UPSC Civil Services Recruitment 2026: Career Details and Vacancy Notification
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official notification for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026. This examination serves as the primary gateway for candidates seeking prestigious administrative and police services within the Government of India.
Important Points
Organization: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Exam Name: Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026
Job Category: Central Government Jobs
Career Opportunities: Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and various Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ services.
Selection Process: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Personality Test (Interview).
Mode of Application: Online only.
Total Vacancy for Recruitment 2026
The Commission has announced that approximately 933 vacancies are expected to be filled through this examination. This includes 33 vacancies reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD). The final number of vacancies is subject to change based on requirements from various cadre controlling authorities.
Eligibility and Career Criteria
Educational Qualification: Candidates must hold a graduate degree from any recognized university incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India.
Nationality: For the IAS, IFS, and IPS, the candidate must be a citizen of India. For other services, candidates can be a citizen of India, a subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962.
Number of Attempts:
General/EWS: 6 attempts.
OBC: 9 attempts.
PwBD (GL/EWS/OBC): 9 attempts.
SC/ST: Unlimited attempts until the age limit is reached.
Age Limit for 2026 Vacancy
Candidates must have attained the age of 21 years and must not have exceeded the age of 32 years as of 1st August 2026. This means the candidate must have been born between 2nd August 1994 and 1st August 2005.
Age Relaxation:
SC/ST: Up to 5 years.
OBC: Up to 3 years.
PwBD: Up to 10 years.
Ex-servicemen: Up to 5 years.
Application Fee for Recruitment 2026
General/OBC/EWS Male Candidates: Rs. 100 for the Preliminary Examination and Rs. 200 for those qualifying for the Main Examination.
Exempted Categories: Female candidates, SC, ST, and Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) are exempted from paying any fee.
Payment Mode: Fees can be paid through Net Banking of any bank or via Visa/Master/RuPay/Credit/Debit Card/UPI.
How to Apply for Career Opportunities
Eligible candidates are required to apply online through the official UPSC portal at https://upsconline.nic.in. The application process involves generating a Universal Registration Number (URN), which is a lifetime registration, followed by filling out the examination-specific module. Candidates must upload their photograph, live photo, signature, and a valid Photo ID card during the process.
Important Dates for Recruitment 2026
Notification Release Date: 04.02.2026
Application Opening Date: 04.02.2026
Last Date for Submission: 24.02.2026 (until 6:00 PM)
Preliminary Examination Date: 24.05.2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to apply for UPSC CSE 2026? The last date for the submission of online applications is 24th February 2026, until 6:00 PM.
How many vacancies are available in Recruitment 2026? There are approximately 933 vacancies expected to be filled.
What is the minimum age to apply for these jobs? Candidates must be at least 21 years old as of 1st August 2026.
Is there a negative marking in the exam? Yes, there is a penalty (negative marking) of one-third (0.33) of the marks for wrong answers in the Objective Type Question Papers.
Can I withdraw my application after submission? No, candidates are not allowed to withdraw their applications once they have been submitted.
What is the educational qualification required for this career? A candidate must hold a graduate degree from a recognized university.
When will the Preliminary Examination be held? The Preliminary Examination is scheduled for 24th May 2026.
What documents are required as a Photo ID? Candidates can use their Aadhaar Card, Voter Card, PAN Card, Passport, or Driving License.
How many attempts does an OBC candidate get? OBC candidates are permitted 9 attempts at the examination.
Is the Aadhaar Card mandatory for application? While not strictly mandatory, applicants are strongly advised to use their Aadhaar Card for seamless verification.