UPSC CSE 2026 Latest Update: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) released the official notification for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 and Indian Forest Service (IFS) Examination 2026 on February 4, 2026, along with the opening of the online registration window. Eligible candidates can submit their applications through the official website upsconline.nic.in until 6:00 PM on February 24, 2026.
Through the Civil Services Examination 2026, UPSC aims to fill approximately 933 vacancies across various Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ services of the Government of India.
UPSC CSE 2026 Exam Schedule
As per the official notification:
- Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026: May 24, 2026
- Civil Services Main Examination 2026: Begins on August 21, 2026
The notification also provides detailed information related to the application process, eligibility conditions, number of attempts, service restrictions, and examination stages. Candidates are strongly advised to go through the complete CSE 2026 rules before applying.
Services Covered Under UPSC CSE 2026
The Civil Services Examination 2026 will be conducted for recruitment to the following services and posts:
- Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
- Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
- Indian Police Service (IPS)
- Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
- Indian Civil Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
- Indian Corporate Law Service, Group ‘A’
- Indian Defence Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
- Indian Defence Estates Service, Group ‘A’
- Indian Information Service, Group ‘A’
- Indian Postal Service, Group ‘A’
- Indian Post & Telecommunication Accounts and Finance Service, Group ‘A’
- Indian Railway Management Service (Traffic), Group ‘A’
- Indian Railway Management Service (Personnel), Group ‘A’
- Indian Railway Management Service (Accounts), Group ‘A’
- Indian Railway Protection Force Service, Group ‘A’
- Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes), Group ‘A’
- Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax), Group ‘A’
- Indian Trade Service, Group ‘A’ (Grade III)
- Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service, Group ‘B’
- DANICS, Group ‘B’
- DANIPS, Group ‘B’
- Pondicherry Civil Service (PONDICS), Group ‘B’
- Pondicherry Police Service (PONDIPS), Group ‘B’
UPSC CSE 2026 Vacancy Details
The total number of vacancies to be filled through UPSC CSE 2026 is approximately 933, including 33 vacancies reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD).
PwBD reservation includes candidates with:
- Blindness and Low Vision
- Deaf and Hard of Hearing
- Locomotor Disability (including Cerebral Palsy, Leprosy Cured, Dwarfism, Acid Attack Victims, Muscular Dystrophy)
- Multiple Disabilities
The final vacancy count may change after confirmation from cadre-controlling authorities. Reservation will be provided for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwBD candidates as per Government of India norms.
UPSC CSE 2026: Category-Wise Number of Attempts
Every eligible candidate is allowed a limited number of attempts at the Civil Services Examination, with relaxations for reserved categories.
Number of Attempts Allowed:
- General / EWS / OBC Candidates: 9 attempts
- SC / ST Candidates: Unlimited attempts
- PwBD Candidates: As per category-specific relaxation
🔹 Important Rule:
An appearance in any one paper of the Preliminary Examination will be counted as one attempt, even if the candidate is disqualified or the candidature is cancelled later.
Restrictions on Applying for UPSC CSE 2026
1. Candidates Already Appointed to IAS or IFS
- A candidate appointed to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) or Indian Foreign Service (IFS) based on an earlier examination and continuing in service cannot appear for CSE 2026.
- If such appointment occurs after the Prelims 2026 but before the Mains, the candidate will not be allowed to appear in the Mains.
- If appointed after the Mains examination begins but before results are declared, the candidate will not be considered for any service allocation based on CSE 2026.
2. Candidates Already Selected/Appointed to IPS
- A candidate who has been selected or appointed to the Indian Police Service (IPS) through an earlier examination cannot be allocated IPS again based on CSE 2026 results.
3. Candidates Allocated IPS or Group ‘A’ Service Through CSE 2026
A candidate allocated to IPS or any Central Service Group ‘A’ based on CSE 2026 may appear in CSE 2027, subject to the following conditions:
(a) The candidate must receive one-time exemption from training to appear in CSE 2027.
(b) The candidate shall join only the Foundation Course (FC).
(c) Failure to join training or obtain exemption will lead to cancellation of service allocation.
(d) If recommended in CSE 2027, the candidate may accept service allocated through either CSE 2026 or CSE 2027.
(e) Failure to join training for either allocation will result in cancellation of both services.
(f) Seniority will not be affected and will be decided based on the year of joining.
(g) The candidate cannot appear in CSE 2028 or later unless he/she resigns from service.
(h) To use remaining attempts, the candidate must not join any allocated service, and such allocation will stand cancelled automatically.
(i) Candidates allocated a service through CSE 2025 or earlier may appear once in CSE 2026 or CSE 2027, without resigning. However, appearing in CSE 2028 or later requires resignation.
Important Advice for Aspirants
UPSC has advised all applicants to carefully read the Civil Services Examination Rules 2026 before submitting the application form to avoid disqualification or future complications related to attempts, service allocation, or eligibility.