IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THE CANDIDATES
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) invites online applications for the Civil Services Examination, 2026. Candidates are required to apply online through the official website: https://upsconline.nic.in.
Application Process
The online application portal involves four modules: Account creation, Universal Registration, Common Application Form, and an examination-specific module. A Universal Registration Number (URN) will be generated upon registration, which is a one-time process for all UPSC examinations.
Vacancy Details
- Approximate Number of Vacancies: 933
- Reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD): 33 vacancies
- Blindness and low vision: 7 vacancies
- Deaf and hard of hearing: 11 vacancies
- Locomotor disability (including cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims, muscular dystrophy): 8 vacancies
- Multiple disabilities: 7 vacancies
The final number of vacancies is subject to change. Reservation will be provided for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwBD candidates as per government rules.
Eligibility Conditions
Nationality
- For Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS), the candidate must be a citizen of India.
- For other services, the candidate 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 with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Age Limits (as on 01.08.2026)
- A candidate must have attained the age of 21 years and must not have attained the age of 32 years.
- The candidate 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
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): Up to 10 years
Minimum Educational Qualification
A candidate must hold a Graduate degree from any of the recognized Universities or possess an equivalent qualification.
Number of Attempts
- General/EWS: 6 attempts
- OBC: 9 attempts
- SC/ST: Unlimited attempts
- PwBD (GL/EWS/OBC): 9 attempts
- PwBD (SC/ST): Unlimited attempts
Application Fee
- Fee: ₹100 (Rupees One Hundred only)
- Exemptions: Female/SC/ST/Persons with Benchmark Disability candidates 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).
- Payment Mode: Net Banking, Visa/Master/RuPay/Credit/Debit Card/UPI Payment.
How to Apply
Candidates must apply online at https://upsconline.nic.in. No other mode of application is allowed. Detailed instructions are available on the website. Applicants are advised to use their Aadhaar Card as an ID document for easy verification.
Plan of Examination
The examination consists 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/Personality Test): For the selection of candidates for the various services and posts.
Important Dates
- Date of Notification: 04.02.2026
- Last Date for Submission of Online Applications: 24.02.2026 till 6:00 PM
- Preliminary Examination Date: 24th May, 2026
Examination Centres
The examination will be held at various centres across the country. A list of Preliminary and Main examination centres is provided in the notification. Allotment of centres is on a "first-apply-first allot" basis.
Helpdesk
For any guidance/information/clarification regarding their applications, candidates can contact the helpline at 011-24041001 or email at upscsoap@nic.in on working days between 10:00 AM and 5:30 PM during the application window.
List of Services
The examination is conducted for recruitment to services including, but not limited to:
- Indian Administrative Service
- Indian Foreign Service
- Indian Police Service
- Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
- Indian Civil Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
- Indian Corporate Law Service, Group ‘A’
- and various other Group 'A' and Group 'B' services.