UPSC Notification 2026 out
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Content
- Why in News
- Civil Services Examination
- Important Dates
- Eligibility Conditions
- Number of Attempts
- Application Fee
- Steps to Fill UPSC Application Form
- New Change in UPSC Notification 2026
Why in News?
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) released the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 notification on 4 February 2026, formally initiating the recruitment process for India’s premier administrative services such as IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS and other Central Civil Services. The notification provides official clarity on vacancies, eligibility, exam stages, and timelines, making it a critical document for aspirants.
About the Civil Services Examination
The Civil Services Examination is conducted annually by UPSC to recruit officers for All India Services, Group A and selected Group B services. The exam is designed not merely to test academic knowledge, but to assess analytical ability, administrative judgement, ethical orientation, and decision-making capacity, which are essential for public service roles.
The examination is conducted in three distinct stages, each serving a specific purpose in the selection process.
UPSC Notification PDF: Click Here
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Posts | Group A and Group B Services |
| Popular Services | Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Revenue Service (IRS) |
| Application Start Date | 04 February 2026 |
| Application End Date | 24 February 2026 (18:00 hrs) |
| Level of Examination | National |
| Frequency of Examination | Annual |
| Examination Stages | Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, Interview cum Personality Test |
| Medium of Examination | English and Hindi |
| Official Websites | upsc.gov.in |
Important Dates-UPSC CSE 2026
Knowing the official timeline helps aspirants plan their revision cycles, mock tests, and attempt strategy, especially given the short gap between notification and the Preliminary Examination.
| Event | Date |
| Notification issued | 4 February 2026 |
| Online application starts | 4 February 2026 |
| Last date to apply | 24 February 2026 |
| Preliminary Examination | 24 May 2026 |
| Main Examination | 21 August 2026 |
| Interview | To be notified |
Vacancy Position
Vacancy data is closely tracked by aspirants as it reflects the competition intensity and helps in understanding trends in recruitment over time. A declining vacancy number generally implies higher cut-offs and increased pressure at the Prelims stage.
| Year | Vacancies |
| 2024 | 1,056 |
| 2025 | 979 |
| 2026 | 933 |
The steady decline in vacancies over the past three years highlights the need for precision-based preparation rather than attempt-heavy strategies.
Eligibility Conditions
Nationality Criteria (As per UPSC CSE Notification 2026)
(1) For the Indian Administrative Service, the Indian Foreign Service and the Indian Police Service, a candidate must be a citizen of India.
(2) For other services, a candidate must be either:
(a) a citizen of India, or
(b) a subject of Nepal, or
(c) a subject of Bhutan, or
(d) a Tibetan refugee who came over to India before 1st January, 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India, or
(e) a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Provided that a candidate belonging to categories (b), (c), (d) and (e) shall be a person in whose favour a certificate of eligibility has been issued by the Government of India.
A candidate in whose case a certificate of eligibility is necessary, may be admitted to the examination but the offer of appointment may be given only after the necessary eligibility certificate has been issued to him/her by the Government of India.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must hold a graduate degree from a recognised university. Those in the final year of graduation are also eligible to apply, provided they submit proof of qualification before the Mains Examination. This provision allows younger aspirants to enter the exam cycle early.
Age Limit (as on 1 August 2026)
Age eligibility plays a decisive role, particularly for candidates nearing their upper age limit. The relaxation provided to reserved categories aims to ensure equitable access to the examination.
| Category | Age Limit & Relaxation | Maximum Attempts |
| General / EWS | 21–32 years (No age relaxation) | 6 attempts (within age limit) |
| OBC | Up to 35 years (3-year age relaxation) | 9 attempts (within age limit) |
| SC / ST | Up to 37 years (5-year age relaxation) | Unlimited attempts (within age limit) |
| PwBD | Up to 42 years (10-year age relaxation) | PwBD (General & OBC): 9 attempts |
| PwBD (SC/ST): Unlimited attempts (within age limit) |
The minimum age for all candidates remains 21 years.
Number of Attempts
Attempt limits ensure that candidates approach the examination with seriousness and long-term planning, rather than relying on unlimited trial attempts.
| Category | Attempts |
| General | 6 |
| OBC | 9 |
| SC/ST | Unlimited (within age limit) |
| PwBD | As per category rules |
This structure encourages aspirants to treat each attempt as valuable, particularly in the General and OBC categories.
