IPS Exam 2026, Check Vacancy, Age Limit, Syllabus

The Union Public Service Commission will be officially releasing the IPS Notification 2026 soon on their official website. Candidates can download the UPSC IPS Notification 2026 from upsc.gov.in. Interested candidates for the most awaited IPS Exam 2026 can refer to the article below to have insights of each aspect including UPSC CSE Application Process, Admit Card, Syllabus and other details.

UPSC CSE Exam 2026

The Civil Service Exam is the most awaited and prestigious exam conducted by the UPSC for recruiting various eligible candidates for various positions such as Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Revenue Service (IRS) and Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IAAS). The exam consists of 3 stages, Prelims, Mains, and Interview. The official UPSC Calendar 2026 has been released. Keep reading the article to know the details related to UPSC IPS Exam 2026.

IPS Exam 2026 Overview

The UPSC Recruitment 2026 aims to fill various Group A and Group B positions in the Indian government, such as IAS, IPS, IFS, and IRS officers. The IPS Selection Process 2026 involves three stages, and it is important to understand the details of each stage to prepare effectively. Below in the table we have shared the IPS Exam 2026 Overview:

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IPS Vacancy 2026

Candidates who clear all the three stages of the UPSC CSE Exam 2026 will be appointed for various government positions . UPSC Posts are categorized into two types, All India Posts and posts in Central services. Below is a List of Civil Services Posts: 

1. Indian Administrative Services (IAS)
2. Indian Police Service (IPS)
3. Indian Forest Services (IFoS)
4. Indian Foreign Services (IFS)
5. Indian P & T Accounts & Finance Service, Group ‘A’
6. Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
7. Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central Excise), Group ‘A’
8. Indian Defence Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
9. Indian Revenue Service (I.T.), Group ‘A’
10. Indian Ordnance Factories Service, Group ‘A’ (Assistant Works Manager, Administration)
11. Indian Postal Service, Group ‘A’
12. Indian Civil Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
13. Indian Railway Traffic Service, Group ‘A’
14. Indian Railway Accounts Service, Group 'A'
15. Indian Railway Personnel Service, Group ‘A’
16. Post of Assistant Security Commissioner in Railway Protection Force, Group ‘A’
17. Indian Defence Estates Service, Group ‘A’
18. Indian Information Service (Junior Grade), Group ‘A’
19. Indian Trade Service, Group 'A'
20. Indian Corporate Law Service, Group ‘A’
21. Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service, Group ‘B’ (Section Officer’s Grade).
22. Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Civil Service, Group 'B'
23. Pondicherry Police Service, Group ‘B’
24. Pondicherry Civil Service, Group 'B'
25. Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Police Service, Group 'B’

UPSC IPS Important Dates 2026

The Union Public Service Commission will release the UPSC IPS Important Dates 2026 in the UPSC Calendar 2026. Candidates can find the dates in the table below to get prepared according to the timeline.

UPSC IPS Application Form 2026

The conducting body will be releasing the UPSC IPS Application Form 2026 on the official website soon. Aspirants planning to attempt the UPSC CSE Exam 2026 should ensure that they fulfil the UPSC IPS Eligibility Criteria 2026 before filling out the form. The UPSC IPS Apply Online process includes 2 stages, One Time Registration (OTR) and the UPSC CSE Application Form 2026. The last day to submit the application form will be announced soon.

The UPSC IAS Application Form 2026 is available online on upsconline.nic.in. The UPSC IPS Application Fees 2026 is Rs 100 for general category candidates. Reserved category aspirants are exempt from paying the Civil Services exam fee.

Steps to Apply Online for UPSC IPS Exam 2026

Aspirates should follow the Steps to Apply Online for UPSC IPS Exam 2026 which are mentioned below:

Step 1: Visit the official UPSC website, upsconline.nic.in.

Step 2: Complete one time registration (OTR process)

Step 3: In case you have already completed your OTR, log in to the website using your credentials.

Step 4: After logging in, check your dashboard and click on the UPSC IPS Apply Online 2026 link.

Step 5: Fill out the application form following the instructions mentioned.

Step 6: Upload the necessary documents online.

