UPSC Civil Services 2026

Overview

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination is India's most prestigious competitive exam. It recruits officers for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other Group A and Group B Central Services.

The exam is conducted in three stages: Preliminary Examination (Objective), Main Examination (Written), and Interview/Personality Test.

Important Dates

Event	Date
Notification Release	February 10, 2026
Application Start Date	February 14, 2026
Application End Date	March 7, 2026
Prelims Exam Date	June 28, 2026
Prelims Result	August 20, 2026
Mains Exam Date	September 2026 (Tentative)
Interview	January–April 2027 (Tentative)
Final Result	May 2027 (Tentative)

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

• Bachelor's Degree from a recognized University or equivalent.
• Candidates in their final year of graduation are also eligible to apply.

Age Limit

• Minimum: 21 years
• Maximum: 32 years (as on August 1, 2026)
• OBC: 3 years relaxation (up to 35 years)
• SC/ST: 5 years relaxation (up to 37 years)

Number of Attempts

Category	Maximum Attempts
General	6
OBC	9
SC/ST	Unlimited (up to age limit)

Application Fee

Category	Fee
General / OBC	₹100
Women / SC / ST / PwD	Free

Selection Process

Stage 1 — Preliminary Examination

• Paper I (General Studies): 100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours
• Paper II (CSAT): 80 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours (qualifying with 33%)
• Both papers are objective type with negative marking (1/3rd of marks)

Stage 2 — Main Examination

Nine papers in total, of which seven are counted for merit:

• Essay (250 marks)
• General Studies I–IV (250 marks each)
• Optional Subject Paper I & II (250 marks each)
• Two qualifying language papers

Stage 3 — Interview / Personality Test

• 275 marks
• Tests candidate's mental qualities, social traits, and current affairs knowledge

Salary Structure

Service	Pay Level	Approximate Starting Salary
IAS	Pay Level 10	₹56,100 per month + allowances
IPS	Pay Level 10	₹56,100 per month + allowances
IFS	Pay Level 10	₹56,100 per month + allowances
IRS	Pay Level 10	₹56,100 per month + allowances

Cabinet Secretary, the highest IAS rank, draws Pay Level 18 (₹2,50,000 per month).

Preparation Strategy

1. Start with NCERT books for building foundational knowledge in History, Geography, Polity, and Economics.
2. Read newspapers daily — The Hindu or Indian Express for current affairs and editorial analysis.
3. Choose your optional subject wisely — Pick based on interest, scoring potential, and available study material.
4. Answer writing practice is crucial for Mains — Practice at least one answer daily.
5. Join a test series for both Prelims and Mains to evaluate your preparation level.
6. Maintain consistency — UPSC preparation requires a long-term commitment of 12–18 months minimum.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many years does it take to clear UPSC? On average, successful candidates take 2–3 attempts. Some clear it in the first attempt itself.

Q: Is coaching necessary for UPSC preparation? No, many toppers have cleared UPSC through self-study. However, coaching can provide structured guidance and test series.

Q: What is the age limit for UPSC Civil Services? The age limit is 21–32 years for General category, with relaxation for OBC (35 years) and SC/ST (37 years).