Last Updated on: 08 Feb 2026, 03:19 PM
UPSC CSE 2026 Notification: Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Syllabus, and Complete Guide
Stop drowning in PDF files. 🛑 This is the definitive 360° breakdown of the UPSC Civil Services Exam. One page. Every detail: The 2026 Timeline, Eligibility Hacks, Post-wise Hierarchy (IAS/IPS/IFS), and a Decoded Syllabus. If it's not on this map, you don't need it to win.
UPSC CSE 2026: The Master Operational Blueprint (Notification to LBSNAA)
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official notification for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 on February 4, 2026
UPSC CSE 2026: Key Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 |
| Notification Release Date | 4 February 2026 |
| Application Dates | 4 February 2026 to 24 February 2026 (till 6 PM) |
| Preliminary Exam Date | 24 May 2026 |
| Mode of Application | Online via https://upsconline.nic.in |
| Total Vacancies | Approximately 933 (including 33 PwBD vacancies) |
| Stages of Exam | Preliminary, Mains, and Personality Test |
| Official Website | www.upsc.gov.in |
UPSC CSE 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Notification Release | 4 February 2026 | Officially Released |
| Application Start | 4 February 2026 | Ongoing |
| Last Date to Apply | 24 February 2026 (till 6:00 PM) | Upcoming |
| Preliminary Exam | 24 May 2026 | Scheduled |
| Main Exam | Expected September 2026 | To Be Announced |
UPSC CSE 2026 Eligibility Criteria
1. Nationality- For IAS, IPS, and IFS: Must be a citizen of India.
- For other services: Citizens of India, Nepal, Bhutan, or Tibetan refugees settled before January 1, 1962 are eligible.
- Candidate must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
- Candidates appearing in the final year of graduation can also apply provisionally.
- Minimum Age: 21 years
- Maximum Age: 32 years (as of 1 August 2026)
- Date of Birth Range: Born between 2 August 1994 and 1 August 2005
- SC/ST – 5 years
- OBC – 3 years
- PwBD – 10 years
- Defence Personnel (disabled) – 3 years
- General/EWS: 6 attempts
- OBC: 9 attempts
- SC/ST: Unlimited (within age limit)
- PwBD: As per category relaxation
UPSC CSE 2026 Application Process
- Visit https://upsconline.nic.in
- Register once using the Universal Registration Number (URN) system.
- Fill the Common Application Form (CAF).
- Upload photo, live photo, and signature as per instructions.
- Pay the exam fee online and submit the form.
- General/OBC/EWS: ₹100
- Female/SC/ST/PwBD: Exempted
- Mode of Payment: Debit/Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI
UPSC CSE 2026 Selection Process
The Civil Services Examination is conducted in three stages:
Stage 1: Preliminary Examination- Objective type (MCQs)
- Two Papers – General Studies Paper I and CSAT (Paper II)
- Each Paper: 200 marks, duration of 2 hours
- Negative marking: ⅓ mark deduction per wrong answer
- CSAT qualifying mark: 33%
- Descriptive type (Essay + Subjective answers)
- 9 Papers total (2 qualifying + 7 for merit)
- Each paper of 3 hours duration
- Subjects include Essay, General Studies I-IV, and Optional Subjects
- 275 marks
- Tests leadership, integrity, communication, and judgment
- Final rank = Mains marks + Interview marks
UPSC CSE 2026 Exam Pattern (Detailed)
Preliminary Exam Pattern| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies | 200 | 2 hours | Merit-based |
| Paper II | CSAT (Aptitude Test) | 200 | 2 hours | Qualifying (33%) |
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-A | Indian Language (selected) | 300 | Qualifying |
| Paper-B | English | 300 | Qualifying |
| Paper-I | Essay | 250 | Counted for merit |
| Paper-II to Paper-V | General Studies I–IV | 1000 (250 each) | Counted for merit |
| Paper-VI & VII | Optional Subject (Paper I & II) | 500 (250 each) | Counted for merit |
| Interview | Personality Test | 275 | Final Stage |
| Total | 2025 |
UPSC CSE 2026 Syllabus (Overview)
Prelims Paper I – General Studies- Current events of national and international importance
- History of India and Indian National Movement
- Indian and World Geography
- Indian Polity and Governance
- Economic and Social Development
- Environmental Ecology and Climate Change
- General Science
- Comprehension and interpersonal skills
- Logical reasoning and analytical ability
- Decision-making and problem-solving
- Basic numeracy and data interpretation
Candidates must write essays on multiple topics to evaluate analytical thinking, coherence, and writing style.
