UPSC CSE 2026 Notification Out Soon, Check Dates, Eligibility
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is all set to release the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) Notification 2026 on 14th January 2026, as per the official UPSC Exam Calendar. As one of the most prestigious examinations in India, UPSC CSE opens doors to top administrative services like IAS, IPS, IFS, and IRS. Lakhs of aspirants eagerly await this notification each year to kickstart their journey towards becoming civil servants. UPSC 2026 Notification will outline exam dates, vacancies, eligibility criteria, and the complete selection process.
UPSC CSE Notification 2026
The UPSC CSE Notification 2026 will include key details such as exam dates, number of vacancies, eligibility norms, and the step-by-step recruitment process. While the notification is yet to be released, aspirants can refer to previous year trends for an estimated idea. Below is a quick overview:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Stages | Prelims, Mains & Interview |
| Services Offered | IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS & other Group A & B services |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
UPSC CSE Notification 2026 Important Dates
The UPSC exam date for CSE 2026 has been officially confirmed in the annual exam calendar. Aspirants can now plan their preparation with clarity, as the schedule for notification release, application deadline, Prelims, and Mains has already been announced. The Interview/Personality Test dates will be notified later by UPSC after the Mains results.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| UPSC CSE 2026 Notification Release | 14 January 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 3 February 2026 |
| UPSC CSE Prelims 2026 | 24 May 2026 (Sunday) |
| UPSC CSE Mains 2026 Start Date | 21 August 2026 (Friday) |
| UPSC CSE Interview 2026 | To be announced |
| Final Result | To be announced |
UPSC CSE 2026 Vacancy Details
The exact number of vacancies for 2026 will be confirmed in the official notification. However, aspirants can get an idea from the UPSC CSE 2025 Vacancy details, which reflect the usual range. Generally, UPSC notifies around 1000+ vacancies every year for various services.
UPSC CSE 2025 Vacancy Distribution
| Services | Vacancy Count (2025) |
|---|---|
| IAS | 180 (approx.) |
| IPS | 150 (approx.) |
| IFS | 40 (approx.) |
| Central Services Group A | 550 (approx.) |
| Group B Services | 100 (approx.) |
| Total | 1020 (approx.) |
Note: 2026 vacancies will be updated once the official notification is released.
UPSC CSE 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates aspiring for the UPSC CSE 2026 exam must meet the eligibility criteria regarding nationality, age, and educational qualifications. Below are the detailed conditions:
Age Criteria
- Minimum Age: 21 years
- Maximum Age: 32 years (as of August 1, 2026)
- Age Relaxation:
- SC/ST: 5 years
- OBC: 3 years
- PwD: 10 years
Educational Qualification
To be eligible for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE), a candidate must have a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification approved by the Government of India.
- Final Year Students: Those who are in the final year or awaiting results can apply, but they must produce proof of passing the degree before the Mains Examination.
- Recognized Degrees: Degrees from universities established by Central/State legislatures, institutions recognized under the UGC Act, or equivalent qualifications are valid.
- Distance/Professional Courses: Degrees from open universities, distance education, and professional qualifications such as CA, ICWA, CS, MBBS, B.Tech, etc. are accepted, provided they are recognized.
- Foreign Degrees: Candidates with foreign degrees must obtain equivalence certification from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) or relevant authority.
UPSC CSE Application Fees 2026
Applying for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 requires candidates to pay a nominal application fee, as specified in the official notification. The fee structure is designed to remain affordable for all aspirants, with complete exemptions provided to certain categories such as SC, ST, PwBD, and all female candidates. Below is the detailed category-wise fee information for UPSC CSE 2026.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / EWS / OBC (Male) | ₹100 |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Female (all categories) | Exempted (₹0) |
Key Points to Note
UPSC CSE 2026 Selection Process
The selection process of UPSC CSE is conducted in three rigorous stages:
- Preliminary Examination (Objective Type) – Acts as a screening test; consists of two papers (GS-I & CSAT).
- Mains Examination (Descriptive Type) – Nine papers including Essay, GS Papers, and Optional Subject.
- Personality Test/Interview – Final stage to assess candidate’s personality, decision-making skills, and suitability for administrative services.
The final merit list is prepared based on marks obtained in the Mains and Interview stages only.
FAQs
Ques: When will the UPSC CSE Notification 2026 be released?
Ans: The UPSC CSE Notification 2026 will be released on 14 January 2026, as per the official UPSC exam calendar.
Ques: What is the date of UPSC Prelims 2026?
Ans: The UPSC CSE Prelims 2026 will be conducted on 24 May 2026 (Sunday).
Ques: How many vacancies will be announced in UPSC CSE 2026?
Ans: The exact vacancy details will be announced in the notification. Based on past trends, around 900–1100 vacancies can be expected.
Ques: What is the age limit for UPSC CSE 2026?
Ans: The age limit is 21 to 32 years (as of 1st August 2026). Relaxation is applicable:
- SC/ST: +5 years
- OBC: +3 years
- PwBD: +10 years
Ques. What is the educational qualification required for UPSC CSE 2026?
Ans: Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university. Final-year students are also eligible, provided they submit proof of passing before Mains.
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