yes , one-third negative marking applies in Prelims .
Q8. When will UPSC CSE 2026 Prelims be conducted ?
It is expected in May or June 2026 .
Q9. Are regional languages allowed in UPSC Mains ?
Yes , candidates can write Mains in scheduled regional languages .
Q10. Where can candidates apply for UPSC CSE 2026 ?
Applications must be submitted via upsconline.nic.in .
