Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the much-awaited notification for the Civil Services (IAS) and Indian Forest Service (IFS) Examination 2026 on its website upsconline.nic.in. This prestigious recruitment drive aims to fill a total of 933 vacancies across various services under the Government of India. The online application process commenced on 04 February 2026 and will remain open until 24 February 2026. Aspirants must be between 21 and 32 years of age as of 01 August 2026. This comprehensive guide provides all essential details regarding vacancy distribution, eligibility criteria, application fees, exam pattern, syllabus, and step-by-step instructions to apply online for the UPSC CSE 2026.
| Conducting Authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Examination Name | Civil Services Examination (CSE) & Indian Forest Service Examination (IFS) 2026 |
| Advt. Number | 05/2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 933 Posts (Combined) |
| Application Mode | Online Only |
| Job Location | All India |
| Official Website | upsconline.nic.in |
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Release Date | 04 February 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 04 February 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 24 February 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 24 February 2026 |
| UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Exam Date 2026 | 24 May 2026 |
| UPSC IFS (Preliminary) Exam Date 2026 | 24 May 2026 |
| Admit Card Release (Prelims) | 2-3 weeks before exam |
| Civil Services (Main) Exam 2026 Date | December 2026 (Tentative) |
| IFS (Main) Exam 2026 Date | November 2026 (Tentative) |
The total number of vacancies announced through the UPSC CSE 2026 notification is 933. These vacancies are for various prestigious services including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and others under the Central & State Governments. The category-wise vacancy distribution will be notified in due course by the Commission.
| Post/Service Name | Approximate Vacancies* | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Administrative Service (IAS) | Not Mentioned | Included in total 933 posts |
| Indian Forest Service (IFS) | Not Mentioned | Included in total 933 posts |
| Indian Police Service (IPS) | Not Mentioned | Included in total 933 posts |
| Other Central Services (Group A & B) | Not Mentioned | Included in total 933 posts |
| Total Combined Vacancies | 933 Posts | As per official notification Advt. No. 05/2026 |
*Note: The exact service-wise and category-wise vacancy details will be provided by UPSC in the subsequent detailed examination notice.
| Category | Application Fee | Concession |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS Candidates | ₹ 100/- | Not Applicable |
| SC / ST Candidates | ₹ 0/- (Nil) | Full Fee Waiver |
| Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) | ₹ 0/- (Nil) | Full Fee Waiver |
| All Female Candidates | ₹ 0/- (Nil) | Full Fee Waiver |
Accepted Payment Modes: The application fee (where applicable) can be paid online through:
- Internet Banking (SBI & other associated banks)
- Credit Card (Visa/MasterCard/Maestro/Rupay)
- Debit Card
- UPI (Unified Payments Interface)
- Cash at any SBI Branch via Challan
Important: The fee must be paid on or before the last date, i.e., 24 February 2026. Transaction charges, if any, must be borne by the candidate.
A. Nationality: For IAS and IPS – Candidate must be a citizen of India. For other services, criteria as mentioned in the official notification apply.
B. Educational Qualification: Candidate must hold a Bachelor’s degree from any recognized university. Candidates appearing in the final year are also eligible to apply.
C. Age Limit (as on 01 August 2026):
| Criteria | Age Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 21 Years |
| Maximum Age (General/EWS) | 32 Years |
| Date of Birth Range | Must be born not earlier than 02 August 1994 and not later than 01 August 2005 |
D. Age Relaxation: As per Government of India rules.
| Category | Age Relaxation | Maximum Age after Relaxation |
|---|---|---|
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 Years | 35 Years |
| SC / ST | 5 Years | 37 Years |
| Defence Services Personnel | 3 Years | 35 Years |
| PwBD (General) | 10 Years | 42 Years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 Years | 45 Years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 Years | 47 Years |
The selection of candidates for the UPSC Civil Services and Forest Services is a three-tier rigorous process:
- Preliminary Examination (Objective Type): This is a screening test consisting of two papers (General Studies and CSAT). Marks obtained in Prelims are not counted for the final merit list but are qualifying in nature.
- Main Examination (Written & Descriptive): Candidates who qualify Prelims are eligible to appear for the Mains exam, which comprises 9 papers (including Essay, GS I-IV, Optional subjects, and Indian Language).
- Personality Test (Interview): Candidates shortlisted from the Mains exam are called for a personal interview to assess their mental caliber, critical thinking, and suitability for a career in public service.
Final Merit: The final rank list is prepared based on the marks obtained in the Main Examination and the Interview.
| Paper | Subject | Total Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies (GS) | 100 | 200 | 2 Hours | Qualifying for Mains |
| Paper II | Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) | 80 | 200 | 2 Hours | Qualifying (33% minimum) |
| Note: Both papers are objective type (MCQs). Negative marking of 1/3rd marks for wrong answers. The Prelims is only a screening test; its marks are not added to the final total. | |||||
The syllabus for the UPSC Preliminary examination is vast and comprehensive. Below is a condensed overview:
| Paper | Core Topics |
|---|---|
| GS Paper I | Current Events of National & International Importance; History of India & Indian National Movement; Indian & World Geography; Indian Polity & Governance; Economic & Social Development; Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, Climate Change; General Science. |
| CSAT Paper II | Comprehension; Interpersonal Skills; Logical Reasoning & Analytical Ability; Decision Making; General Mental Ability; Basic Numeracy; Data Interpretation. |
Detailed Syllabus: Candidates are advised to meticulously study the detailed syllabus provided in the official UPSC notification PDF, especially for the Mains examination and optional subjects.
