Last Updated on May 3, 2026 by Bharat
UPSC Civil Services
Examination 2026
Complete guide for IAS, IPS & IFS 2026 — eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus, salary & direct apply link. Information verified daily from official upsc.gov.in portal.
UPSC Civil Services 2026 — Complete Overview
Notification Out
| Exam Name | UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 |
| Conducted By | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Total Vacancies | 1,056 Posts across 24 Services |
| Notification Date | 22 January 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | ⏰ 18 May 2026 — Closing Soon |
| Prelims Date | 25 May 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online — upsconline.nic.in |
| Application Fee | ₹100 | Free for Women / SC / ST / PwD |
| Qualification | Any Bachelor’s Degree (Final Year Eligible) |
| Age Limit | 21–32 (Gen) | 21–35 (OBC) | 21–37 (SC/ST) |
| Services Offered | IAS, IPS, IFS + 21 Central Services |
| Official Site | upsc.gov.in ↗ |
What is UPSC Civil Services Examination?
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is India’s most prestigious and competitive central government job examination, conducted annually by the Union Public Service Commission. It is the single gateway to India’s elite administrative, police, and foreign services — IAS, IPS, and IFS. Over 10 lakh candidates apply every year, yet only around 1,056 are selected across 24 All India and Central Services.
First conducted in 1922 under British rule and continued post-independence, the exam is renowned for its breadth of syllabus and multi-stage selection spanning nearly 12 months from Prelims to final result. For all latest sarkari naukri notifications 2026 — UPSC, SSC, Railway, Banking — visit our main hub updated every day.
24 Services Offered Through UPSC CSE 2026
1,056 Posts
All India
IAS
Indian Administrative Service. District Collectors, Chief Secretaries, Cabinet-level officials. Top rankers’ first preference.
All India
IPS
Indian Police Service. Leads CBI, IB, RAW, BSF, CRPF. Career from SP to DGP and Director-level posts.
All India
IFS
Indian Foreign Service. Ambassadors, High Commissioners. International postings & diplomatic representation.
Central A
IRS
Indian Revenue Service (IT & C&CE). CBDT and CBIC — income tax, customs and GST administration nationwide.
Central A
IRTS
Indian Railway Traffic Service. Passenger and freight operations management at divisional and zonal levels.
Central A
IAAS
Indian Audit & Accounts Service. Works under CAG — audits central, state government and PSU accounts.
Central A
IPoS
Indian Postal Service. India Post and India Post Payments Bank — ASP to Postmaster General.
Central A
IDAS
Indian Defence Accounts Service. Financial management and auditing for Ministry of Defence.
Central B
DANICS / DANIPS
Delhi Administration Services — SDM (civil) and DSP (police) posts in Delhi and Union Territories.
Eligibility Criteria — UPSC CSE 2026
Check Before Applying
Educational Qualification
- ✓ Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university
- ✓ Final year students can appear in Prelims — degree required at Mains stage
- ✓ No minimum percentage required — any pass class graduation accepted
- ✓ MBBS, B.Tech, LLB, B.E. and equivalent professional degrees accepted
- ✓ Distance education degrees from UGC recognised universities eligible
Age Limit & Attempts by Category
| Category | Min Age | Max Age | Max Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 21 | 32 years | 6 Attempts |
| EWS | 21 | 32 years | 6 Attempts |
| OBC (NCL) | 21 | 35 years | 9 Attempts |
| SC / ST | 21 | 37 years | Unlimited |
| PwD — Gen/EWS/OBC | 21 | 42 years | 9 Attempts |
| PwD — SC/ST | 21 | 42 years | Unlimited |
| Ex-Servicemen (Gen) | 21 | 37 years | As per Rules |
Exam Pattern — 3-Stage Selection Process
4 Stages Total
Stage 1 — Preliminary Examination (Screening)
Paper I — General Studies (100 Qs · 200 Marks · 2 hrs) counts for merit list. Paper II — CSAT (80 Qs · 200 Marks · 2 hrs) is qualifying only — minimum 33% required. Negative marking of ⅓ applies to both papers. Only Prelims-qualified candidates proceed to Mains.
GS-I: 200 Marks
CSAT: Qualifying Only
Neg. Marking ⅓
Stage 2 — Main Examination (Descriptive)
9 papers total. 2 qualifying language papers (English + Indian Language, 300 marks each — not in merit). 7 merit papers: Essay (250) + GS I–IV (4×250 = 1,000) + Optional I & II (2×250 = 500). Total merit: 1,750 marks. Choose 1 optional subject from 48 options.
9 Papers Total
Descriptive Type
48 Optional Subjects
Stage 3 — Personality Test (Interview)
Conducted by UPSC Interview Board. 275 marks. Assesses mental alertness, analytical ability, judgement, leadership, and social cohesion. Not a knowledge test — evaluates suitability for public service. Duration: 30–45 minutes. Shortlist: 2x–2.5x vacancy count.
30–45 Minutes
Board Interview
Personality & Aptitude
Stage 4 — Final Merit List & Service Allocation
Final merit = Mains (1,750) + Interview (275) = 2,025 total marks. Candidates fill service and cadre preferences. Allocation by rank, category, and vacancies. All selected officers undergo foundation training at LBSNAA, Mussoorie before field posting.
