The Union Public Service Commission has released the much-awaited notification for the Civil Services Examination 2026 on February 4, 2026. This comprehensive guide breaks down all the crucial information, key changes, and important dates that every UPSC aspirant must be aware of.
Quick Overview
Notification Date: February 4, 2026
Application Last Date: February 24, 2026 (till 6:00 PM)
Preliminary Exam Date: May 24, 2026
Total Approximate Vacancies: 933 (including 33 for PwBD category)
Key Dates Timeline as per Notification
| Event | Date |
| Notification Released | February 4, 2026 |
| Application Window Opens | February 4, 2026 |
| Application Window Closes | February 24, 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Prelims Examination | May 24, 2026 |
| Prelims Result Window | After Prelims |
| Mains Examination | Expected: September-October 2026 |
| Interview/Personality Test | Expected: February-April 2027 |
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Major Changes and New Features in 2026
1. Prabitha Setu Portal (Replaces Public Disclosure Scheme)
A significant rebranding and expansion of the earlier Public Disclosure Scheme:
- Purpose: Connects non-recommended candidates from the final interview stage with registered private companies, PSUs, and autonomous organizations
- What’s Shared: Short biodata including educational qualifications, contact details, and percentile (not absolute marks)
- Candidate Choice: Must give consent during exam-specific module; opt-out option available
- Activation: Lists activated after Reserve/Extended lists are exhausted
- No Partial Disclosure: Once opted in, the choice cannot be changed
2. Enhanced Application Process Features
Live Photo Capture Requirement:
- Candidates must upload a photo AND capture a live photograph while filling CAF
- Ensures better identity verification and reduces impersonation
Digital Signature Requirements:
- Sign three times (one below the other) on plain white paper using black ink
- Upload clear and legible scanned signatures
No Withdrawal Policy:
- Once submitted, applications cannot be withdrawn
- No corrections or modifications allowed after submission
3. Face Authentication at Exam Venues
New Mandatory Security Measure:
- All candidates must undergo face authentication at examination venues
- Candidates advised to arrive well in time for this process
- Part of enhanced security and anti-malpractice measures
4. Online Question Paper Representation Portal (QPRep)
Grievance Redressal Mechanism:
- 5-day window to submit representations on questions and answer keys
- Window: 3rd day after examination to 6:00 PM of 7th day
- Online submission only through https://upsconline.nic.in
- No other mode of submission accepted
5. Dedicated Helpdesk
Contact Support:
- Phone: 011-24041001
- Email: upscsoap@nic.in
- Timing: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM (working days)
- Duration: February 4 to February 24, 2026
- Assistance for application issues, fee payment, document upload
6. Change of Scribe Provision
New Flexibility:
- PwBD candidates using scribes can request scribe change
- Deadline: Up to 7 days before examination
- Requests through https://upsconline.nic.in
- e-Admit Card issued 3 days prior for such candidates
Eligibility Criteria
Age Limits
Standard Age Range:
- Minimum: 21 years (born not later than August 1, 2005)
- Maximum: 32 years (born not earlier than August 2, 1994)
- Reference Date: August 1, 2026
Age Relaxation:
| Category | Relaxation |
| SC/ST | +5 years (up to 37 years) |
| OBC | +3 years (up to 35 years) |
| PwBD (General) | +10 years (up to 42 years) |
| PwBD (OBC) | +13 years (up to 45 years) |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | +15 years (up to 47 years) |
| Ex-Servicemen | +5 years (after deducting service period) |
| Defence Personnel (disabled in operations) | +3 years |
Note: SC/ST/OBC candidates covered under multiple categories get cumulative age relaxation.
Educational Qualification:
Minimum Requirement:
- Graduate degree from a recognized Indian university
- Or equivalent qualification as per UGC Act, 1956
Special Cases:
- MBBS/BDS candidates: Proof of internship completion required
- Candidates awaiting results: Provisionally eligible, but must produce proof before interview
Number of Attempts
| Category | Number of Attempts |
| General/EWS | 6 attempts |
| OBC | 9 attempts |
| SC/ST | Unlimited attempts |
| PwBD (General/EWS/OBC) | 9 attempts |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | Unlimited attempts |
Important Notes:
- An attempt at Prelims counts as one attempt
- Appearing in even one paper of Prelims = attempt consumed
- Disqualification doesn’t affect attempt count
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Vacancy Details
Total Approximate Vacancies: 933
PwBD Reserved Vacancies: 33
| Disability Category | Vacancies |
| Blindness and Low Vision | 7 |
| Deaf and Hard of Hearing | 11 |
| Locomotor Disability (including CP, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims, muscular dystrophy) | 8 |
| Multiple Disabilities (except Blind+Deaf combination) | 7 |
Services/Cadres Included
All India Services:
- Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
- Indian Police Service (IPS)
Group A Central Services (14):
- Indian Foreign Service
- Indian Audit and Accounts Service
- Indian Civil Accounts Service
- Indian Corporate Law Service
- Indian Defence Accounts Service
- Indian Defence Estates Service
- Indian Information Service
- Indian Postal Service
- Indian P&T Accounts and Finance Service
- Indian Railway Management Service (Traffic/Personnel/Accounts)
- Indian Railway Protection Force Service
- Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes)
- Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax)
- Indian Trade Service
Group B Services (5):
- Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service
- DANICS (Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, etc.)
