UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) recruitment 2026-Apply Online For 933 Posts
UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) recruitment 2026-Apply Online For 933 Posts
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has issued an official notification for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 to fill various Group A and Group B posts, such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS). Candidates who meet the eligibility requirements can submit their applications online via the official UPSC website. The deadline for online application submission is 24 February 2026. This article provides complete information on UPSC CSE 2026 recruitment, covering eligibility conditions, age criteria, total vacancies, selection procedure, step-by-step application process, and direct links to the official notification and online application form.
UPSC Recruitment 2026 -Overview
| Organization Name | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 |
| Post Name | Group A & Group B Services |
| Total Vacancy | 933 Posts |
| Services Included | IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, Indian Audit & Accounts, DANICS, DANIPS, and Other Central Services |
| Qualification | Bachelor’s Degree in any stream from a recognized university |
| Age Limit | Minimum 21 Years & Maximum 32 Years (as on 01 August 2026) |
| Selection Stages | Preliminary, Main, Interview |
| Online Application Start Date | 04/02/2026 |
| Online Application Last Date | 24/02/2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Apply Mode | Online |
| Official Website | www.upsc.gov.in |
Vacancy Details
| Service Category | Post Type | Estimated Vacancies |
| All India Services | IAS / IPS / IFS | Included in Total |
| Group A Central Services | IRS, Indian Railway Management, Indian Defence Accounts, Indian Postal Service, etc. | Included in Total |
| Group B Central Services | DANICS / DANIPS / AFHQ Civil Service / PONDICS | Included in Total |
| Total | All Services | 933 (Approx.) |
Eligibility
| Post Name | Qualification |
| Civil Services (All Posts) | Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or an equivalent approved qualification |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
| For General / OBC / EWS | Rs. 100/- |
| For SC / ST / PwBD / Women | Nil |
Age Limit
Minimum Age: Candidate must have attained the age of 21 years.
Maximum Age: The upper age limit is 32 years, calculated as on 01 August 2026.
SC / ST Candidates: Eligible for 5 years of age relaxation.
OBC Candidates: Allowed 3 years of age relaxation.
PwBD Candidates: Can avail age relaxation of up to 10 years as per government norms.
Important Dates
| Official Notification Released | 04 February 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 04 February 2026 |
| Last Date for Online Application | 24 February 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| UPSC CSE Preliminary Examination Date | 24 May 2026 |
Selection Process
Civil Services Preliminary Examination: Objective-type test conducted for initial screening.
Civil Services Main Examination: Descriptive written examination for shortlisted candidates.
Interview / Personality Test: Personal interaction to assess suitability for civil services.
Document Verification: Final verification of eligibility documents before appointment.
UPSC CSE 2026 – Preliminary Examination Pattern
The Civil Services Preliminary Examination is the initial stage of the UPSC CSE 2026 selection process. This stage is conducted as a screening test to shortlist eligible candidates for the Main Examination. The marks obtained in the Prelims exam are qualifying in nature and do not contribute to the final merit list.
| 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 in nature, consisting of multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying only, and candidates must score at least 33% marks to pass.
Paper I marks are used to determine the cut-off and selection for the Main Examination.
Negative marking is applicable, with one-third (1/3) of the marks deducted for every incorrect answer.
No marks are deducted for questions that are left unanswered.
UPSC CSE 2026 – Main Examination Pattern
The Civil Services (Main) Examination is the second phase of the UPSC CSE 2026 selection process. It includes a descriptive written examination, which is then followed by the Interview / Personality Test. The marks scored in the Main written papers and the interview are taken into account while preparing 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
The Main Examination consists of a total of 9 descriptive written papers.
Out of these, 2 papers are qualifying in nature, namely Indian Language and English.
The remaining 7 papers are counted for merit ranking.
The total marks allotted for the written part of the Main Examination are 1750 marks.
Interview / Personality Test
| Stage | Marks |
| Personality Test / Interview | 275 |
Final Merit Calculation
Written Examination Marks: The Main written papers carry a total of 1750 marks.
Interview / Personality Test Marks: The interview is conducted for 275 marks.
Overall Merit Score: The final merit list is prepared out of 2025 marks.
Important Notes
Preliminary Examination marks are meant only for shortlisting and are not included in the final ranking.
Final service allotment is based on the combined score of the Main Examination and Interview.
Negative marking is applicable only in the Preliminary Examination.
Candidates must pass both language papers; otherwise, their merit papers will not be evaluated.
