UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 | Notification, Eligibility, Exam Dates, Syllabus & Apply Online
Published By
Dhruv Thakkar
Approved By
Chirag AroraPublished On
15th Jan, 2026Updated On
3rd Feb, 2026Min Reading
10 
Tech Research Today
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is releasing the recruitment notification for its prestigious Civil Services Examination 2026 for a combined total of 900+ posts across all services. Eligible candidates with Bachelor's Degrees from recognized universities can apply Online from January 2026 onwards. Interested candidates can check eligibility, salary, age limit, selection process, and application steps below.
Job Title: IAS, IPS, IFS & Other Central Civil Services (UPSC CSE)
Job Description: The Union Public Service Commission conducts the Civil Services Examination (CSE) for recruitment to All-India and Central Civil Services including IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, IA&AS, IDAS, and other allied services. Selected candidates serve in administrative, policing, diplomatic, financial, and governance roles under the Government of India across various cadres and departments.
Apply Online Start Date: 2026-01-14
Apply Online Last Date: 2026-03-03
Education Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognized university
Job Location Street: Central & State Government Cadres / Departments
Job Location City: Multiple Cities
Job Location State/Region: All India
Job Location Postal Code: Variable by Cadre
Job Location Country: India
Job Applicant Country: India
Job Education: Graduate
The UPSC Civil Services Vacancy 2026 includes multiple prestigious All-India Services and Central Services, each with specific roles and responsibilities:
Service | Vacancies | Category |
Indian Administrative Service (IAS) | 180 | All-India Service |
Indian Police Service (IPS) | 150 | All-India Service |
Indian Foreign Service (IFS) | 55 | All-India Service |
Indian Audit & Accounts Service (IA&AS) | 28 | Central Services Group A |
Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) | 33 | Central Services Group A |
Indian Revenue Service (IRS - IT) | 206 | Central Services Group A |
Indian Revenue Service (IRS - C&IT) | 94 | Central Services Group A |
Indian Information Service | 14 | Central Services Group A |
Indian Trade Service | 20 | Central Services Group A |
Indian Railway Protection Force Service | 12 | Central Services Group A |
Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service | 42 | Central Services Group B |
Indian Postal Service | 14 | Central Services Group A |
Indian Railway Personnel Service | 25 | Central Services Group A |
Other Central Services | 83+ | Central Services (Various) |
TOTAL | 900+ | All Services Combined |
Category | Number of Vacancies | Percentage |
General (UR) | 396 | 40.5% |
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 269 | 27.5% |
SC | 144 | 14.7% |
ST | 66 | 6.7% |
EWS | 92 | 9.4% |
PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disability) | 38 | 3.9% |
TOTAL | 979 | 100% |
Bachelor’s Degree (Any Stream) from a UGC-recognized university
Arts / Science / Commerce / Engineering / Medical / Law / Management – all eligible
Professional degrees accepted (CA, CS, CMA, MBBS, LLB, B.Tech, MBA, etc.)
Final-year candidates can apply provisionally
No minimum percentage required
Not required
Fresh graduates can apply
Work experience gives no extra marks, but may help in Mains & Interview
Category | Age Limit |
General / EWS | 21 – 32 years |
OBC (NCL) | 21 – 35 years |
SC / ST | 21 – 37 years |
PwBD (Gen/EWS) | Up to 42 years |
PwBD + OBC | Up to 45 years |
PwBD + SC/ST | Up to 47 years |
Category | Attempts |
General / EWS | 6 |
OBC (NCL) | 9 |
SC / ST | Unlimited |
PwBD | Unlimited (age-limit applies) |
One Prelims appearance = one attempt.
No physical standards for most services
IPS only (after final selection):
Male: Height 165 cm (160 cm for SC/ST)
Female: Height 150 cm (145 cm for SC/ST)
Eyesight standards applicable
Other services require general medical fitness only
The UPSC Civil Services Salary 2026 is provided under the 7th Pay Commission pay structure with comprehensive allowances and benefits based on service and rank.
