UPSC CSE 2026
Union Public Service Commission Civil Services Examination
UPSC CSE is the most prestigious civil services examination in India conducted for recruitment to IAS, IPS, IFS, and other All India Services and Central Services. Three-stage process: Prelims (screening), Mains (9 papers), and Personality Test (Interview).
Official WebsiteVacancies
933
Age Limit
21-32 years (relaxation: SC/ST no limit up to 37, OBC +3, PwD +10). Attempts: General 6, OBC 9, SC/ST unlimited till age.
Fee
₹100
Salary Range
₹56,100 - ₹2,50,000
Pay Level
Pay Level 10-17
Salary Range (Monthly)
₹56,100 - ₹2,50,000
Key Posts
IAS (Indian Administrative Service), IPS (Indian Police Service), IFS (Indian Foreign Service), IRS (Indian Revenue Service), IRTS, IAAS, ICAS, and other Group A & B civil services
Pay Levels & Salary
| Pay Level | Monthly Range |
|---|---|
| Level 10 (IAS/IPS starting) | ₹₹56,100 - ₹₹1,77,500 |
| Level 10 (other Group A) | ₹₹56,100 - ₹₹1,77,500 |
| Level 7 (Group B) | ₹₹44,900 - ₹₹1,42,400 |
Application Fee
₹100
General/OBC
Free
SC/ST/Women
Free
PwBD/ESM
Tie-Breaking Rules
- Higher aggregate marks in Main Examination written papers
- Higher marks in Interview
- Older candidate placed higher
Eligibility
Educational Qualification
Bachelor's degree from a recognized university or equivalent. Final year students can apply.
Age Limit
21-32 years (relaxation: SC/ST no limit up to 37, OBC +3, PwD +10). Attempts: General 6, OBC 9, SC/ST unlimited till age.
Age Relaxation by Category
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| General | No relaxation |
| SC/ST | +5 years |
| OBC (NCL) | +3 years |
| PwD | +10 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | +5 years |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS (Male) | ₹100 |
| SC / ST / PwD / Ex-Servicemen | Free |
Exam Pattern
Prelims - GS Paper I
| Section | Questions | Max Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| History | 15 | 30 | — |
| Geography | 15 | 30 | — |
| Polity & Governance | 15 | 30 | — |
| Economy | 15 | 30 | — |
| Environment & Ecology | 10 | 20 | — |
| General Science | 10 | 20 | — |
| Current Affairs | 20 | 40 | — |
Prelims - CSAT (Paper II)
| Section | Questions | Max Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comprehension | 20 | 50 | — |
| Logical Reasoning & Analytical Ability | 20 | 50 | — |
| Basic Numeracy | 15 | 37.5 | — |
| Data Interpretation | 10 | 25 | — |
| Decision Making & Problem Solving | 15 | 37.5 | — |
Syllabus
- Ancient History
- Modern History
- Indian National Movement
- Physical Geography
- World Political Geography
- Geography of India
- Agriculture
- Constitution & Political System
- Government & Administration
- Panchayati Raj & Public Policy
- Judiciary & Legal Rights
- Poverty, Planning, Finance & Social Dev
- Agriculture in National Economy
- Indian Industries & Trade
- Tertiary Sector
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Environment, Ecology & Climate Change
- Science & Technology
- World Panorama
- Indian Panorama
- Sports and Games
- International
- National
- Sports and Games
- Medieval History
- Structure of Indian Economy & Demographics
Posts & Pay Levels
Vacancies
NaN
Tentative Total
Nationality & Citizenship
- ✓Citizen of India (for IAS/IPS)
- ✓For other services — Citizen of India, Subject of Nepal, Subject of Bhutan, or Person of Indian origin migrated from specified countries
Certificate of Eligibility Required For
- • Non-Indian citizens require certificate of eligibility from Government of India (except for IAS/IPS which require Indian citizenship)
Educational Qualification
All Posts (General)
Bachelor's Degree from a recognized University (or equivalent). Final year students can also apply provisionally.
Age Limits & Relaxation
Age Bands
| Age Band | DOB Not Earlier Than | DOB Not Later Than |
|---|---|---|
| 21-32 years (General) |
Age Relaxation by Category
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years (up to 37 years) |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years (up to 35 years) |
| PwBD (General) | 10 years (up to 42 years) |
| PwBD + OBC | 13 years (up to 45 years) |
| PwBD + SC/ST | 15 years (up to 47 years) |
| Ex-Servicemen (including Commissioned Officers/ECOs/SSCOs) | 5 years |
| Defence Services personnel disabled during hostilities | 3 years (General), 6 years (OBC), 8 years (SC/ST) |
| Domiciled in Jammu & Kashmir (1980-1989) | 5 years |
Ex-Servicemen (ESM) Rules
Category Certificate Rules
⚠ Candidature cancelled and debarment
How to Apply
Photo Rules
- • Recent photograph with white background
- • Signature upload
Application Fee
₹100
General
Free
Women
Free
SC/ST
Free
PwBD
₹undefined
ESM
Payment: Online — Net Banking, Visa/Master/RuPay Cards, UPI, SBI Challan
Non-refundable
Correction Window
Opens
Closes
₹
1st Correction
₹
2nd Correction
Max corrections allowed. Latest corrected application treated as valid.
