UPSC Civil Services Recruitment 2026
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official notification for the Civil Services Examination, 2026. This prestigious recruitment drive aims to fill approximately 933 vacancies in various Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ services, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS)
Vacancy Details
The examination will fill approximately 933 vacancies. This includes 33 vacancies reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD):
- Blindness and Low Vision: 7 vacancies
- Deaf and Hard of Hearing: 11 vacancies
- Locomotor Disability: 8 vacancies
- Multiple Disabilities: 7 vacancies
Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit (As of August 1, 2026)
- Minimum Age: 21 years
- Maximum Age: 32 years
- Age Relaxation:
- SC/ST: Up to 5 years
- OBC: Up to 3 years
- PwBD: Up to 10 years
- Ex-Servicemen: Up to 5 years
Educational Qualification
- Candidates must hold a Graduate Degree from a recognized university or equivalent institution.
- Final-year students awaiting results are also eligible to apply provisionally.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
| General/OBC/EWS Male | ₹100 |
| SC/ST/PwBD/Female | Exempted (No Fee) |
Payment Mode: Net Banking, Visa/Master/RuPay Credit/Debit Card, or UPI.
Salary / Pay Scale
The pay scale varies based on the service (IAS, IPS, etc.) and post level. As per official notification, specific grade-wise salary ranges are governed by the Civil Services Rules 2026.
Selection Process : UPSC CSE 2026
The recruitment involves three successive stages:
- Preliminary Examination: Objective type (Screening only).
- Main Examination: Written conventional essay type (9 papers).
- Interview / Personality Test: 275 Marks.
- Document Verification: For candidates qualifying the final stage.
Read Also : GSSSB CCE Notification 2026
How to Apply Online for UPSC exam
- Visit the official UPSC application portal: https://upsconline.nic.in.
- Register via the One Time Registration (OTR) module to generate your Universal Registration Number (URN).
- Fill out the Common Application Form (CAF) with your personal and academic details.
- Upload a scanned photograph and signature, and capture a live photograph as required.
- Pay the application fee (if applicable) through the online payment gateway.
- Select your preferred examination centre and submit the form.
- Print the application confirmation for future reference.
Summary & Next Steps
Aspirants should focus on the Preliminary Syllabus which covers General Studies and CSAT. The Admit Cards will be available online one week before the exam date. Detailed syllabus and exam patterns are provided in Appendix I and III of the official notification.

FAQS: UPSC Civil Services Recruitment 2026
Q1: What is the last date to apply for UPSC CSE 2026?
Ans: The last date for the submission of online applications is February 24, 2026, until 6:00 PM. The application window opens on February 4, 2026.
Q2: What are the eligibility criteria for UPSC Civil Services 2026?
Ans: Nationality: Candidates must be Indian citizens for IAS, IFS, and IPS. For other services, subjects of Nepal, Bhutan, or Tibetan refugees (pre-1962) are also eligible under specific conditions.
Educational Qualification: A candidate must hold a Graduate Degree from a recognized university. Final-year students can apply provisionally but must provide proof of passing before the Interview/Personality Test.
Age Limit: Candidates must be between 21 and 32 years of age as of August 1, 2026.
Q3: How many attempts are allowed in the UPSC exam?
Ans: The number of attempts varies by category:
General/EWS: 6 attempts.
OBC: 9 attempts.
SC/ST: Unlimited attempts.
PwBD: 9 attempts for General/EWS/OBC; unlimited for SC/ST. Note: Appearing in even one paper of the Preliminary exam counts as an attempt.
Q4: What is the application fee for UPSC 2026?
Ans: General/OBC/EWS Male: ₹100 for Prelims and ₹200 for the Main exam.
Female/SC/ST/PwBD: Fully exempted (No fee).
Q5: When will the UPSC Prelims 2026 be conducted?
Ans: The Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination is scheduled to be held on May 24, 2026.
Q6: Can I withdraw my UPSC application after submission?
Ans : No. As per the official notification, candidates are not allowed to withdraw their applications once they have been submitted.
Q7: Is there negative marking in the UPSC exam?
Ans: Yes. There is a penalty for wrong answers in the objective-type Preliminary papers. One-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for every incorrect response.
Q8: What is the UPSC selection process for 2026?
Ans: The examination consists of three successive stages:
Preliminary Examination: Objective type (Screening test).
Main Examination: Written conventional essay-type papers.
Interview/Personality Test: Assessment of personal suitability for a career in public service.
Q9: How do I apply for the UPSC Civil Services Exam?
Ans: Candidates must apply online through the official portal: https://upsconline.nic.in. You must first complete the One Time Registration (OTR) before filling out the specific application form.
Q10: What documents are required for the UPSC online application?
Ans: Applicants need a valid Photo ID Card (Aadhaar, Voter ID, PAN, Passport, etc.) , a scanned photograph, a scanned signature (signed three times in black ink), and a live photograph captured during the application process.



