UPSC Civil Services 2026 exam notification for 933 vacancies. Key dates: Applications close Feb 24; Prelims on May 24. 📅 Essential guide on age limits, attempts, and the step-by-step online application process for 2026 aspirants.
📅 Key Dates for UPSC Civil Services 2026
Stay ahead of the deadlines to ensure your application is successful. Note that the application window is relatively short this year.
| Event | Date |
| Notification Release Date | February 4, 2026 |
| Application Start Date | February 4, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | February 24, 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| UPSC Prelims Exam Date | May 24, 2026 |
| UPSC Mains Exam Date | August 21, 2026 (onwards) |
Table of Contents
📋 Vacancy & Post Details
For 2026, the commission has announced a total of 933 posts. This includes 33 vacancies reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD).
- Top Services: IAS, IPS, IFS (Forest), IRS, IAAS, and more.
- Total Vacancies: 933.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Before applying, ensure you meet the following requirements as of August 1, 2026:
- Educational Qualification: A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university. Final-year students are also eligible to apply.
- Age Limit: * Minimum: 21 years
- Maximum: 32 years (General/EWS)
- Relaxation: OBC (3 years), SC/ST (5 years), PwBD (10 years).
- Number of Attempts:
- General/EWS: 6
- OBC: 9
- SC/ST: Unlimited (up to age limit)
💻 How to Apply Online
The application process is conducted through the official One Time Registration (OTR) portal.
- Register: Visit upsconline.nic.in and complete your OTR (if not already done).
- Part I: Fill in personal details, educational qualifications, and address.
- Part II: Pay the application fee (₹100 for General/OBC/EWS; Exempted for Females/SC/ST/PwBD).
- Documents: Upload your scanned photograph, signature, and a valid Photo ID (Aadhaar, Voter ID, etc.).Note: A new requirement for 2026 involves a live photograph capture during the application process.
- Center Selection: Choose your preferred exam center. Allotment is on a “First-Apply-First-Allot” basis.
Further Read: Bhavnagar Municipal Recruitment 2026: GIS Analyst & IT Expert Jobs Announced – Apply Now
📚 UPSC Prelims 2026: Syllabus Breakdown
The Prelims consist of two objective papers. Success requires a balance of high scoring in Paper I and qualifying (33%) in Paper II.
Paper I: General Studies (GS)
- History: Ancient, Medieval, and Modern India (special focus on the Indian National Movement).
- Polity: Indian Constitution, Parliament, Panchayati Raj, and Public Policy.
- Geography: Physical, Social, and Economic Geography of India and the World.
- Economy: Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, and Social Sector initiatives.
- Environment: Biodiversity, Climate Change, and General Ecology (no subject specialization required).
- Science & Tech: Basic concepts and recent innovations in Space, IT, and Biotechnology.
- Current Affairs: National and International events from June 2025 to April 2026.
Paper II: CSAT (Qualifying)
- Comprehension: Logical and analytical reading.
- Reasoning: Logical reasoning, analytical ability, and general mental ability.
- Basic Numeracy: Numbers and their relations (Class X level), Data Interpretation.
🚀 3-Month Preparation Strategy (90-Day Plan)
If you are starting your final sprint now, follow this Phase-wise approach:
Phase 1: Foundation & Core Pillars (Month 1)
- Weeks 1-2 (Polity & History): Finish M. Laxmikanth and Modern History (Spectrum). These are the “certain” marks.
- Weeks 3-4 (Geography & Economy): Focus on NCERTs (Class 11-12), the Union Budget 2026, and the Economic Survey.
- Daily: Read The Hindu or Indian Express for 45 minutes.
Phase 2: Dynamic Subjects & Testing (Month 2)
- Weeks 5-6 (Environment & Science): Focus on Current Affairs. Environment questions often link to recent summits or new species found.
- Weeks 7-8 (CSAT & Mock Tests): Start solving one CSAT paper every weekend. Begin Sectional Mock Tests for GS to identify weak areas.
- Current Affairs: Use a “Yearly Compilation” (PT 365 or similar) to cover the past 12 months.
Phase 3: The Final Sprint (Month 3)
- Weeks 9-11 (Full-Length Mocks): Solve at least 10-15 full-length mock tests in exam-like conditions (9:30 AM – 11:30 AM).
- Week 12 (Revision): Do not read anything new. Re-read your short notes, maps, and high-yield topics like Constitutional Bodies, Biosphere Reserves, and Government Schemes.