Exam guide · UPSC
UPSC CSE
UPSC Civil Services Examination
The Union Public Service Commission's national examination for recruitment to the IAS, IPS, IFS and other Group A and Group B Central Services.
Vacancies
Approx. 933
Age limit
21–32 years
Application fee
₹100 for the Preliminary; ₹200 more for the Main
Notice published
4 February 2026
UPSC CSE notification: key dates and vacancies
| Online application (last date) | 24 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Preliminary examination | 24 May 2026 |
| Main examination | As notified by UPSC for candidates who qualify |
| Vacancies | Approx. 933 (including 33 for Persons with Benchmark Disability) |
Posts filled through this exam
- 23 services: IAS, IFS, IPS and Central Group ‘A’ / Group ‘B’ services listed in the notice
Source: Civil Services Examination, 2026 — Examination Notice No. 05/2026-CSE (published 4 February 2026). Confirm in the official notice before applying.
Posts in UPSC CSE: pay level and age limit
Open a post for its departments, qualification and exam stages.
| Post | Pay level | Group | Age limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Administrative Service | See the official notice | All India Service | 21–32 years |
| Indian Foreign Service | See the official notice | Group A | 21–32 years |
| Indian Police Service | See the official notice | All India Service | 21–32 years |
| Indian Audit and Accounts Service | See the official notice | Group A | 21–32 years |
| Indian Civil Accounts Service | See the official notice | Group A | 21–32 years |
| Indian Corporate Law Service | See the official notice | Group A | 21–32 years |
| Indian Defence Accounts Service | See the official notice | Group A | 21–32 years |
| Indian Defence Estates Service | See the official notice | Group A | 21–32 years |
| Indian Information Service | See the official notice | Group A | 21–32 years |
| Indian Postal Service | See the official notice | Group A | 21–32 years |
| Indian P&T Accounts and Finance Service | See the official notice | Group A | 21–32 years |
| Indian Railway Management Service (Traffic) | See the official notice | Group A | 21–32 years |
| Indian Railway Management Service (Personnel) | See the official notice | Group A | 21–32 years |
| Indian Railway Management Service (Accounts) | See the official notice | Group A | 21–32 years |
| Indian Railway Protection Force Service | See the official notice | Group A | 21–32 years |
| Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes) | See the official notice | Group A | 21–32 years |
| Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) | See the official notice | Group A | 21–32 years |
| Indian Trade Service | See the official notice | Group A | 21–32 years |
| Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service | See the official notice | Group B | 21–32 years |
| DANICS | See the official notice | Group B | 21–32 years |
| DANIPS | See the official notice | Group B | 21–32 years |
| Pondicherry Civil Service (PONDICS) | See the official notice | Group B | 21–32 years |
| Pondicherry Police Service (PONDIPS) | See the official notice | Group B | 21–32 years |
The Civil Services Examination (CSE) is the Union Public Service Commission's examination for the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Foreign Service, Indian Police Service and twenty other central Group 'A' and Group 'B' services. One examination, held in three stages, fills all of them.
For 2026, UPSC expects to fill about 933 vacancies, including 33 reserved for persons with benchmark disabilities. The preliminary examination was held on 24 May 2026; candidates who clear it write the main examination and then face a personality test, and services are allotted on the final merit and your preferences.
This guide explains the full list of services, the age and attempt limits, the scheme of the preliminary and main examinations, how the final 2,025-mark merit is built, and the fee rules, from the official UPSC notice.
Services filled through UPSC CSE 2026
About 933 vacancies are expected, including 33 for persons with benchmark disabilities: 7 for blindness and low vision, 11 for deaf and hard of hearing, 8 for locomotor disability (including cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims and muscular dystrophy) and 7 for the remaining category in the notice. Service-wise numbers are announced by the government.
