UPSC CSE 2026 Exam Date, Notification & Vacancies

From the official Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) documents · last checked 3 October 2026

The Civil Services Examination (CSE) is held once a year by the Union Public Service Commission. It recruits officers for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and other central services. CSE 2026 covers 23 services, from Group 'A' services like IRS and IA&AS to Group 'B' services like DANICS. There are three stages. Prelims has two objective papers and is only a screening test. Mains has nine written papers, but only seven count for merit. The last stage is a Personality Test (interview). Your final rank uses only your Mains written marks (1750) plus your interview marks (275), out of 2025 in total. The Indian Forest Service (IFoS) is a separate exam, but its preliminary stage is also taken through the CS (Prelims). For CSE 2026, Prelims were held on 24 May 2026, and 13,343 candidates qualified for the Mains, which was held in August 2026.

Important dates

CSE 2026: notified on 04 February 2026. Prelims were held on 24 May 2026 and the Mains written exam in August 2026. The Mains result and interview dates have not been announced yet. Next cycle: CSE 2027 is not notified yet. UPSC's 2027 calendar lists the notification for 13 January 2027 and Prelims for 23 May 2027, but these dates can change (tentative).

  • CSE 2026 notification released (Notice No. 05/2026-CSE)04 February 2026done
  • Online application window (upsconline.nic.in)04 February 2026 to 24 February 2026 (6:00 PM)done
  • Prelims e-Admit Cards uploaded15 May 2026done
  • Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 202624 May 2026done
  • Prelims result declared (roll numbers)15 June 2026done
  • Prelims result list with names18 June 2026done
  • Window for Mains-qualified candidates to update/submit form and pay Mains fee19 June 2026 to 29 June 2026 (6:00 PM)done
  • Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026 - Essay, GS-I to GS-IV21 August 2026 to 23 August 2026done
  • Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026 - Language papers and Optional papers29 August 2026 to 30 August 2026done
  • Mains question paper representation portal (QPReP)31 August 2026 to 04 September 2026done
  • Prelims 2026 answer keys, marks and cut-offsOnly after the CSE 2026 final result (as per UPSC)upcoming
  • CSE 2027 notification (UPSC calendar)13 January 2027tentative
  • CSE 2027 last date to apply (UPSC calendar)02 February 2027tentative
  • Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2027 (UPSC calendar)23 May 2027tentative
  • Civil Services (Main) Examination 2027 begins, 5 days (UPSC calendar)20 August 2027tentative

Vacancies

1,016

The notice of 04 February 2026 gave about 933 vacancies, including 33 for Persons with Benchmark Disability. UPSC's Prelims result press note of 15 June 2026 then gave 1016 vacancies for CSE 2026. The final number can still change after the cadre controlling authorities confirm it. For comparison, the same press note says 1087 vacancies were notified for CSE 2025.

Official notification ↗Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) website ↗

Frequently asked questions

What is the age limit for UPSC CSE 2026?

You must be between 21 and 32 years old on 1 August 2026, which means born between 2 August 1994 and 1 August 2005. SC/ST candidates get up to 5 extra years, OBC candidates 3 years and PwBD candidates 10 years.

How many times can I attempt the Civil Services Exam?

General and EWS candidates get 6 attempts. OBC candidates get 9. SC/ST candidates have no limit until they reach the upper age limit. PwBD candidates get 9 if General/EWS/OBC and unlimited if SC/ST. Appearing in even one Prelims paper counts as an attempt.

Does the CSAT (GS Paper II) score count in merit?

No. GS Paper II is only qualifying, and you need at least 33% (66 out of 200). The Mains shortlist is based on GS Paper I marks. Prelims marks are not added to your final rank.

Can final-year graduation students apply?

Yes. You can take the Prelims and Mains while your degree result is pending. If you qualify for the interview, you must show proof that you have passed within the time UPSC gives.

What is the application fee?

The Prelims fee is Rs 100. If you qualify, you pay Rs 200 more for the Mains. Women, SC, ST and PwBD candidates do not pay any fee.

When will CSE 2027 be held?

UPSC's 2027 calendar lists the CSE 2027 notification for 13 January 2027, the last date to apply as 02 February 2027, Prelims on 23 May 2027 and Mains from 20 August 2027. These dates are tentative and may change.

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