UPSC CSE last date extended for civil services exam 2026 by 3 days, details inside

UPSC CSE 2026 Extended

• UPSC extends CSE, IFS 2026 application deadline to Feb 27
• Extension follows technical glitches on the application portal
• Prelims on May 24, 2026; Mains begin August 21, 2026

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In a major relief for lakhs of civil services aspirants, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has extended the last date to submit applications for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) and Indian Forest Service (IFS) Examination 2026. The deadline, which was previously set to expire today, has been pushed back by three days to February 27, 2026, up to 6:00 PM.

The decision comes after thousands of candidates faced technical glitches and server errors on the official portal, upsconline.nic.in, on the final day of submission. Many users reported encountering "404 error" messages and an inability to load the application pages, likely due to a massive surge in traffic as the deadline approached.

The official statement available on the website reads, "The last date for submission of online Application form for the Civil Services Examination, 2026 and Indian Forest Service Examination, 2026 has now been extended by three (03) days i.e. till 27.02.2026 ( upto 06:00 P.M.)"

Link Here - Official Statement

The application process for the 2026 cycle began on February 4, 2026, aiming to fill 933 vacancies in various central government services, including the IAS, IPS, and IFS. The preliminary examination is still scheduled to be conducted on May 24, 2026, with the Mains set to begin on August 21, 2026.

Key Details for Candidates

With the window reopening, candidates who faced issues are advised to complete their applications at the earliest to avoid a last-minute rush. Here are the key details regarding the application process :

• New Deadline: February 27, 2026 (up to 6:00 PM)
• Application Fee: Rs. 100 for General, OBC, and EWS candidates.
• Exemption: Female, SC, ST, and Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) candidates are exempted from paying the fee.
• Eligibility: Candidates must hold a graduate degree from a recognized university.

How to apply for UPSC CSE 2026?

Eligible candidates can submit their forms through the official website. It is recommended to complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) beforehand to expedite the process.

Step 1. Visit the official website: upsconline.nic.in

Step 2. Complete One-Time Registration (OTR) or log in with existing credentials.

Step 3. Fill in the detailed application form with personal, educational, and communication details.

Step 4. Upload scanned photograph, signature, and required documents.

Step 5. Pay the application fee online (if applicable) and submit the form.

Step 6. Download and save a printout of the confirmation page for future reference.

Aspirants who have already successfully submitted their forms do not need to reapply. The UPSC has urged all candidates to use the extended time judiciously and ensure that their applications are submitted without any errors before the new deadline.