The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 notification, marking the beginning of one of India’s most competitive recruitment cycles for central government services, including the IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS and other Group A and B services. The notification, published on 4 February 2026, announces a total of 933 vacancies to be filled through this year’s examination cycle, and the online application window opened the same day, remaining active until 24 February 2026 (6 PM) on the UPSC portal. The preliminary examination is scheduled for 24 May 2026, followed by the main examination later in the year, giving aspirants a structured timeline to plan their preparation.
In this article, candidates can check complete details of UPSC CSE Recruitment 2026 such as eligibility criteria, age limit, application dates, vacancy details, selection process, salary, and how to apply online.
UPSC CSE Recruitment 2026 – Important Dates
| Application Starts | 04 February 2026 |
| Apply Last Date | 24 February 2026 |
| Total Post | 933 Seats |
| Preliminary Exam | 24 May 2026 |
| Mains Exam | 21 August 2026 |
Candidate should verify all information through the official website of UPSC.
Eligibility Details
- Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or possess an equivalent qualification.
- Final-year students or those awaiting results are also eligible to apply, provided they can submit proof of passing the degree examination at the time of the Main Examination.
- Professional and technical qualifications recognized by the Government of India are considered equivalent to a graduation degree.
- There is no minimum percentage requirement in graduation to apply for UPSC CSE.
Salary Details
- Candidates selected through UPSC CSE are appointed to Group A and Group B services under the Government of India.
- The starting basic pay for an IAS, IPS, or IFS officer is ₹56,100 per month (Pay Level 10 as per the 7th Pay Commission).
- With allowances like Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA) or government accommodation, the gross monthly salary increases significantly.
- Senior-level officers receive higher pay scales, reaching up to ₹2,50,000 per month for the Cabinet Secretary post.
- In addition to salary, officers enjoy several non-monetary benefits such as official residence, vehicle, security, medical facilities, and pension benefits.
Age limit as on 01/08/2026
Minimum Age: 21 Years
Maximum Age: 32 Years
Age Relaxation
| Category | Upper Relaxation |
|---|---|
| OBC | 3 years |
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| PwBD | 10 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 5 years |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee (₹) |
|---|---|
| UR / OBC / EWS (Male) | Rs. 100/- |
| SC / ST / PH | Nil |
| All Female Candidates | Nil |
Selection Process
- The UPSC Civil Services Examination is conducted in three stages.
- Preliminary Examination (24 May 2026):
An objective-type screening test consisting of two papers — General Studies Paper I and CSAT. Marks scored in Prelims are used only for shortlisting candidates for the Main Examination. - Main Examination (21 August 2026):
A descriptive written examination comprising nine papers, including essay, general studies, and optional subjects. Marks obtained in Mains are counted for final merit ranking. - Personality Test (Interview):
Candidates who qualify the Mains are called for a personal interview, where qualities such as leadership, decision-making ability, integrity, and overall personality are assessed. - The final selection is based on the combined marks of the Mains Examination and the Interview.
How to Apply for UPSC CSE Recruitment 2026
- Visit the official UPSC website and access the One Time Registration (OTR) platform.
- Complete the OTR registration by entering basic personal, educational, and contact details (first-time applicants only).
- Log in using your registered credentials and select Civil Services Examination 2026 from the active examinations list.
- Fill out the online application form carefully, including exam centre preference and optional subject selection.
- Upload the required documents, photograph, and signature in the prescribed format.
- Pay the application fee online or through offline mode, as applicable.
- Review all entered details thoroughly and submit the application form.
- Download and save a copy of the submitted application for future reference.
Trending Govt Jobs – Don’t Miss These Latest Opportunities
- RRB Group D Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 22000 Posts
- India Post GDS Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 28740 Posts
- Yantra India Limited Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – 3979 Seats
UPSC CSE Recruitment 2026 – Important links
| UPSC CSE Recruitment 2026 (All Details) | Watch Video |
| Apply link | Click Here |
| Official Notification | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
| Homepage | Click Here |
| Subscribe Youtube Channel | Click Here |
| Join our Telegram Channel (Free) | Click Here |
| Join our WhatsApp Channel (Free) | Click Here |
FAQs – UPSC CSE Recruitment 2026
Q1. What are the application dates for UPSC CSE Recruitment 2026?
04 February 2026 to 24 February 2026
Q2. How many vacancies are available in UPSC CSE Recruitment 2026?
933 Seats
Q3. What is the age limit for UPSC CSE Recruitment 2026?
21 to 32 Yrs, As on 01/08/2026
Thank you for trusting Rojgar Time – Your one-stop destination for all type of job updates.
Hello and welcome! I’m Vivek Singh, the founder of Rojgar Time. Since 1st July 2020, I have been dedicated to helping job seekers by providing accurate and timely updates on government and private sector opportunities. My mission is to make the job search process simple, reliable, and stress-free, so that candidates can stay informed and make confident career decisions. Thank you for visiting Rojgar Time.