Union Public Service Commission
UPSC Civil Services
Follow UPSC CSE 2026 from the two-paper screening test to descriptive mains and personality test, with eligibility, optional-subject structure and official papers.
UPSC Civil Services selects candidates for IAS, IPS, the Indian Foreign Service and other notified services. Prelims is a screening stage; written mains and the personality test determine merit.
Recruitment cycle: Civil Services Examination 2026. The 2026 prelims and mains are separate stages of this examination.
Latest Updates
- Updated Application Deadline
- Prelims Result and Mains Timetable
Coaching
Coaching information is currently unavailable.
UPSC Civil Services Notification
The linked official notice governs Civil Services Examination 2026; its historical conditions must not be treated as eligibility for a future notification.
UPSC Civil Services Notification
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Notification | 05/2026-CSE |
| Published | 4 February 2026 |
UPSC Civil Services Exam Dates
Dates are tied to the stated cycle. Unverified dates are identified explicitly.
UPSC Civil Services Exam Dates
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Notification / applications opened | 4 February 2026 |
| Original application deadline | 24 February 2026 |
| Deadline shown on examination page | 27 February 2026, 6:00 PM |
| Preliminary examination | 24 May 2026 |
| Prelims result (roll-number list) | 15 June 2026 |
| Mains timetable | 21–23 and 29–30 August 2026 |
| Mains result / personality test dates | Not verified |
UPSC Civil Services Coaching
Recommended Classroom Programs
Loading classroom programs...
UPSC Civil Services Eligibility Criteria
These are a summary of the rules for Civil Services Examination 2026. Post-specific qualifications, physical standards and certificates in the notification take precedence.
Educational Qualification
A recognised graduate degree or equivalent; candidates awaiting qualifying results must meet the proof requirements in the notice.
Age Limit
At least 21 and below 32 years on 1 August 2026; birth-date limits and category concessions are defined in the notice.
Relaxations
SC/ST: 5 years; eligible OBC: 3 years; eligible PwBD: 10 years. General/EWS candidates have 6 attempts, OBC 9, and SC/ST unlimited within the applicable age limit; PwBD rules vary by category.
Nationality
Indian citizenship is required for IAS, IFS and IPS; the notice defines the permitted nationality categories and certificates for other services.
UPSC Civil Services Syllabus
Subject outline for Civil Services Examination 2026; use the linked official scheme for the full topic list. A future notification may prescribe a different syllabus.
Prelims
Mains
UPSC Civil Services Exam Pattern
Civil Services Preliminary Examination
Two objective papers; screening marks do not count towards final merit.
| Paper | Details |
|---|---|
| General Studies I | 200 marks; 2 hours |
| General Studies II / CSAT | 200 marks; 2 hours; 33% qualifying |
| Penalty | One-third of question marks for a wrong answer |
Main Examination and Personality Test
Descriptive written papers plus personality test.
| Paper | Details |
|---|---|
| Qualifying languages | Indian language and English: 300 marks each, subject to exemptions |
| Merit written papers | Essay, four General Studies papers and two optional papers: 1,750 marks |
| Duration | 3 hours per written paper |
| Personality test / final total | 275 / 2,025 marks |
UPSC Civil Services Previous Year Papers
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs are currently unavailable.