🏛️ India's Most Prestigious Exam

UPSC CSE 2026 Civil Services Examination

🎖️ IAS • IPS • IFS • IRS • 24+ Elite Services

~10 Lakh+ Applicants
933 Vacancies
3 Stages Prelims • Mains • Interview
🔴 PRELIMS DONE & RESULT AWAITED

📢 UPSC CSE 2026 Prelims Done — Results Expected Shortly!

The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026 was successfully conducted on May 24, 2026. The official results are expected to be declared shortly (projected between June 12 and June 14, 2026). Qualified candidates will appear for the Main examination starting August 21, 2026.

📅 Prelims Conducted: May 24, 2026 📰 Source: UPSC Official Portal (upsc.gov.in)
Check Results on UPSC Portal →
✅
Notification CLOSED
933 Vacancies
📅
Prelims Exam Conducted
May 24, 2026
🎫
Prelims Result Expected
June 12-14
📝
Mains Exam Aug 21
Scheduled

📰 Official Updates

✓ Verified: June 13, 2026 (Source: upsc.gov.in)
🔴 RESULT June 12, 2026

⚡ UPSC CSE 2026 Prelims Results Awaited

Following the preliminary examination conducted on May 24, 2026, candidates are expecting the official results to be declared shortly. Results are projected to be published between June 12 and June 14, 2026 on the official UPSC website.

✅ EXAM May 24, 2026

UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2026 Concluded

The Preliminary Examination for Civil Services 2026 was successfully held nationwide on May 24, 2026. The provisional answer key representation window was closed on May 31, 2026.

CLOSED Feb 24, 2026

Application Deadline Extension Resolved

UPSC extended the last date for online application for CSE 2026 & IFS 2026 by 3 days. The extended deadline concluded on February 27, 2026 (6:00 PM).

📋 IMPORTANT Feb 2026

3-Day Correction Window After Application Closure

UPSC will provide a correction window of 3 days after the closure of the application window for CSE (P) 2026 & IFS (P) 2026. Candidates can rectify errors in their submitted applications during this period.

🔐 NEW RULE Feb 2026

Mandatory Face Authentication at Exam Venue

All candidates appearing in UPSC examinations will undergo Face Authentication at the venue. Mandatory live photo capture during application, Aadhaar-based verification encouraged. New 4-stage online application system with Universal Registration Number (URN).

🖥️ PORTAL Feb 2026

New Online Application Portal Launched

UPSC has launched a redesigned online application portal at upsconline.nic.in with 4-stage application: Account Creation → URN Generation → Common Application Form → Exam-Specific Module. New signature upload rules and one-time URN profile update allowed.

✅ RELEASED Feb 4, 2026

CSE 2026 & IFS 2026 Notification Released

UPSC officially released the notification for CSE 2026 & IFS 2026. 933 vacancies announced (including 33 PwBD). Prelims: May 24, 2026 | Mains: Aug 21, 2026. Apply Now →

🎤 ONGOING Feb 2026

CSE 2025 Personality Tests (Interviews) Underway

UPSC is currently conducting Personality Tests for Civil Services (Main) Examination 2025 (2nd Phase). E-Summon letters available on the official website. Reserve list marks also published.

RESOLVED Jan 13, 2026

Postponement Notice (Now Resolved)

Original Jan 14 date was postponed. Notification successfully released on Feb 4, 2026.

CALENDAR May 15, 2025

UPSC Annual Calendar 2026 Released

Download official exam calendar from upsc.gov.in. Contains dates for all UPSC exams including CSE, CDS, NDA, CAPF etc.

FEES Fee Info

Application Fee: ₹100 (General/OBC/EWS Male)

Female, SC/ST/PwBD candidates exempted from fee. Payment via online modes (Net Banking/Card/UPI).

ELIGIBILITY General Info

Eligibility: Graduate from Recognized University

Age: 21-32 years (as on 1st Aug 2026) with relaxation for SC/ST/OBC. 6 attempts for General, 9 for OBC, Unlimited for SC/ST (within age limit).

🏛️

About UPSC Civil Services Examination

The Civil Services Examination (CSE) is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to recruit candidates for various civil services of the Government of India including the prestigious Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and 21+ other Group A and Group B services.

🎖️ Services Offered

🏛️ IAS Indian Administrative Service
👮 IPS Indian Police Service
🌍 IFS Indian Foreign Service
💰 IRS Indian Revenue Service

+ 20 more Group A & B Central Services

📅

Important Dates (2026)

Notification Release ✅ February 4, 2026
Last Date to Apply (EXTENDED) ✅ February 27, 2026
Correction Window ✅ Feb 8 – March 2, 2026
Prelims Admit Card ✅ Released in May 2026
Prelims Exam Date ✅ May 24, 2026 (Sunday)
Prelims Result Date 📌 Expected June 12–14, 2026
Mains Exam Date 📌 21 August 2026 (Scheduled)
Interview / Personality Test February-April 2027 (Expected)
Final Result April-May 2027 (Expected)
🔗 Official UPSC Website ✅ Apply Now - Extended to Feb 27!
✅

Eligibility Criteria

🇮🇳 Nationality

Must be a citizen of India. For certain services (other than IAS & IPS), citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, or Tibetan refugees who came to India before 1962 are also eligible.

🎓 Educational Qualification

Bachelor's Degree from any recognized university. Final year students can also apply for Prelims but must have the degree before Mains.

📅 Age Limit (as on 1st August 2026)

Category Min Age Max Age Attempts
General / EWS 21 years 32 years 6
OBC 21 years 35 years 9
SC / ST 21 years 37 years Unlimited*
PwBD (General) 21 years 42 years 9

* Within the age limit. Born between 2 Aug 1994 to 1 Aug 2005 for General category.

