The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has now officially released the 2026 Civil Services Examination (CSE) notification. Preliminary Examination of the UPSC CSE is the first stage of the prestigious service of the country like IAS, IPS, IFS, and other Central Civil Services. The interested candidates and eligible can apply through online on the official website of the UPSC.
The UPSC Civil Services Examination is conducted annually to recruit candidates for Group A and Group B services under the Government of India. The examination is conducted in three stages
- Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)
- Main Examination (Written – Descriptive)
- Personality Test / Interview
The Prelims exam acts as a screening test and is common for both Civil Services (IAS/IPS) and Indian Forest Service (IFS) aspirants.
UPSC CSE (Prelims) 2026 – Overview
- Exam Name: UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026
- Conducting Authority: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
- Exam Level: National
- Exam Mode: Offline (Pen & Paper)
- Question Type: Objective (MCQs)
- Job Location: Across India
- Official Website: upsc.gov.in
Eligibility Criteria of UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2026
Educational Qualification: Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university or institution.
✔ Candidates who are appearing in the final year of graduation are also eligible to apply, subject to conditions.
Age Limit (as on 1st August 2026)
- Minimum Age: 21 Years
- Maximum Age: 32 Years
Age Relaxation:
- SC / ST: 5 years
- OBC: 3 years
- PwBD: As per government rules
Application Fee
- General / OBC / EWS: ₹100
- SC / ST / Female Candidates: No Fee
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): No Fee
Fee can be paid online via Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card, or UPI.
UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern 2026
The Preliminary Examination consists of two compulsory papers:
Paper I – General Studies
- Marks: 200
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Subjects include:
- History
- Geography
- Polity
- Economy
- Environment
- Current Affairs
Paper II – CSAT (Qualifying)
- Marks: 200
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Remedial Nature
- Minimum qualifying marks: 33%
Marks of Paper II (CSAT) are not counted for merit, but qualifying is mandatory.
Selection Process
The selection process for UPSC CSE 2026 includes:
- Preliminary Examination – Screening test
- Main Examination – Written descriptive exam
- Personality Test / Interview – Final selection
Candidates must clear each stage to move to the next.
Important Dates & Links (UPSC CSE 2026)
- Notification Release Date: 4th February 2026
- Online Application Start Date: 4th February 2026
- Last Date to Apply Online: 24th February 2026
- UPSC Prelims Exam Date: 24th May 2026
- UPSC Mains Exam Date: 21 August 2026
📌 Exact dates should be verified from the official UPSC notification.
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How to Apply for UPSC CSE 2026
- Visit the official UPSC website
- Complete One Time Registration (OTR)
- Fill out the Common Application Form (CAF)
- Upload required documents and photograph
- Pay the application fee (if applicable)
- Submit the form and download the confirmation page
Documents Required
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Scanned signature
- Graduation certificate (if available)
- Valid ID proof
FAQs – UPSC Civil Services (Prelims) 2026
Q1. Is UPSC Prelims common for IAS and IFS?
Yes, the UPSC Prelims exam is common for both Civil Services and Indian Forest Service.
Q2. Is CSAT compulsory to qualify?
Yes, candidates must score at least 33% in CSAT.
Q3. Can final-year students apply for UPSC CSE 2026?
Yes, final-year students can apply provisionally.
Q4. Is there negative marking in UPSC Prelims?
Yes, 1/3rd marks are deducted for each wrong answer.
Q5. Where can I apply for UPSC CSE 2026?
Candidates must apply online through the official UPSC website only.
Services Under UPSC Civil Services ExaminationAll India Services
- Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
- Indian Police Service (IPS)
- Indian Forest Service (IFS)*
(IFS is through a separate mains but same prelims)
Group ‘A’ Central Services
- Indian Foreign Service (IFS – Foreign)
- Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS)
- Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS)
- Indian Corporate Law Service (ICLS)
- Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS)
- Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES)
- Indian Information Service (IIS)
- Indian Ordnance Factories Service (IOFS)
- Indian Postal Service (IPoS)
- Indian P&T Accounts and Finance Service (IP&TAFS)
- Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS)
- Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes) [IRS-C&IT]
- Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) [IRS-IT]
- Indian Trade Service (ITS)
Group ‘B’ Services
- Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service (AFHCS)
- Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands Civil Service (DANICS)
- Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands Police Service (DANIPS)
- Pondicherry Civil Service (PCS)
- Pondicherry Police Service (PPS)
Indian Forest Service (IFS) is recruited through the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination, but candidates must appear for a separate IFS Main Examination.