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UPSC CSE 2026
UPSC Civil Services Examination · यूपीएससी सिविल सेवा परीक्षा
What is UPSC CSE?
The UPSC Civil Services Examination selects officers for the IAS, IPS, IFS and other Group A and Group B central services through three stages: a Preliminary exam, a written Main exam and a Personality Test.
The Preliminary exam is a screening test with two objective papers; only Paper I (General Studies) decides who qualifies, while Paper II (CSAT) must be passed with 33%.
The Main exam has nine descriptive papers, of which seven count towards merit (1,750 marks). The Personality Test carries 275 marks, for a final total of 2,025.
- Conducting body
- UPSC
- Qualification
- Bachelor's degree from a recognised university
- Age limit
- 21–32 years
- Exam stages
- 4 stages: Preliminary — Paper I (General Studies), Preliminary — Paper II (CSAT), Main examination, Personality Test (Interview)
- 2026 vacancies
- Vacancies to be notified
- Negative marking
- One-third of the marks of that question
UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026: important dates
CompletedFull 2026 details →
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification released | 4 Feb 2026 |
| Last date to apply | 24 Feb 2026 |
| Preliminary examination | 24 May 2026 |
| Prelims result | 15 Jun 2026 |
| Main examination starts | 21 Aug 2026 |
Latest UPSC CSE updates
No UPSC CSE updates have been published yet. We check the official website twice a day.
How to apply for UPSC CSE
- 1Create or update your One Time Registration (OTR) profile on upsconline.gov.in
- 2Fill the online application for the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination on upsconline.gov.in while the notification is open
- 3Upload photograph, signature and photo ID details, and choose your exam centre
- 4Pay the fee online (or in cash at an SBI branch where permitted) unless exempt
- 5Submit and download the completed application
Apply on upsconline.gov.in ↗Official portal. JobJha never collects applications or fees.
UPSC CSE eligibility
- Educational qualification
- Bachelor's degree from a recognised university. Final-year students may apply but must show proof of passing before the Main exam.
- Age limit
- 21–32 years
- Nationality
- IAS, IPS and IFS require Indian citizenship; other services follow the nationality rules in the notification.
- Attempts
- General/EWS: 6, OBC: 9, PwBD (General/EWS/OBC): 9, SC/ST: unlimited up to the age limit.
Application fee
| Category | Application fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS (male) | ₹100 |
| Women, SC, ST and PwBD | Exempted (no fee) |
UPSC CSE exam pattern
| Stage | Mode | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary — Paper I (General Studies) | Objective, OMR | 100 | 200 | 120 min |
| Preliminary — Paper II (CSAT) | Objective, OMR | 80 | 200 | 120 min |
| Main examination | Descriptive | — | 1750 | 180 min |
| Personality Test (Interview) | Interview | — | 275 | — |
UPSC CSE syllabus
Preliminary
General Studies (Paper I)
Current events of national and international importance, History of India and Indian National Movement, Indian and world geography, Indian polity and governance, Economic and social development, Environmental ecology, biodiversity and climate change, General science
Preliminary
CSAT (Paper II)
Comprehension, Interpersonal and communication skills, Logical reasoning and analytical ability, Decision making and problem solving, General mental ability, Basic numeracy (Class 10 level), Data interpretation
Main
GS I
Indian heritage and culture, Modern Indian history, World history, Indian society, Physical and human geography
Main
GS II
Constitution and polity, Governance, Social justice, International relations
Main
GS III
Indian economy, Agriculture, Science and technology, Environment, Disaster management, Internal security
Main
GS IV
Ethics and human interface, Attitude, Aptitude and foundational values, Emotional intelligence, Probity in governance, Case studies
Selection process
- 1Preliminary examination (screening)
- 2Main examination (written)
- 3Personality test (interview)
- 4Final merit on Mains + interview (2,025 marks)
How to prepare for UPSC CSE
- Read the official syllabus closely and map every topic to NCERTs and one standard reference.
- Practise answer writing early; Mains rewards structure and time management as much as knowledge.
- Take Prelims mocks under timed conditions — negative marking makes elimination strategy important.
Practice for UPSC CSE
Reading the syllabus is step one. Timed practice under the real UPSC CSE pattern is what moves your score. Our partner platform EduJha offers practice with instant scoring and explanations.
UPSC CSE: frequently asked questions
What is the age limit for UPSC CSE?
The age limit for UPSC CSE is 21–32 years (as on 1 August of the exam year). Upper age relaxation: OBC (non-creamy layer) 3 years, SC / ST 5 years, PwBD 10 years, Defence services personnel disabled in operations 3 years.
What is the educational qualification for UPSC CSE?
To apply for UPSC CSE: Bachelor's degree from a recognised university. Final-year students may apply but must show proof of passing before the Main exam.
What is the selection process of UPSC CSE?
The UPSC CSE selection process is: Preliminary examination (screening) → Main examination (written) → Personality test (interview) → Final merit on Mains + interview (2,025 marks).
Is there negative marking in UPSC CSE?
Yes. Preliminary — Paper I (General Studies): One-third of the marks of that question; Preliminary — Paper II (CSAT): One-third of the marks of that question.
How to apply for UPSC CSE?
Apply online on the official portal (https://upsconline.gov.in): 1) Create or update your One Time Registration (OTR) profile on upsconline.gov.in; 2) Fill the online application for the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination on upsconline.gov.in while the notification is open; 3) Upload photograph, signature and photo ID details, and choose your exam centre; 4) Pay the fee online (or in cash at an SBI branch where permitted) unless exempt; 5) Submit and download the completed application.
Are CSAT marks counted for the Prelims cut-off?
No. CSAT (Paper II) is qualifying with 33%; the Prelims cut-off is based on General Studies Paper I only.