Last Date to Apply – 24 February 2026
Introduction – UPSC Indian Civil Services Examination 2026
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the notification for the Civil Services Examination 2026, one of the most prestigious recruitment processes in India. This year, a total of 993 vacancies have been announced across various Group A and Group B services, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other allied services.
The examination offers a unique opportunity for graduates to serve the nation through leadership, governance, and public administration roles. Interested candidates must complete their applications online through the UPSC portal before 24 February 2026. With rigorous stages of Prelims, Mains, and Interview, the exam demands thorough preparation and dedication from aspirants nationwide.
Job Overview – UPSC Indian Civil Services Examination 2026
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Total Vacancies | 933 (approx.), including 33 reserved for PwBD candidates |
| Post | Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other Group A & Group B central services |
| Nature of Recruitment | National level competitive examination (Civil Services Examination 2026) |
| Job Type & Location | Full-time, Government service; postings across India |
| Application Deadlines & Correction Windows | Apply online from 04 Feb 2026 to 24 Feb 2026 (till 6:00 PM). Correction window available after submission as per UPSC guidelines. |
| Eligibility & Age Limit | Graduate degree required; Age 21–32 years as on 01 Aug 2026 (with relaxations for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD) |
| Salary Structure | ₹56,100 per month (Level 10, 7th CPC) at entry level; up to ₹2,18,200 per month (Level 16) for senior positions |
| Selection Process | Preliminary Exam → Main Exam → Interview/Personality Test → Final Merit List |
| Reservation Rules | As per Government of India norms (SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PwBD categories) |
| Application Fee | ₹100 for General/OBC; Exempted for SC/ST/PwBD/Female candidates |
| Documents Required | Photo ID, Graduation certificate, Category certificate (if applicable), Photograph & Signature |
| Exam Centres | Across major cities in India as notified by UPSC |
| Official Website | https://upsc.gov.in/ |
| Apply Online | Submit your application form online before 24 Feb 2026 |
Important Dates – UPSC Indian Civil Services Examination 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 04 February 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 04 February 2026 |
| Last Date for Online Application | 24 February 2026 (06:00 PM) |
| Edit / Modification Window | 04 February 2026 to 24 February 2026 |
| UPSC CSE Prelims 2026 | 24 May 2026 (Tentative) |
| CSE Mains 2026 | To be notified later |
Vacancy Details – UPSC Indian Civil Services Examination 2026
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Total Vacancies | 933 (approx.) |
| PwBD Reserved | 33 |
| Blindness & Low Vision | 7 |
| Deaf & Hard of Hearing | 11 |
| Locomotor Disability (incl. CP, Leprosy cured, Dwarfism, Acid attack victims, Muscular dystrophy) | 8 |
| Multiple Disabilities (except Blind+Deaf) | 7 |
Application Fee – UPSC Indian Civil Services Examination 2026
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC | ₹100 |
| SC / ST | Exempted |
| PwBD | Exempted |
| Female Candidates | Exempted |
Important Links – UPSC Indian Civil Services Examination 2026
| Link | Description |
|---|---|
| Notification PDF | Download the official UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 notification |
| Official Website | Visit the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) official portal |
| Apply Online | Submit your application form online before 24 Feb 2026 |
Eligibility Criteria – UPSC Indian Civil Services Examination 2026
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Age Limit | 21–32 years as on 1st August 2026 |
| Age Relaxation | 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC, 10 years for PwBD |
| Educational Qualification | Graduate degree from a recognized university |
| Number of Attempts | 6 (General), 9 (OBC), Unlimited (SC/ST), PwBD as per category |
Documents Required – UPSC Indian Civil Services Examination 2026
- Valid Photo ID (Aadhaar, Voter ID, PAN, Passport, Driving Licence)
- Graduation Certificate / Marksheet
- Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD)
- Recent Photograph & Signature (as per UPSC guidelines)
How to Apply – UPSC Indian Civil Services Examination 2026
- Visit UPSConline.nic.in
- Click on Civil Services Examination 2026 link
- Fill in personal, educational, and communication details
- Upload required documents
- Pay application fee (if applicable)
- Submit and download confirmation page
Salary Structure – UPSC Indian Civil Services Examination 2026
| Position | Pay Scale (7th CPC) |
|---|---|
| IAS / IPS / IFS (Entry Level) | ₹56,100 per month (Level 10) + allowances |
| Senior Positions | ₹1,44,200 – ₹2,18,200 (Level 14–16) |
Exam Pattern – UPSC Indian Civil Services Examination 2026
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Preliminary Exam | Objective type, 2 papers (GS I & CSAT). Negative marking applies. |
| Main Exam | Written, 9 papers (Essay, GS I–IV, Optional subjects, qualifying language papers). |
| Interview | Personality Test conducted by UPSC. |
Selection Procedure – UPSC Indian Civil Services Examination 2026
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Preliminary Exam (screening) |
| Step 2 | Main Exam (written) |
| Step 3 | Interview / Personality Test |
| Step 4 | Final Merit List based on cumulative performance |
Job Location – UPSC Indian Civil Services Examination 2026
All India posting under Government of India services.
FAQs – UPSC Indian Civil Services Examination 2026
1. What is the UPSC Civil Services Examination?
The UPSC Civil Services Examination is a nationwide competitive exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit candidates for prestigious services like IAS, IPS, IFS, and others.
2. How many vacancies are available in 2026?
There are approximately 933 vacancies, including 33 reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD).
3. What is the last date to apply?
The last date to submit the online application is 24 February 2026, till 6:00 PM.
4. When will the Preliminary Examination be held?
The Preliminary Examination is scheduled for 24 May 2026.
5. What is the application fee?
The fee is ₹100 for General and OBC candidates. SC, ST, PwBD, and female candidates are exempted.
6. What is the age limit for candidates?
Candidates must be between 21 and 32 years of age as of 1 August 2026, with relaxations for reserved categories.
7. What educational qualification is required?
A graduate degree from a recognized university is mandatory to apply for the Civil Services Examination.
8. How many attempts are allowed?
General category candidates can attempt 6 times, OBC candidates 9 times, and SC/ST candidates have unlimited attempts within the age limit.
9. What is the exam pattern?
The exam consists of three stages: Preliminary (objective type), Mains (written descriptive), and Interview (Personality Test).
10. How is the selection procedure conducted?
Selection is based on performance in Prelims, Mains, and Interview, followed by a final merit list prepared by UPSC.
11. What is the salary structure for IAS officers?
Entry-level IAS officers receive ₹56,100 per month (Level 10, 7th CPC) plus allowances. Senior positions can reach ₹2,18,200 per month.
12. Where can I apply online?
Candidates must apply online through the UPSC portal at https://upsconline.nic.in.