Position/Rank | Pay Level | Basic Pay Per Month | Gross Monthly Salary (Approx.) |
Assistant Collector / SDM (Entry Level) | Level 10 | ₹56,100 | ₹80,000 – ₹1,00,000 |
District Magistrate / Collector | Level 12 | ₹78,800 | ₹1,20,000 – ₹1,40,000 |
Joint Secretary | Level 12 | ₹78,800 | ₹1,35,000 – ₹1,45,000 |
Additional Secretary / Principal Secretary | Level 13 | ₹1,18,500 | ₹1,85,000 – ₹2,00,000 |
Additional Chief Secretary / Chief Secretary | Level 14 | ₹1,44,200 | ₹2,15,000 – ₹2,35,000 |
Secretary to Government of India | Level 17 | ₹2,25,000 | ₹3,25,000 – ₹3,50,000 |
Cabinet Secretary (Apex Scale) | Level 17 (Apex) | ₹2,50,000 | ₹3,50,000+ |
Position/Rank | Pay Level | Basic Pay Per Month | Gross Monthly Salary (Approx.) |
Assistant Superintendent of Police (Entry Level) | Level 10 | ₹56,100 | ₹80,000 – ₹95,000 |
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) | Level 10 | ₹56,100 | ₹80,000 – ₹94,000 |
Superintendent of Police (SP) | Level 12 | ₹78,800 | ₹1,20,000 – ₹1,35,000 |
Additional Police Commissioner / DCP | Level 13 | ₹1,18,500 | ₹1,65,000 – ₹1,85,000 |
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) | Level 13A | ₹1,31,100 | ₹1,85,000 – ₹2,05,000 |
Inspector General (IG) | Level 14 | ₹1,44,200 | ₹2,10,000 – ₹2,25,000 |
Additional Director General (ADG) | Level 15 | ₹1,82,200 | ₹2,50,000 – ₹2,75,000 |
Director General of Police (DGP) | Level 17 | ₹2,25,000 | ₹3,25,000+ |
Position/Rank | Pay Level | Basic Pay Per Month | Gross Monthly Salary (Approx.) |
Third Secretary (Entry Level) | Level 10 | ₹56,100 | ₹80,000 – ₹94,000 (domestic) |
Third Secretary (Foreign Posting) | Level 10 | ₹56,100 + Foreign Allowance | ₹2,00,000 – ₹4,00,000 (country-wise) |
Second Secretary | Level 11 | ₹67,700 | ₹1,05,000 – ₹1,20,000 (domestic) |
Second Secretary (Foreign Posting) | Level 11 + Foreign Allowance | ₹67,700 + Foreign Allowance | ₹2,50,000 – ₹5,00,000 (country-wise) |
First Secretary | Level 12 | ₹78,800 | ₹1,25,000 – ₹1,45,000 (domestic) |
Counsellor / Deputy Chief of Mission | Level 13 | ₹1,18,500 | ₹1,70,000 – ₹1,90,000 (domestic) |
Minister / Chief of Mission | Level 15 | ₹1,82,200 | ₹2,50,000 – ₹2,80,000 (domestic) |
Ambassador / High Commissioner | Level 16-17 | ₹2,05,400 – ₹2,25,000 | ₹3,00,000+ (foreign posting) |
The UPSC Civil Services Selection Process 2026 consists of five main stages plus training. Candidates must qualify multiple stages sequentially to be selected for the final appointment.
The UPSC Civil Services Examination consists of 5 main stages:
Stage | Process | Key Details | Counts for Merit |
Stage 1 | Preliminary Examination | 2 Papers (GS & CSAT), Objective, Negative Marking, Screening Exam | No (Qualifying only) |
Stage 2 | Main Examination | 9 Papers (Essay, GS I–IV, Optional I–II, English & Language), Descriptive | Yes (1,500 marks) |
Stage 3 | Personality Test (Interview) | UPSC Board Interview (45 mins approx) | Yes (275 marks) |
Stage 4 | Document Verification | Verification of degree, age, category, identity, etc. | No |
Stage 5 | Medical Examination | Comprehensive medical fitness check | No |
Final Stage | Merit List & Service Allocation | Based on total marks (Mains + Interview) | Yes (1,775 marks total) |
Training | Service Training Academy | IAS, IPS, IFS & other services training | Not applicable |
Category | Application Fee | Payment Mode | Exemption |
General / Unreserved | NIL (No Fee) | Online | Not applicable |
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | NIL (No Fee) | Online | Not applicable |
EWS | NIL (No Fee) | Online | Not applicable |
SC / ST | NIL (No Fee) | Online | Not applicable |
PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disability) | NIL (No Fee) | Online | Not applicable |
Female Candidates (All Categories) | NIL (No Fee) | Online | Not applicable |
All Other Candidates | NIL (No Fee) | Online | Not applicable |
Event | Scheduled Date | Status |
Notification Release | 14 January 2026 | POSTPONED – Official notification expected soon |
Application Form Activation | 14 January 2026 onwards (After notification release) | Pending notification |
Application Window Opens | 14 January 2026 (Estimated) | To be confirmed |
Application Window Closes | 03-04 March 2026 | To be confirmed |
Correction Window Opens | To be notified | To be notified |
Correction Window Closes | To be notified | To be notified |
Admit Card (Prelims) | Approximately 7-10 days before exam | To be notified |
Preliminary Examination | 24 May 2026 (Sunday) | CONFIRMED |
Prelims Result | June 2026 (approx.) | Expected within 30 days of exam |
Main Exam Admit Card | Approximately July 2026 | After Prelims result |
Main Examination | 21-25 August 2026 (Five consecutive days) | CONFIRMED |
