UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 recruitment for approximately 933 vacancies across IAS, IPS, IFS and Central Group A & B Services. Graduate candidates can apply online. The online application opens on 04-02-2026 and closes on 24-02-2026. Selected candidates will be appointed to prestigious All India and Central Civil Services after the Preliminary, Main, and Interview stages
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released an official notification for the Civil Services Examination 2026 for recruitment to various Group A and Group B services including Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS). Interested and eligible candidates can apply online through the official UPSC portal. The last date to submit the online application form is 24-02-2026. In this article, you’ll find UPSC CSE 2026 recruitment details, including eligibility criteria, age limit, vacancy count, selection process, application steps, and direct links to the official notification and online application form
Organization Name
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Exam Name
Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026
Post Type
Group A & Group B Services
Total Vacancy Count
Approximately 933 Posts
Services Covered
IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, Indian Audit & Accounts, DANICS, DANIPS, and Other Central Services
The Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination is the first stage of the UPSC selection process. It is a screening test used to shortlist candidates for the Main Examination. Marks scored in Prelims are not counted in the final merit ranking
Paper
Subject
Type
Marks
Duration
Paper I
General Studies (GS)
Objective (MCQs)
200 Marks
2 Hours
Paper II
CSAT (Aptitude Test)
Objective (MCQs)
200 Marks
2 Hours
Prelims Key Rules
Both papers are objective type (Multiple Choice Questions).
Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying in nature – minimum 33% marks required.
Marks of Paper I are considered for cutoff and shortlisting for Mains.
Negative marking applies: 1/3rd mark deducted for each wrong answer.
Leaving a question blank carries no penalty.
UPSC CSE 2026 – Main Examination Pattern
The Civil Services (Main) Examination is the second stage and consists of a written examination followed by an Interview/Personality Test. Marks obtained in the written papers and interview are counted for the final merit list.
Paper
Subject
Marks
Nature
Paper A
Compulsory Indian Language
300
Qualifying
Paper B
English
300
Qualifying
Paper I
Essay
250
Merit
Paper II
General Studies I
250
Merit
Paper III
General Studies II
250
Merit
Paper IV
General Studies III
250
Merit
Paper V
General Studies IV (Ethics)
250
Merit
Paper VI
Optional Subject – Paper 1
250
Merit
Paper VII
Optional Subject – Paper 2
250
Merit
Main Exam Structure
Total Written Papers: 9
Qualifying Papers: 2 (Indian Language & English)
Merit Papers: 7
Total Marks (Written): 1750
Interview / Personality Test
Stage
Marks
Personality Test / Interview
275
Final Merit Calculation
Written Exam Marks: 1750
Interview Marks: 275
Total Merit Marks: 2025
Important Notes
Prelims marks are used only for qualification, not for final ranking.
Mains + Interview marks decide final service allocation.
Negative marking applies in Prelims only.
Candidates must qualify in both language papers to have their merit papers evaluated.