Application Fee
The application fee structure reflects the government’s policy of encouraging participation from women and socially disadvantaged groups.
| Category | Fee |
| General / OBC / EWS (Male) | ₹100 |
| SC / ST | Nil |
| All women candidates | Nil |
| PwBD | Nil |
Stages of Examination
The Civil Services Examination follows a three-tier filtering mechanism, where each stage evaluates different competencies required for civil services.
| Stage | Nature | Remarks |
| Preliminary Exam | Objective | Screening stage |
| Main Exam | Descriptive | Merit determining |
| Interview | Personality Test | Final assessment |
Also check the UPSC Syllabus: Click Here
Steps to Fill UPSC Application Form 2026
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 application process is conducted entirely online through the official UPSC portal. Candidates must follow each step carefully, as errors or incomplete information can lead to rejection of the application. The process broadly involves registration, form filling, document upload, and final submission.
Step 1: Visit the Official UPSC Website
Candidates should begin by visiting the official website of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) or the UPSC Online Recruitment Application (ORA) portal. From there, they must click on the relevant link for Civil Services Examination 2026 to initiate the registration process. It is advisable to use a stable internet connection to avoid interruptions.
Step 2: Online Registration (Part I)
In Part I of the application, candidates are required to enter basic personal details such as name, date of birth, gender, address, email ID, and mobile number. These details must strictly match official documents like the Class 10 certificate or Aadhaar card, as discrepancies may create issues during later stages of verification.
Step 3: Review and Corrections in Online Application
Before proceeding further, candidates should carefully review all the information entered in Part I. Since UPSC allows very limited scope for corrections after final submission, it is essential to cross-check spellings, dates, category details, and contact information to avoid mistakes that cannot be rectified later.
Step 4: Uploading Documents (Part II)
In Part II of the application, candidates must upload scanned copies of required documents, including photograph, signature, photo ID proof, and educational details. Documents should be uploaded in the prescribed JPG format and size limits. Candidates claiming age relaxation or reservation benefits must also provide the relevant details. Payment of the application fee (if applicable) is also completed at this stage.
Step 5: Selection of Examination Centre
Candidates are required to select their preferred examination centre for the Preliminary Examination from the list provided by UPSC. Since exam centres are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis, early submission of the application increases the chances of getting the desired centre.
Step 6: Final Submission of the Application
After completing all sections, candidates must click on the “I Agree” button to submit the application form. Once submitted, a Registration Number is generated, which should be carefully noted for future reference. Candidates are also advised to take a printout of the final submitted application form for record purposes.
New Change in UPSC Notification 2026
This section is crucial for candidates who are already allocated a service through earlier Civil Services examinations. As per the notification issued by the Union Public Service Commission, the following rules apply:
Changes:
1. Absolute Restriction – Cannot Apply for CSE 2026
- A candidate already appointed to IAS or IFS from an earlier CSE cannot appear in CSE-2026 at all.
- Even if such an appointment happens after Prelims 2026, the candidate will not be allowed to write Mains or be considered for service from CSE-2026.
2. Special Rule for IPS Officers
- A candidate already appointed to IPS from an earlier CSE can apply and appear in CSE-2026.
- However, they cannot opt for IPS again while filling service preferences.
3. One-Time Improvement Rule
One-Time Improvement attempt linked to training Exemption. If a candidate is allocated IPS or any Group ‘A’ Central Service through CSE-2026:
- UPSC allows one improvement attempt in CSE-2027.
- This is allowed using a one-time training exemption.
- This is a one-time facility only.
4. If a CSE-2026 Selectee Neither Joins Training Nor Takes Exemption
- The 2026 service allocation stands cancelled.
5. If Candidate Appears in CSE-2027 After Taking Exemption
- If a better service is obtained in 2027 → candidate must choose between 2026 and 2027.
- The other service automatically gets cancelled.
6. If Candidate Appears in CSE-2027 but Does Not Get Any Service
- Candidate is allowed to go back and join the 2026 allocated service.
7. If Candidate Does Not Join Training of the Finally Chosen Service (2026/2027)
- Both allocations get cancelled.
8. Restriction After Using This One Improvement Attempt
- After availing this one improvement attempt (CSE-2027), the candidate cannot appear in CSE-2028 onwards unless they resigns from service.
9. Candidates Already in Any Service from CSE-2025 or Earlier
- They are allowed one chance to appear in either CSE-2026 or CSE-2027 without resigning.
- If they wish to appear beyond that, resignation becomes mandatory.
10. If Such Candidate Wants to Appear in CSE-2028 or Later
- Must resign first from the currently allocated service.
Conclusion
The release of the UPSC CSE 2026 notification is the formal starting line of a demanding but meaningful journey. Understanding the UPSC eligibility, UPSC criteria, and UPSC qualification requirements is the first step. The real challenge now lies in building a disciplined, realistic, and sustained preparation strategy for UPSC 2026.
For serious aspirants, this is not the time for experimentation. It is the time for clarity, commitment, and consistent execution.