General Studies I- Indian Heritage and Culture
- World History and Geography
- Social issues and society
- Governance, Constitution, Polity
- Welfare schemes and rights issues
- Economy, Agriculture, Environment
- Science & Technology
- Security and Disaster Management
- Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude
- Case studies on moral reasoning
UPSC allows candidates to choose one optional subject from a list of 48 subjects including History, Geography, Sociology, Public Administration, and Political Science.
UPSC CSE Optional Subjects List
- Agriculture
- Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
- Anthropology
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Commerce and Accountancy
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- Geography
- Geology
- History
- Law
- Management
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medical Science
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science and International Relations
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Sociology
- Statistics
- Zoology
- Tamil Literature
- Kannada Literature
- Malayalam Literature
- Telugu Literature
- Urdu Literature
- Hindi Literature
- English Literature
- Sanskrit Literature
- Punjabi Literature
- Gujarati Literature
- Marathi Literature
- Odia Literature
- Assamese Literature
- Bengali Literature
- Kashmiri Literature
- Konkani Literature
- Maithili Literature
- Manipuri Literature
- Nepali Literature
- Sindhi Literature
- Santhali Literature
UPSC CSE Language Subjects List (Qualifying Papers)
- Assamese
- Bengali
- Bodo
- Dogri
- Gujarati
- Hindi
- Kannada
- Kashmiri
- Konkani
- Maithili
- Malayalam
- Manipuri
- Marathi
- Nepali
- Odia
- Punjabi
- Sanskrit
- Santhali
- Sindhi
- Tamil
- Telugu
- Urdu
- English
UPSC CSE 2026 Vacancy Details
The total number of vacancies for UPSC CSE 2026 is approximately 933, including 33 reserved for PwBD candidates across categories:
- Blindness and Low Vision – 7
- Deaf and Hard of Hearing – 11
- Locomotor Disability – 8
- Multiple Disabilities – 7
UPSC CSE Promotion Hierarchy
| Service Level | Designation | Approximate Length of Service |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level | Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) / Assistant Secretary | 0 – 4 Years |
| Junior Administrative Level | Additional District Magistrate (ADM) | 4 – 9 Years |
| Selection Grade | District Magistrate / Deputy Secretary | 9 – 12 Years |
| Super Time Scale | Divisional Commissioner / Joint Secretary | 12 – 16 Years |
| Above Super Time Scale | Principal Secretary / Additional Secretary | 16 – 25 Years |
| Apex Scale | Chief Secretary / Cabinet Secretary | 25+ Years |
| Promotions are subject to service rules, vacancies, performance, and empanelment | ||
Services and Posts under UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE)
| Service Category | Service Name | Post / Designation |
|---|---|---|
| All India Services | Indian Administrative Service (IAS) | District Magistrate, Secretary, Chief Secretary |
| All India Services | Indian Police Service (IPS) | Superintendent of Police, DIG, DGP |
| All India Services | Indian Forest Service (IFS) | Divisional Forest Officer, PCCF |
| Group A Services | Indian Foreign Service (IFS) | Diplomat, Ambassador, High Commissioner |
| Group A Services | Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS) | Accountant General, Director of Audit |
| Group A Services | Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS) | Controller of Accounts |
| Group A Services | Indian Corporate Law Service (ICLS) | Registrar of Companies, Official Liquidator |
| Group A Services | Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) | Controller of Defence Accounts |
| Group A Services | Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES) | Defence Estates Officer |
| Group A Services | Indian Information Service (IIS) | Information Officer, Media Advisor |
| Group A Services | Indian Postal Service | Postmaster General |
| Group A Services | Indian P&T Accounts and Finance Service | Controller of Communication Accounts |
| Group A Services | Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS) | Divisional Railway Manager |
| Group A Services | Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes) | Commissioner of Customs / GST |
| Group A Services | Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) | Commissioner of Income Tax |
| Group A Services | Indian Trade Service (ITS) | Director General of Foreign Trade |
| Group B Services | Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service | Section Officer |
| Group B Services | Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands Civil Service (DANICS) | Sub-Divisional Magistrate |
| Group B Services | Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands Police Service (DANIPS) | Assistant Superintendent of Police |
| Group B Services | Pondicherry Civil Service | Deputy Collector |
| Group B Services | Pondicherry Police Service | Deputy Superintendent of Police |
| Service allocation is based on rank, preference, vacancy, and reservation rules | ||
UPSC CSE 2026 – Reservation Policy
- Reservation as per Government of India rules for SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD categories.
