UPSC Notification 2026 Out– Download PDF, Dates, Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Vacancies, Cut-Off & Apply Online

The Union Public Service Commission has officially released the UPSC Notification 2026 on 4th February 2026 for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) and Indian Forest Service (IFS). The notification announces 933 vacancies and provides complete details regarding important dates, eligibility conditions, application process, fee structure, selection stages, and exam pattern.

The Civil Services Examination is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious and competitive examinations in India. It recruits candidates for top administrative services such as IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, and several other Group A and Group B services. Candidates aspiring to join the civil services should carefully read the notification and start their preparation in a systematic manner.

What is UPSC CSE?

The Civil Services Examination (CSE) is conducted annually to select officers for various central government services. The examination is conducted in three stages:

1. Preliminary Examination (Prelims) – Objective type
2. Main Examination (Mains) – Descriptive type
3. Interview / Personality Test

Only those candidates who qualify each stage are allowed to appear for the next stage.

UPSC Notification 2026 – Key Highlights

UPSC Notification 2026 – Download PDF

The UPSC Notification 2026 PDF is available on the official website. It contains:

• Detailed eligibility conditions
• Service-wise vacancies
• Exam schedule
• Instructions for application
• Syllabus and exam scheme

Candidates should download and save the notification PDF for future reference.

UPSC 2026 Important Dates

UPSC Vacancy 2026

UPSC has announced 933 vacancies for various services under CSE 2026.

The exact service-wise and category-wise breakup is mentioned in the official notification.

UPSC Vacancy 2026 Year-Wise List

Aspirants should also review the historical trend of UPSC vacancies to understand how the number of posts varies across years. This helps candidates gain perspective on competition levels and recruitment patterns.

It is important to note that:

• The highest number of vacancies in recent years was in 2014 (1364 posts).
• The lowest number of vacancies was recorded in 2021 (712 posts).

UPSC Vacancy Year-Wise Data

UPSC Apply Online 2026

Candidates must apply online through:

• upsc.gov.in
• upsconline.nic.in

Early application is strongly advised to avoid technical issues.

Steps to Fill UPSC Application Form 2026

Step 1: Visit Official Website

Open the UPSC online application portal.

Step 2: Part I Registration

Enter personal details such as name, date of birth, contact details, and address.

Step 3: Verify Information

Check all details carefully before proceeding.

Step 4: Part II Registration

Upload photograph, signature, and required documents.

Step 5: Choose Exam Centre

Select preferred examination city.

Step 6: Pay Application Fee

Complete payment as per category.

Step 7: Final Submission

Submit the form and download the confirmation page.

UPSC Application Fee 2026

Payment Modes:

Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or SBI Challan.

UPSC Eligibility Criteria 2026

Candidates must satisfy educational, age, nationality, and attempt-related conditions.

Educational Qualification

• Graduation degree from a recognized university
• Professional/technical degrees are accepted
• Final-year students may apply provisionally

Age Limit (as on 01 August 2026)

Minimum age: 21 years

Number of Attempts

Nationality

• Indian citizens for IAS and IPS
• For other services, certain foreign nationals and PIOs may apply with eligibility certificate

UPSC Selection Process 2026

The selection process has three stages:

1. Preliminary Examination

• Objective type
• Screening purpose only

2. Main Examination

• Descriptive papers
• Marks counted for final merit

3. Interview / Personality Test

• Face-to-face assessment
• Tests personality traits and suitability

UPSC Exam Pattern 2026

Preliminary Examination

CSAT is qualifying with minimum 33%.

Main Examination

2 language qualifying papers of 300 marks each.

Interview

Grand Total: 2025 Marks (Mains + Interview)

UPSC Prelims Cut Off – Last 5 Years

Candidates appearing in UPSC Prelims should have a fair idea of the expected qualifying marks. The cut-off is released category-wise and changes every year depending on difficulty level and number of candidates.

UPSC Prelims Cut Off (2020–2024)

Observations

• Cut-off varies significantly with paper difficulty
• General category cut-off usually lies between 75–95 marks
• CSAT must be cleared separately (33% minimum)

UPSC Mains Cut Off

Candidates scoring equal to or above the Mains cut-off are shortlisted for the Interview stage.

Important points:

• UPSC Mains has 9 papers
• Only 7 papers count for merit ranking
• Two language papers are qualifying in nature

UPSC Mains Cut Off – Last 5 Years

What This Means for Aspirants

• Target at least 20–30 marks above previous cut-offs
• Strong optional and answer-writing practice is crucial

UPSC Final Cut Off

The UPSC Final Cut Off is calculated by combining:

• Mains Marks (1750)
• Interview Marks (275)

Only candidates crossing this final cut-off are allocated services.

UPSC Final Cut Off – Last 5 Years

Key Takeaways

• Final cut-off generally ranges between 900–960 for General category
• Interview performance can significantly affect final rank
• Balanced preparation across GS, Optional, and Personality Test is essential

UPSC Syllabus – Brief Overview

Prelims

• History
• Polity and Governance
• Geography
• Economy
• Environment
• Science & Technology
• IR
• Defence and Security
• Current Affairs
• CSAT

Mains

• History
• Polity and Governance
• Geography
• Society
• Economy
• Environment
• Science & Technology
• IR
• Defence and Security
• Disaster Management
• Ethics
• Essay
• English
• Indian Language from 8^th schedule
• Optional Subject

Documents Required for Application

• Photograph (recent)
• Signature
• Photo ID proof
• Graduation certificate / provisional certificate
• Category certificate (if applicable)

Preparation Tips for UPSC 2026

• Read NCERT books first
• Follow standard reference books
• Read newspaper daily
• Make short notes
• Practice previous year questions
• Take mock tests regularly
• Revise consistently

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Delaying application
• Ignoring CSAT preparation
• Skipping revision
• Not analyzing mock tests
• Studying too many sources

Why UPSC CSE is Important?

• Opportunity to serve the nation
• High social respect
• Leadership roles in administration
• Job security
• Diverse career options

The release of UPSC Notification 2026 marks the beginning of another challenging yet rewarding journey for civil service aspirants. With 933 vacancies, clear timelines, and a well-defined selection process, candidates should start preparation without delay. Careful planning, consistent study, and disciplined practice are the keys to success in this prestigious examination.

Aspirants are advised to regularly visit the official UPSC website for updates and announcements.

Best wishes to all UPSC 2026 aspirants!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When was UPSC Notification 2026 released?

04 February 2026.

How many vacancies are announced for UPSC 2026?

933 vacancies.

What is the last date to apply for UPSC 2026?

24 February 2026 (6 PM).

When will Prelims 2026 be conducted?

24 May 2026.

Can final-year students apply?

Yes, provisionally.

Is CSAT qualifying?

Yes, minimum 33%.

What is the application fee?

₹100 for General/OBC/EWS males. Others are exempt.

How many attempts for General category?

6 attempts.

Is there negative marking in Prelims?

Yes.