Admission Certificate & Exam Day
Accepted Photo IDs
Preliminary Examination — Paper I — General Studies
| Section | Questions | Marks | Per Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Studies (Current Events, History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Science) | 100 | 200 | 2 |
| Total | 100 | 200 | 2 |
Preliminary Examination — Paper II (CSAT) — Civil Services Aptitude Test
| Section | Questions | Marks | Per Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comprehension, Interpersonal Skills, Logical Reasoning, Analytical Ability, Decision-Making, Problem Solving, General Mental Ability, Basic Numeracy, Data Interpretation, English Comprehension (Class X level) | 80 | 200 | 3 |
| Total | 80 | 200 | 2.5 |
Main Examination — Written Examination (Descriptive)
Answer Key Policy
Normalization & Re-evaluation
Minimum Qualifying Marks
| Stage | UR | OBC/EWS | SC/ST/Others |
|---|---|---|---|
| mains | |||
| prelims Paper I | |||
| prelims Paper II | |||
| mains Qualifying Papers |
Shortlisting & Merit Rules
Prelims To Mains
Based on Paper-I marks only (CSAT is qualifying). Typically 12-15x vacancies shortlisted.
Final Merit Basis
Mains (1750 marks) + Interview (275 marks) = Total 2025 marks
Mains To Interview
Based on aggregate marks in 7 merit papers (1750 marks). UPSC decides cut-off.
Cadre Allocation For IAS
Based on roster system and candidate preference
Service Allocation Basis
Final rank in merit list + service preferences submitted by candidate
Post Preference Rules
Scribe & Compensatory Time
Auto-eligible for Scribe
- ✓PwBD blindness
- ✓PwBD locomotor disability (both arms affected-BA)
- ✓PwBD cerebral palsy
Scribe Requirements
- • Scribe must not be a candidate of the same examination
- • Scribe qualification must be one step below the qualification prescribed for the post
- • Scribe cannot assist more than one candidate in the same examination
- • Candidate must opt for scribe in the application form
- • Scribe arrangement at own expense if own scribe opted
Additional Rules
- • Even eligible candidates not availing scribe still get compensatory time
- • No attendant other than scribe allowed inside examination hall
Document Verification
Required Documents
- Graduation degree certificate
- Date of birth certificate (Matriculation/10th)
- Caste/Category certificate if applicable
- EWS certificate if applicable
- PwBD certificate if applicable
- NOC from employer if applicable
- Attempt certificate/self-declaration
- Photographs as specified
Tie-Breaking Rules
- 1Higher aggregate marks in Main Examination written papers
- 2Higher marks in Interview
- 3Older candidate placed higher
Misconduct & Debarment
Post-exam Analysis Methods
| Offense | Debarment |
|---|---|
| Using unfair means of any kind — copying, electronic devices, written material on body/paper | Permanent debarment / 3-7 years |
| Impersonation / procuring impersonation by any person | 7 years / permanent |
| Possession of mobile phone, bluetooth devices, wireless devices, spy cameras, electronic gadgets inside exam hall | 3-5 years |
| Taking away exam material (rough sheets, question paper) from exam hall | 1-3 years |
| Leaving examination venue before completion of due exit procedure | 1-2 years |
| Misbehaving, intimidating or threatening exam functionaries | 2-3 years |
| Obstructing conduct of examination / instigating others not to take examination | 3 years |
| False statements / fabricated documents / suppressing material information | 1-5 years |
| Appearing in exam with forged admit card / identity proof | 3-5 years |
| Possession of firearms/weapons or threatening exam functionaries with force | 7 years |
| Taking snapshots, making videos of question papers or exam material | 7 years |
| Sharing exam terminal through remote desktop / LAN / VAN | 7 years |
| Attempt to hack or manipulate examination servers / data / systems | 7-10 years |
| Candidate acting as scribe in same examination or providing false scribe declaration | 3-5 years |
⚠ Cases may be referred to police or investigating agencies.
Public Disclosure Policy
Disqualification Rule
A person who has entered into or contracted a marriage with a person having a spouse living, or who having a spouse living has entered into or contracted a marriage with any person, shall be disqualified unless exempted by Central Government.
Important Warnings
2026 Cycle — Complete Timeline
Vacancies
Per-post breakdown not yet published.
Previous Year Cut-Offs
No cut-off data available yet.
Important Dates — 2026
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| UPSC CSE 2026 — Notification Released | 4 Feb 2026 | Completed |
| UPSC CSE 2026 — Application Closes | 24 Feb 2026 | Completed |
| UPSC CSE 2026 — Prelims | 24 May 2026 | Upcoming |
| UPSC CSE 2026 — Mains | 21 Aug 2026 | Upcoming |
Sectional Practice
Fresh UPSC CSE sectional from the PYQ pool. Pick a subject and size — questions are weighted toward recent years, skipping anything you've answered in the last week.