UPSC Notification 2026: Exam Dates, Vacancies, and Application Process
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• 13 Jan 2026

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is scheduled to release the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) Notification 2026 on January 14, 2026. This notification marks the beginning of the recruitment cycle for prestigious posts including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS).

Aspirants can download the official notification PDF and apply online through the official portal upsconline.nic.in starting from January 14. The preliminary examination is confirmed for May 24, 2026. 

UPSC 2026 Exam Highlights

Feature	Details
Exam Name	Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026
Conducting Body	Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Notification Date	January 14, 2026
Application Window	Jan 14 – Feb 3, 2026
Application Mode	Online
Prelims Exam Date	May 24, 2026 (Sunday)
Mains Exam Date	Starts August 21, 2026
Expected Vacancies	900 – 1,200 (Projected)
Official Website	upsc.gov.in

UPSC Notification 2026 Release Date and Time 

According to the UPSC Annual Calendar 2026, the official notification will be published on January 14, 2026. The link to the Application Form  for Prelims usually becomes active soon after the release of the notification. 

Important: The application window is short, closing on February 3, 2026. Candidates are advised to apply early to secure their preferred exam center, as centers are allotted on a "First-Apply-First-Allot" (First-Come, First-Served) basis, meaning applying early significantly increases your chances of getting your preferred city like Delhi or Mumbai before their capacity fills up and the center gets frozen. 

Download Official UPSC CSE 2026 Notification  

For aspirants looking to align their study plan with the latest requirements, this blog on UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026: Preparation Guidelines, Strategy & Key Updates serves as a vital strategic companion to the official notification details. 

UPSC 2026 Vacancies (Expected) 

While the exact number of vacancies will be confirmed in the official PDF, trends indicate a high intake for the 2026 cycle. 

• Projected Vacancies: 900 – 1,200 posts.
  
• Previous Year Trends: 
  • 2025: 979 Vacancies 
  • 2024: 1,056 Vacancies 
  • 2023: 1,105 Vacancies 

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) is expected to maintain a robust intake for the IAS and IPS to address administrative gaps.

Eligibility Criteria for IAS 2026 

Before applying, candidates must ensure they meet the specific eligibility conditions calculated as of August 1, 2026.

1. Age Limit

• General / EWS: 21 to 32 years. (Born between Aug 2, 1994, and Aug 1, 2005) 
• OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 21 to 35 years. 
• SC / ST: 21 to 37 years. 
• PwBD: 21 to 42 years.
  

2. Educational Qualification

Candidates must hold a degree from a recognized university. Final year students are also eligible to apply for the Prelims, provided they can submit proof of passing the requisite qualifying examination before the Detailed Application Form (DAF-I) for Mains is due (typically July 2026).

3. Number of Attempts

• General / EWS: 6 Attempts 
• OBC: 9 Attempts 
• SC / ST: Unlimited (up to age limit)
  

How to Apply for UPSC CSE 2026 

1. OTR Registration: Ensure your One Time Registration (OTR) profile on upsconline.nic.in is updated. 
2. Fill Part-I: Enter basic details and select your preferred exam center. 
3. Fill Part-II: Upload your photograph, signature, and photo ID card. 
4. Payment: Pay the application fee of ₹100 (exempt for Female/SC/ST/PwBD candidates). 
5. Submit: Download the confirmation slip for future reference.

UPSC Application Fee 2026 

• ₹100 – General / OBC / EWS (Male candidates) 
• Nil – SC / ST / PwBD / All Female candidates 

Payment can be made online or via SBI challan.

UPSC Exam Pattern 2026 

Preliminary Examination 

• General Studies Paper I – 200 marks 
• CSAT Paper II – 200 marks (qualifying) 

Mains Examination 

• 9 papers (Essay, GS I–IV, Optional I–II, Language papers) 
• Total: 1750 marks 

Interview (Personality Test) 

• 275 marks 

Final Merit = Mains + Interview (2025 marks) 

UPSC Syllabus 2026 

• The UPSC syllabus includes: 
• History, Geography, Polity, Economy 
• Environment & Ecology 
• Science & Technology 
• Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude 
• Current Affairs (Prelims & Mains) 

Check out the Detailed Syllabus for UPSC CSE 2026

The UPSC Notification 2026 is the foundation of your Civil Services preparation journey. Whether you are a first-time aspirant or a repeater, understanding the notification thoroughly helps you avoid mistakes and plan your preparation strategically.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. When will the UPSC 2026 Notification be released? +

The notification will be released on January 14, 2026.

2. What is the date for UPSC Prelims 2026?
+

The Civil Services Preliminary Examination will be held on May 24, 2026.

3. How many vacancies are expected in UPSC 2026?
+

Industry experts project between 1,000 and 1,200 vacancies, following the high-recruitment trend of recent years.

4. What is the age limit for General category in 2026? +

General category candidates must be between 21 and 32 years of age as of August 1, 2026.

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