Admit Card: The UPSC admit card for the Preliminary examination will be released approximately 2-3 weeks before the exam date (24 May 2026). Candidates must download their e-admit card from the official website upsconline.nic.in using their registration ID. No physical admit cards are sent by post.
Result Declaration: UPSC will declare the result of the Preliminary exam a few weeks after its conduct. The result for the Mains exam and the final merit list will be announced in subsequent phases. All results will be published on the official UPSC website. Candidates should regularly check the Commission's portal for updates.
Follow these steps carefully to submit your application successfully before the deadline:
- Visit Official Website: Go to the UPSC Online portal: upsconline.nic.in.
- Part-I Registration: Click on the link "Online Application for Various Examinations" and then on "Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026". Fill in Part-I registration details like name, date of birth, email, mobile number, etc. You will receive a Registration ID.
- Part-II Registration: Log in with your Registration ID and Date of Birth. Fill in detailed information regarding educational qualifications, address, exam center preference, etc.
- Upload Documents: Upload scanned images of your recent photograph, signature, and photo ID as per the prescribed format and size (JPEG, 3KB-40KB).
- Payment of Fee: If applicable, pay the examination fee using any of the online payment methods (Net Banking/Credit/Debit Card/UPI) or generate an SBI challan for offline payment.
- Review & Submit: Carefully review all the entered details. Once verified, submit the application form.
- Print Confirmation: Take a printout of the finally submitted application form for your future reference. No need to send any hard copy to UPSC.
| Document | Specifications | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Recent Passport Size Photograph | JPEG format, Size: 3KB - 40KB, Clear front view on light background | Identity verification on Admit Card |
| Signature | JPEG format, Size: 1KB - 40KB, Signed on white paper with black ink | Verification on documents |
| Photo Identity Proof | JPEG format, Size: 10KB - 300KB (Aadhaar, Voter ID, Passport, etc.) | Identity verification |
| Class 10th Certificate | For Date of Birth proof (Details to be entered) | Age verification |
| Bachelor's Degree Certificate/ Final Year Marksheet | Details to be entered | Educational Qualification proof |
| Category Certificate (if applicable) | SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD certificates as per format | Claiming reservation/relaxation |
- The application process is ONLINE ONLY. No offline mode is available.
- Submit the form well before the last date (24 February 2026) to avoid last-minute server congestion.
- Provide an active mobile number and valid email ID for all communication. Do not share your Registration ID/Password.
- Fee payment confirmation may take some time. If the status is not updated, do not submit a duplicate application.
- Candidates must choose the examination centers carefully. Requests for change of center are rarely entertained.
- Meticulously read the official notification PDF before filling the form to understand all rules regarding eligibility, age relaxation, and service preferences.
Cracking the UPSC Civil Services Examination opens the door to the most prestigious and powerful administrative positions in India. As an IAS officer, you become the backbone of the Indian administrative machinery, responsible for policy formulation, implementation, and district administration. IFS officers represent India on the global stage. IPS officers maintain law and order. Other Group A & B services offer specialized roles in revenue, audit, foreign trade, and more. The career offers unparalleled job security, societal respect, a chance to bring tangible change in people's lives, and an attractive pay scale under the 7th Central Pay Commission. The role provides continuous learning and opportunities for both State and Central Government postings.
| Purpose | Direct Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online for UPSC CSE & IFS 2026 | Click Here to Apply Online |
| Download Official Notification PDF 2026 | Download UPSC PDF Notification |
| Visit Official UPSC Website | UPSC Official Website |
| Join for Daily Govt Job Updates | Join Rojgar Job Alerts WhatsApp |
The last date to submit the online application is 24 February 2026.
General category candidates have 6 attempts up to age 32. OBC candidates have 9 attempts up to age 35. SC/ST candidates have unlimited attempts up to age 37.
Yes, candidates who are in the final year of their degree course or awaiting results are eligible to apply for the Preliminary exam. However, they must submit proof of passing the required qualification before the Main exam.
Yes, the Preliminary exam for the Civil Services and the Indian Forest Service is common and held on the same day (24 May 2026). Candidates must indicate their preference for IFS in the Main application form later.
The application fee for General, OBC, and EWS category male candidates is ₹100. Female, SC, ST, and PwBD candidates are exempted from paying the fee.
The detailed syllabus is part of the official notification PDF. You can download it from the UPSC website or use the direct download link provided in the "Important Links" table above.
Yes, UPSC provides a window for correction of certain details in the application form after the final submission. The correction window dates are announced on the official website after the application period ends.
Focus on NCERT textbooks (Class 6-12) for basics, follow a reputable current affairs source, practice previous years' question papers, and take regular mock tests. A disciplined study plan covering the entire GS and CSAT syllabus is key.