UPSC 2026, Exam Date, Syllabus, Admit Card, Results 2026, UPSC Exam 2026, UPSC Exam Syllabus, UPSC Exam Date 2026, UPSC Exam Admit Card 2026, Upsc Exam Results 2026
UPSC 2026
| UNION PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION PROGRAMME OF EXAMINATIONS/RECRUITMENT TESTS (RTs) -2026 | |||||
| Sl. No. | Name of Examination | Date of Notification | Last Date for receipt of Applications | Date of commencement of Exam | Duration of Exam |
| 1. | Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | 10.01.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days | ||
| 2. | Reserved for UPSC Examination | 17.01.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days | ||
| 3. | Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Examination, 2026 | 03.09.2025 | 23.09.2025 | 08.02.2026 (Sunday) | 1 DAY |
| 4. | Engineering Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2026 | 17.09.2025 | 07.10.2025 | 08.02.2026 (Sunday) | 1 DAY |
| 5. | CBI (DSP) LDCE | 24.12.2025 | 13.01.2026 | 28.02.2026 (Saturday) | 2 DAY |
| 6. | CISF AC(EXE) LDCE-2026 | 03.12.2025 | 23.12.2025 | 08.03.2026 (Sunday) | 1 DAY |
| 7. | N.D.A. & N.A. Examination (I), 2026 | 10.12.2025 | 30.12.2025 | 12.04.2026 (Sunday) | 1 DAY |
| 8. | C.D.S. Examination (I), 2026 | ||||
| 9. | Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2026 | 14.01.2026 | 03.02.2026 | 24.05.2026 (Sunday) | 1 DAY |
| 10. | Indian Forest Service (Preliminary) Examination, 2026 through CS(P) Examination 2026 | ||||
| 11. | Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | 06.06.2026 (Saturday) | 2 DAYS | ||
| 12. | I.E.S./I.S.S. Examination, 2026 | 11.02.2026 | 03.03.2026 | 19.06.2026 (Friday) | 3 DAYS |
| 13. | Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) Examination, 2026 | 20.06.2026 (Saturday) | 2 DAYS | ||
| 14. | Engineering Services (Main) Examination, 2026 | 21.06.2026 (Sunday) | 1 DAY | ||
| 15. | Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | 04.07.2026 (Saturday) | 2 DAYS | ||
| 16. | Central Armed Police Forces (ACs) Examination, 2026 | 18.02.2026 | 10.03.2026 | 19.07.2026 (Sunday) | 1 DAY |
| 17. | Combined Medical Services Examination, 2026 | 11.03.2026 | 31.03.2026 | 02.08.2026 (Sunday) | 1 DAY |
| 18. | Reserved for UPSC Examination | 08.08.2026 (Saturday) | 2 DAYS | ||
| 19. | Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2026 | 21.08.2026 (Friday) | 5 DAYS | ||
| 20. | N.D.A. & N.A. Examination (II), 2026 | 20.05.2026 | 09.06.2026 | 13.09.2026 (Sunday) | 1 DAY |
| 21. | C.D.S. Examination (II), 2026 | ||||
| 22. | Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | 26.09.2026 (Saturday) | 2 DAYS | ||
| 23. | Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | 10.10.2026 (Saturday) | 2 DAYS | ||
| 24. | Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | 31.10.2026 (Saturday) | 2 DAYS | ||
| 25. | Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination, 2026 | 22.11.2026 (Sunday) | 7 DAYS | ||
| 26. | S.O./Steno (GD-B/GD-I) LDCE | 16.09.2026 | 06.10.2026 | 12.12.2026 (Saturday) | 2 DAYS |
| 27. | Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | 19.12.2026 (Saturday) | 2 DAYS | ||
| Note: The dates of notification, commencement and duration of Examinations/ RTs are liable to alteration, if the circumstances so warrant. | |||||
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Annual Calendar 2026 has been released and is available on the official website upsc.gov.in.
Key dates for the major examinations are as follows:
Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026
The schedule for the prestigious Civil Services Exam (CSE), which includes recruitment for IAS, IPS, and IFS, has been announced.
- Notification Release Date: January 14, 2026.
- Last Date to Apply: February 3, 2026.
- Preliminary Exam Date: May 24, 2026 (Sunday).
- Main Exam Start Date: August 21, 2026 (Friday, spanning 5 days).
Other Major UPSC Exams in 2026
The calendar includes dates for various other recruitment tests and examinations:
- Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Exam: February 8, 2026.
- Engineering Services (Preliminary) Exam: February 8, 2026.
- NDA & NA Examination (I): April 12, 2026.
- CDS Examination (I): May 24, 2026.
- CAPF (Assistant Commandants) Exam: July 19, 2026.
- NDA & NA Examination (II): September 13, 2026.
- CDS Examination (II): September 13, 2026.
