UPSC Civil Services Examination Notification 2026

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) officially released the Civil Services Examination (CSE) & Indian Forest Service (IFS) Notification 2026 on 4 February 2026 on its website – Download PDF Now.
Applications are accepted only in online mode through the UPSC portal.

Important Dates

Notification Release (Official)	04/02/2026
Online Application Start	04/02/2026
Last Date to Apply	24/02/2026
Preliminary Exam (CSE & IFS)	24 May 2026 (Sunday)
UPSC Main Exam (CSE)	21/08/2026
Personality Test / Interview	Dates typically a few months after Mains

Total Vacancies: Approximately 933
Includes 33 vacancies reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD):
- Blindness & Low Vision
- Deaf & Hard of Hearing
- Locomotor Disability
- Multiple Disabilities (excluding Deaf-Blind combination)
Final vacancy numbers may change based on cadre confirmation.
Positions include Group A and Group B services such as IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, and other central services.

Nationality
- IAS, IFS, IPS: Indian citizens only
- Other services: Citizens of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibetan refugees, PIOs (with eligibility certificate)
Age Limits (as on 1 August 2026)
- Minimum: 21 years
- Maximum: 32 years
- Date of Birth Range: 2 Aug 1994 – 1 Aug 2005
Age Relaxation
- SC/ST: +5 years
- OBC: +3 years
- PwBD: +10 years
- Defence personnel & Ex-servicemen: as per rules
- Cumulative relaxation allowed where applicable
Educational Qualification
- Graduate degree from a recognised university
- Final-year students can apply (subject to proof before interview)
- MBBS candidates must complete internship before interview

Four-Stage Online Application Structure
- Account Creation
- Universal Registration Number (URN) – One-time, lifetime registration
- Common Application Form (CAF)
- Examination-Specific Form (CSE-2026)
Important Application Features
- Live Photo Capture is mandatory during CAF filling.
- Signature Upload: Three signatures on white paper in black ink.
- Aadhaar recommended for seamless verification.
- Once submitted:
  - ❌ No correction
  - ❌ No withdrawal
  - ❌ No category change

Stage 1: Preliminary Examination
- Paper I – General Studies: 200 marks
- Paper II – CSAT: 200 marks (Qualifying – minimum 33%)
- Objective type, 2 hours each
- Negative marking: 1/3rd marks deducted for wrong answers
- Marks not counted for final merit
Stage 2: Main Examination – Written Examination (9 Papers)
- Qualifying Papers (Not counted for merit):
  - Paper A – Indian Language (300 marks)
  - Paper B – English (300 marks)
- Merit Papers:
  - Essay – 250
  - GS I – 250
  - GS II – 250
  - GS III – 250
  - GS IV – 250
  - Optional Paper I – 250
  - Optional Paper II – 250
  - Total Written Marks: 1750
Stage 3: Interview / Personality Test
- Marks: 275
- No minimum qualifying marks
Final Merit
- Total Marks: 2025 (1750 + 275)

Preliminary Examination
- ₹100 for General/OBC/EWS (Male)
- No fee for Women, SC, ST, PwBD
Main Examination
- ₹200 (same exemptions apply)
Fee once paid not refundable

Reservation & Certificates
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): Based on FY 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25
- EWS: Income & Asset Certificate based on FY 2024-25
- Certificates must be issued on or after 1 April 2025
PwBD & Scribe Provisions
- Scribe allowed for specified disabilities
- Compensatory time: 20 minutes per hour
- Change of scribe allowed up to 7 days before exam
- Medical fitness mandatory for final appointment
Service Preference & Cadre Allocation
- Service preferences mandatory
- No preference = no service allocation
- IAS/IPS candidates must later give cadre preference
- No change in preferences after final submission
PRABITHA SETU Portal (Earlier Public Disclosure Scheme)
- Non-recommended interview candidates’ biodata may be shared with:
  - PSUs
  - Private companies
  - Autonomous bodies
- Candidate consent required
- No partial disclosure option

Impersonation, fake documents, wrong photos, unfair means, electronic devices →
Disqualification, ban from future exams, criminal action
UPSC decision final in disciplinary matters