🎯

Exam Structure Overview

1

Prelims

Papers 2 (GS + CSAT)
Total Marks 400
Type Objective (MCQ)
Nature Screening Test
→
2

Mains

Papers 9 (2 Qualifying + 7 Merit)
Total Marks 1750
Type Descriptive
Duration 5 Days
→
3

Interview

Type Personality Test
Total Marks 275
Duration ~30-45 min
Location UPSC Bhawan, Delhi
Mains 1750
+
Interview 275
=
Grand Total 2025

📚 UPSC CSE Complete Syllabus

Comprehensive syllabus for Prelims and Mains as per UPSC Official Notification

📝 Prelims Syllabus

📋

Paper I: General Studies (200 Marks)

📰 Current Events National & International Importance
📜 History India & Indian National Movement
🌍 Geography India & World - Physical, Social, Economic
⚖️ Polity Governance, Constitution, Political System
📈 Economy Economic & Social Development
🌱 Environment Ecology, Biodiversity, Climate Change
🔬 Science & Tech General Science & Technology
⏱️ Duration: 2 Hours ❓ Questions: 100 ⚠️ Negative Marking: 1/3rd (0.66 marks)
🧠

Paper II: CSAT - Qualifying (200 Marks, Min 33%)

📖 Comprehension
💬 Communication Skills
🧩 Logical Reasoning
📊 Analytical Ability
🎯 Decision Making
🔢 Basic Numeracy
📈 Data Interpretation
⏱️ Duration: 2 Hours ❓ Questions: 80 ✅ Qualifying: 66/200 marks required

📝 Mains Syllabus (1750 Marks)

Qualifying

Paper A: Indian Language

300 Marks (Min 25% = 75 marks)

From 8th Schedule
Qualifying

Paper B: English

300 Marks (Min 25% = 75 marks)

Comprehension & Essay
Paper I

Essay

250 Marks

2 Essays
Paper II

GS-I: Heritage & Culture

250 Marks

History, Art, Geography, Society
Paper III

GS-II: Polity & IR

250 Marks

Governance, Constitution, International
Paper IV

GS-III: Economy & Security

250 Marks

Technology, Environment, Disaster
Paper V

GS-IV: Ethics

250 Marks

Integrity, Aptitude, Case Studies
Paper VI & VII

Optional Subject

500 Marks (250 × 2)

48 Subjects to Choose
📝

Prelims Exam Pattern

Paper Subject Questions Marks Duration Nature
Paper I General Studies 100 200 2 Hours Merit Based
Paper II CSAT 80 200 2 Hours Qualifying (33%)
Total 180 400 4 Hours -

⚠️ Negative Marking: 1/3rd of marks deducted for wrong answers

📌 Cut-off: Based on GS Paper I marks only (CSAT is qualifying)

📋 Prelims marks are NOT counted for final merit list

📚

Mains Exam Pattern

Paper Subject Marks Duration
Paper A Indian Language (Qualifying) 300 3 Hours
Paper B English (Qualifying) 300 3 Hours
Paper I Essay 250 3 Hours
Paper II GS-I (Heritage, History, Geography) 250 3 Hours
Paper III GS-II (Polity, Governance, IR) 250 3 Hours
Paper IV GS-III (Economy, Environment, Security) 250 3 Hours
Paper V GS-IV (Ethics, Integrity, Aptitude) 250 3 Hours
Paper VI Optional Subject - Paper 1 250 3 Hours
Paper VII Optional Subject - Paper 2 250 3 Hours
Total (Papers I-VII for Merit) 1750 -
🎤

Personality Test / Interview

📊 Marks 275
⏱️ Duration 30-45 Minutes
👥 Panel UPSC Board Members
📍 Venue UPSC Bhawan, New Delhi

🎯 Key Areas Assessed

Mental Alertness Logical Exposition Balance of Judgement Social Cohesion Intellectual Depth Moral Integrity

📖 Recommended Resources

Curated list of books, websites, and materials for UPSC CSE preparation

📚

Standard Books

📜 History

  • Ancient India - R.S. Sharma
  • Medieval India - Satish Chandra
  • Modern India - Spectrum (Rajiv Ahir)
  • India's Struggle for Independence - Bipan Chandra

🌍 Geography

  • NCERT Class 6-12
  • Certificate Physical Geography - G.C. Leong
  • Indian Geography - Majid Husain
  • Oxford School Atlas - Latest Edition

⚖️ Polity

  • Indian Polity - M. Laxmikanth
  • Introduction to Constitution - D.D. Basu
  • Governance in India - M. Laxmikanth

📈 Economy

  • Indian Economy - Ramesh Singh
  • Economic Survey (Latest)
  • India Year Book

🌱 Environment

  • Environment - Shankar IAS
  • NIOS Material

🧠 Ethics

  • Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude - Lexicon
  • ARC Reports (2nd)
🔗

Official & Important Links

🏛️ UPSC Official Website 📄 UPSC Exam Notifications 📝 UPSC Online Application 📰 Press Information Bureau 📻 All India Radio News 📰 The Hindu 💰 Economic Survey & Budget
💡

Preparation Strategy

📅

Start Early

Ideally 12-18 months of dedicated preparation

📖

NCERT Foundation

Complete Class 6-12 NCERTs for all subjects

📰

Read Newspaper Daily

The Hindu / Indian Express for current affairs

✍️

Answer Writing Practice

Daily answer writing for Mains preparation

📝

Solve Previous Papers

Last 10 years' papers with timer

🔄

Regular Revision

Make notes and revise every 2-3 weeks