- DANIPS
- PONDICS (Pondicherry)
- PONDIPS
Fee Structure
Preliminary Examination Fee
| Category | Fee Amount |
| General/OBC/EWS (Male candidates) | ₹100 |
| SC/ST/PwBD/All Female Candidates | Exempted |
Mains Examination Fee
(Payable within 10-day window after Prelims result)
| Category | Fee Amount |
| General/OBC/EWS (Male candidates) | ₹200 |
| SC/ST/PwBD/All Female Candidates | Exempted |
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Payment Modes:
- Net Banking
- Visa/Master/RuPay Credit/Debit Card
- UPI Payment
Important: Applications without prescribed fee will be summarily rejected. Fee once paid is non-refundable.
Examination Structure
Preliminary Examination
Nature: Objective Type (MCQ)
Total Marks: 400
Purpose: Screening test only (marks not counted for final merit)
Paper Structure:
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
| Paper I | General Studies | 200 | 2 hours |
| Paper II | CSAT (Qualifying) | 200 | 2 hours |
Qualifying Criteria:
- Paper II (CSAT): Minimum 33% marks (66 marks out of 200)
- Final selection for Mains: Based on Paper I marks
Negative Marking: 1/3 mark deducted for each wrong answer
Cut-off: About 12-13 times the total vacancies qualify for Mains
Mains Examination
Total Papers: 9 (7 counted for ranking + 2 qualifying)
Total Marks: 1750
Paper Distribution:
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Nature |
| Paper A | Indian Language | 300 | Qualifying (25% minimum) |
| Paper B | English | 300 | Qualifying (25% minimum) |
| Paper I | Essay | 250 | Merit Ranking |
| Paper II | General Studies I | 250 | Merit Ranking |
| Paper III | General Studies II | 250 | Merit Ranking |
| Paper IV | General Studies III | 250 | Merit Ranking |
| Paper V | General Studies IV (Ethics) | 250 | Merit Ranking |
| Paper VI | Optional Subject – Paper I | 250 | Merit Ranking |
| Paper VII | Optional Subject – Paper II | 250 | Merit Ranking |
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Interview/Personality Test
Marks: 275
No Minimum Qualifying Marks
Selection Ratio: About 2 times the vacancies called for interview
Final Merit Calculation:
Total Score = Mains Written (1750) + Interview (275) = 2025 Marks
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Application Process
Four-Module System
Module 1: Account Creation
- One-time registration on UPSC portal
Module 2: Universal Registration Number (URN)
- Generated once, valid for lifetime
- Used for all UPSC examinations
- One-time modification facility available
Module 3: Common Application Form (CAF)
- Common for all exams
- Contains personal details, photo, signature
- Live photo capture mandatory
Module 4: Examination-Specific Form
- Specific to CSE 2026
- Fee payment
- Centre selection
- Optional subject choice
- Medium selection
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Documents Required
Mandatory Documents:
- Photo ID (Aadhaar/Voter Card/PAN/Passport/Driving License)
- Photograph (uploaded + live captured)
- Signature (scanned – 3 signatures on white paper)
- Educational certificates (at interview stage)
- Category certificates (if claiming reservation)
For Reserved Categories:
- SC/ST Certificate
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) Certificate: Valid for FY 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25, issued after April 1, 2025
- EWS Certificate: Based on FY 2024-25, issued after April 1, 2025
- PwBD Certificate: From Government Hospital/Medical Board
Important Instructions
Examination Centres
Total Centres: 79 across India
Major Centres Include:
- Metropolitan Cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad
- State Capitals: All state capitals included
- Important Cities: Agra, Ajmer, Bareilly, Coimbatore, Dharwad, Gorakhpur, etc.
Note: Centre choice to be made during application. No change allowed later.
