Advt. 05/2026-CSE
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Prelims: 24 May 2026
UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 Online Form
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has published the official notification for the Civil Services Examination, 2026. Eligible candidates must complete lifetime URN registration prior to final application execution.
Latest Updates
Recruitment Snapshot
- UPSC has announced an estimated 933 vacancies across top administrative, foreign, and police cadres, including 33 positions specifically designated for PwBD applicants.
- A mandatory Universal Registration Number (URN) portal architecture is implemented; the URN framework serves as a lifetime credential config across all UPSC exam instances.
- Applications strictly enforce a no-withdrawal policy post-final confirmation checkout. No field validation shifts or configuration corrections are allowed after form lock.
- Mandatory live photo capture and face authentication procedures are integrated directly into the intake workflow and center-entry checkpoint protocols.
Important Dates
| Event / Milestone | Timeline Matrix |
|---|---|
| Notification Publication Date | 04-02-2026 |
| Online Application Intake Execution Start | 04-02-2026 |
| Last Date for Online Submission & Form Locking | 24-02-2026 (Upto 6:00 PM) |
| Preliminary Examination E-Admit Card Release Date | Last working day of preceding week of exam |
| Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination Date | 24-05-2026 |
| Main Written Examination Registration Window | 10 days window following Prelims results |
Note: Qualified preliminary candidates must execute a mandatory subsequent profile confirmation update during a strict 10-day server runtime window post-results to secure their Main Examination admit token.
Application Fees
| Candidate Category Class | Prelims Processing Fee | Main Exam Step-Up Fee | Consolidated Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS Male | Rs. 100 | Rs. 200 | Rs. 300 |
| SC / ST Candidates | Rs. 0 | Rs. 0 | Rs. 0 |
| Female (All Categories) | Rs. 0 | Rs. 0 | Rs. 0 |
| PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disability) | Rs. 0 | Rs. 0 | Rs. 0 |
Payment Mode Validation: Net Banking infrastructure, Visa/Master/RuPay clearing layers, Credit/Debit cards, or UPI processing pathways are accepted.
Main Exam Step-Up Fee Rule: Non-exempt candidate types advancing past the Preliminary scoring tier must fulfill the distinct Rs. 200 fee configuration via the portal interface prior to Main Examination entry authorization.
Vacancy Structural Metrics
Subject to final Cadre Controlling allocation revisions
Subject to final cadre allocations and assignment policies
IAS, IFS, IPS, and diverse Group A/B functional arms
PwBD Sub-Category Distribution Mapping
| Blindness & Low Vision (a) | Deaf & Hard of Hearing (b) | Locomotor Disability / Core Structural (c) | Multiple Disability Matrix (e) | Total Reserved Allocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Posts | 11 Posts | 8 Posts | 7 Posts | 33 Posts |
Note: Comprehensive horizontal structural distribution metrics across SC, ST, OBC, and EWS arrays are anchored to dynamic statutory configuration formulas managed by participating service nodes.
Eligibility Frameworks & Age Constraints
Minimum Educational Level
Applicants must possess a valid Graduate Degree from an explicitly recognized university infrastructure. Final semester candidates tracking progress are provisonally qualified to run validation matching, provided degree verification proofs are submitted prior to Main Examination processing.
Mandatory Document Token
An explicit, verified Photo ID Card asset (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, PAN Card, Passport, or Driving License) must be explicitly indexed inside the URN config. This asset serves as the primary verification token across all examination cycles.
Age Boundaries (As on 01-08-2026)
Minimum Age Limit: 21 Years
Maximum Age Limit: 32 Years
Relaxation Offsets: SC/ST (+5 Years), OBC (+3 Years), PwBD (+10 Years) structural extensions are added per standard statutory frameworks.
Attempt Cap Matrix
General / EWS: 6 Attempts maximum.
OBC / PwBD (GL/EWS/OBC): 9 Attempts maximum.
SC / ST: Unlimited within the maximum age relaxation boundaries.
Selection Phase Rules
- 1
Civil Services (Preliminary) Exam: An objective structural evaluation tier to filter qualifying applicants for the next phase.
- 2
Civil Services (Main) Exam: A comprehensive, descriptive written evaluation tracking core intellectual depth across specialized nodes.
- 3
Personality Test / Interview Node: A structural psychometric assessment measuring psychological suitability for public service.
- 4
Document Verification & Allocation: Final compliance check of original educational and category certificates against the recorded profile.
Attempt Trigger Rule Configuration
If an applicant logs into an exam center and explicitly answers or participates in any single paper sheet inside the Preliminary tier, it is systematically indexed as a full official attempt depletion.
Exam Architectural Schemes
GS Paper I + GS Paper II (CSAT)
Mandatory minimum qualification threshold
1/3rd deduction per incorrect response
Written (1750) + Interview (275)
Phase I: Preliminary Exam Pattern
| Paper Layer | Subject Node | Duration | Marks Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies (GS) - Evaluated for cutoff ranking | 120 Minutes | 200 Marks |
| Paper II | Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) - Qualifying layer | 120 Minutes | 200 Marks |
Phase II: Main Exam Pattern
| Paper Code | Subject Matrix Description | Type Status | Marks Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper A | Selected Indian Language | Qualifying (300 Marks) | 0 Marks (Excl.) |
| Paper B | English Language | Qualifying (300 Marks) | 0 Marks (Excl.) |
| Paper I | Essay writing components | Merit Ranked | 250 Marks |
| Paper II | General Studies I (Heritage, History, World Geography & Society) | Merit Ranked | 250 Marks |
| Paper III | General Studies II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice & IR) | Merit Ranked | 250 Marks |
| Paper IV | General Studies III (Technology, Economy, Biodiversity, Environment & Security) | Merit Ranked | 250 Marks |
| Paper V | General Studies IV (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude metrics) | Merit Ranked | 250 Marks |
| Paper VI | Optional Subject Selection - Paper 1 | Merit Ranked | 250 Marks |
| Paper VII | Optional Subject Selection - Paper 2 | Merit Ranked | 250 Marks |
| Written Total Merit Score | 1750 Marks | ||
| Personality Test (Interview Phase) | 275 Marks | ||
| Consolidated Grand Selection Matrix Total | 2025 Marks | ||
Syllabus Framework Highlights
General Studies (GS I)
Indian Heritage, Global History, World and Physical Geography, Demographics, Governance architectures, Economic Planning models, Social Development paradigms, and International Relations matrices.
Core Science & Eco-Systems
Applied Scientific innovations, IT network routing paradigms, Cyber Defence architectures, AI/Big Data conceptual loops, Biodiversity preservation, Climate shifts, and Disaster Management emergency response algorithms.
Aptitude & Ethics (CSAT / GS IV)
Logical reasoning chains, mathematical parsing, analytical data processing models, professional public service ethics framework configurations, emotional intelligence matrices, and case analysis loops.
Elective Optional Domain
Candidates select a designated technical discipline from the official index list (e.g., Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Engineering, or Humanities modules) to complete the dual optional paper series.
Download Notification
Official PDF Documentation
Read the comprehensive, official notification framework meticulously prior to processing application locks. Pay close attention to eligibility conditions, reservation criteria, optional selection limitations, and center ceiling rules.