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The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced the Combined Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026 under Advertisement No. 05/2026-CSP. This year, the commission is filling 1,013 vacancies, which includes 933 posts for Civil Services (IAS, IPS, IFS, etc.) and 80 posts for the Indian Forest Service (IFS).
The Civil Services Examination is a three-stage nationwide competitive process that recruits for Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ services. Candidates must navigate the Preliminary examination (scheduled for May 24, 2026), the Main written examination, and a final Personality Test. The application window is short, lasting only 20 days, making it vital for aspirants to complete their One-Time Registration (OTR) and application early.
UPSC IAS & IFS 2026: Recruitment Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Civil Services (Prelims) Exam 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 1,013 (933 CSE + 80 IFS) |
| Selection Process | Prelims → Mains → Interview |
| Exam Date (Prelims) | May 24, 2026 |
| Official Website | CLICK HERE |
1. Important Dates & Application Fee
The portal is currently live. Note that the application window closes strictly at 6:00 PM on the final day.
- Notification Release Date: February 04, 2026
- Online Application Starts: February 04, 2026
- Last Date to Apply & Pay Fee: February 24, 2026 (06:00 PM)
- Modification Window: February 25 – March 03, 2026
- UPSC Prelims Exam Date: May 24, 2026
- UPSC Mains Exam Date: August 21, 2026 onwards
Application Fees:
- General / OBC / EWS (Male): ₹100/-
- SC / ST / Female / PwBD: NIL (Exempted)
2. UPSC 2026: Service-Wise Post Allocation
| Service Category | Services Included | Total Vacancies (Approx.) |
| All India Services | Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) | 933 |
| Indian Forest Service | Indian Forest Service (IFS) | 80 |
| Central Services (Group A) | Foreign Service (IFS), Revenue (IRS), Audit & Accounts (IA&AS), Postal (IPoS), Railway (IRMS), etc. | Included in 933 |
| Central Services (Group B) | DANICS, DANIPS, AFHQ Civil Service, Pondicherry Civil Service (PONDICS), etc. | Included in 933 |
| Total Recruitment | All IAS, IFS, and Allied Services | 1,013 |
3. Eligibility Criteria (as of 01.08.2026)
A. Educational Qualification
- For IAS: Graduation in any stream from a recognized university.
- For IFS: Bachelor’s degree with at least one subject among Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, and Zoology OR a degree in Agriculture, Forestry, or Engineering.
B. Age Limit
- Minimum Age: 21 Years.
- Maximum Age: 32 Years.
- (Born between 02.08.1994 and 01.08.2005).
- Age Relaxation: 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC.
4. Selection Process & Syllabus
Stage 1: Preliminary Exam (400 Marks)
- Paper I (GS): 100 Qs / 200 Marks (Current events, History, Geography, Polity, etc.).
- Paper II (CSAT): 80 Qs / 200 Marks (Reasoning, Maths, Comprehension).
- Negative Marking: 1/3rd of the marks assigned to the question.
- Qualifying: CSAT requires 33%. GS Paper I marks determine entry to Mains.
Stage 2: Main Examination (1750 Marks)
- 9 Descriptive papers including Essay, General Studies (I-IV), and Optional Subjects.
Stage 3: Personality Test (275 Marks)
- A face-to-face interview to assess the candidate’s character and mental caliber.
5. Important Links for Candidates
| Resource Description | Official Links / Action |
|---|---|
| UPSC OTR & Apply Online | Apply Here (Live) |
| Download Civil Services (CSE) Advt | Download PDF |
| Download Forest Service (IFS) Advt | ENGLISH | HINDI |
| Official UPSC Portal | [CLICK HERE] |
How to Apply Online?
- Visit upsconline.nic.in.
- Complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) if you haven’t already.
- Log in using your Email/Mobile and OTP.
- Click on “Latest Notification” and select Civil Services / IFS 2026.
- Fill out the application form, upload your Live Photo and signature.
- Pay the fee and choose your exam center preference.
Official Notification Disclaimer:
This post serves as a summary for aspirants. Candidates are strictly advised to download and read the official UPSC Notifications (Advt No. 05/2026-CSP & 06/2026-IFS) for detailed rules on attempts, medical standards, and specific service preferences. The commission’s official document is the final authority.