24 Services
LBSNAA Training
All India Cadre Posting
Salary & Pay Scale — 7th Pay Commission 2026
Up to ₹2.5L/Month
IAS — Indian Administrative Service
Entry ₹56,100 basic. In-hand ₹85K–₹1.10L/mo. Cabinet Secretary: ₹2,50,000 basic pay + perks.
Up to ₹1,77,500/Month
IPS — Indian Police Service
Entry ₹56,100. DGP level ₹2,05,400. Perks: govt bungalow, vehicle, orderly, security cover.
Up to ₹2,05,400/Month
IFS — Indian Foreign Service
Entry ₹56,100 + Foreign Allowance when posted abroad, which can double total compensation.
₹85,000 + Foreign Allow.
| Post / Service | Pay Level | Basic Pay | In-Hand Salary (Approx) |
|---|---|---|---|
| IAS (Entry — JTS) | Level 10 | ₹56,100 | ₹85,000 – ₹1,10,000 |
| IAS (STS / JAG) | Level 11–12 | ₹67,700 – ₹78,800 | ₹1,10,000 – ₹1,40,000 |
| IAS (SAG / Secretary) | Level 14–15 | ₹1,44,200 – ₹1,82,200 | Up to ₹1,77,500 |
| IPS (Entry — ASP) | Level 10 | ₹56,100 | ₹80,000 – ₹1,00,000 |
| IPS (DGP Level) | Level 17 | ₹2,05,400 | ₹2,05,400 + Perks |
| IFS (Entry Level) | Level 10 | ₹56,100 | ₹85,000 + Foreign Allow. |
| IRS (Entry Level) | Level 10 | ₹56,100 | ₹80,000 – ₹95,000 |
| IRTS / IAAS (Entry) | Level 10 | ₹56,100 | ₹78,000 – ₹92,000 |
Syllabus & Preparation Strategy 2026
Prelims Syllabus — Key Topics
GS Paper I covers Current Events, History of India and the Indian National Movement, Indian and World Geography, Indian Polity and Governance, Economic and Social Development, Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change, and General Science. CSAT Paper II covers Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, Analytical Ability, Decision Making, and Basic Numeracy (Class 10 standard).
Mains Syllabus — Key Areas
GS Paper I: Indian Heritage, Culture, History and World Geography. GS Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity and International Relations. GS Paper III: Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity and Security. GS Paper IV: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude. Download the full topic-wise UPSC Mains Syllabus PDF free from our syllabus page.
Smart Preparation Strategy
Begin with NCERT textbooks Classes 6–12 for History, Geography, Political Science, Economics, and Science. Read one quality national newspaper daily for current affairs and maintain monthly topic-wise notes. Choose your optional subject based on graduation background and genuine interest. Solve previous year question papers (last 10 years) available with analysis on our exam preparation tips page. A consistent 6–8 hours daily study routine with weekly revision and fortnightly mock tests is the proven formula for UPSC success.
Related Government Jobs & Resources 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions — UPSC Civil Services 2026
-
What is the eligibility for UPSC Civil Services 2026?
+Any bachelor’s degree holder from a recognised university is eligible. Final year students can appear in Prelims — degree must be produced at Mains stage. Age: 21–32 (Gen), 21–35 (OBC), 21–37 (SC/ST). No minimum percentage required. See the complete age limit guide for all government exams. -
How many attempts are allowed for UPSC CSE?
+General: 6 attempts (up to 32 years). OBC: 9 attempts (up to 35 years). SC/ST: Unlimited (up to 37 years). An attempt is counted only when you actually appear in the Prelims — not when you apply or download the admit card. -
What is the salary of an IAS officer in 2026?
+Entry level IAS basic pay is ₹56,100/month (Level 10, 7th Pay Commission). With DA, HRA, and TA, in-hand salary is approximately ₹85,000–₹1,10,000/month. Cabinet Secretary receives ₹2,50,000 basic. Read the complete 7th Pay Commission salary guide for the full pay matrix. -
How many vacancies are in UPSC CSE 2026?
+UPSC has notified 1,056 vacancies for Civil Services 2026 across IAS, IPS, IFS, and 21 other Central Services — split category-wise into UR, EWS, OBC, SC, and ST. Track any revision on our official sarkari naukri notifications page. -
Where can I check UPSC Result 2026?
+Official results are published on upsc.gov.in. We post direct result links on our Sarkari Result 2026 page within 60 minutes of official declaration — Prelims, Mains, interview shortlist, and final merit list with PDF downloads. -
What is the UPSC 2026 application fee?
+₹100 for General and OBC male candidates. Women, SC, ST, and PwD of all categories are fully exempted. Payment via net banking, UPI, or debit/credit card on the UPSC portal. See our step-by-step application guide. -
Can working professionals apply for UPSC Civil Services?
+Yes — no restriction on working professionals. Many successful IAS and IPS officers cleared UPSC while working full time. A structured 4–6 hours daily study plan is recommended. Check our preparation tips page for working aspirants’ strategies.
Start Your UPSC Civil Services 2026 Journey Today
Apply before 18 May 2026. Official apply link, admit card, result & cut-off marks — all on SarkariExamsResults.net, updated every day.