UPSC Notification 2026 Out for 933 Vacancies, New Changes, Download PDF

The Union Public Service Commission has released the UPSC Notification 2026 today via its website (upsc.gov.in / upsconline.nic.in). Alongside the notification, the online application portal has been activated for candidates to register and submit their details. This notification includes information like exam dates, eligibility criteria, vacancies, application fee, and exam pattern. Aspirants should prepare documents and a photograph/scanned signatures for smooth online registration.

In 2025, the UPSC announced 979 vacancies and received around 13.5 lakh applications, out of which 14,161 candidates qualified for the Mains. In comparison, the 2024 cycle saw 1,056 vacancies with approximately 13.4 lakh aspirants registering. This year, in 2026 the notification has brought 933 vacancies under various group A and B positions.

UPSC Notification 2026 Out

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 released on February 04th, 2026 on the official website at upsc.gov.in. The UPSC Exam 2026 for Prelims is scheduled to be held on May 24, 2026 and the UPSC Mains Exam 2026 will start from 21st August 2026. The following articles provide information on the UPSC CSE Notification 2026. The application window will be closing on February 24th, 2026 at 18:00 pm IST.

Also Check: UPSC IFoS Notification 2026

UPSC CSE Notification 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 Download PDF

The official UPSC Notification 2026 PDF is available for download on the official portal at upsc.gov.in. This document 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. The link to download the detailed notification has been attached below:

Check New Changes in UPSC Notification 2026

UPSC Vacancy 2026

The UPSC Notification 2026 has brought a total 933 vacancies. 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. The online application process has been started after the release of the notification pdf on February 04, 2026. Applicants must complete the form, upload the required documents, and submit the application within the given dates. The direct link to apply online has been attached below:

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

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. The application process began on 4th February 2026 and the last date to apply online is 24th February 2026 (6:00 PM).

Step 1: Account Creation

• Visit official UPSC portal at https://upsconline.nic.in
• New candidates must create an account before applying for any UPSC exam
• Register using valid and active email ID and mobile number
• All UPSC communication (admit card, exam updates, results) will be sent through these details
• Candidates should avoid using inactive or temporary contact details

Step 2: Universal Registration Number (URN) Generation

• Complete the Universal Registration (UR) module after account creation
• URN is automatically generated after successful registration
• URN is permanent and valid for all future UPSC examinations
• Candidates need to create URN only once
• URN stores important candidate details such as:
  • Name and date of birth
  • Identity proof details
  • Contact and address details
  • Category details (if applicable)
• Aadhaar is recommended for faster verification
• Candidates must verify details carefully before finalising URN

Step 3: Filling the Common Application Form (CAF)

• CAF collects general details applicable to multiple UPSC exams
• Candidates do not need to refill common details for every exam
• CAF requires:
  • Educational qualification details
  • Category details (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD)
  • Uploading recent passport-size photograph
  • Mandatory live photo capture
  • Uploading signature signed three times on white paper using black ink
• Candidates must ensure:
• • Photograph is recent and clearly visible
  • Live photo matches current appearance
  • Signature is clear and readable

• Incorrect or unclear images may lead to application rejection

Step 4: Examination-Specific Module (CSE 2026)

• Available only during official application window
• Candidates must:
  • Select Civil Services Examination 2026
  • Choose examination centre preferences
  • Select optional subject
  • Choose exam medium and compulsory Indian language
  • Pay examination fee (if applicable)
• Candidates must review all details carefully before final submission
• After submission:
  • Unique Application Number is generated (different from URN)
  • No correction or withdrawal allowed
  • Candidates must save URN and Application Number for future use

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.

New Changes in UPSC Notification 2026

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has implemented several major reforms in the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 application procedure. These changes aim to make the process more streamlined, improve verification efficiency, increase transparency, and introduce stricter eligibility regulations. Candidates are advised to understand and follow the updated guidelines carefully to prevent application rejection or disqualification.

1. Four-Stage Online Application System Introduced

• Application process divided into Account Creation, URN Generation, Common Application Form (CAF), and Exam-Specific Module.
• First three modules are common for all UPSC exams.

(a) Universal Registration Number (URN) System

• Permanent registration number generated once.
• Stores personal, contact, identity, and category details.
• Valid for all future UPSC examinations.

(b) Common Application Form (CAF) Introduced

• Collects basic candidate details applicable to all UPSC exams.
• Candidates do not need to refill common details repeatedly.

2. Mandatory Live Photo Capture

• Candidates must upload a recent passport-size photo and capture a live photo.
• Application may be rejected if photo is unclear or mismatched.

3. New Signature Upload Guidelines

• Candidates must sign three times on a white sheet using black ink.
• Signature must be clearly scanned and uploaded.

4. Aadhaar-Based Verification Encouraged

• Aadhaar recommended for faster identity verification.
• Other valid IDs like PAN, Voter ID, Passport, and Driving Licence are also accepted.

5. No Correction or Withdrawal Facility

• No changes allowed after final submission.
• Application cannot be withdrawn once submitted.

6. One-Time URN Profile Update Allowed

• Candidates can update URN details only once.
• Changes apply only to future applications, not submitted ones.

7. Online Admit Card System

• Admit cards will be available only online.
• Candidates must download and carry printed admit card with valid photo ID.

8. Mandatory Face Authentication at Exam Centre

• Face verification and document checking introduced to prevent impersonation.
• Candidates must reach exam centre early for verification.

9. Restrictions on Examination Eligibility

• IAS/IFS serving officers cannot reappear in CSE 2026.
• IPS candidates cannot be allocated IPS again.
• One-time improvement attempt allowed for IPS/Group ‘A’ candidates with strict conditions.

10. Question Paper Representation Window Reduced

• Time reduced from 7 days to 5 days.
• Window now opens from 3rd day of exam to 6 PM of 7th day.

11. Centre Allocation Rules Updated

• PwBD candidates can choose preferred centres even after capacity is full.
• Centres allotted on first-apply-first-allot basis.

12. New Rules for OBC (NCL) & EWS Certificates

• OBC certificate must be based on income from FY 2022-23 to 2024-25 and issued after 1 April 2025.
• EWS certificate must be based on FY 2024-25 income and issued after 1 April 2025.

13. Mandatory Login After Results

• Candidates must login after Prelims result (within 10 days).
• Mandatory login after Mains result (within 15 days).
• Failure to login may lead to disqualification.

14. Important Instructions for Candidates

• Register only once through URN.
• Fill CAF carefully and verify details before submission.
• Upload clear photograph and signature.
• Prefer Aadhaar for faster verification.
• No correction facility after final submission.

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.