The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the UPSC Notification 2026 for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) and Indian Forest Service (IFS) on 4th February 2026, on its official website, upsc.gov.in.
The notification outlines all the key details candidates need to know, such as exam dates, eligibility criteria, number of vacancies, application fee, and the exam pattern.
Candidates planning to apply are advised to keep their required documents, recent photographs, and scanned signatures ready to ensure a smooth online application process.
According to the official UPSC Notification 2026, a total of 933 vacancies have been announced.
UPSC Notification 2026 Out
UPSC 2026 is regarded as one of the toughest and most competitive examinations in India, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission.
The UPSC Notification 2026 was released on 4th February 2026, officially inviting applications for the prestigious Civil Services Examination (CSE). Through this exam, candidates are selected for top government positions such as IAS, IPS, IFS, and other central services.
The selection process takes place in three stages. The Preliminary Examination is an objective-type screening test, followed by the Main Examination, which is descriptive in nature and evaluates a candidate’s in-depth knowledge and analytical ability.
The final stage is the Interview or Personality Test, which assesses the candidate’s personality, decision-making skills, and overall suitability for administrative responsibilities.
UPSC Notification 2026 Overview
The UPSC Civil Services Exam is conducted annually at a national level to recruit candidates for various central services.
The Notification 2026 has been released on 4th February, 2026, allowing aspirants to start their preparations in advance.
| UPSC Notification 2026 Overview | |
| Highlights | Details |
| Exam Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission |
| Posts | Group A and Group B Services |
| Popular Services | IAS, IPS, IFS, and IRS |
| Application Start Date | 04 February 2026 |
| Application End Date | 24 February 2026 (18:00) |
| Level of Exam | National |
| Frequency of Exam | Annual |
| Exam Stages | Prelims, Mains, and Interview cum Personality Test |
| Language of Exam | English & Hindi |
| Official Website | https://upsc.gov.in |
| Exam Help Desk | Telephone: 011-23385271 / 011-23381125 / 011-23098543 (on working days between 10:00 hrs and 17:00 hrs) |
UPSC Notification 2026 Download PDF
The UPSC Notification 2026 PDF has been released on the official portal at upsc.gov.in, on 04 February 2026.
This PDF contains all important details, including exam dates, eligibility criteria, vacancies, application fee, and exam pattern. Aspirants can download it to check the official instructions.
Download UPSC Notification 2026 PDF
UPSC Notification 2026 Important Dates
The UPSC Notification 2026 Important Dates include the notification release date, application dates and exam dates. Aspirants should complete their registration within this period.
| UPSC Notification 2026 Important Dates | |
| Event | Important Dates |
| UPSC Notification Release | 4th February 2026 |
| UPSC Application Start Date | 4th February 2026 |
| UPSC Application End Date | 24th February 2026 (18:00) |
| UPSC Prelims Exam | 24th May 2026 |
| UPSC Mains Exam | 21st August 2026 |
| Interview / Personality Test | To Be Announced |
UPSC Vacancy For 2026
The UPSC Vacancy 2026 details the number of positions available for various services like IAS, IPS, IFS, and other central services.
The official notification provides a complete list of vacancies along with service-wise and category-wise distribution.
Aspirants should check these details carefully before applying. The total number of vacancies is 933.
| UPSC Vacancy 2026 | |
| Year | Vacancy |
| 2026 | 933 |
| 2025 | 1129 |
| 2024 | 1056 |
UPSC Apply Online 2026
Candidates can apply online for UPSC 2026 through the official websites upsc.gov.in or upsconline.nic.in. The application process has started on 4th February, 2026 and the last date to apply online is 24th February, 2026.
Aspirants must fill in their details, upload the required documents, and pay the application fee within this period. Early application is recommended to avoid last-minute issues.
Click here to Apply Online for UPSC Exam 2026
Steps to Fill UPSC Application Form 2026
Filling the UPSC Application Form 2026 is completely online and must be done by following the simple steps provided below.
Candidates should carefully follow each step to ensure a smooth registration process.
Step 1 – Visit the Official Website: Go to the official UPSC website or the UPSC Online Recruitment Application (ORA) portal. Click on the direct link to start the registration process.
Step 2 – Online Registration (Part I): Fill in all personal information, including name, age, address, and contact details. Ensure that the details match official documents.
Step 3 – Corrections in Online Application: Carefully review all the entered information before submission. Once submitted, corrections cannot be made, so double-check all fields.
Step 4 – Uploading of Documents (Part II): Upload educational certificates, ID proof, photograph, and signature (JPG format). Provide details of age relaxation, if applicable, and payment confirmation.
Step 5 – Selection of Exam Centre: Choose the preferred exam center from the available options.
Step 6 – Final Submit: Click the “I Agree” button to submit the application form. Note down the Registration Number for future reference and take a printout of the completed form.
UPSC Application Fee 2026
The UPSC Application Fee 2026 is ₹100 for General, EWS, and OBC male candidates, while SC, ST, PwBD, and all female candidates are exempt. Payment can be made online or via SBI Challan during the application process.
| UPSC Application Fee 2026 | ||
| Category | Application Fee | Payment Method |
| General / EWS / OBC (Male) | ₹100 | Online (Debit/Credit Card, Net Banking) or Offline (SBI Challan) |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Female (All Categories) | ₹0 (Nil) | Exempt / No Payment Required |
UPSC Eligibility Criteria 2026
The UPSC Eligibility Criteria 2026 outline the basic requirements that candidates must meet to appear for the Civil Services Examination.
These criteria ensure that applicants are qualified and eligible for selection.
| UPSC Eligibility Criteria 2026 | |
| Criteria | Details |
| Educational Qualification | Graduation degree from a recognized university (including professional/technical degrees like MBBS/BE). Degrees must be from institutions recognized under UGC Act. |
| Special Cases | Final year MBBS/medical students can apply with provisional degree proof but must complete the internship by the interview stage. |
| UPSC Age Limit (as of 01 Aug 2026) | Minimum 21 years; Maximum age varies by category: General – 32, OBC – 35, SC/ST – 37, PwBD – 42. |
| Nationality Requirements | Indian citizens for IAS/IPS; others (e.g., PIO, refugees) eligible for other services, except IFS, with an eligibility certificate from the Indian government. |
| Number of Attempts | General/EWS – 6 attempts, OBC – 9 attempts, SC/ST – Unlimited, PwBD – Depends on category. |
| Nationality Exceptions | Nationals from certain countries (e.g., Nepal, Bhutan) can apply; others need to provide an eligibility certificate. |
UPSC Selection Process 2026
The UPSC Selection Process 2026 consists of three stages, each testing different skills and capabilities of aspirants.
- Preliminary Exam (Prelims): Objective type questions to filter candidates for the Mains exam.
- Main Exam (Mains): Descriptive papers to assess in-depth knowledge and analytical ability.
- Interview/Personality Test: Evaluates the candidate’s personality, decision-making, and overall suitability for civil services.
UPSC Exam Pattern 2026
The UPSC Exam Pattern 2026 consists of three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview. Prelims is objective, Mains is descriptive, and the Interview assesses personality, with a total of 2026 marks.
| UPSC Exam Pattern 2026 | |||
| Name of Exam | No. of Papers | Type of Questions | Maximum Marks |
| UPSC Prelims Exam | 2 Papers (GS 1 & CSAT) | Objective | 400 |
| UPSC Mains Exam | 9 Papers | Descriptive | 1750 |
| IAS Interview | – | Personality Test | 275 |
| Total Marks | – | Mains + Interview | 2026 |