Step 7: Pay the application fee

Step 8: Submit the form

UPSC IPS Eligibility Criteria 2026

UPSC IPS Eligibility Criteria 2026 are mentioned in the official notification. According to the latest notification, to appear for the UPSC Exam 2026, candidates needs to meet the following eligibility criteria:

UPSC IPS Age Limit 2026

The UPSC IPS Age Limit 2026 varies based on their category. The general age limit is between 21-32 years on the 1st of August, 2026 i.e., the candidate must have been born not earlier than 2nd August, 1993 and not later than 1st August, 2004.

UPSC IPS Age Relaxation 2026

1. Candidates belonging from the scheduled caste background have the relaxation of 5 years.
2. Candidates belonging to Other Backward Classes can avail the relaxations up to a maximum of three years.
3. In the case of Defence Services Personnel disabled in operations during hostilities with any foreign country or in a disturbed area and released as a consequence has the relaxation of up to 3 years.
4. Ex-servicemen with at least five years of military service as of August 1, 2024, may receive up to five years of age relaxation if released due to assignment completion, service-related disability, or invalidment.
5. PwBD candidates are eligible for up to 10 years of relaxation for disabilities like visual, hearing, locomotor, intellectual, and multiple disabilities, including deaf-blindness.

UPSC IPS Education Qualification 2026

1. A candidate must hold a graduate degree from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification. 
2. Candidates awaiting results of a qualifying examination or planning to appear for it are eligible for the Preliminary Examination but must provide proof of passing before the Main Examination. 
3. The Commission may also accept candidates with other qualifications deemed equivalent. 
4. Professional and technical qualifications recognized by the government are also acceptable.

Number of Attempts

Candidates fulfilling the eligibility criteria for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) are allowed up to six (6) attempts to clear the exam. However, certain categories, including SC/ST, OBC, and PwBD candidates, get a relaxation in the maximum number of attempts. The specific number of attempts permitted for these categories, as per the relaxation rules, is mentioned below in the table:

UPSC IPS Exam Pattern 2026

The UPSC CSE Exam 2026 consists of three stages: Prelims, Mains, and the Personality Test (Interview). Aspirants planning to attempt the upcoming Civil Services Examination, it’s essential to be updated with the UPSC IPS Exam Pattern 2026.

UPSC IPS Exam Pattern 2026 for Prelims

The UPSC Prelims Exam is divided into two key components: General Studies Paper 1 (GS Paper 1) and the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT), also known as GS Paper 2. 

1. Both the papers are objective type (multiple choice questions) and each will be of two hours duration.
2. The General Studies Paper-II of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination will be a qualifying paper with minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33%.
3. The question papers will be in Hindi and English.

UPSC IPS Exam Pattern 2026 for Mains

The UPSC Mains Exam 2026 includes mandatory and optional papers. This stage includes the language assessments, essay writing, general studies, and specialized optional subjects. The Mains exam comprises nine papers, of which two are qualifying in nature. 

1. Paper 1 (Language Paper) and Paper 2 (English language) are qualifying in nature with 300 marks each. The minimum qualifying marks in papers 1 and 2 is 25%.
2. Each paper is having 3 hours (180 minutes) duration.
3. The subject-wise papers consist of 250 marks.
4. In case you don't qualify in Paper 1 and Paper 2, the rest of the mark sheets will not be evaluated and the applicant will be declared disqualified/failed.

UPSC IPS Syllabus 2026

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the UPSC Syllabus 2026 on its website. The syllabus is divided into two main stages: the Prelims and the Mains Exam.

UPSC IPS Selection Process 2026

The UPSC IPS Selection Process 2026, administered by the Union Public Service Commission, plays a key role in identifying candidates for prestigious government roles in India. Every year, the Commission conducts the Civil Services Examination to assess potential candidates for various Civil Services positions. The UPSC IPS Selection Process 2026 is structured into three major phases, spanning roughly one year:

1. Preliminary Examination
2. Main Examination
3. Personal Interview

UPSC IPS Admit Card 2026

The UPSC IPS Admit Card 2026 is a mandatory document required for entry to the exam venue. Candidates will not be permitted to sit for the UPSC CSE Exam 2026 without a printed copy of the official admit card issued by the authorities.

UPSC IPS Result 2026

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will release the UPSC IPS Result 2026 once the exam is conducted. The UPSC CSE Result 2026 PDF includes the list of roll numbers of candidates who have qualified for the mains stage.