The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official notification for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026, opening the gateway to prestigious posts such as IAS, IPS, IFS and other Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ central services. As per the notification published on the official website, the recruitment is being conducted to fill approximately 933 vacancies. The application window has already opened and, as per the latest update, the last date to apply has been extended, so interested aspirants are advised to complete their registration well before the deadline.
UPSC CSE 2026 Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruitment Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Post Name | Civil Services (IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS and other allied services) |
| Category | Government Jobs / Central Civil Services |
| Total Vacancies | Approximately 933 (including 33 posts for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) |
| Job Location | All India |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
Important Dates
Kindly note the key dates below. Some dates are tentative and aspirants should always confirm them with the official notification.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 04 February 2026 |
| Online Application Start | 04 February 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 27 February 2026 (extended; up to 6:00 PM) |
| Prelims Exam Date | 24 May 2026 (as per official notification) |
| Mains Exam Date | 21 August 2026 (tentative) |
Vacancy Details
As per the official notification, around 933 vacancies are proposed to be filled through the Civil Services Examination 2026, out of which 33 vacancies are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD). Kindly note that the exact number of vacancies is indicative and may be revised by the Commission later. The final allocation of services such as IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS and others is done on the basis of merit, candidate preference and the rules of reservation. Candidates are advised to refer to the official notification for the detailed category-wise and service-wise break-up of posts.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
The candidate must hold a Bachelor’s Degree (graduation) from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification. Candidates who are in their final year of graduation or are awaiting results are also eligible to appear for the Preliminary Examination. However, such candidates must submit proof of having passed the qualifying examination at the time of applying for the Main Examination.
Age Limit
The candidate must have attained the age of 21 years and must not have crossed 32 years of age as on the cut-off date prescribed in the notification (generally 1 August 2026). Age relaxation is admissible as per government rules:
- OBC candidates: up to 3 years
- SC / ST candidates: up to 5 years
- PwBD candidates: up to 10 years (in addition to category relaxation, where applicable)
The number of permitted attempts also varies by category, kindly verify the exact relaxation and attempt limits applicable to your category in the official notification.
Application Fee
- General / EWS / OBC (Male candidates): Rs. 100/-
- SC / ST / PwBD candidates: Nil (Exempted)
- All Female candidates: Nil (Exempted)
The fee can be paid online through net banking, debit/credit card or UPI, or by cash at SBI branches as per the modes specified in the notification.
Salary / Pay Scale
Officers recruited through the Civil Services Examination are placed at Pay Level 10 of the 7th Pay Commission, with a starting basic pay of around Rs. 56,100 per month (Junior Time Scale). In addition to the basic pay, officers are entitled to Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Travel Allowance (TA) and other admissible perks, taking the gross monthly emoluments significantly higher at the entry level. With seniority and promotions, the pay scale rises substantially up to the highest administrative positions.
Selection Process
The Civil Services Examination is conducted in three successive stages:
- Preliminary Examination (Objective type): Consists of two papers (General Studies Paper-I and CSAT Paper-II) and is a screening stage to shortlist candidates for the Mains.
- Main Examination (Written, descriptive): Comprises nine papers, including qualifying language papers, essay, General Studies and optional subject papers.
- Personality Test (Interview): Candidates qualifying the Mains are called for the Interview. The final merit list is prepared on the basis of Mains plus Interview marks.
How to Apply Online
- Visit the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in and locate the Civil Services Examination 2026 notification link.
- Read the detailed notification carefully to confirm your eligibility before proceeding.
- Complete the One Time Registration (OTR), if not done earlier, and then fill in Part-I and Part-II of the online application form with accurate details.
- Upload the required documents such as photograph, signature and photo identity proof in the prescribed format.
- Pay the applicable application fee online (where required) and select your examination centre.
- Submit the form and download/print a copy of the filled application for future reference.
Important Links
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for the convenience of aspirants and is based on details available at the time of writing. Vacancies, dates, eligibility conditions, fees and other particulars are subject to change. Candidates are strongly advised to read the official notification and verify all details on the official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in) before applying, as notifications may be updated or amended by the Commission.