The official UPSC 2026 notification is likely to be released on January 14, 2026.This comprehensive guide provides key insights into the UPSC 2026 exam schedule, eligibility criteria, number of vacancies, exam pattern, and the complete selection process.
Notification Release Date
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is expected to release its 2026 exam notification on January 14 via upsc.gov.in and upsconline.nic.in, along with the activation of the online application form.
The notification will include:
- Exam calendar
- Eligibility requirements
- Number of vacancies
- Application fees
- Detailed exam structure
Make sure to prepare all required documents, a recent photograph, and a scanned signature for smooth application submission.
UPSC 2026 Exam Highlights
- Name of Exam: Civil Services Examination 2026
- Conducted By: UPSC
- Level: All-India level
- Mode of Exam: Offline (Pen and Paper)
- Phases: Preliminary, Main, and Interview
- Languages Available: Hindi and English
- Application Fee: ₹100 (with exemptions for eligible categories)
UPSC 2026 Important Dates
- Notification Issue: January 14, 2026
- Online Registration Start: January 14, 2026
- Last Date to Apply: February 3, 2026
- Prelims Examination: May 24, 2026
- Mains Examination: August 21, 2026
- Interview/Results: To be declared later
A correction window will open shortly after applications close.
UPSC 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates aiming to take the Civil Services Exam 2026 must meet the following requirements:
- Be an Indian citizen (or fulfill specific nationality clauses)
- The age limit is 21 to 32 years as of August 1, 2026, with age relaxations available for reserved categories.
- “Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution. Final-year students are also allowed to apply.
- Number of Attempts:
- General: 6
- OBC: 9
- SC/ST: No limit (within age criteria)
UPSC 2026 Vacancy Overview
The official notification will confirm the total number of posts available. Posts include:
- Group A: IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, etc.
- Group B: DANICS, DANIPS, PONDICS, and others
Reservations will be according to government policy.
Exam Structure and Paper Breakdown
Preliminary Stage
- General Studies Paper I – 200 marks
- CSAT Paper II – 200 marks (Qualifying: 33%)
Main Examination
- Total 9 papers: 1750 marks
- 2 Language Papers – Qualifying only
- Essay – 250 marks
- General Studies (I–IV) – 1000 marks
- Optional Subject (Paper I & II) – 500 marks
Interview Round
- Personality Test – 275 marks
- Final Score = Mains (1750) + Interview (275) = 2025 marks
UPSC 2026 Selection Procedure
- Prelims – Objective test to screen candidates
- Mains – Descriptive written examination
- Interview – Personality assessment by a board
- The final merit list is prepared solely on the basis of marks from the Mains and Interview stages.
UPSC 2026 Exam Centres
Applicants can select up to 3 preferred centres. Popular cities include Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bhopal, Jaipur, Dehradun, and others. The admit card will clearly mention the exam centre assigned to the candidate.
UPSC 2026 Admit Card
- Available around May 17–20, 2026 (Prelims)
- Download from upsconline.nic.in
- Login using registration ID and password
- Bring admit card and valid photo ID to the centre
Answer Key
UPSC will release the official answer key for the Prelims about one week post-exam in PDF format on upsc.gov.in. Candidates can use it to verify their responses and estimate scores.
Note: UPSC does not release answer keys for the Mains exam.
Cut-Off Marks
Cut-off scores differ by stage and category:
- For the General category, the anticipated Prelims cut-off (Paper I) is approximately 86 marks, with a margin of ±4.
- Mains cut-offs vary depending on paper difficulty and vacancies
- The final merit is determined by the combined marks of the Mains exam and the Interview.
Cut-off lists for each category will be published on upsc.gov.in once the final results are declared.
Download the Official PDF
UPSC will publish the official notification in PDF format on January 14, 2026, at upsc.gov.in. It will include:
- Full eligibility rules
- Details of services/posts
- Reservation norms
- Complete syllabus
- Step-by-step application guide