📋 Complete Advertisement & Guidelines
1. Recruitment Overview
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the notification for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026. This is one of the most prestigious recruitment drives in India, offering entry into top-tier bureaucratic positions such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS), among others.
This recruitment targets vacancies for the 2026 batch across various Group A and Group B Central Services. With approximately 933 vacancies expected, this is a significant opportunity for graduates aspiring for a career in public service. This is a Competitive Examination process, requiring candidates to clear Prelims, Mains, and an Interview.
2. Key Highlights Table
| Organization Name | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 |
| Post Type | Group A & Group B Services (IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, etc.) |
| Total Vacancy Count | Approximately 933 Posts |
| Application Start Date | 04 February 2026 |
| Application End Date | 24 February 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Qualification | Graduate Degree (Any Discipline) |
| Official Website | www.upsc.gov.in |
3. Vacancy Details (Detailed Breakdown)
Service Categories
While the exact breakdown of vacancies for each service is released with the detailed notification, the 933 posts are distributed across the following categories:
| Service Category | Post Type | Expected Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| All India Services | IAS / IPS / IFS | Included in Total |
| Central Services Group A | IRS, Indian Railway Management, Indian Defence Accounts, Indian Postal Service, etc. | Included in Total |
| Central Services Group B | DANICS / DANIPS / AFHQ Civil Service / PONDICS | Included in Total |
| Total | All Services | 933 (Approx.) |
4. Eligibility Criteria (In-Depth)
Educational Qualification
- Candidates must possess a Graduate Degree (Bachelor's) in any discipline from a University recognized by the UGC.
- Candidates appearing for the final year of graduation can also apply, provided they pass the degree exam by the time of the Main Exam.
Age Limit
- Minimum Age: 21 Years
- Maximum Age: 32 Years
- Cut-off Date: Age is calculated as of 01 August 2026. (Candidates must not have attained 32 years by this date).
Age Relaxation
Upper age limit relaxations applicable as per government rules:
- SC/ST: 5 years relaxation (Up to 37 years).
- OBC: 3 years relaxation (Up to 35 years).
- Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD): Up to 10 years relaxation.
Mandatory Requirements
- Nationality: Must be a citizen of India.
- Number of Attempts: General/EWS candidates have 6 attempts (Up to 32 years). SC/ST have no limit until age cap. OBC has 9 attempts (Up to 35 years).
5. Examination Structure & Selection Process
The selection process involves three stages: Preliminary, Main, and Interview. It is strictly a Competitive Exam process.
Stage 1: Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination
Mode: Offline (OMR Sheet based Objective Type)
Nature: Screening test (Marks not counted for final merit).
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies (GS) | 200 Marks | 2 Hours |
| Paper II | CSAT (Aptitude) | 200 Marks | 2 Hours |
Negative Marking: 1/3rd mark is deducted for every wrong answer.
CSAT Qualifying: Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying only; candidates need 33% marks to qualify.
Stage 2: Civil Services (Main) Examination
Mode: Offline (Descriptive/Conventional Papers)
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper A & B | Indian Language & English | 300 Each | Qualifying |
| Paper I | Essay | 250 | Merit |
| Paper II-V | General Studies I, II, III, IV | 250 Each | Merit |
| Paper VI & VII | Optional Subject (2 Papers) | 250 Each | Merit |
| Total | Written Exam | 1750 |
Stage 3: Interview / Personality Test
- Marks: 275
- Total Marks (Final Merit): 1750 (Mains) + 275 (Interview) = 2025 Marks
6. Application Fee
- General / OBC / EWS Male Candidates: Rs. 100/-
- SC / ST / PwBD / Female Candidates: Nil (Exempted)
Payment Mode: Online (Net Banking/Debit Card/Credit Card) or Offline (SBI Cash Challan).
7. How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
- Visit the official UPSC Online website: upsconline.nic.in.
- Click on "Civil Services Examination 2026" link on the homepage.
- If you are a new user, complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) to generate your URN (Registration ID).
- Log in using your URN and password to fill out the application form.
- Upload required documents: Photograph, Signature, and Photo ID proof (PDF format).
- Pay the application fee (if applicable) through the available payment gateway.
- Review all details carefully and click on Submit.
- Download the final submitted form for future reference.
8. Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 04 February 2026 |
| Opening Date to Apply Online | 04 February 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 24 February 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Preliminary Exam Date | 24 May 2026 |
| Main Exam Date | To be announced (Likely Aug/Sep 2026) |