UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026
UPSC CSE 2026
UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 – Complete Overview
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 is India's most coveted and competitive recruitment examination, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). It selects candidates for elite services including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and over 20 other Group A & B Central Services.
Key Highlights
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Civil Services Examination 2026 |
| Posts Offered | IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, IRTS, IDAS and 20+ allied services |
| Total Vacancies (2025) | 979 (expected similar in 2026) |
| Application Mode | Online via upsconline.nic.in |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen & Paper) |
| Age Limit | 21–32 years (General); relaxations apply |
| Attempts Allowed | 6 (General); 9 (OBC); Unlimited (SC/ST till age limit) |
Why UPSC CSE?
- Gateway to IAS, IPS, IFS – India's most powerful administrative roles
- Pay Level 10–17 (₹56,100–₹2,50,000 basic pay + allowances)
- Lifetime job security with pan-India and overseas postings
- Unmatched social prestige, authority, and public service impact
Exam Structure at a Glance
CSE is a three-stage process: Prelims (objective, screening), Mains (9 descriptive papers, merit-determining), and Personality Test (interview, 275 marks). The entire cycle from notification to final result spans approximately 12–14 months.
Bookmark this page for real-time updates on UPSC CSE 2026 notification, exam dates, admit card, result, and final merit list at upsc.gov.in.
Explore UPSC CSE 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.When will UPSC CSE 2026 notification be released?
UPSC CSE 2026 notification is expected in February 2026, with Prelims likely in May–June 2026 as per the UPSC Annual Calendar pattern.
Q.How many vacancies are expected in UPSC CSE 2026?
Based on recent trends (~979 in 2025), approximately 900–1,000 vacancies are expected across all services in 2026.
Q.How many attempts does a General category candidate get?
General category candidates get 6 attempts up to age 32. OBC candidates get 9 attempts up to age 35, and SC/ST candidates have unlimited attempts up to age 37.
Q.Is CSAT qualifying or merit-based?
CSAT (Prelims Paper-II) is qualifying in nature. Candidates must score at least 33% (66 out of 200). CSAT marks are not counted in Prelims merit.
Q.What is the final merit based on in UPSC CSE?
The final merit is based on Mains (1750 marks) + Personality Test (275 marks) = 2025 marks. Prelims marks are not counted.
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