UPSC Notification 2026 Out for 933 Vacancies, New Rules, Check PDF

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released UPSC Notification 2026 for CSE on 4th February 2026 at the official website at upsconline.nic.in. The notification provides important information, including exam dates, eligibility criteria, vacancies, application fee, and exam pattern. Aspirants are advised to keep all necessary documents, photographs, and scanned signatures ready for a smooth online application process. As per the official UPSC Notification 2026, the UPSC has released 933 vacancies.

UPSC Notification 2026 Out

UPSC 2026 is considered to be one of the most competitive exams in India which is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. The UPSC Notification 2026 is out on 4th February 2026, officially inviting applications for the prestigious Civil Services Examination (CSE), which recruits candidates for top government services like IAS, IPS, IFS, and other central services. 

The exam will be conducted in three stages: Prelims, which is an objective-type screening test; Mains, a descriptive examination testing in-depth knowledge and analytical skills; and the Interview/Personality Test, which assesses overall personality, decision-making, and suitability for administrative roles.

Also Check: UPSC IFoS Notification 2026

UPSC Notification 2026 Overview

The UPSC Civil Services Exam is conducted annually at a national level to recruit candidates for various central services. The Notification 2026 has been released on 4th February, 2026, allowing aspirants to start their preparations in advance.

UPSC Notification 2026 Download PDF

The UPSC Notification 2026 PDF has been released on the official portal at upsc.gov.in, on 04 February 2026. This PDF contains all important details, including exam dates, eligibility criteria, vacancies, application fee, and exam pattern. Aspirants can download it to check the official instructions.

Download Official UPSC Notification 2026 PDF in English
Download Official UPSC Notification 2026 PDF in Hindi

UPSC Notification 2026 Important Dates

The UPSC Notification 2026 Important Dates include the notification release date, application dates and exam dates. Aspirants should complete their registration within this period.

UPSC Vacancy 2026 (As per Official Notification)

The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 is expected to fill approximately 933 vacancies, including 33 posts reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD). These vacancies are distributed across prestigious services such as IAS, IPS, IFS, Indian Revenue Service (IRS), Indian Audit & Accounts Service (IAAS), and other central services.

Check New Changes in UPSC Notification 2026

UPSC Apply Online 2026

Candidates can apply online for UPSC 2026 through the official websites upsc.gov.in or upsconline.nic.in. The application process has started on 4th February, 2026 and the last date to apply online is 24th February, 2026. Aspirants must fill in their details, upload the required documents, and pay the application fee within this period. Early application is recommended to avoid last-minute issues.

Click here to Apply Online for UPSC Exam 2026

Steps to Fill UPSC Application Form 2026

Filling the UPSC Application Form 2026 is completely online and must be done by following the simple steps provided below. Candidates should carefully follow each step to ensure a smooth registration process.

Step 1: Account Creation on UPSC Online Portal

• Candidates must visit the official UPSC online portal - https://upsconline.nic.in
• New users are required to create an account before applying for any UPSC exam.
• Registration must be done using a valid and active email ID and mobile number.
• These registered credentials will be used for all official UPSC communication.
• Important updates such as admit card release, exam notifications, and result alerts will be sent through these details.
• Candidates should avoid using inactive or temporary contact details to prevent missing important updates.

Step 2: Universal Registration Number (URN) Generation

• After account creation, candidates must complete the Universal Registration (UR) module.
• On successful completion, a Universal Registration Number (URN) is generated automatically.
• The URN is a permanent and unique number, valid for all future UPSC examinations.
• Candidates need to generate URN only once and can reuse it for future exam applications.
• The URN stores essential candidate information such as:
  • Name and date of birth
  • Identity proof details
  • Contact information and permanent address
  • Category details (if applicable)
• UPSC recommends using Aadhaar as primary ID proof for faster and smoother verification.
  Candidates must verify all details carefully before finalising URN as it becomes the base profile for future applications.

Step 3: Filling the Common Application Form (CAF)

• The Common Application Form (CAF) collects general candidate information applicable to multiple UPSC exams.
• Candidates are not required to refill common details every time they apply for a UPSC examination.
• Important details required in CAF include:
  • Educational qualification and academic details
  • Category details such as SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD
  • Uploading a recent passport-size photograph
  • Mandatory live photo capture during application process
  • Uploading signature signed three times on plain white paper using black ink
• Candidates must ensure that:
  • Photograph is recent and clearly visible
  • Live photo matches current appearance
  • Signature is clear and readable
• UPSC may reject applications if images or signatures are blurred, mismatched, or not as per official guidelines.

Step 4: Examination-Specific Module for UPSC CSE 2026

• The final module is specific to the Civil Services Examination 2026.
• This module becomes active only during the official application window mentioned in the notification.
• Candidates must complete the following details:
  • Select Civil Services Examination 2026
  • Choose preferred examination centres
  • Select optional subject
  • Choose examination medium and compulsory Indian language
  • Pay examination fee (if applicable) through online payment modes
• Candidates must carefully review all entered details before submission.
  After final submission:
• A unique Application Number is generated (separate from URN)
• No correction, modification, or withdrawal is allowed
• Candidates must save both URN and Application Number 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 exempt. Payment can be made online or via SBI Challan during the application process.

New Changes in UPSC Notification 2026 (As per Official Notification)

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.

Universal Registration Number (URN) System

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

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 Eligibility Criteria 2026

The UPSC Eligibility Criteria 2026 outline the basic requirements that candidates must meet to appear for the Civil Services Examination. These criteria ensure that applicants are qualified and eligible for selection.

UPSC Selection Process 2026

The UPSC Selection Process 2026 consists of three stages, each testing different skills and capabilities of aspirants.

1. Preliminary Exam (Prelims): Objective type questions to filter candidates for the Mains exam.
2. Main Exam (Mains): Descriptive papers to assess in-depth knowledge and analytical ability.
3. Interview/Personality Test: Evaluates the candidate’s personality, decision-making, and overall suitability for civil services.

UPSC Exam Pattern 2026

The UPSC Exam Pattern 2026 consists of three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview. Prelims is objective, Mains is descriptive, and the Interview assesses personality, with a total of 2025 marks.