UPSC Exam Calendar 2026: Check CSE, NDA, CDS & Engineering Services Da

Q: What is the UPSC Civil Services (Prelims) 2026 exam date?

According to the official calendar, the UPSC IAS Prelims 2026 is scheduled to be held on May 24, 2026 (Sunday) . The Indian Forest Service (Prelims) will also be conducted on the same day.

Q: What are the dates for NDA & NA (I) and CDS (I) 2026?

Both the NDA & NA (I) and CDS (I) examinations for 2026 are scheduled to take place on April 12, 2026 .

Q: When is the UPSC Civil Services (Main) 2026 scheduled?

The UPSC Mains 2026 will commence on August 21, 2026 , and will be conducted over a period of 5 days.

Q: What is the age limit for UPSC CSE 2026?

A candidate must be between 21 and 32 years of age as of August 1, 2026 . This means the candidate must have been born between August 2, 1994, and August 1, 2005. Relaxation applies for OBC (3 years), SC/ST (5 years), and PwBD (10 years) categories.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the comprehensive annual exam calendar for the 2026 recruitment cycle. This schedule is the ultimate guide for civil service aspirants, providing critical dates for the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, NDA & NA (I & II), CDS (I & II), and Indian Forest Service. The calendar also details specialized recruitments such as the Engineering Services Examination, Combined Geo-Scientist, and Central Armed Police Forces (ACs). Whether you are preparing for the prestigious IAS/IFS or departmental exams like CBI (DSP) LDCE, tracking these notification and exam dates is essential for a successful preparation strategy. At Sarkari247, we provide the full UPSC 2026 schedule and direct links to official notifications to ensure you never miss deadline in your career journey.