Aadhaar Recommendation
Strongly Advised:
- Use Aadhaar as primary ID document
- Facilitates easy verification and authentication
- Seamless process for document verification
Special Provisions for PwBD Candidates
Eligible Disability Categories
- Blindness and Low Vision
- Deaf and Hard of Hearing
- Locomotor Disability (including Cerebral Palsy, Leprosy Cured, Dwarfism, Acid Attack Victims, Muscular Dystrophy)
- Autism, Intellectual Disability, Specific Learning Disability, Mental Illness
- Multiple Disabilities (combinations from above, except Blind+Deaf)
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Scribe Facility
Automatic Eligibility:
- Blindness
- Locomotor disability (both arms affected)
- Cerebral Palsy
Certificate-Based Eligibility:
- Other PwBD categories requiring scribe
- Certificate from CMO/Civil Surgeon/Medical Superintendent needed
Scribe Qualification:
- Maximum: Less than minimum qualification for CSE
- Minimum: Matriculation
Scribe Options:
- Own scribe
- Commission-provided scribe
Compensatory Time
Automatic Grant:
- Blindness
- Locomotor disability (both arms affected)
- Cerebral Palsy
Time Allowance: 20 minutes per hour of examination
Certificate-Based Grant:
- Other categories with writing limitations
- Certificate from Government Health Institution required
Restrictions and Important Rules
Re-appearance Restrictions
Understanding re-appearance restrictions is crucial for candidates who have been previously allocated services. The rules vary significantly based on the service allocated and timing of allocation.
Comprehensive Restriction Matrix
| Already Allocated Service | Can Appear in CSE 2026? | Conditions & Restrictions | Must Resign? |
| IAS (Any previous year) | ❌ NO | Cannot appear if appointed and continuing in service | N/A – Cannot appear |
| IFS (Any previous year) | ❌ NO | Cannot appear if appointed and continuing in service | N/A – Cannot appear |
| IPS (Any previous year) | ✅ YES | Can appear BUT cannot opt for IPS again | No (for appearing) |
| Central Service Group A | ✅ YES* | Only IMMEDIATE next CSE with training exemption | No (for one attempt) |
| DANICS/DANIPS/PONDICS Group B | ✅ YES* | Only IMMEDIATE next CSE with training exemption | No (for one attempt) |
| AFHQ Civil Service Group B | ✅ YES* | Only IMMEDIATE next CSE with training exemption | No (for one attempt) |
*Subject to specific conditions detailed below
IPS Allocation – Service Restriction Only
| Situation | Can Appear in CSE 2026? | Can Get IPS Again? | Can Get Other Services? |
| Already in IPS (any year) | ✅ YES | ❌ NO | ✅ YES |
| Allocated IPS but not joined | ✅ YES | ❌ NO | ✅ YES |
| Resigned from IPS | ✅ YES | ✅ YES (if attempt/age allows) | ✅ YES |
Key Point: IPS restriction is service-specific, not exam-specific. You can appear but cannot be allocated to IPS again.
Central Services Group A – One-Time Exemption Rule
This is the most complex scenario with multiple conditions:
Eligibility Table for One-Time Exemption
| Year of Allocation | Can Appear in CSE 2026? | Can Appear in CSE 2027? | Can Appear in CSE 2028? | Training Exemption Needed? |
| CSE 2025 | ✅ YES | ✅ YES | ❌ NO (unless resigned) | ✅ YES – Must obtain |
| CSE 2024 | ✅ YES* | ✅ YES | ✅ YES (one-time only) | ✅ YES – Must obtain |
| CSE 2023 or earlier | ✅ YES* | ❌ NO (unless resigned) | ❌ NO (unless resigned) | ✅ YES – Must obtain |
Use this quick reference guide:
| Your Current Status | Want to Appear in CSE 2026? | Action Required |
| ✅ No previous allocation | Apply normally | Follow standard process |
| ✅ Allocated Group B/Central Service (CSE 2025) | Get training exemption | Apply with exemption certificate |
| ✅ Allocated IPS (any year) | Apply (but can’t get IPS again) | Mention IPS allocation in form |
| ❌ Allocated IAS/IFS (continuing) | CANNOT APPEAR | Either resign or skip CSE 2026 |
| ✅ Resigned from any service | Apply normally | Mention resignation status |
| ✅ Allocated in CSE 2024 or earlier | Choose CSE 2026 OR 2027 | Get training exemption |
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Official Links and Resources
�� UPSC Official Website: www.upsc.gov.in
�� Online Application Portal: upsconline.nic.in
�� Detailed Notification: Available on UPSC website
�� CSE Rules 2026: Gazette of India Extraordinary dated February 4, 2026
�� Helpdesk: 011-24041001
�� Email Support: upscsoap@nic.in
⏰ Support Timing: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM (Working Days)
Disclaimer: This blog post is based on the official UPSC CSE 2026 notification dated February 4, 2026. Candidates are advised to refer to the official notification and rules for complete and legally binding information. For any discrepancies, the official notification shall prevail.
For latest updates and corrections, regularly visit the official UPSC website: www.upsc.gov.in
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