The 23 services in the notice
| Service | Group |
|---|---|
| Indian Administrative Service | All India Service |
| Indian Foreign Service | Group 'A' |
| Indian Police Service | All India Service |
| Indian Audit and Accounts Service | Group 'A' |
| Indian Civil Accounts Service | Group 'A' |
| Indian Corporate Law Service | Group 'A' |
| Indian Defence Accounts Service | Group 'A' |
| Indian Defence Estates Service | Group 'A' |
| Indian Information Service | Group 'A' |
| Indian Postal Service | Group 'A' |
| Indian P&T Accounts and Finance Service | Group 'A' |
| Indian Railway Management Service (Traffic) | Group 'A' |
| Indian Railway Management Service (Personnel) | Group 'A' |
| Indian Railway Management Service (Accounts) | Group 'A' |
| Indian Railway Protection Force Service | Group 'A' |
| Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes) | Group 'A' |
| Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) | Group 'A' |
| Indian Trade Service (Grade III) | Group 'A' |
| Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service (Section Officer's Grade) | Group 'B' |
| DANICS | Group 'B' |
| DANIPS | Group 'B' |
| Pondicherry Civil Service (PONDICS) | Group 'B' |
| Pondicherry Police Service (PONDIPS) | Group 'B' |
Age limit, attempts and qualification
You must be at least 21 and under 32 on 1 August 2026 — born not earlier than 2 August 1994 and not later than 1 August 2005.
You need a graduate degree from a university incorporated by a central or state Act, an institution established by an Act of Parliament, a deemed university, or an equivalent qualification.
Each eligible candidate gets six attempts. OBC and PwBD candidates (General, EWS or OBC) get nine, and SC and ST candidates have no limit on attempts, subject to the age limit.
Upper age relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | Up to 5 years |
| OBC (eligible for reservation) | Up to 3 years |
| Defence personnel disabled in operations | Up to 3 years |
| Ex-servicemen incl. ECOs/SSCOs with 5 years' service on 1 August 2026 | Up to 5 years |
Further relaxations (ECOs/SSCOs still in service, PwBD) are set out in the notice.
Preliminary and main examination scheme
The preliminary examination has two compulsory objective papers of 200 marks each, two hours each. General Studies Paper-II (CSAT) is qualifying, with a minimum of 33%. One third (0.33) of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer, and marking more than one answer counts as wrong. Questions are set in Hindi and English.
The main examination has two qualifying papers — Paper-A, an Indian language from the Eighth Schedule chosen by the candidate (300 marks), and Paper-B, English (300 marks) — and seven papers counted for merit: Essay (250), General Studies I to IV (250 each) and two papers of an optional subject (250 each). The written total is 1,750 marks; with the 275-mark personality test, the grand total is 2,025.
Main examination papers counted for merit
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| I | Essay | 250 |
| II | General Studies-I: Indian heritage and culture, history and geography of the world and society | 250 |
| III | General Studies-II: governance, Constitution, polity, social justice and international relations | 250 |
| IV | General Studies-III: technology, economic development, biodiversity, environment, security and disaster management | 250 |
| V | General Studies-IV: ethics, integrity and aptitude | 250 |
| VI–VII | Optional subject, Papers 1 and 2 | 250 each |
| — | Personality test | 275 |
Fee and application
- 1
Apply on the UPSC online portal
The portal has four modules: account creation, universal registration and the common application form (which can be filled any time), and the examination-specific form, which is open only during the notified window. For CSE 2026 the last date was 24 February 2026.
- 2
Pay the fee
₹100 for the preliminary examination, by net banking, Visa/MasterCard/RuPay card or UPI. Candidates admitted to the main examination pay a further ₹200. Women, SC, ST and PwBD candidates are exempt from both.
Latest UPSC CSE recruitment
No active trusted recruitment is published for this exam right now.
Exam overview
Reviewed editorial
Who it is for
Graduates who want a career in administration, policing, diplomacy or the central civil services.
Eligibility, age and qualification
Exact limits are set per post in each official notice.
Age limit
21–32 years (as on 1 August 2026)
Educational qualification
- Graduate degree from a university incorporated by a central or state Act, a deemed university, or an equivalent qualification
- Number of attempts: 6 for General/EWS; 9 for OBC and PwBD; unlimited for SC/ST (subject to age)
Upper age relaxation
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| Defence personnel disabled in operations | 3 years |
| Ex-Servicemen / ECOs / SSCOs (5 years' service) | 5 years |
| PwBD | See the official notice |
Application fee
₹100 for the Preliminary; ₹200 more for the Main. Women, SC, ST and Persons with Benchmark Disability are exempted from the fee.
Source: Civil Services Examination, 2026 — Examination Notice No. 05/2026-CSE (published 4 February 2026). Confirm in the official notice before applying.
