The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) released the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 notification on February 4, 2026. The exam will fill approximately 933 vacancies in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other Central Group A & B services. Online applications are now open. The deadline to apply is February 24, 2026, at 6 PM .
UPSC CSE 2026 Key Dates
Interested candidates must submit applications through the official UPSC website, upsc.gov.in . The UPSC CSE 2026 Preliminary Examination is scheduled for May 24, 2026 . Those who pass the Prelims will be eligible for the Mains examination, expected to start on August 21, 2026 .
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the UPSC CSE 2026, candidates must hold a graduate degree from a recognized university. Final-year degree students can apply provisionally. Applicants must be between 21 and 32 years old as of August 1, 2026. This age requirement means candidates must be born between August 2, 1994, and August 1, 2005.
Application Fee and Services
The application fee is INR 100 for General, EWS, and OBC male candidates. SC, ST, PwBD, and all female candidates are exempt from this fee. The examination recruits for high-profile services including the IAS, IPS, and IFS. It also covers other Central Group A and B services.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| UPSC CSE 2026 Prelims Exam Date | May 24, 2026 |
| UPSC CSE 2026 Registration Deadline | February 24, 2026 |
| UPSC CSE 2026 Mains Exam (Expected) | August 21, 2026 |