1 Schedule3 OrganizationsCategory: UPSC

All Categories SSC UPSC Banking

Union Public Service Commission Exam Calendar 2026

27 schedules•19 upcoming

Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination

Completed

Notification: —

Last Date: —

Exam: 10 Jan 26

Duration: 2 Days

Reserved for UPSC Examination

Completed

Notification: —

Last Date: —

Exam: 17 Jan 26

Duration: 2 Days

Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Examination, 2026

Completed

Notification: 03 Sept 25

Last Date: 23 Sept 25

Exam: 08 Feb 26

Duration: 1 DAY

Engineering Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2026

Completed

Notification: 17 Sept 25

Last Date: 07 Oct 25

Exam: 08 Feb 26

Duration: 1 DAY

CBI (DSP) LDCE

Completed

Notification: 24 Dec 25

Last Date: 13 Jan 26

Exam: 28 Feb 26

Duration: 2 DAY

CISF AC(EXE) LDCE-2026

Completed

Notification: 03 Dec 25

Last Date: 23 Dec 25

Exam: 08 Mar 26

Duration: 1 DAY

N.D.A. & N.A. Examination (I), 2026

Completed

Notification: 10 Dec 25

Last Date: 30 Dec 25

Exam: 12 Apr 26

Duration: 1 DAY

C.D.S. Examination (I), 2026

Completed

Notification: 10 Dec 25

Last Date: 30 Dec 25

Exam: 12 Apr 26

Duration: 1 DAY

Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2026

Exam Upcoming

Notification: 14 Jan 26

Last Date: 03 Feb 26

Exam: 24 May 26

Duration: 1 DAY

This Month

Indian Forest Service (Preliminary) Examination, 2026

Exam Upcoming

Notification: 14 Jan 26

Last Date: 03 Feb 26

Exam: 24 May 26

Duration: 1 DAY

This Month

Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination

Notification Soon

Notification: —

Last Date: —

Exam: 06 Jun 26

Duration: 2 DAYS

This Month

I.E.S./I.S.S. Examination, 2026

Notification Soon

Notification: 11 Feb 26

Last Date: 03 Mar 26

Exam: 19 Jun 26

Duration: 3 DAYS

38d left

Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) Examination, 2026

Notification Soon

Notification: —

Last Date: —

Exam: 20 Jun 26

Duration: 2 DAYS

39d left

Engineering Services (Main) Examination, 2026

Notification Soon

Notification: —

Last Date: —

Exam: 21 Jun 26

Duration: 1 DAY

40d left

Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination

Notification Soon

Notification: —

Last Date: —

Exam: 04 Jul 26

Duration: 2 DAYS

53d left

Central Armed Police Forces (ACs) Examination, 2026

Notification Soon

Notification: 18 Feb 26

Last Date: 10 Mar 26

Exam: 19 Jul 26

Duration: 1 DAY

68d left

Combined Medical Services Examination, 2026

Notification Soon

Notification: 11 Mar 26

Last Date: 31 Mar 26

Exam: 02 Aug 26

Duration: 1 DAY

82d left

Reserved for UPSC Examination

Notification Soon

Notification: —

Last Date: —

Exam: 08 Aug 26

Duration: 2 DAYS

88d left

Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2026

Notification Soon

Notification: —

Last Date: —

Exam: 21 Aug 26

Duration: 5 DAYS

101d left

N.D.A. & N.A. Examination (II), 2026

Application Open

Notification: 20 May 26

Last Date: 09 Jun 26

Exam: 13 Sept 26

Duration: 1 DAY

This Month124d left

C.D.S. Examination (II), 2026

Application Open

Notification: 20 May 26

Last Date: 09 Jun 26

Exam: 13 Sept 26

Duration: 1 DAY

This Month124d left

Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination

Notification Soon

Notification: —

Last Date: —

Exam: 26 Sept 26

Duration: 2 DAYS

137d left

Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination

Notification Soon

Notification: —

Last Date: —

Exam: 10 Oct 26

Duration: 2 DAYS

151d left

Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination

Notification Soon

Notification: —

Last Date: —

Exam: 31 Oct 26

Duration: 2 DAYS

172d left

Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination, 2026

Notification Soon

Notification: —

Last Date: —

Exam: 22 Nov 26

Duration: 7 DAYS

194d left

S.O./Steno (GD-B/GD-I) LDCE

Application Open

Notification: 16 Sept 26

Last Date: 06 Oct 26

Exam: 12 Dec 26

Duration: 2 DAYS

147d left214d left

Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination

Notification Soon

Notification: —

Last Date: —

Exam: 19 Dec 26

Duration: 2 DAYS

221d left

Exam	Status	Notification	Last Date	Exam Date	Duration
Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination	Completed	—	—	10 Jan 26	2 Days
Reserved for UPSC Examination	Completed	—	—	17 Jan 26	2 Days
Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Examination, 2026	Completed	03 Sept 25	23 Sept 25	08 Feb 26	1 DAY
Engineering Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2026	Completed	17 Sept 25	07 Oct 25	08 Feb 26	1 DAY
CBI (DSP) LDCE	Completed	24 Dec 25	13 Jan 26	28 Feb 26	2 DAY
CISF AC(EXE) LDCE-2026	Completed	03 Dec 25	23 Dec 25	08 Mar 26	1 DAY
N.D.A. & N.A. Examination (I), 2026	Completed	10 Dec 25	30 Dec 25	12 Apr 26	1 DAY
C.D.S. Examination (I), 2026	Completed	10 Dec 25	30 Dec 25	12 Apr 26	1 DAY
Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2026	Exam Upcoming	14 Jan 26	03 Feb 26	24 May 26 This Month	1 DAY
Indian Forest Service (Preliminary) Examination, 2026	Exam Upcoming	14 Jan 26	03 Feb 26	24 May 26 This Month	1 DAY
Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination	Notification Soon	—	—	06 Jun 26 This Month	2 DAYS
I.E.S./I.S.S. Examination, 2026	Notification Soon	11 Feb 26	03 Mar 26	19 Jun 26 38d left	3 DAYS
Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) Examination, 2026	Notification Soon	—	—	20 Jun 26 39d left	2 DAYS
Engineering Services (Main) Examination, 2026	Notification Soon	—	—	21 Jun 26 40d left	1 DAY
Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination	Notification Soon	—	—	04 Jul 26 53d left	2 DAYS
Central Armed Police Forces (ACs) Examination, 2026	Notification Soon	18 Feb 26	10 Mar 26	19 Jul 26 68d left	1 DAY
Combined Medical Services Examination, 2026	Notification Soon	11 Mar 26	31 Mar 26	02 Aug 26 82d left	1 DAY
Reserved for UPSC Examination	Notification Soon	—	—	08 Aug 26 88d left	2 DAYS
Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2026	Notification Soon	—	—	21 Aug 26 101d left	5 DAYS
N.D.A. & N.A. Examination (II), 2026	Application Open	20 May 26	09 Jun 26 This Month	13 Sept 26 124d left	1 DAY
C.D.S. Examination (II), 2026	Application Open	20 May 26	09 Jun 26 This Month	13 Sept 26 124d left	1 DAY
Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination	Notification Soon	—	—	26 Sept 26 137d left	2 DAYS
Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination	Notification Soon	—	—	10 Oct 26 151d left	2 DAYS
Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination	Notification Soon	—	—	31 Oct 26 172d left	2 DAYS
Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination, 2026	Notification Soon	—	—	22 Nov 26 194d left	7 DAYS
S.O./Steno (GD-B/GD-I) LDCE	Application Open	16 Sept 26	06 Oct 26 147d left	12 Dec 26 214d left	2 DAYS
Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination	Notification Soon	—	—	19 Dec 26 221d left	2 DAYS

Overview

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The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official annual calendar for 2026. This schedule provides the timeline for some of India's most prestigious examinations, including the Civil Services Examination (CSE), NDA, CDS, and various specialized technical services.

