Table Of Contents
- 1 UPSC CSE 2026: Key Highlights
- 1.1 About UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026
- 1.2 UPSC CSE Recruitment 2026 Important Dates
- 1.3 UPSC CSE 2026 Vacancy Details (Expected)
- 1.4 UPSC CSE Recruitment 2026 Application Fee
- 1.5 UPSC CSE 2026 Eligibility Criteria
- 1.6 UPSC CSE 2026 Selection Process
- 1.7 UPSC CSE 2026 Exam Pattern
- 1.8 UPSC CSE 2026 Salary Structure
- 1.9 Documents Required for UPSC CSE 2026
- 1.10 How to Apply Online for UPSC CSE Recruitment 2026
- 1.11 Important Link
- 1.12 Conclusion
UPSC CSE Recruitment 2026: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the notification for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026, one of India’s most prestigious competitive exams. This recruitment process opens the gateway to elite services such as IAS, IPS, IFS, and several Central Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ services.
Candidates aspiring to build a career in public administration and nation-building can now apply online. The application deadline has been extended, giving aspirants additional time to complete their registration.
UPSC CSE 2026: Key Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Conducting Authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Examination Name | Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 |
| Services Offered | IAS, IPS, IFS, Central Services (Group A & B) |
| Advertisement No. | 05/2026-CSE (dated 04.02.2026) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 04 February 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 27 February 2026 (Extended) |
| Preliminary Exam Date | 24 May 2026 |
| Selection Stages | Prelims, Mains, Interview |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
About UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026
UPSC CSE is conducted annually to recruit officers for All India Services and Central Civil Services. The examination follows a three-stage selection process, testing a candidate’s analytical ability, subject knowledge, decision-making skills, and personality traits.
Graduates from any discipline are eligible, making this exam accessible to candidates from diverse academic backgrounds.
UPSC CSE Recruitment 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 04 February 2026 |
| Online Application Begins | 04 February 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 27 February 2026 (Extended) |
| Preliminary Examination | 24 May 2026 |
| Main Examination | To be announced |
| Admit Card Release | Before the exam |
| Final Result | After completion of all stages |
UPSC CSE 2026 Vacancy Details (Expected)
UPSC has not yet declared the exact number of vacancies. Based on previous trends, around 933 posts are expected.
| Service Category | Included Services |
|---|---|
| All India Services | IAS, IPS, IFS |
| Central Services (Group A) | IRS, IRMS, IDAS, IPoS, ICLS, etc. |
| Central Services (Group B) | DANICS, DANIPS, AFHQ Civil Service, PONDICS |
| Total Expected Vacancies | Approx. 933 |
📌 Final vacancy numbers will be notified separately by UPSC.
UPSC CSE Recruitment 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹100 |
| Female / SC / ST / PwBD | No Fee |
| Payment Mode | Online (UPI, Debit/Credit Card, Net Banking) |
UPSC CSE 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
- A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
Age Limit (as on 01 August 2026)
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 21 years |
| Maximum Age | 32 years |
| Date of Birth Range | 02 Aug 1994 – 01 Aug 2005 |
Age Relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| Defence Personnel | 3 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 5 years |
| PwBD | 10 years |
Nationality: Indian citizens are eligible. Certain categories of Tibetan refugees and persons of Indian origin may also apply as per UPSC rules.
UPSC CSE 2026 Selection Process
The recruitment process consists of four structured stages:
- Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)
- Main Examination (Descriptive Type)
- Interview / Personality Test
- Medical Examination
Stage-wise Marks Distribution
| Stage | Description | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Prelims | GS Paper I & CSAT (Qualifying) | Qualifying |
| Mains | 9 Descriptive Papers | 1750 |
| Interview | Personality Test | 275 |
| Final Merit | Mains + Interview | 2025 |
UPSC CSE 2026 Exam Pattern
Preliminary Examination
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies | 100 | 200 | 2 Hours |
| Paper II | CSAT (Qualifying) | 80 | 200 | 2 Hours |
Main Examination
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper A | Indian Language (Qualifying) | 300 |
| Paper B | English (Qualifying) | 300 |
| Paper I | Essay | 250 |
| Paper II–V | General Studies I–IV | 250 each |
| Paper VI–VII | Optional Subject I & II | 250 each |
UPSC CSE 2026 Salary Structure
Selected candidates receive salaries as per the 7th Pay Commission.
| Post | Pay Scale |
|---|---|
| IAS / IPS / IFS | ₹56,100 – ₹2,50,000 (Approx.) |
Documents Required for UPSC CSE 2026
- Class 10 certificate (Date of Birth proof)
- Graduation degree & mark sheets
- Category certificate (if applicable)
- PwBD certificate (if applicable)
- Scanned photograph & signature
- Aadhaar / PAN
- Valid email ID & mobile number
- NCC / Sports certificates (if applicable)
How to Apply Online for UPSC CSE Recruitment 2026
Follow these steps carefully to complete your application:
- Visit upsc.gov.in
- Click on Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026 notification
- Redirect to upsconline.nic.in
- Create a new account and generate URN
- Login using URN / Email / Mobile OTP
- Fill the CSE application form
- Upload photo, signature & capture live photo
- Pay the application fee (if applicable)
- Submit the form and download the confirmation page
DSSSB Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 911 Legal Assistant, AE, JE and ASO Vacancies
Important Link
| Direct Apply | Click Here |
| UPSC Official Website | Click Here |
| Date Extended Notice | Click Here |
| Direct Link To Download Official Advertisement | Download Now |
Conclusion
The UPSC CSE Recruitment 2026 offers a life-changing opportunity for graduates aspiring to serve the nation through top civil services. With a transparent selection process, structured exam pattern, and respectable career growth, this examination remains one of India’s most sought-after competitive exams. Candidates are strongly advised to apply before the extended deadline and begin a disciplined preparation strategy.