- Indian nationality (with exceptions for some services)
- Bachelor's degree from a recognised university
- Age limit with category-wise relaxation
- Limit on number of attempts
Selection process and exam pattern
Stages of selection
- 1Preliminary examination: two objective papers (screening)
- 2Main examination: written papers (two qualifying, seven counted for merit)
- 3Personality test (interview)
Preliminary
2 hours per paper
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Studies Paper-I | See notice | 200 |
| General Studies Paper-II (CSAT, qualifying at 33%) | See notice | 200 |
Negative marking: one-third (0.33) of the marks of a question for each wrong answer.
Main (written) and Personality Test
See notice
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper-A: Indian language (qualifying) | — | 300 |
| Paper-B: English (qualifying) | — | 300 |
| Paper-I: Essay | — | 250 |
| Papers II–V: General Studies I–IV | — | 250 each |
| Papers VI–VII: Optional subject, Papers 1 and 2 | — | 250 each |
| Personality Test | — | 275 |
Written total 1,750 marks; grand total 2,025 marks.
Source: Civil Services Examination, 2026 — Examination Notice No. 05/2026-CSE (published 4 February 2026). Confirm in the official notice before applying.
Reviewed editorial
Selection is in three stages: an objective Preliminary screening test, a written Main examination and a Personality Test, with the final merit based on the Main examination and Personality Test.
Syllabus and subject-wise prep
- General Studies (history, geography, polity, economy, environment, science)
- Current affairs
- CSAT aptitude and comprehension
- Essay writing
- Ethics, integrity and aptitude
- Optional subject
Prepare for UPSC CSE
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Frequently asked questions
What is the age limit for UPSC CSE?
21–32 years, counted as on 1 August 2026, as per the Civil Services Examination, 2026 — Examination Notice No. 05/2026-CSE. Category-wise upper age relaxation is given in the notice.
What qualification is needed for UPSC CSE?
Graduate degree from a university incorporated by a central or state Act, a deemed university, or an equivalent qualification. Number of attempts: 6 for General/EWS; 9 for OBC and PwBD; unlimited for SC/ST (subject to age).
When can I apply for UPSC CSE?
Online application (last date): 24 February 2026, as per the notice published on 4 February 2026. Applications are made only on upsc.gov.in.
What is the UPSC CSE exam pattern?
Preliminary: General Studies Paper-I, General Studies Paper-II (CSAT, qualifying at 33%) (2 hours per paper). Negative marking: one-third (0.33) of the marks of a question for each wrong answer. Main (written) and Personality Test: Paper-A: Indian language (qualifying), Paper-B: English (qualifying), Paper-I: Essay, Papers II–V: General Studies I–IV, Papers VI–VII: Optional subject, Papers 1 and 2, Personality Test (See notice). Written total 1,750 marks; grand total 2,025 marks.
How many vacancies are there in UPSC CSE?
Approx. 933 (including 33 for Persons with Benchmark Disability), according to the Civil Services Examination, 2026 — Examination Notice No. 05/2026-CSE.
How many vacancies are there in UPSC CSE 2026?
About 933, including 33 for persons with benchmark disabilities.
What is the age limit for UPSC CSE 2026?
21 to under 32 years on 1 August 2026, with relaxation of up to 5 years for SC/ST and 3 years for OBC.
How many attempts are allowed in UPSC CSE?
Six for General and EWS candidates, nine for OBC and PwBD candidates, and unlimited for SC/ST (within the age limit).
Is CSAT qualifying in UPSC prelims?
Yes. General Studies Paper-II (CSAT) is qualifying with a minimum of 33%.
What is the negative marking in UPSC prelims?
One third (0.33) of the marks of a question for each wrong answer; multiple answers count as wrong.
What is the total marks of UPSC CSE?
2,025: 1,750 for the written main examination and 275 for the personality test.
Which services are filled through UPSC CSE?
23 services, including IAS, IFS, IPS, Indian Revenue Service, Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Indian Railway Management Service, DANICS and DANIPS.
Who is exempt from the UPSC CSE fee?
Women, SC, ST and PwBD candidates. Others pay ₹100 for prelims and ₹200 for mains.
What is UPSC CSE?
The Union Public Service Commission's national examination for recruitment to the IAS, IPS, IFS and other Group A and Group B Central Services.
Who is UPSC CSE for?
Graduates who want a career in administration, policing, diplomacy or the central civil services.
How is UPSC CSE selection described?
Selection is in three stages: an objective Preliminary screening test, a written Main examination and a Personality Test, with the final merit based on the Main examination and Personality Test.
Niyookti is not part of UPSC. The official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in) and its notices are the only final source. Always confirm details there before applying.