UPSC Annual Exam Schedule 2026: Full List

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Below is the detailed table of upcoming UPSC exams, including notification dates, application deadlines, and tentative exam dates.

Examination Name	Notification	Last Date	Exam Date
Combined Geo-Scientist (Prelims) 2026	03 Sept 25	23 Sept 25	08 Feb 26
Engineering Services (Prelims) 2026	17 Sept 25	07 Oct 25	08 Feb 26
CBI (DSP) LDCE	24 Dec 25	13 Jan 26	28 Feb 26
CISF AC(EXE) LDCE-2026	03 Dec 25	23 Dec 25	08 Mar 26
NDA & NA Examination (I), 2026	10 Dec 25	30 Dec 25	12 Apr 26
C.D.S. Examination (I), 2026	10 Dec 25	30 Dec 25	12 Apr 26
Civil Services (Prelims) Exam, 2026	14 Jan 26	03 Feb 26	24 May 26
Indian Forest Service (Prelims) 2026	14 Jan 26	03 Feb 26	24 May 26
I.E.S./I.S.S. Examination, 2026	11 Feb 26	03 Mar 26	19 Jun 26
Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) 2026	—	—	20 Jun 26
Engineering Services (Main) 2026	—	—	21 Jun 26
Central Armed Police Forces (ACs) 2026	18 Feb 26	10 Mar 26	19 Jul 26
Combined Medical Services Exam 2026	11 Mar 26	31 Mar 26	02 Aug 26
Civil Services (Main) Exam, 2026	—	—	21 Aug 26 (5 Days)
NDA & NA Examination (II), 2026	20 May 26	09 Jun 26	13 Sept 26
C.D.S. Examination (II), 2026	20 May 26	09 Jun 26	13 Sept 26
Indian Forest Service (Main) 2026	—	—	22 Nov 26
S.O./Steno (GD-B/GD-I) LDCE	16 Sept 26	06 Oct 26	12 Dec 26

Key Highlights of UPSC 2026 Calendar

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The 2026 cycle remains consistent with UPSC's tradition of structured recruitment. Candidates should note the following strategic dates:

1. UPSC Civil Services Exam (IAS/IFS) 2026

The IAS Prelims 2026 is scheduled for May 24, 2026. This gives aspirants exactly one year from today to finalize their GS and CSAT preparation. The Main Examination will follow on August 21, 2026, conducted over five days.

2. Defense Exams (NDA & CDS)

UPSC will conduct the NDA and CDS (I) exams on April 12, 2026. The second cycle (NDA & CDS II) will take place on September 13, 2026. These are crucial for candidates wishing to join the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force.

3. Technical and Medical Services

Engineering and Medical students should track the ESE (Engineering Services) and CMS (Medical Services) dates. Prelims for ESE are early in the year (February 8), requiring focused study on technical subjects starting now.

Important UPSC Preparation Links

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Official Website: upsc.gov.in
Download Admit Card: Check our Admit Card Section
Previous Year Papers: Visit UPSC Exam Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.Has the UPSC Exam Calendar 2026 been released?

Yes, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) officially released the Annual Calendar 2026 on May 15, 2025. It provides the notification and exam dates for all major examinations including CSE, NDA, CDS, and CAPF.

Q.What is the UPSC Civil Services (Prelims) 2026 exam date?

According to the official calendar, the UPSC IAS Prelims 2026 is scheduled to be held on May 24, 2026 (Sunday). The Indian Forest Service (Prelims) will also be conducted on the same day.

Q.When will the UPSC CSE 2026 notification be released?

The official notification for the Civil Services Examination 2026 was released on February 4, 2026, with the application window closing on February 27, 2026.

Q.What are the dates for NDA & NA (I) and CDS (I) 2026?

Both the NDA & NA (I) and CDS (I) examinations for 2026 are scheduled to take place on April 12, 2026.

Q.When is the UPSC Civil Services (Main) 2026 scheduled?

The UPSC Mains 2026 will commence on August 21, 2026, and will be conducted over a period of 5 days.

Q.What is the age limit for UPSC CSE 2026?

A candidate must be between 21 and 32 years of age as of August 1, 2026. This means the candidate must have been born between August 2, 1994, and August 1, 2005. Relaxation applies for OBC (3 years), SC/ST (5 years), and PwBD (10 years) categories.