IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the notification for the Civil Services Examination (CSE), 2026. Candidates are required to apply online through the official website: https://upsconline.nic.in.
The online application process consists of four modules:
- Account Creation
- Universal Registration
- Common Application Form
- Examination Specific Module
Upon registration, a Universal Registration Number (URN) is generated, which is a one-time, permanent registration. A dynamic Application Number will be generated for each specific examination.
Vacancy Details
- Total Vacancies: Approximately 933
- Reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD): 33 vacancies
- Blindness and low vision: 7
- Deaf and hard of hearing: 11
- Locomotor disability (including cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims, muscular dystrophy): 8
- Multiple disabilities: 7
List of Services
Recruitment will be for various Group 'A' and Group 'B' services including but not limited to:
- Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
- Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
- Indian Police Service (IPS)
- Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
- Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes), Group ‘A’
- Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax), Group ‘A’
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
- For IAS, IFS, and IPS: Must be a citizen of India.
- For other services: Must be a citizen of India, a subject of Nepal, a subject of Bhutan, a Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, or a person of Indian origin who has migrated from specified countries.
Age Limit (as on 01.08.2026)
- Minimum Age: 21 years
- Maximum Age: 32 years (must have been born not earlier than 2nd August, 1994 and not later than 1st August, 2005).
Age Relaxation
- SC/ST: Up to 5 years
- OBC: Up to 3 years
- Defence Services Personnel (disabled in operations): Up to 3 years
- Ex-servicemen: Up to 5 years
- PwBD: Up to 10 years
Educational Qualification
- A candidate must hold a Graduate degree from any of the Universities incorporated by an Act of the central or State Legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament or declared to be deemed as a University under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 or possess an equivalent qualification.
- Candidates appearing for their final qualifying examination are also eligible to apply provisionally.
Number of Attempts
- General/EWS: 6 attempts
- OBC: 9 attempts
- SC/ST: Unlimited attempts until the age limit is reached.
- PwBD: 9 attempts for GL/EWS/OBC and Unlimited for SC/ST.
Application Fee
- Fee: ₹100/- (Rupees One Hundred only).
- Exemption: Female candidates and candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and Persons with Benchmark Disability categories are exempted from payment of fee.
- Main Examination Fee: Candidates admitted to the Main Examination will be required to pay a further fee of ₹200/- (except exempted categories).
How to Apply
- Candidates must apply online at https://upsconline.nic.in.
- A valid Photo ID Card (Aadhaar/Voter Card/PAN/Passport etc.) is mandatory for the application.
- The process includes live photo capture and uploading of a scanned signature.
- Detailed instructions are available on the website.
Plan of Examination
The Civil Services Examination will consist of two successive stages:
- Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination (Objective type): For the selection of candidates for the Main Examination.
- Civil Services (Main) Examination (Written and Interview): For the selection of candidates for the various Services and posts.
Examination Centres
A list of centres for the Preliminary and Main examinations is available in the detailed notification. Allotment of Centres will be on a "first-apply-first-allot" basis.
Important Instructions
- Mobile phones and other electronic gadgets are banned inside the examination premises.
- Candidates should reach the venue at least 30 minutes before the commencement of the examination.
- Face authentication will be mandatory at the examination venue.
- There will be a penalty (negative marking) for wrong answers in the Objective Type Question Papers.
Helpdesk for Candidates
For any guidance/information/clarification regarding their applications, candidates can contact the helpline:
- Phone: 011-24041001
- Email: upscsoap@nic.in
- Timings: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM on all working days during the application window.