UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 recruitment for approximately 933 vacancies across IAS, IPS, IFS and Central Group A & B Services. Graduate candidates can apply online. The online application opens on 04-02-2026 and closes on 24-02-2026. Selected candidates will be appointed to prestigious All India and Central Civil Services after the Preliminary, Main, and Interview stages. Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released an official notification for the Civil Services Examination 2026 for recruitment to various Group A and Group B services including Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS). Interested and eligible candidates can apply online through the official UPSC portal. The last date to submit the online application form is 24-02-2026. In this article, you’ll find UPSC CSE 2026 recruitment details, including eligibility criteria, age limit, vacancy count, selection process, application steps, and direct links to the official notification and online application form.
UPSC Recruitment 2026 – Civil Services Examination (CSE) Overview
| Organization Name | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 |
| Post Type | Group A & Group B Services |
| Total Vacancy Count | Approximately 933 Posts |
| Services Covered | IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, Indian Audit & Accounts, DANICS, DANIPS, and Other Central Services |
| Qualification | Graduate Degree (Any Discipline) |
| Age Limit | 21–32 Years (as on 01-08-2026) |
| Exam Stages | Preliminary, Main, Interview |
| Apply Online Start Date | 04/02/2026 |
| Apply Online Last Date | 24/02/2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Apply Mode | Online |
| Official Website | www.upsc.gov.in |
Vacancy Details
| Service Category | Post Type | Expected Vacancies |
| All India Services | IAS / IPS / IFS | Included in Total |
| Central Services Group A | IRS, Indian Railway Management, Indian Defence Accounts, Indian Postal Service, etc. | Included in Total |
| Central Services Group B | DANICS / DANIPS / AFHQ Civil Service / PONDICS | Included in Total |
| Total | All Services | 933 (Approx.) |
Eligibility Details
| Post Name | Qualification |
| Civil Services (All Posts) | Graduate Degree from a recognized University or equivalent qualification |
Age Limit
- Minimum Age: 21 Years
- Maximum Age: 32 Years (as on 01 August 2026)
- SC/ST: 5 Years Relaxation
- OBC: 3 Years Relaxation
- PwBD: Up to 10 Years Relaxation
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
| For General / OBC / EWS | Rs. 100/- |
| For SC / ST / PwBD / Women | Nil |
Selection Process
- Civil Services Preliminary Examination (Objective)
- Civil Services Main Examination (Written)
- Interview / Personality Test
- Document Verification
Important Dates
| Notification Release Date | 04 February 2026 |
| Opening Date to Apply Online | 04 February 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 24 February 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Preliminary Exam Date | 24 May 2026 |
UPSC CSE 2026 – Preliminary Examination Pattern
The Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination is the first stage of the UPSC selection process. It is a screening test used to shortlist candidates for the Main Examination. Marks scored in Prelims are not counted in the final merit ranking
| Paper | Subject | Type | Marks | Duration |
| Paper I | General Studies (GS) | Objective (MCQs) | 200 Marks | 2 Hours |
| Paper II | CSAT (Aptitude Test) | Objective (MCQs) | 200 Marks | 2 Hours |
Prelims Key Rules
- Both papers are objective type (Multiple Choice Questions).
- Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying in nature – minimum 33% marks required.
- Marks of Paper I are considered for cutoff and shortlisting for Mains.
- Negative marking applies: 1/3rd mark deducted for each wrong answer.
- Leaving a question blank carries no penalty.
UPSC CSE 2026 – Main Examination Pattern
The Civil Services (Main) Examination is the second stage and consists of a written examination followed by an Interview/Personality Test. Marks obtained in the written papers and interview are counted for the final merit list.
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Nature |
| Paper A | Compulsory Indian Language | 300 | Qualifying |
| Paper B | English | 300 | Qualifying |
| Paper I | Essay | 250 | Merit |
| Paper II | General Studies I | 250 | Merit |
| Paper III | General Studies II | 250 | Merit |
| Paper IV | General Studies III | 250 | Merit |
| Paper V | General Studies IV (Ethics) | 250 | Merit |
| Paper VI | Optional Subject – Paper 1 | 250 | Merit |
| Paper VII | Optional Subject – Paper 2 | 250 | Merit |
Main Exam Structure
- Total Written Papers: 9
- Qualifying Papers: 2 (Indian Language & English)
- Merit Papers: 7
- Total Marks (Written): 1750
Interview / Personality Test
| Stage | Marks |
| Personality Test / Interview | 275 |
Final Merit Calculation
- Written Exam Marks: 1750
- Interview Marks: 275
- Total Merit Marks: 2025
Important Notes
- Prelims marks are used only for qualification, not for final ranking.
- Mains + Interview marks decide final service allocation.
- Negative marking applies in Prelims only.
- Candidates must qualify in both language papers to have their merit papers evaluated.
How to Apply
- Visit official website upsconline.nic.in
- Complete One-Time Registration (URN)
- Fill Civil Services Examination 2026 form
- Upload photo, signature, and documents
- Pay application fee (if applicable)
- Submit form before 24 February 2026
Important Links
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |