The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially announced the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026, revealing a total of 933 vacancies across various esteemed services. The notification is now accessible on the official UPSC website, and the application process has commenced. Candidates looking to join elite services such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS) can now apply online.
Key Dates for UPSC CSE 2026
The deadline for submitting applications for UPSC CSE 2026 is February 24, 2026 (by 6:00 PM). The Preliminary Examination is set to take place on May 24, 2026.
Important Dates
- Notification Release Date: February 4, 2026
- Application Start Date: February 4, 2026
- Final Date for Online Applications: February 24, 2026 (6:00 PM)
- Preliminary Exam Date: May 24, 2026
Applicants are encouraged to complete their registration ahead of the deadline to prevent any last-minute technical difficulties.
Vacancies and Reservation Information
The UPSC has declared a total of 933 vacancies for CSE 2026, with 33 positions reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) across various categories:
- Blindness and Low Vision: 7 posts
- Deaf and Hard of Hearing: 11 posts
- Locomotor Disability: 8 posts (including conditions like cerebral palsy, cured leprosy, dwarfism, acid attack survivors, muscular dystrophy, etc.)
- Multiple Disabilities: 7 posts
The final number of vacancies may be adjusted following confirmation from the respective cadre controlling authorities. Reservations for SC, ST, OBC, and EWS categories will be applied according to government regulations.
Significant Update: Indian Language Paper Exemption
In a notable update, UPSC has announced that Paper A (Indian Language) will not be compulsory for candidates from Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Sikkim.
This information was disclosed in a written response in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, indicating a significant change in the examination framework for these candidates.
Application Process for UPSC CSE 2026
Interested candidates should apply through the official UPSC website at https://upsconline.nic.in.
Steps to Apply:
Applicants must ensure all details are accurate before final submission.
Allowed Attempts for UPSC CSE
UPSC has outlined the number of attempts permitted based on candidate categories:
- General (GL)/EWS: 6 attempts
- OBC: 9 attempts
- SC/ST: Unlimited attempts
- PwBD (GL/EWS/OBC): 9 attempts
- PwBD (SC/ST): Unlimited attempts
Age limits and other eligibility criteria should be reviewed in detail in the official notification.
UPSC CSE 2026 Exam Structure
The Civil Services Examination consists of three stages:
1. Preliminary Examination (Screening Test)
- Paper I – General Studies: 200 marks (2 hours)
- Paper II – CSAT: 200 marks (2 hours)
The preliminary exam serves as a screening phase for the Main Examination.
2. Main Examination
Successful candidates from the prelims will take the Mains, which includes 9 papers totaling 2025 marks.
Qualifying Papers (Marks not counted for merit):
- Paper A: Indian Language (300 marks)
- Paper B: English (300 marks)
Merit-Based Papers (1750 Marks Total):
- Essay – 250 marks
- General Studies I – 250 marks
- General Studies II – 250 marks
- General Studies III – 250 marks
- General Studies IV – 250 marks
- Optional Subject Paper I – 250 marks
- Optional Subject Paper II – 250 marks
3. Personality Test (Interview)
Candidates who qualify in the Mains will be invited for the Personality Test, which carries 275 marks.
The final merit list will be compiled based on the combined scores from the Main Examination (1750 marks) and the Interview (275 marks), totaling 2025 marks.
Conclusion
The announcement of the UPSC CSE 2026 notification signifies the start of one of India's most competitive recruitment processes. With 933 vacancies available and crucial updates regarding language requirements, candidates should thoroughly review the eligibility criteria and exam structure before applying.
Aspirants targeting prestigious civil service roles must ensure timely registration and strategically prepare for the Preliminary Examination scheduled for May 2026.
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