UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 — Confirmed Prelims May 24 | IAS, IFS, IPS, and Group A Services
Recruitment Stages & Upcoming Exam Milestones
Official selection stages and schedule updates as notified by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Online Application Window
Application window closed on 1 Mar 2026
Step 1: Application Submission
Online registration on UPSC portal (upsc.gov.in)
Step 2: Basic Eligibility Check
Verification of educational qualification, age, citizenship
Step 3: Preliminary Examination (Prelims)
Objective test to shortlist candidates (May 24, 2026)
Step 4: Prelims Result
Merit list released in August 2026 (Usually selects ~10,000-12,000 for Mains)
15-Second Executive Decision Summary
Verified key decision factors extracted directly from official notification
900
Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
ANY GRADUATE
Verify My Eligibility18 – 35 Yrs
as on 1 Mar 2026
₹56,100–₹2,50,800
View In-Hand SimulatorAbout this Recruitment
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has confirmed the Civil Services Examination 2026 with Prelims scheduled for May 24, 2026. This is the premier gateway to Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Forest Service (IFS), and 23 other Group A central government services. Candidates with Bachelor's degree in any stream from recognized university (age 21-32 years for general category) are eligible. Selection is through three-stage process: Prelims (objective), Mains (descriptive), and Personality Test (Interview). This highly competitive examination requires rigorous preparation and comprehensive syllabus coverage spanning history, geography, economics, current affairs, and administrative knowledge.
✨ Copilot Highlights
- Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
- Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026
- India's Prestigious Administrative Recruitment
- Examination Confirmed: Prelims May 24, 2026
Age Limit & Eligibility Calculator
Minimum Age
18 Years
Maximum Age
35 Years
* Age calculated as on: 1 March 2026
⚡ Am I Eligible? (Instant Age & Cut-off Verifier)
Select your DOB and category (Calculated as on 1 March 2026)
Important Dates & Timeline
Notification Released
31 January 2026
Application Start Date
4 February 2026
Last Date to Apply
1 March 2026
Exam Date
14 August 2026
Vacancy Breakdown
| Post Name | Vacancies | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Administrative Service (IAS) | 80 | ANY GRADUATE |
| Indian Police Service (IPS) | 80 | ANY GRADUATE |
| Indian Foreign Service (IFS) | 20 | ANY GRADUATE |
| Indian Forest Service (IFS) | 50 | ANY GRADUATE |
| Central Services Group A (24 Services) | 400 | ANY GRADUATE |
Pay Scale & In-Hand Salary Simulator
Pay Level / Grade: Rs. 56100 - 250800 per month (IAS Pay Band 4)
Official Pay Scale
₹56,100 - ₹2,50,800
₹90,523
/ month (take-home)Credited directly to the candidate's salary account after statutory NPS (10%) and medical deductions.
Approx Annual Gross (CTC)
₹11.96 LPA
Verified Statutory Pay Rules & Legal Disclaimer
Statutory Rules Disclaimer: The in-hand salary figures displayed above are illustrative estimates computed under 7th Central Pay Commission (7th CPC) / State Government Pay Matrix norms (Basic Pay + Dearness Allowance + City-Tier HRA + Transport Allowance minus statutory 10% NPS and health insurance contributions). Actual net monthly take-home on the candidate's official pay slip will vary based on exact posting location, city classification, entitlement/opting of government quarters (which waives HRA), and department-specific allowances. For binding statutory terms, please refer to the official recruitment notification.
Exam Pattern & Detailed Syllabus
Official exam stages, subject marks distribution & interactive preparation tracker
Stage 1: Written / Computer Based Test (CBT / OMR)
Exam Mode: Computer Based Objective Multiple Choice Test
| Subject / Section | No. of Questions | Max Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 25 |
| General Awareness & Current Affairs | 25 | 25 |
| Quantitative Aptitude / Numerical Ability | 25 | 25 |
| English / Hindi Comprehension / Domain Subject | 25 | 25 |
Interactive Syllabus & Topic Study Tracker
Check off topics as you study — progress automatically saves to your browser.
General Awareness & Static GK
0 / 5 doneGeneral Intelligence & Reasoning
0 / 7 doneQuantitative Aptitude
0 / 7 doneHow to Apply Online: Step-by-Step Guide
Keep all required educational certificates, scanned photograph, and signature ready before opening the application form.
Visit the official recruitment portal: https://upsc.gov.in/
Carefully read the official notification PDF (Advt No: UPSC/CSE/2026/001) to confirm eligibility criteria.
Complete One-Time Registration (OTR) or new user registration on the official portal.
Fill in personal details, educational qualifications, and category reservation details accurately.
Upload scanned passport-sized photograph (20-50 KB) and signature (10-20 KB) in the prescribed format.
Pay the applicable application fee online and download/print the final confirmation page for future reference.
