UPSC CSE 2026 · Notification & recruitment
UPSC CSE Notification 2026: Recruitment, Vacancy, Dates, Fee and How to Apply
The latest UPSC CSE notice is "Civil Services Examination, 2026 — Examination Notice No. 05/2026-CSE", published 4 February 2026. Applications closed on 24 February 2026.
Official notice: Civil Services Examination, 2026 — Examination Notice No. 05/2026-CSE →
Dates, vacancies, fee, eligibility and selection process, copied from the latest official notice. Nothing here is estimated; the official notice is the final word.
UPSC CSE 2026 important dates
Applications closed on 24 February 2026.
| Online application (last date) | 24 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Preliminary examination | 24 May 2026 |
| Main examination | As notified by UPSC for candidates who qualify |
Source: Civil Services Examination, 2026 — Examination Notice No. 05/2026-CSE (published 4 February 2026). Confirm in the official notice before applying.
UPSC CSE vacancy 2026
Vacancies: Approx. 933 (including 33 for Persons with Benchmark Disability)
- 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.
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' |
UPSC CSE eligibility summary
Age limit: 21–32 years (as on 1 August 2026).
- 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)
UPSC CSE 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.
UPSC CSE selection process
- Preliminary examination: two objective papers (screening)
- Main examination: written papers (two qualifying, seven counted for merit)
- Personality test (interview)
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.
UPSC CSE official links
- Official notice (PDF): Civil Services Examination, 2026 — Examination Notice No. 05/2026-CSE (published 4 February 2026)
- Official website: upsc.gov.in (the only place to apply)
Check the official notice before applying: https://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/Notif-CSP-2026-Engl-060226Rev.pdf
Frequently asked questions
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.
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.
What is the application fee for UPSC CSE?
₹100 for the Preliminary; ₹200 more for the Main. Women, SC, ST and Persons with Benchmark Disability are exempted from the fee. (as per 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.
Who is exempt from the UPSC CSE fee?
Women, SC, ST and PwBD candidates. Others pay ₹100 for prelims and ₹200 for mains.
More on UPSC CSE
- UPSC CSE syllabus & exam pattern →
- UPSC CSE age limit & eligibility →
- Complete UPSC CSE guide →
- Indian Administrative Service: pay and eligibility →
- Indian Foreign Service: pay and eligibility →
- Indian Police Service: pay and eligibility →
- Indian Audit and Accounts Service: pay and eligibility →
- Indian Civil Accounts Service: pay and eligibility →
- Indian Corporate Law Service: pay and eligibility →
- Indian Defence Accounts Service: pay and eligibility →
- Indian Defence Estates Service: pay and eligibility →
- Indian Information Service: pay and eligibility →
- Indian Postal Service: pay and eligibility →
- Indian P&T Accounts and Finance Service: pay and eligibility →
- Indian Railway Management Service (Traffic): pay and eligibility →
- Indian Railway Management Service (Personnel): pay and eligibility →
- Indian Railway Management Service (Accounts): pay and eligibility →
- Indian Railway Protection Force Service: pay and eligibility →
- Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes): pay and eligibility →
- Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax): pay and eligibility →
- Indian Trade Service: pay and eligibility →
- Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service: pay and eligibility →
- DANICS: pay and eligibility →
- DANIPS: pay and eligibility →
- Pondicherry Civil Service (PONDICS): pay and eligibility →
- Pondicherry Police Service (PONDIPS): pay and eligibility →
- Free practice questions and mock tests →