- Indian Forest Service (Main) Exam: November 22, 2026.
Candidates can download the complete official PDF from the UPSC website to view the full schedule, including notification and application dates for all exams.
The 2026 UPSC exam calendar features multiple posts, with the Civil Services Examination (CSE) having its Prelims on May 24 and Mains on August 21, 2026. Other posts include those for the Indian Forest Service (IFS), whose Main exam is on November 22, 2026, and a number of other competitive exams such as NDA, CDS, CAPF, Engineering Services, and Combined Geo-Scientist. Post descriptions are detailed in the official exam notifications for each specific examination, not in the calendar itself.
Civil Services Examination (CSE)
- Description: Recruitment for various civil services, including IAS, IPS, IFS, and others.
- Prelims: May 24, 2026.
- Mains: Starts August 21, 2026.
Indian Forest Service (IFS)
- Description: Recruitment for the Indian Forest Service.
- Prelims: Conducted along with the CSE Prelims.
- Mains: November 22, 2026.
National Defence Academy (NDA) & Combined Defence Services (CDS)
- Description: Recruitment for the National Defence Academy and Indian Armed Forces.
- NDA & NA (I) / CDS (I): April 12, 2026.
- NDA & NA (II) / CDS (II): September 13, 2026.
Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF)
- Description: Recruitment for Assistant Commandants in the Central Armed Police Forces.
- Exam Date: July 19, 2026.
Engineering Services Examination (ESE)
- Description: Recruitment for the Engineering Services Examination.
- Prelims: February 8, 2026.
Combined Geo-Scientist Examination
- Description: Recruitment for the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination.
- Prelims: February 8, 2026.
Other exams
- CBI (DSP) LDCE: February 28, 2026.
- CISF AC (Exe) LDCE: March 8, 2026.
- IES/ISS: June 19, 2026.
- Combined Medical Services Exam: August 2, 2026.
- SO/Steno (GD-B/GD-I) LDCE: December 12, 2026.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is India’s central body for recruiting candidates to various All India Services and Central Services (Group A and B) through competitive exams. The best-known exam conducted by UPSC is the Civil Services Examination (CSE), often called the IAS exam.
Key Information about the UPSC CSE
The UPSC CSE is an annual examination used for selection to prestigious services such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Revenue Service (IRS).
Selection Process
The selection process involves three stages:
- Prelims: An objective screening test with two papers.
- Mains: A descriptive exam with nine papers that assess in-depth knowledge and analytical skills.
- Interview: A personality test evaluating suitability for public service. The final merit list is based on Mains and Interview scores.
Eligibility Criteria
General eligibility requirements include:
- Nationality: Indian citizen (with exceptions for certain services).
- Education: A Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university.
- Age Limit: Minimum age of 21 years; upper limits vary by category (e.g., 32 for General).
- Attempts: Number of attempts allowed varies by category (e.g., 6 for General).
Important Dates (2026 Cycle)
According to the UPSC Calendar 2026, key dates are:
- Notification Release: January 14, 2026
- Application Period: January 14 to February 3, 2026
- Prelims Exam: May 24, 2026
- Mains Exam Starts: August 21, 2026
Candidates should visit the official UPSC website or upsconline.nic.in for official details and applications.
The UPSC 2026 exam schedule includes the notification on January 14, 2026, the last date to apply on March 3, 2026, the Prelims on May 24, 2026, and the Mains starting August 21, 2026. Candidates must meet eligibility criteria, such as being an Indian citizen with a graduate degree, and can prepare by studying NCERT books and a daily newspaper.
Important dates
- Notification Release: January 14, 2026
- Application Last Date: March 3, 2026
- UPSC Prelims 2026 Exam Date: May 24, 2026
- UPSC Mains 2026 Exam Date: August 21, 2026 onwards
Eligibility criteria
- Nationality: Must be an Indian citizen (or other specified categories)
- Educational Qualification: A graduate degree from a recognized university
- Age Limit: Generally 21–32 years for the General category, with relaxations for OBC, SC/ST, and other categories
- Number of Attempts: Limited, depending on the category (e.g., 6 for General, 9 for OBC, unlimited for SC/ST within age limits)
Exam pattern
- Stage 1: Prelims consists of two objective-type papers to screen candidates.
- Stage 2: Mains is a descriptive exam consisting of nine papers. The score from the Mains exam and the subsequent interview determines the final ranking.
- Stage 3: Interview follows the Mains exam.
Preparation tips
- Foundation: Start with NCERT books (Class 6–12) to build a strong conceptual foundation in subjects like history, geography, and polity.
- Current Affairs: Stay updated on current events for at least 15–16 months leading up to the exam.
- Practice: Regular practice is crucial. You can join a coaching institute for guidance or rely on online and library resources.