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) certificate must be issued on or after April 1, 2025.
- EWS certificate must be based on income of FY 2024–25 and issued after April 1, 2025.
UPSC CSE in Hand Salary
| Pay Level | Designation Level | Basic Pay (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Level 10 | Entry-Level Officer (SDM / Assistant Secretary) | 56,100 |
| Level 11 | ADM / Under Secretary | 67,700 |
| Level 12 | District Magistrate / Deputy Secretary | 78,800 |
| Level 13 | Joint Secretary | 1,23,100 |
| Level 14 | Additional Secretary / Principal Secretary | 1,44,200 |
| Level 15 | Secretary to Government of India | 1,82,200 |
| Apex Scale | Cabinet Secretary | 2,50,000 (Fixed) |
| Salary excludes DA, HRA, TA, and other applicable allowances | ||
UPSC CSE 2026 Helpline and Support
- Helpline Number: 011-24041001
- Email: upscsoap@nic.in
- Timings: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM (working days)
UPSC CSE 2026 Key Instructions for Candidates
- Face authentication will be conducted at the exam venue.
- No mobile phones, watches, or smart devices allowed.
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before exam time.
- Late entry not permitted.
- Use only black ink for writing the mains exam.
UPSC CSE 2026 – Important Tips for Aspirants
- Start your preparation early focusing on NCERTs and standard UPSC books.
- Read newspapers daily (The Hindu or Indian Express).
- Practice mock tests and previous year question papers.
- Revise multiple times to retain facts and frameworks.
- Focus on answer writing for mains from early stages.
Aspirants also read below articles ↓
Share This:
Freqently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is UPSC CSE 2026 notification date?
The UPSC CSE 2026 notification was officially released on 4 February 2026 by the Union Public Service Commission.
What is the last date to apply for UPSC CSE 2026?
The last date to apply online for UPSC CSE 2026 is 24 February 2026 till 6:00 PM through the official UPSC portal.
What is the age limit for UPSC Civil Services 2026?
The age limit for UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 is 21 to 32 years as on 1 August 2026, with age relaxation applicable for SC, ST, OBC, PwBD, and ex-servicemen candidates as per rules.
How many vacancies are there in UPSC CSE 2026?
The total number of vacancies in UPSC CSE 2026 is approximately 933, including 33 vacancies reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD).
What is the exam date of UPSC Prelims 2026?
The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026 will be conducted on 24 May 2026 (Sunday) across various exam centers in India.
What is the eligibility criteria for UPSC CSE 2026?
To be eligible for UPSC CSE 2026, a candidate must be a graduate from a recognized university, meet the prescribed age limit, and fulfill nationality requirements as specified in the official notification.
How many attempts are allowed for UPSC 2026?
The number of attempts allowed in UPSC CSE 2026 is 6 for General/EWS, 9 for OBC, and unlimited for SC/ST candidates within the prescribed age limit.
Is CSAT qualifying in UPSC CSE 2026?
Yes, CSAT (General Studies Paper II) is qualifying in UPSC CSE 2026, and candidates must score at least 33% marks to qualify this paper.
What is the syllabus of UPSC CSE 2026?
The UPSC CSE 2026 syllabus includes General Studies, CSAT, Essay, Ethics, Optional Subjects, and Current Affairs, covering topics like polity, economy, history, geography, environment, science, and governance.
What is the selection process of UPSC Civil Services Examination?
The UPSC Civil Services selection process consists of three stages:
Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Personality Test (Interview).