UPSC Notification 2026 Postponed, Exam Date, Check Official Notice

The Union Public Service Commission has postponed the UPSC Notification 2026, which was scheduled to be released on 14 January 2026, via its website (upsc.gov.in / upsconline.nic.in). Alongside the notification, the online application portal will open for candidates to register and submit their details. This notification includes crucial information like exam dates, eligibility criteria, vacancies, application fee, and exam pattern. Aspirants should prepare documents and photograph/scanned signatures for smooth online registration.

UPSC Notification 2026 Postponed

The UPSC Notification 2026 for the Civil Services Examination, 2026 and the Indian Forest Service Examination, 2026, which was scheduled to be released on 14 January 2026, has been postponed due to administrative reasons. The revised notification date will be announced in due course. The UPSC Exam 2026 for Prelims is scheduled to be held on May 24, 2026. With focused preparation, discipline, and determination, candidates can successfully qualify the UPSC CSE Exam 2026. The following articles provide information on the UPSC Notification 2026.

UPSC 2026 Overview

The UPSC CSE 2026 is the annual national-level exam to recruit officers for Group A and B services, including IAS, IPS, IRS, and others. This year’s process involves three stages: Prelims (objective), Mains (descriptive), and Personality Test (interview). The UPSC Selection Process 2026 is highly competitive, with lakhs of aspirants expected to appear for the UPSC 2026. UPSC conducts the Prelims, Mains, and Interview in both English and Hindi, ensuring bilingual convenience.

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UPSC Exam Date 2026

UPSC has released the UPSC Prelims Exam Date as 24 May 2026. The UPSC Mains Exam 2025 is scheduled for 21 August 2026. Date sheets for admit cards and result declarations will follow shortly after the notification release. The Commission also provides an application correction window usually a week after the application closes which helps candidates rectify minor errors. Interview dates are typically announced a few months post-Mains. Aspirants should adhere strictly to the official schedule to avoid missing deadlines.

UPSC Notification 2026 PDF

The official UPSC Notification 2026 PDF will be available for download soon, as the UPSC has postponed the notification. This document will include complete details of eligibility criteria, a list of services, reservation categories, exam dates, syllabus, exam centres, fee details, instruction manual, and application guidelines. Aspirants must thoroughly read the notification and download a copy for reference throughout the process.

UPSC Vacancy 2026

The exact number of UPSC Vacancy 2026 for each service will be announced within the UPSC Notification 2026 PDF on 14 January 2026. While the total count may vary annually, Reservation is applicable as per Central Government guidelines (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD).

UPSC Apply Online 2026

Candidates can apply online for UPSC 2026 through the official website upsc.gov.in once the apllication process starts. The online application process, which was scheduled to start on 14 January 2026 has been postponed due to administrative reasons. Applicants must complete the form, upload the required documents, and submit the application within the given dates.

Click here to Apply Online for UPSC CSE 2026 [Active Soon]

Steps to Fill UPSC Application Form 2026

Filling the UPSC Application Form 2026 is an online process that must be completed within the provided timeline. Candidates should carefully follow the steps to avoid any mistakes.

1. Visit the Official Website: Go to the UPSC Online Recruitment Application (ORA) portal through upsc.gov.in or upsconline.nic.in.
2. Part-I Registration: Enter personal details such as name, date of birth, address, and contact information carefully.
3. Verify Details: Review all the entered information thoroughly, as corrections cannot be made after final submission.
4. Part-II Registration: Upload scanned copies of photograph and signature (in JPG format) along with required documents.
5. Select Exam Centre: Choose the preferred examination centre from the available list.
6. Pay Application Fee: Complete the payment using online modes or SBI challan, if applicable.
7. Final Submission: Submit the application form, note down the registration number, and take a printout for future reference.

UPSC Application Fee 2026

The UPSC Application Fee 2026 is ₹100 for General, EWS, and OBC male candidates, while SC, ST, PwBD, and all female candidates are exempted from payment. The fee can be paid online or offline through SBI challan during the application process.

UPSC Posts 2026

Through UPSC CSE 2026, candidates can apply for services like IAS, IPS, IRS (Income Tax & Customs), IFS, IDAS, IRPS, and Group B services such as DANICS, DANIPS, PONDICS, etc. Candidates must indicate their preference at the time of application. These services cover wide-ranging domains including administration, diplomacy, law enforcement, finance, railways, postal services, and more. Allocations are made based on rank, preferences, and reservation policies.

1. Indian Administrative Service
2. Indian Foreign Service
3. Indian Police Service
4. Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
5. Indian Civil Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
6. Indian Corporate Law Service, Group ‘A’
7. Indian Defence Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
8. Indian Defence Estates Service, Group ‘A’
9. Indian Information Service, Group ‘A’
10. Indian Postal Service, Group ‘A’
11. Indian P&T Accounts and Finance Service, Group ‘A’
12. Indian Railway Protection Force Service, Group ‘A’ 
13. Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes) Group ‘A’
14. Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) Group ‘A’
15. Indian Trade Service, Group ‘A’ (Grade III)
16. Indian Railway Management Service, Group ‘A’
17. Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service, Group ‘B’ (Section Officer’s Grade)
18. Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Civil Service (DANICS), Group ‘B’
19. Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Police Service (DANIPS), Group ‘B’
20. Pondicherry Civil Service (PONDICS), Group ‘B’
21. Pondicherry Police Service (PONDIPS), Group ‘B’

UPSC Eligibility Criteria 2026

To apply for UPSC CSE 2026, candidates must be fulfill the below mentioned UPSC Eligibility Criteria 2026:

1. Be Indian citizens (or hold eligible nationality as per official criteria).
2. Be aged between 21 and 32 years as of 1 August 2026 (relaxation available for reserved categories).
3. Hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university (final-year students may apply provisionally).
4. Meet the maximum attempt limit: 6 for General, 9 for OBC, Unlimited for SC/ST, and relaxations for PwBD categories.
5. Have no more than the permissible number of chances and satisfy age/educational criteria as on 1 August 2026. 

UPSC Exam Pattern 2026

The UPSC Exam Pattern 2026 includes Prelims, Mains, and Personality Test (Interview). Each stage is designed to test different skill sets such as factual knowledge, analytical thinking, writing ability, and personality traits. The Prelims act as a screening test, the Mains is a detailed written exam, and the Interview assesses the candidate’s suitability for a career in civil services. The detailed UPSC Exam Pattern 2026 is provided below in the table:

UPSC Selection Process 2026

The UPSC Selection Process 2026 involves three stages, which are discussed below:

• UPSC Prelims Exam 2026 - marks are not counted in final merit.
• UPSC Mains Exam 2026 - evaluated across descriptive papers.
• UPSC Interview 2026 - final stage.
  • Marking-combined (Mains + Interview).
  • Merit List-based on aggregate marks and category reservation.
  • Candidates must clear each stage to be considered for final selection. Prelims eligibility cutoff – Mains – Interview – Final Merit.

UPSC Exam Centre 2026

Candidates can choose three preferences while registering for UPSC Exam Centre 2026. Cities range from metropolitan hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai to smaller ones like Bhopal, Raipur, or Dehradun. Centre allotment is based on preference and seat availability. Admit cards will display finalised centres.

UPSC Admit Card 2026

UPSC Admit Card 2026 will be issued one week before the exam, through upsconline.nic.in/login. Download requires registration ID and password. Admit cards will include a candidate's photo, exam centre, shift timing, and instructions. Mains admit cards will follow Prelims results. Candidates must carry the hall ticket along with a valid photo ID. Any discrepancy must be reported to UPSC immediately.