UPSC Notification 2026 has been officially released by the Union Public Service Commission on 4 February 2026 at upsc.gov.in. The notification announces 933 vacancies for prestigious Group A and Group B services including IAS, IPS, IRS, and allied services.
Aspirants preparing for UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 can now download the official notification PDF, check important exam dates, eligibility criteria, application process, exam pattern, and other key details.
This complete guide by vivechna IAS & judiciary academy explains everything you need to know about UPSC CSE 2026 in a simple and exam-oriented manner.
UPSC Notification 2026: Important Highlights
- Notification Release Date: 4 February 2026
- Total Vacancies: 933
- Application Window: 4 Feb – 24 Feb 2026 (till 6:00 PM)
- UPSC Prelims Exam Date: 24 May 2026
- UPSC Mains Exam Start Date: 21 August 2026
- Official Website: upsc.gov.in | upsconline.nic.in
In the previous cycle (2025), UPSC announced 979 vacancies and received over 13.5 lakh applications, highlighting the intense competition of the exam.
UPSC CSE Notification 2026 Overview
The UPSC Civil Services Examination is a national-level competitive exam conducted annually to recruit officers for India’s top administrative services.
UPSC CSE 2026 – Overview Table
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Name | UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | Union Public Service Commission |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen & Paper) |
| Vacancies | 933 |
| Application Fee | ₹100 (Gen/OBC/EWS Male) |
| Fee Exemption | SC/ST/PwBD/Women |
| Language | English & Hindi |
| Selection Stages | Prelims, Mains, Interview |
UPSC Exam Date 2026
UPSC has officially announced the Prelims and Mains exam dates along with the notification.
UPSC CSE 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
| Notification Release | 4 February 2026 |
| Application Start Date | 4 February 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 24 February 2026 |
| UPSC Prelims Exam | 24 May 2026 |
| UPSC Mains Exam | 21 August 2026 |
| Admit Card | To be announced |
| Interview | To be announced |
| Final Result | To be announced |
UPSC Notification 2026 PDF Download
The official UPSC Notification 2026 PDF contains complete details regarding:
- Eligibility criteria
- List of services
- Reservation rules
- Exam pattern & syllabus
- Exam centres
- Application instructions
Candidates are strongly advised to read the notification thoroughly before applying.
Download PDF- Click here
UPSC Vacancy 2026 (Year-wise Trend)
| Year | Vacancy |
| 2026 | 933 |
| 2025 | 979 |
| 2024 | 1056 |
| 2023 | 1105 |
| 2022 | 1022 |
| 2021 | 712 |
UPSC Apply Online 2026 – How to Fill Application Form
Candidates can apply online through upsconline.nic.in after the release of notification.
Steps to Apply for UPSC CSE 2026
- Visit UPSC official website – upsc.gov.in
- Complete Part-I Registration (basic details)
- Verify all information carefully
- Upload photograph & signature (JPG format)
- Choose preferred exam centre
- Pay application fee (if applicable)
- Submit the form and download confirmation page
UPSC Application Fee 2026
| Category | Fee |
| General / OBC / EWS (Male) | ₹100 |
| SC / ST / PwBD / All Women | Nil |
Payment can be made via online modes or SBI challan.
UPSC Posts Through CSE 2026
Candidates can opt for the following prestigious services:
- Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
- Indian Police Service (IPS)
- Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
- Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax & Customs)
- Indian Audit & Accounts Service
- Indian Railway Management Service
- DANICS, DANIPS, PONDICS (Group B Services)
- And many more Group A & B services
Final allocation depends on rank, preference, and reservation rules.
UPSC Eligibility Criteria 2026
To apply for UPSC CSE 2026, candidates must:
- Be 21–32 years as on 1 August 2026
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university
- Meet nationality requirements as per UPSC rules
- Not exceed the maximum number of attempts
- General: 6
- OBC: 9
- SC/ST: Unlimited
- General: 6
Age relaxation applies to reserved categories.
UPSC Exam Pattern 2026
UPSC Prelims
- Paper I (GS): 200 Marks
- Paper II (CSAT): 200 Marks (Qualifying – 33%)
- Objective type with negative marking
UPSC Mains
- 9 Descriptive Papers
- Total Marks: 1750
UPSC Interview
- Personality Test: 275 Marks
Final Merit = Mains + Interview (2025 Marks)
UPSC Selection Process 2026
- Prelims – Screening stage
- Mains – Written evaluation
- Interview – Personality Test
- Final Merit List based on total marks
Candidates must clear each stage sequentially.
UPSC Admit Card 2026
- Released 7–10 days before exam
- Download from upsconline.nic.in
- Required at exam centre along with valid photo ID
FAQs – UPSC Notification 2026
Q1. When was UPSC Notification 2026 released?
UPSC Notification 2026 was released on 4 February 2026.
Q2. How many vacancies are announced in UPSC 2026?
A total of 933 vacancies have been announced.
Q3. What is the UPSC Prelims exam date 2026?
UPSC Prelims 2026 will be held on 24 May 2026.
Q4. What is the last date to apply for UPSC CSE 2026?
The last date to apply online is 24 February 2026 (6:00 PM).
Q5. Is CSAT qualifying in UPSC 2026?
Yes, CSAT is qualifying with 33% minimum marks.
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