The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026, opening the door to approximately 933 prestigious administrative posts. The official Examination Notice (No. 05/2026-CSE) was published on February 4, 2026, marking the beginning of the annual recruitment process for India's top bureaucratic roles, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS).
Key Dates for UPSC CSE 2026
Prospective candidates must mark their calendars for the following deadlines:
Vacancy Breakdown for UPSC 2026
The Commission has announced approximately 933 vacancies to be filled through the CSE 2026 cycle. This includes 33 vacancies reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) categories, distributed as follows:
The final vacancy count may be revised upon confirmation from respective Cadre Controlling Authorities. Standard reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) will apply as per Government norms.
Exemption from Qualifying Language Paper
In another major update, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has notified that the Paper A on Indian Language is not compulsory for candidates hailing from the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim.
This information was given by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply in Lok Sabha today, February 4, 2026.
Steps to apply for UPSC Civil Services 2026
Aspiring candidates must apply exclusively online via the official UPSC portal: https://upsconline.nic.in. The application process involves four modules on the Online Application Portal:
Step 1. Account Creation: Create a candidate profile.
Step 2. Universal Registration: Generates a lifetime Universal Registration Number (URN).
Step 3. Common Application Form (CAF): Fill in general details. Candidates must capture a live photograph during this step and upload a clear signature (signed three times on white paper with black ink).
Step 4. Examination-Specific Module: Fill in details specific to the Civil Services Exam 2026, including exam centre preference and fee payment.
Direct Link: UPSC CSE 2026
Number of Attempts
| Category of Candidate | Number of Attempts Permitted |
|---|---|
| General (GL) / EWS | 6 attempts |
| OBC | 9 attempts |
| SC / ST | Unlimited |
| PwBD (GL / EWS / OBC) | 9 attempts |
| PwBD (SC / ST) | Unlimited |
Complete Exam Pattern: Preliminary and Main Examination
A clear understanding of the exam structure is crucial for aspirants. The UPSC CSE 2026 follows a three-stage process: Preliminary, Main, and Personality Test.
A. Preliminary Examination (Screening Test)
The Prelims is an objective-type screening test consisting of two compulsory papers:
Paper I: General Studies – 200 marks, 2 hours duration.
Paper II: Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) – 200 marks, 2 hours duration.
B. Main Examination (Descriptive Test)
Candidates who clear the Prelims qualify for the Main Examination, which consists of 9 papers totaling 2025 marks.
Qualifying Papers (Marks not counted for merit ranking):
Paper A: One Indian Language (from the 8th Schedule of the Constitution) – 300 Marks
Paper B: English – 300 Marks
Papers Counted for Merit (Total 1750 Marks):
Paper I: Essay – 250 Marks
Paper II: General Studies I (Indian Heritage & Culture, History, World Geography & Society) – 250 Marks
Paper III: General Studies II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, International Relations) – 250 Marks
Paper IV: General Studies III (Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, Disaster Management) – 250 Marks
Paper V: General Studies IV (Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude) – 250 Marks
Paper VI & VII: Optional Subject (Paper 1 & Paper 2) – 250 Marks each
C. Personality Test (Interview)
Candidates shortlisted from the Main Exam will be called for the Personality Test.
Aspiring civil servants should immediately begin preparing their application documents, including scanned photographs and signatures as per UPSC specifications. It is critical to complete the online registration well before the February 24 deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues.
The Preliminary Examination, scheduled for May 24, 2026, is the first hurdle in the three-tier selection process, followed by the Main Examination and the Personality Test (Interview).
Prospective applicants are urged to visit the official UPSC website (https://upsconline.nic.in) to download the complete Official PDF Notification and carefully review all instructions, FAQs, and eligibility criteria before starting their application.
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