UPSC CSE 2026 key dates
UPSC lists the CSE dates in its yearly calendar, then confirms them in the notification and in press notes. The 2026 notification came out on 4 February 2026 (the calendar had listed 14 January), and the Prelims was held on the calendar date, 24 May 2026.
Full exam schedule
The complete CSE 2026 calendar, stage by stage.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification released, online applications open | 4 Feb 2026 |
| Last date for online applications | 24 Feb 2026, 6 PM (notice); extended to 27 Feb 2026, 6 PM (UPSC exam page) |
| e-Admit Cards for the Prelims | 15 May 2026 |
| Prelims: GS Paper I & GS Paper II (CSAT) | 24 May 2026 (Sunday) |
| Question paper representation (QPReP) for the Prelims | 5 days: from the 3rd day after the exam to 6 PM on the 7th day |
| Prelims result (roll numbers) | 15 Jun 2026 |
| Prelims result with names | 18 Jun 2026 |
| Mains application window: ₹200 fee, scribe details, cadre preference | 19 – 29 Jun 2026 (6 PM) |
| Mains: Essay | 21 Aug 2026 (Friday) |
| Mains: General Studies I & II | 22 Aug 2026 (Saturday) |
| Mains: General Studies III & IV | 23 Aug 2026 (Sunday) |
| Mains: Paper A (Indian language) & Paper B (English) | 29 Aug 2026 (Saturday) |
| Mains: Optional Paper 1 & 2 | 30 Aug 2026 (Sunday) |
| Question paper representation (QPReP) for the Mains | 31 Aug – 4 Sep 2026 |
| Mains written result | Not announced |
| Application update window for Personality Test candidates | 15 days after the Mains written result |
| Personality Test (interview) | Not announced |
| Final result | Not announced |
Sources: Exam Notice No. 05/2026-CSE (4 February 2026), UPSC’s e-Admit Card press note (15 May 2026), the Prelims result press notes (15 and 18 June 2026), the Mains form window notice, the Mains time table and the Mains press note (19 August 2026). Mains sessions ran 9 AM–12 noon and 2:30–5:30 PM. UPSC can change dates and centres — always confirm on upsc.gov.in.
Stage-wise dates
What’s coming next
Applications, the Prelims and the Mains written exam are done. Watch upsc.gov.in for these:
Mains written result · date not announced
UPSC has not given a date. Candidates who qualify are called for the Personality Test.
15-day application update
After the written result, interview candidates must log in at upsconline.nic.in, update their details and upload proof of their degree, or no e-summon letter is issued.
CSE 2027 notification · 13 Jan 2027
Tentative date from UPSC’s 2027 calendar, which says dates may change. In 2026 the notification came later than the calendar date.
Prepare for UPSC Prelims with your own daily plan
Daily targets, PYQ practice sets & timed practice mocks for your UPSC Prelims prep.
Plan around the next stage
Whether you’re waiting on the Mains result or aiming at the CSE 2027 Prelims (tentatively 23 May 2027), the gap between stages is when prep slips. JobSafal gives you a daily plan so every week still counts.
Daily plan
A daily target across GS Paper I topics and CSAT practice, so you never wonder what to study next.
Practice mocks
Timed practice mocks to build speed and accuracy. They are general practice tests, not full-length 2-hour UPSC papers.
PYQ practice sets
Timed practice sets to sharpen accuracy. For the actual past question papers, use upsc.gov.in.
Weak-area report
See which topics are costing you the most marks after each test.
