UPSC CSE Exam Pattern 2026: Check Prelims & Mains Pattern
UPSC CSE Exam Pattern 2026 consists of three stages — Prelims, Mains, and Interview. The Prelims include two objective papers of 200 marks each as a qualifying test. The Mains Exam has nine descriptive papers totalling 1750 marks, covering Essay, General Studies, and Optional Subjects. The final Personality Test carries 275 marks and evaluates a candidate’s suitability for civil services.
UPSC CSE Prelims Exam Pattern 2026
UPSC CSE Prelims Exam 2026 is the first stage of UPSC CSE Exam Pattern 2026, designed to screen candidates for the Mains. It tests aspirants on General Studies, current affairs, aptitude, and comprehension through two objective papers – GS Paper I and the qualifying CSAT paper. The detailed UPSC CSE 2026 Prelims exam pattern is given below for better understanding.
| Paper | Total Marks | No. of Questions | Marks per Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: General Studies | 200 | 100 | 2 |
| Paper 2: CSAT (Qualifying only) | 200 | 80 | 2.5 |
Key Pointer:
- Both papers of Prelims exam will be of 2 hours each.
- Prelims Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying in nature, requiring candidates to secure at least 33% out of 200 marks to be eligible for UPSC Mains examination.
- Negative Marking: 1/3 marks will be deducted for every incorrect answer.
UPSC CSE Mains Exam Pattern 2026
UPSC CSE Mains Exam 2026 is the second and most important stage of UPSC Civil Services Examination. It is a descriptive exam designed to evaluate a candidate’s analytical skills, conceptual clarity, and ability to express ideas effectively. UPSC IAS Mains Exam 2026 comprises nine papers — seven merit-based papers and two qualifying papers in language and English. This stage plays a vital role in determining a candidate’s rank in the final merit list. The detailed UPSC CSE 2026 Mains exam pattern is provided in the table below.
| Paper | Type | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper A – Indian Language (qualifying) | Language paper from the 8th Schedule | 300 |
| Paper B – English (qualifying) | Language paper | 300 |
| Essay | Conventional (essay-type) | 250 |
| GS Paper I(Indian Heritage & Culture; History; Society; Geography) | Conventional | 250 |
| GS Paper II(Polity, Governance, Social Justice, International Relations) | Conventional | 250 |
| GS Paper III(Economy, Science & Tech, Environment, Security, Disaster Management) | Conventional | 250 |
| GS Paper IV – Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude | Conventional | 250 |
| Optional Subject – Paper I | Conventional | 250 |
| Optional Subject – Paper II | Conventional | 250 |
| Total Written (excluding qualifying papers) | — | 1750 |
Note: Qualifying Paper A in UPSC IAS Mains requires candidates to choose one Indian Language from the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India. The list of languages and their script is given in the table below:
| Language | Script |
|---|---|
| Assamese | Assamese |
| Bengali | Bengali |
| Gujarati | Gujarati |
| Hindi | Devanagari |
| Kannada | Kannada |
| Kashmiri | Persian |
| Konkani | Devanagari |
| Malayalam | Malayalam |
| Manipuri | Bengali |
| Marathi | Devanagari |
| Nepali | Devanagari |
| Odia | Odia |
| Punjabi | Gurmukhi |
| Sanskrit | Devanagari |
| Sindhi | Devanagari or Arabic |
| Tamil | Tamil |
| Telugu | Telugu |
| Urdu | Persian |
| Bodo | Devanagari |
| Dogri | Devanagari |
| Maithili | Devanagari |
| Santhali | Devanagari or Olchiki |
UPSC Interview Exam Pattern 2026
UPSC Interview Exam Pattern 2026, also known as the Personality Test, is the final stage of UPSC Civil Services Examination. It carries 275 marks and plays a crucial role in determining a candidate’s final rank. This stage assesses not just academic knowledge but also personal qualities essential for public administration.
Key Highlights of UPSC Interview Exam Pattern
- Total Marks: 275 (added to the Mains score of 1750, making a total of 2025 marks)
- Nature of Test: Personal interview conducted by UPSC Board
- Objective: To evaluate the candidate’s personality, communication skills, decision-making ability, leadership qualities, and moral integrity
- Duration: Generally lasts between 30 to 45 minutes per candidate
- Medium: Can be conducted in English or Hindi (as per the candidate’s preference)
Assessment Areas
- Mental alertness and critical thinking
- Clarity of expression and confidence
- Awareness of national and international issues
- Leadership and decision-making skills
- Integrity, ethics, and suitability for administrative services
UPSC IAS Interview 2026 aims to identify candidates who possess the right temperament, maturity, and vision to serve the nation effectively. Consistent awareness of current affairs and balanced opinions on social and political issues can significantly enhance performance in this final round.
UPSC CSE Exam Pattern 2026 FAQs
Ques: How many stages are included in UPSC CSE Exam Pattern 2026?
Ans: UPSC CSE Exam Pattern 2026 consists of three stages – Prelims, Mains, and Interview. The Prelims act as a screening test, Mains assess candidates’ analytical and writing abilities, and the Interview evaluates personality, confidence, and suitability for civil services.
Ques: How many papers are there in UPSC CSE 2026 Mains stage?
Ans: UPSC CSE Mains 2026 includes nine papers, out of which two are qualifying language papers, one Essay paper, four General Studies papers, and two Optional Subject papers — making it a comprehensive evaluation of knowledge and analytical skills.
Ques: Which subjects are covered in UPSC CSE 2026 Prelims?
Ans: UPSC Prelims 2026 include General Studies Paper I and CSAT (Paper II). The syllabus covers history, polity, economy, geography, environment, science & technology, and current affairs, along with aptitude, comprehension, and reasoning skills.
Ques: How is merit calculated in UPSC CSE Exam 2026?
Ans: In UPSC CSE 2026, merit is calculated based on the Mains written exam (1750 marks) and the Interview or Personality Test (275 marks). Together, these contribute to a total of 2025 marks that determine the candidate’s final rank.
Ques: Can candidates choose their writing medium in UPSC CSE 2026?
Ans: Yes, candidates can choose English or any other language listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution as their medium, except for the compulsory English language paper, which must be answered in English.
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