Detailed Application Form (DAF-I & DAF-II) | July-August 2026 | To be notified |
Interview Call Letters | October-November 2026 | After Mains result |
Personality Test (Interview) | November 2026 – March 2027 | Batch-wise |
Interview Result | April 2027 (Approx.) | After interview completion |
Medical Examination | April-May 2027 | For shortlisted candidates |
Final Merit List | April-May 2027 | After all stages completion |
Appointment Letters Issued | May-June 2027 | After final selection |
Training Commencement | June-July 2027 | Varies by service |
The UPSC Civil Services Apply Online 2026 process is conducted entirely online through the official UPSC portal. Follow these detailed steps to complete your application successfully:
Go to upsc.gov.in (official website of Union Public Service Commission)
Open Civil Services Examination 2026 notification
New users register with email & mobile
Verify via OTP
Create password
Existing users can use old credentials
Enter personal, category, education & attempt details
Choose exam centres and optional subject
Photograph & Signature
10th certificate (DOB proof)
Govt ID
Category/EWS/PwBD certificate (if applicable)
Check name, DOB, category, exam centre & documents
Errors can cause rejection
Submit online (no fee)
Application Number generated
Download confirmation page & form PDF
Print 1–2 copies
Save soft copy
Save Application No., Registration ID & Password
Keep email & mobile active
Released 7–10 days before Prelims
Download from upsc.gov.in
Carry admit card + valid photo ID
Follow exam instructions strictly
Description | Link |
Official UPSC Website | |
UPSC CSE 2026 Notification | (Under "What's New" or "Recruitment" section – Released after Jan 14) |
Apply Online (Once Notification Released) | (Login portal will be activated with notification) |
UPSC Exam Calendar 2026 | (Calendar section) |
UPSC CSE Syllabus (Prelims & Mains) | (Detailed syllabus available in notification) |
UPSC Exam Pattern & Instructions | (Available in official notification PDF) |
Candidate Login Portal | (For registered candidates) |
Download Admit Card (Prelims) | (e-Admit Card section - activated 7-10 days before exam) |
Download Admit Card (Mains) | (Activated after Prelims result) |
Download Interview Call Letter | (Activated after Mains result) |
Detailed Application Form (DAF) Portal | (Will be activated for interview candidates) |
Attestation Form Portal | (For interview and document verification) |
Check Application Status | (Login required with Registration ID) |
UPSC Result Declarations | (Results section - Prelims, Mains, Final) |
UPSC FAQ / Help Desk | (FAQ section for common queries) |
UPSC Contact Information | (Contact Us section for grievances and queries) |
UPSC Public Grievances | (For lodging complaints) |
The UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 represents the most prestigious, powerful, and rewarding career opportunity in India for graduates. With 900+ vacancies across IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, IA&AS, IDAS, and other Central Services, attractive salary packages starting from ₹80,000-₹1,00,000 per month and reaching ₹2-3.5 lakh+ per month at senior levels, comprehensive benefits including government accommodation, official vehicles, medical facilities, pension, and the unparalleled satisfaction of nation-building and serving 1.4 billion Indians, this is truly a golden opportunity for those aspiring to make a real difference.
1. What is the total number of vacancies?
Answer: Around 900+ vacancies are expected across IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, IA&AS, IDAS, and other Group A & B services (exact numbers in official notification).
2. What is the application mode?
Answer: Online only through the official UPSC website. No offline application. Application fee: Nil (FREE for all candidates).
3. What is the last date to apply?
Answer: Expected around 03–04 February 2026 (exact date will be announced in the official notification).
4. What is the selection process?
Answer: Prelims (Qualifying) → Mains (1,500 marks) → Interview (275 marks) → Document Verification → Medical Test. Final merit is based on Mains + Interview (1,775 marks).
5. What is the official website to apply?
Answer: upsc.gov.in – Official website of Union Public Service Commission.
Disclaimer: This article is based on official notifications and authentic sources available as of January 2026. Candidates are advised to visit the official website upsc.gov.in for the most accurate and updated information regarding UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026.
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