Latest updates
What’s new in UPSC Prelims 2026
- 04 FEBUPSC notified CSE 2026 (Exam Notice No. 05/2026-CSE) with about 933 vacancies.
- 24 MAYCivil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026 held across India.
- 15 JUNPrelims result out: 13,343 candidates qualified for Mains against 1,016 vacancies.
- 21–30 AUGCivil Services (Main) written exam held on 21–23 and 29–30 August 2026.
- NEXTMains written result, then the Personality Test. UPSC has not announced dates yet.
Exam overview
UPSC Prelims 2026 at a glance
UPSC's Civil Services Examination fills IAS, IFS, IPS and 20 other Group A and Group B services. The Preliminary exam is only a screening test: its marks do not count towards the final merit.
Conducting body
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Notification
Exam Notice No. 05/2026-CSE, dated 04.02.2026
Vacancies
1,016 (per UPSC's 15 Jun 2026 result press note; notification estimate ~933)
Application window
4 – 27 Feb 2026 (deadline extended from 24 Feb)
Prelims
24 May 2026 (held)
Prelims result
15 Jun 2026 — 13,343 qualified for Mains
Mains (written)
21–23 & 29–30 Aug 2026 (held)
Stages
Prelims (screening) → Mains written (1,750) → Personality Test (275)
Eligibility
Graduate, age 21–32 as on 1 Aug 2026
Official website
upsc.gov.in · apply at upsconline.nic.in
Important dates
The 2026 recruitment timeline
04 FEB 2026
Notification released, online applications open
UPSC's 2026 calendar had listed 14 Jan
27 FEB 2026
Last date for online applications (6 PM)
Extended from 24 Feb, per UPSC exam page
15 MAY 2026
e-Admit cards released on upsconline.nic.in
24 MAY 2026
Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination
Two papers, forenoon and afternoon
15 JUN 2026
Prelims result — 13,343 qualify for Mains
19–29 JUN 2026
Mains application (DAF) window: fee, cadre preference, scribe details
21–30 AUG 2026
Civil Services (Main) written exam
21–23 Aug and 29–30 Aug
31 AUG–04 SEP 2026
Question paper representation window (QPReP) for Mains
NOT ANNOUNCED
Mains written result
UPSC has not published a date
NOT ANNOUNCED
Personality Test (interview) and final result
Prelims marks, cut-offs and answer keys come only after the final result
13 JAN 2027
CSE 2027 notification
UPSC calendar 2027, tentative
23 MAY 2027
Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2027
UPSC calendar 2027, tentative
Vacancies
1,016 posts on the table
UPSC's prelims result press note (15 Jun 2026) states 1,016 vacancies notified for CSE 2026. The February notification had estimated about 933, including 33 for PwBD (7 blindness/low vision, 11 deaf/hard of hearing, 8 locomotor, 7 multiple disabilities). UPSC does not publish a category-wise split in these documents.
1,016
2025 = 1,087 vacancies notified for CSE 2025 (same press note; the 2025 notification had estimated ~979). Shortlisted for Mains: 14,161 in 2025 vs 13,343 in 2026. Final numbers depend on Cadre Controlling Authorities.
Vacancy trend
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Exam pattern
How the exam is scored
Prelims has two objective papers of 200 marks each. Only GS Paper I decides who qualifies; CSAT (GS Paper II) is qualifying at 33%. Final merit = Mains written (1,750) + Personality Test (275).
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Studies Paper I | 100 | 200 |
| General Studies Paper II (CSAT) — qualifying, 33% | 80 | 200 |
| Total | 180 | 400 |
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper A: Indian Language (qualifying) | — | 300 |
| Paper B: English (qualifying) | — | 300 |
| Paper I: Essay | — | 250 |
| Papers II–V: General Studies I–IV | — | 1,000 |
| Papers VI–VII: Optional Subject 1 & 2 | — | 500 |
| Written total (merit) | — | 1,750 |
Syllabus
What you’ll be tested on
Prelims syllabus as printed in Section III, Part A of the CSE 2026 notification.
Current events of national and international importanceHistory of India and Indian National MovementIndian and World Geography — physical, social, economicIndian Polity and Governance — Constitution, political system, Panchayati Raj, public policy, rights issuesEconomic and Social Development — sustainable development, poverty, inclusion, demographics, social sector initiativesEnvironmental ecology, bio-diversity and climate change (no subject specialisation needed)General Science
ComprehensionInterpersonal skills including communication skillsLogical reasoning and analytical abilityDecision making and problem solvingGeneral mental abilityBasic numeracy (Class X level)Data interpretation — charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency (Class X level)
GS-I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and SocietyGS-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International RelationsGS-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster ManagementGS-IV: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
Salary & posts
What you actually take home
Salary & posts
Content to be added for this exam.
Eligibility
Can you apply?
Qualification
Graduate degree from a recognised university (or equivalent); final-year candidates may apply but must show proof of passing before the interview
Age limit
21 – 32 years (born 2 Aug 1994 – 1 Aug 2005)
Age reference date
1 August 2026
Relaxation
SC/ST +5 · OBC +3 · PwBD +10 · ex-servicemen/ECO/SSCO +5 · disabled defence personnel +3
Attempts
General/EWS 6 · OBC 9 · PwBD 9 (GL/EWS/OBC), unlimited (SC/ST) · SC/ST unlimited. Appearing in any one prelims paper counts as an attempt
Nationality
Indian citizen for IAS, IFS and IPS; other services also allow subjects of Nepal/Bhutan, Tibetan refugees (pre-1962) and specified persons of Indian origin, with an eligibility certificate
Application fee
₹100 for Prelims; ₹200 more for Mains · Nil for women/SC/ST/PwBD
Cut-off
UPSC CSE 2025 Prelims cut-off (official)
Minimum marks of the last recommended candidate, published by UPSC on 9 March 2026. Prelims cut-off is on GS Paper I only; CSAT needs 33%. CSE 2026 cut-offs will be released only after its final result.
General
92.66
out of 200
EWS
89.34
out of 200
OBC
92.00
out of 200
SC
84.00
out of 200
ST
82.66
out of 200
PwBD-1
76.66
out of 200
PwBD-2
54.66
out of 200
PwBD-3
40.66
out of 200
PwBD-5
40.66
out of 200
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YOUR SCORE
148/200
Top 8% · above the UR cut-off
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FAQ
UPSC Prelims questions, answered
On 24 May 2026. The result came out on 15 June 2026, with 13,343 candidates qualifying for the Main exam, which was held on 21–23 and 29–30 August 2026.
UPSC's result press note puts CSE 2026 vacancies at 1,016. The February notification had estimated about 933, including 33 for persons with benchmark disabilities.
21 to 32 years as on 1 August 2026, i.e. born between 2 August 1994 and 1 August 2005. SC/ST get up to 5 years' relaxation, OBC 3 years and PwBD 10 years.
General and EWS candidates get 6 attempts, OBC 9, and SC/ST unlimited. PwBD candidates get 9 (General/EWS/OBC) or unlimited (SC/ST). Appearing in even one prelims paper counts as an attempt.
No. GS Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying — you need 33%. The cut-off for Mains is decided on GS Paper I marks only.
Yes. One-third (0.33) of the marks for a question is deducted for each wrong answer; marking more than one option counts as wrong. Blank questions carry no penalty.
UPSC's official figures (GS Paper I, out of 200): General 92.66, EWS 89.34, OBC 92.00, SC 84.00, ST 82.66.
UPSC's 2027 calendar lists the CSE 2027 notification on 13 January 2027 and the Prelims on 23 May 2027. These dates are tentative and can change.
