The UPSC CSE Notification 2026 is one of the most awaited announcements for civil services aspirants across India. Every year, lakhs of candidates prepare rigorously for the Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission.
As per the UPSC Exam Calendar 2026, the notification for the Civil Services Examination 2026 was initially scheduled to be released on 14 January 2026, but it has now been officially postponed due to administrative reasons. The Commission has confirmed that the revised notification date will be announced soon on the official websites upsc.gov.in and upsconline.nic.in.
The UPSC CSE Notification 2026 will contain all crucial information including eligibility criteria, number of vacancies, application dates, exam pattern, syllabus, selection process, attempt limits, reservation rules, and instructions for filling out the online application form.
Until the official notification is released, candidates are advised to continue their preparation based on the existing UPSC syllabus and previous year trends.
UPSC CSE Notification 2026 Latest News
The Union Public Service Commission has officially postponed the release of the UPSC CSE Notification 2026, which was earlier expected on 14 January 2026. According to the latest update, the delay is due to internal administrative reasons.
UPSC has assured aspirants that the revised dates for the notification and application window will be published shortly on the official portal. Despite the postponement of the notification, the UPSC Prelims Exam Date 2026 remains unchanged, and the Preliminary Examination will be conducted on 24 May 2026 as per the official calendar.
UPSC CSE 2026 Overview
The UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 is a national-level competitive exam conducted annually to recruit officers for prestigious services such as IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, and other Group A and Group B central government services. The exam is conducted in three stages: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Interview or Personality Test. Only candidates who qualify at each stage are allowed to move to the next stage.
| Exam Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission |
| Notification Status | Postponed |
| Application Start Date | To be announced |
| Prelims Exam Date | 24 May 2026 |
| Mains Exam Date | From 21 August 2026 |
| Exam Level | National |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Selection Process | Prelims, Mains, Interview |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Exam Languages | English and Hindi |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in, upsconline.nic.in |
UPSC CSE Notification 2026 Release Date
As per the official UPSC Exam Calendar 2026, the UPSC CSE Notification 2026 was scheduled for release on 14 January 2026. However, the Commission has postponed the notification.
The new release date will be announced soon. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official UPSC website for the latest updates regarding the notification release and application schedule.
UPSC CSE 2026 Application Form
The application process for UPSC CSE 2026 will begin only after the release of the official notification. Candidates will be required to apply online through upsconline.nic.in. The application process consists of two parts: Part-I registration and Part-II registration.
Candidates must ensure that they meet the eligibility criteria before filling out the application form. The application fee for General and OBC candidates is expected to be ₹100, while female, SC, ST, and PwBD candidates are exempted from paying the fee.
UPSC CSE 2026 Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for UPSC CSE Notification 2026 include nationality, age limit, educational qualification, and number of attempts. Candidates must satisfy all conditions to be eligible for the examination.
Age Limit
The minimum age required is 21 years, and the upper age limit is 32 years as of 1 August 2026 for General category candidates. Age relaxation is applicable for reserved categories as per government norms.
| Category | Upper Age Limit | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|---|
| General | 32 Years | No relaxation |
| OBC | 35 Years | 3 Years |
| SC/ST | 37 Years | 5 Years |
| PwBD | 42 Years | 10 Years |
Educational Qualification
Candidates must hold a graduate degree from a recognized university. Final-year students can also apply provided they produce proof of qualification during the Mains Examination.
UPSC CSE 2026 Attempt Limit
The UPSC CSE Notification 2026 clearly defines the number of attempts allowed for each category. These attempt limits help candidates plan their preparation strategy effectively.
| Category | Number of Attempts |
|---|---|
| General | 6 Attempts |
| OBC | 9 Attempts |
| SC/ST | Unlimited (within age limit) |
| PwBD | 9 Attempts (General/OBC) |
UPSC Exam Date 2026
The UPSC Exam Date 2026 has been announced through the official exam calendar. While the notification date has been postponed, the exam schedule remains unchanged.
| Examination | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | Postponed |
| Prelims Exam | 24 May 2026 |
| Mains Exam | From 21 August 2026 |
| Interview | To be announced |
UPSC CSE 2026 Exam Pattern
The UPSC CSE 2026 exam pattern is divided into three stages. The Preliminary Examination consists of two objective-type papers, the Mains Examination consists of nine descriptive papers, and the Interview assesses the candidate’s personality and suitability for public service.
Preliminary Examination
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies | 200 |
| Paper II | CSAT (Qualifying) | 200 |
Main Examination
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper A | Indian Language | 300 |
| Paper B | English | 300 |
| Paper I | Essay | 250 |
| Paper II | GS I | 250 |
| Paper III | GS II | 250 |
| Paper IV | GS III | 250 |
| Paper V | GS IV | 250 |
| Paper VI | Optional I | 250 |
| Paper VII | Optional II | 250 |
UPSC CSE 2026 Selection Process
The selection process under UPSC CSE Notification 2026 involves three stages. Candidates must clear the Preliminary Examination to appear for the Mains Examination. Those who qualify the Mains are called for the Interview or Personality Test. The final merit list is prepared based on marks obtained in the Mains Examination and Interview.
UPSC CSE 2026 Vacancies
The number of vacancies for UPSC CSE 2026 will be announced in the official notification. Based on previous years, the total vacancies are expected to be around 900 to 1000 posts across various services. The exact service-wise and category-wise vacancy distribution will be available once the notification is released.
UPSC CSE Notification 2026 Importance
The UPSC CSE Notification 2026 plays a vital role in guiding aspirants through the entire examination process. It provides clarity on rules, reservation policies, syllabus, and exam procedures. Aspirants are strongly advised to read the notification thoroughly once released to avoid mistakes during application and preparation.
Important Link
| Office Web5 | Click Here |
| Notification PDF | Soon |
| Apply Now | Soon |
FAQ UPSC CSE Notification 2026?
What is UPSC CSE Notification 2026?
UPSC CSE Notification 2026 is the official announcement released by the Union Public Service Commission for the Civil Services Examination 2026, containing details about eligibility, application dates, vacancies, exam pattern, syllabus, and selection process.
Has UPSC CSE Notification 2026 been released?
No, the UPSC CSE Notification 2026 has been officially postponed. The revised release date will be announced soon on upsc.gov.in and upsconline.nic.in.
When was UPSC CSE Notification 2026 originally scheduled?
The notification was initially scheduled to be released on 14 January 2026.
What is the UPSC Prelims Exam Date 2026?
The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026 will be conducted on 24 May 2026 as per the official exam calendar.
When will the UPSC CSE 2026 application form start?
The application process will begin only after the release of the UPSC CSE Notification 2026.
Where can I apply for UPSC CSE 2026?
Candidates can apply online through the official website upsconline.nic.in once the notification is released.