Recent Passport Size Color Photograph
20 KB to 50 KB, JPG/JPEG format, white/light background, taken within 3 months
Scanned Candidate Signature
10 KB to 20 KB, JPG/JPEG format, black/blue ink on white paper
Educational Qualification Certificates & Marksheets
100 KB to 300 KB, clearly readable PDF/JPG format
Category / EWS / Domicile Certificate (if applicable)
100 KB to 300 KB, valid PDF format issued by competent authority
Need official 20KB–50KB Photo & Signature for this form?
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Application Fee Details
Payment Modes: Online via Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, UPI, or Offline through Bank Challans
Selection Process
Frequently Asked Questions
What is UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE)?
The Civil Services Examination (CSE), conducted by UPSC, is India's premier administrative recruitment examination. It's the gateway to prestigious Group A central government services including Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and 24 other centralized services. It's considered one of the toughest and most competitive examinations in the world.
Who is eligible to apply for UPSC Civil Services Exam 2026?
Candidates must be Indian citizens, have completed 21 years of age, not exceeded 32 years (general category), hold a Bachelor's degree from recognized Indian university in any discipline, and have taken oath for Indian Constitution. People with disabilities, widows, and divorcees get age relaxations. SC/ST candidates get 5 years relaxation, OBC get 3 years.
What is the examination pattern for UPSC Civil Services Exam 2026?
The exam has three stages: (1) Preliminary Examination: Objective test (General Studies 100 marks + CSAT 200 marks, 2 hours each) - conducted on May 24, 2026. (2) Main Examination: 9 descriptive papers (2000 marks total) over 7-8 days. (3) Personality Test/Interview: 20-30 minutes before panel (275 marks). Only ~0.2% of applicants succeed in final selection.
How many vacancies are available in UPSC CSE 2026?
Approximately 900+ vacancies are available across all Group A services combined: IAS (~80-100), IPS (~80-100), IFS (~20-30), IRS (~60-80), and other services (~600+). Exact numbers vary based on government requirements, retirements, and created posts announced in the official notification.
What is the application fee for UPSC CSE 2026?
The application fee is ₹100 for General, OBC, and EWS candidates. However, SC/ST candidates, female candidates (all categories), transgender candidates, and PwBD candidates are exempted from fee payment (free application). Fee can be paid online via debit card, credit card, net banking, or offline through bank challan.
What is the UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination syllabus?
Mains syllabus covers 9 papers: Paper 1-4 are General Studies (covering Indian history, geography, polity, economy, science, environment, ethics); Paper 5-6 are Optional Subject (candidate's choice from 48 optional subjects); Paper 7 is Hindi/Regional Language; Paper 8 is English; Paper 9 is Essay writing. The optional subject is critical for scoring high marks.
What is the selection process after clearing UPSC Prelims examination?
After Prelims results (usually around 10,000-12,000 candidates shortlisted), selected candidates appear for Main Examination (9 papers). After Mains evaluation, approximately 2,000-2,500 candidates are shortlisted for the Personality Test. Final selection is made based on combined merit of Prelims, Mains, and Interview. Successful candidates then undergo training.
What is the salary and career prospects for IAS/IPS officers from UPSC CSE?
IAS officers get salary in Pay Band-4 (₹56,100 - ₹250,800 per month) with DA, HRA, and additional allowances. IPS officers earn similar salary structure. Benefits include pension (defined benefit), medical coverage, subsidized housing, official vehicles, foreign postings. IAS officers are posted as District Magistrate, Commissioner, or joint/additional secretary to Government of India.
Can a candidate appear for UPSC CSE if graduating in final year of Bachelor's degree?
Yes, candidates in their final year can appear for Prelims and even Mains if they qualify. However, by the time of interview/personality test, they MUST have completed their Bachelor's degree and be able to produce the original degree certificate during document verification. Failure to produce degree certificate leads to rejection despite clearing all stages.
How many times can I appear for UPSC Civil Services Examination?
General candidates can appear maximum 6 times. SC/ST candidates can appear until they reach 37 years of age. OBC candidates can appear until 35 years of age. The max age limit of 32 (for general) can be extended by age relaxation applicable. Candidates should not exceed their upper age limit by the date of Mains exam.
Last Date to Apply
1 March 2026
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Open 1-Click ResizerOfficial Verified Sources
UPSC Official Website
https://upsc.gov.in/
UPSC CSE 2026 Notification
https://upsc.gov.in/announcements/cse-2026-notification.pdf
UPSC CSE Information Bulletin 2026
https://upsc.gov.in/documents/cse-2026-information-bulletin.pdf
Admit Card Download (Prelims)
https://upsc.gov.in/admit-card
CSE Exam Pattern & Detailed Syllabus
https://upsc.gov.in/examinations/scheme-syllabus/cse-scheme-syllabus
Previous Year Question Papers (Prelims & Mains)
https://upsc.gov.in/examinations/question-papers/cse-question-papers
UPSC General Studies Book List (Recommended)
https://upsc.gov.in/study-materials/recommended-books
FAQs About Civil Services Examination
https://upsc.gov.in/faqs/cse-faqs
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