Important Information for Candidates
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the examination notice for the Civil Services Examination (CSE), 2026. Interested candidates are required to apply online through the official website.
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
Important Dates
- Date of Notification: 2026-02-04
- Start of Online Application: 2026-02-04
- Last Date for Submission of Online Applications: 2026-02-24 (until 6:00 PM)
- Date of Preliminary Examination: 2026-05-24
Application Process
Candidates must apply online at https://upsconline.nic.in. The application process involves:
- Account Creation & Universal Registration Number (URN): One-time registration to generate a URN.
- Common Application Form (CAF): Filling common details.
- Examination Specific Module: Filling details specific to the CSE 2026.
Applicants are strongly advised to use their Aadhaar Card for easy and seamless verification.
Application Fee
- Preliminary Examination: ₹100
- Main Examination: ₹200 (for candidates who qualify Prelims)
- Exemption: Female, SC, ST, and Persons with Benchmark Disability candidates are exempted from fee payment.
- Payment Mode: Net Banking, Visa/Master/RuPay/Credit/Debit Card/UPI.
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
- For Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS), a candidate must be a citizen of India.
- For other services, specific categories including subjects of Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibetan refugees are eligible.
Age Limit (as on 2026-08-01)
- Minimum Age: 21 years
- Maximum Age: 32 years (must have been born not earlier than August 2, 1994, and not later than August 1, 2005).
- Age Relaxation: Applicable for SC/ST (5 years), OBC (3 years), Defence Services Personnel (3 years), Ex-servicemen (5 years), and PwBD (10 years) categories as per government rules.
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.
- Candidates who have appeared or intend to appear for the final qualifying examination are also eligible to apply.
Number of Attempts
- General/EWS: 6 attempts
- OBC: 9 attempts
- SC/ST: Unlimited attempts until age limit
- PwBD (General/EWS/OBC): 9 attempts
- PwBD (SC/ST): Unlimited attempts until age limit
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. It consists of two papers (GS Paper-I and GS Paper-II/CSAT). GS Paper-II is qualifying in nature with a minimum of 33% marks. There will be negative marking for wrong answers.
- Civil Services (Main) Examination: Written examination and an Interview/Personality Test for the selection of candidates for the various services and posts.
How to Apply
Candidates must apply online by using the website https://upsconline.nic.in. No other mode of application will be accepted. Detailed instructions are available on the website. Candidates are advised to apply early to get a center of their choice as centers are allotted on a "first-apply-first allot" basis.
Helpdesk
For any guidance/information/clarification regarding their applications, candidates can contact the facilitation counter near 'C' gate of the Commission's campus in person or over:
- Telephone No.: 011-24041001
- Email ID: upscsoap@nic.in
- Timings: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM on all working days from 2026-02-04 to 2026-02-24.
For more detailed information, candidates are advised to carefully read the official notification available on the UPSC website www.upsc.gov.in.