The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the UPSC CSE Recruitment 2026 on 04 February 2026. Through this prestigious examination, UPSC invites applications for All India Services and Central Civil Services (Group A & B) including IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, and other allied services.
The online application process has already started from 04 February 2026, and eligible candidates can apply till 24 February 2026 (06:00 PM) through the official UPSC online portal. The Preliminary Examination is scheduled for 24 May 2026. This recruitment is a golden opportunity for graduates who aspire to serve the nation through top administrative and policy-making roles.
UPSC CSE Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Examination Name | Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 |
| Advertisement No. | 05/2026–CSE |
| Post Names | IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS & Other Central Services |
| Total Vacancies | To be notified (Approx. 933) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 04 February 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 24 February 2026 (06:00 PM) |
| Prelims Exam Date | 24 May 2026 |
| Selection Process | Prelims, Mains, Interview |
| Job Location | All India |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
UPSC CSE Recruitment 2026 – Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 04 February 2026 |
| Online Application Start | 04 February 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 24 February 2026 (06:00 PM) |
| Prelims Exam | 24 May 2026 |
| Mains Exam | To be notified |
| Admit Card | Before exam |
| Final Result | After completion of all stages |
UPSC CSE Vacancy Details 2026
UPSC has not officially announced the final vacancy count yet. However, as per trends and indications, the total number of vacancies is expected to be around 933.
| Service Category | Services Covered | Vacancy Status |
|---|---|---|
| All India Services | IAS, IPS, IFS | Included |
| Central Services (Group A) | IRS, IRMS, IDAS, ICLS, etc. | Included |
| Central Services (Group B) | DANICS, DANIPS, AFHQ CS, etc. | Included |
| Total | All Services Combined | ~933 (Expected) |
UPSC CSE Recruitment 2026 – Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹100 |
| Female / SC / ST / PwBD | Nil |
Payment Mode:
Online only (Net Banking, Credit Card, Debit Card, UPI)
UPSC CSE Recruitment 2026 – Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
-
Candidate must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
-
Final-year students are also eligible to apply.
Age Limit (as on 01 August 2026)
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 21 Years |
| Maximum Age | 32 Years |
| Date of Birth Range | 02 Aug 1994 to 01 Aug 2005 |
Age Relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 Years |
| OBC | 3 Years |
| Defence Services Personnel | 3 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 5 Years |
| PwBD | 10 Years |
Nationality:
Candidate must be a citizen of India. Other eligibility conditions apply for Nepal/Bhutan subjects and persons of Indian origin, as per UPSC rules.
UPSC CSE Recruitment 2026 – Selection Process
The selection process consists of four stages:
-
Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)
-
Main Examination (Descriptive Type)
-
Interview / Personality Test
-
Medical Examination
Stage-wise Marks Distribution
| Stage | Details | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Prelims | GS Paper I & CSAT (Qualifying) | Screening Only |
| Mains | 9 Papers (Written) | 1750 |
| Interview | Personality Test | 275 |
| Final Merit | Mains + Interview | 2025 |
UPSC CSE Recruitment 2026 – Exam Pattern
Preliminary Examination
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies | 100 | 200 | 2 Hours |
| Paper II | CSAT (Qualifying) | 80 | 200 | 2 Hours |
CSAT requires minimum 33% marks to qualify.
Main Examination
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper A | Indian Language (Qualifying) | 300 |
| Paper B | English (Qualifying) | 300 |
| Paper I | Essay | 250 |
| Paper II–V | General Studies I–IV | 250 each |
| Paper VI–VII | Optional Subject I & II | 250 each |
UPSC CSE Salary 2026
| Post | Pay Scale (7th CPC) |
|---|---|
| IAS / IPS / IFS | ₹56,100 – ₹2,50,000 |
Additional benefits include DA, HRA, TA, official residence, and other government allowances.
Documents Required for UPSC CSE Recruitment 2026
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Class 10 Certificate (Date of Birth Proof)
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Graduation Marksheet / Degree
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Category Certificate (if applicable)
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PwBD Certificate (if applicable)
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Photograph & Signature (Scanned)
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Aadhaar / Valid Photo ID
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Email ID & Mobile Number
How to Apply Online for UPSC CSE Recruitment 2026
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Visit upsc.gov.in
-
Click on Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026 notification
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Proceed to upsconline.nic.in
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Create an account (URN generation)
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Fill the Common Application Form (CAF)
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Upload documents and capture live photo
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Pay application fee (if applicable)
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Submit the form and download confirmation page
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Important Links – UPSC CSE Recruitment 2026
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official Notification PDF | Download Now |
| UPSC Official Website | Click Here |
| UPSC Online Portal | Click Here |
Conclusion
UPSC CSE Recruitment 2026 is the most prestigious examination in India, offering a direct path to becoming an IAS, IPS, IFS, or other senior civil servant. With a transparent selection process, nationwide postings, and unmatched career growth, eligible candidates should apply early and begin focused preparation.
FAQs – UPSC CSE Recruitment 2026
Q1. When did UPSC CSE Recruitment 2026 applications start?
Applications started on 04 February 2026.
Q2. What is the last date to apply for UPSC CSE 2026?
The last date is 24 February 2026 (06:00 PM).
Q3. What is the exam date for UPSC CSE Prelims 2026?
The Prelims exam will be held on 24 May 2026.
Q4. What is the age limit for UPSC CSE 2026?
Age limit is 21 to 32 years with applicable relaxations.
Q5. What is the selection process?
Prelims, Mains, Interview, and Medical Examination.
Q6. Is there any application fee?
Yes, ₹100 for General/OBC/EWS. Others are exempted.
Q7. What is the salary of an IAS officer?
Basic pay starts from ₹56,100 and can go up to ₹2,50,000.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. Candidates must refer to the official UPSC notification for complete and authentic details.