UPSC Calendar 2026 (Out) - Check All UPSC Exams Schedule PDF

UPSC Calendar 2026 (Out) - Check All UPSC Exams Schedule PDF

Edited By Meghana Mohana Krishnan | Updated on May 15, 2025 03:46 PM IST | #UPSC CSE
Upcoming Event
UPSC CSE  Exam Date : 25 May' 2025 - 25 May' 2025

Union Public Service Commission has released the UPSC calendar 2026 on May 15, 2025. UPSC has released the UPSC 2026 calendar online on the official website, upsc.gov.in. Candidates interested in attempting any entrance exam under UPSC can find information about the Notification, release date, application form release dates and exam dates in the UPSC exam calendar 2026.
Latest: Click hereto download the UPSC Calendar 2026 as a PDF file.

UPSC Calendar 2026 (Out) - Check All UPSC Exams Schedule PDF
UPSC Calendar 2026 (Out) - Check All UPSC Exams Schedule PDF

Candidates interested in attempting any UPSC exam need information about the dates of important events to be able to plan their preparation. Candidates can also check when the official notification containing all information related to the exam will be released. Below, we discuss the UPSC calendar and important dates pertaining to the exam such as the UPSC IAS, UPSC ESE, UPSC NDA, UPSC CDS and many more.

UPSC Exam Calendar 2026 – Dates of UPSC Exams

Union Public Service Commission has released the UPSC exam calendar 2026 online on the official website on May 15, 2025. The exam calendar is downloadable in the form of a PDF online at upsc.gov.in. Candidates are encouraged to watch this space, as the notification date, application date and exam dates for UPSC exams taking place in 2026 will be updated.

UPSC Calendar 2026

Name of ExaminationDate of NotificationLast Date for receipt of
Applications
Date of commencement
of Exam
Duration
Reserved for UPSC RT/ ExaminationTBATBAJanuary 10, 2026 (Saturday)2 DAYS
Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Examination, 2026September 3, 2025September 24, 2025February 8, 2026
(Sunday)
1 DAY
Engineering Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2026September 17, 2025October 7, 2025February 8, 2026
(Sunday)
1 DAY
CBI (DSP) LDCEDecember 24, 2025January 13, 2026February 28, 2026
(Saturday)
2 DAYS
CISF AC(EXE) LDCE-2026December 3, 2025December 23, 2025March 8, 2026
(Sunday)
1 DAY
N.D.A. & N.A. Examination (I), 2026December 10, 2025December 30, 2025April 12, 2026
(Sunday)
1 DAY
C.D.S. Examination (I), 2026
Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2026January 14, 2026February 3, 2026May 24, 2026
(Sunday)
1 DAY
Indian Forest Service (Preliminary) Examination, 2026 through CS(P) Examination 2026
Reserved for UPSC RT/ ExaminationTBA

TBA

June 6, 2026
(Saturday)
2 DAYS
I.E.S./I.S.S. Examination, 2026February 11, 2026March 3, 2026June 19, 2026
(Friday)
3 DAYS
Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) Examination, 2026TBA

TBA

June 20, 2026
(Saturday)
2 DAYS
Engineering Services (Main) Examination, 2026TBA

TBA

June 21, 2026
(Sunday)
1 DAY
Reserved for UPSC RT/ ExaminationTBA

TBA

July 4, 2026
(Saturday)
2 DAYS
Combined Medical Services Examination, 2026March 11, 2026March 31, 2026August 2, 2026
(Sunday)
1 DAY
Central Armed Police Forces (ACs) Examination, 2026February 18, 2026March 10, 2026July 19, 2026
(Sunday)
1 DAY
Reserved for UPSC RT/ ExaminationTBA

TBA

August 8, 2026
(Saturday)
2 DAYS
Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2026TBA

TBA

August 21, 2026
(Friday)
5 DAYS
N.D.A. & N.A. Examination (II), 2026May 20, 2026June 9, 2026September 13, 2026
(Sunday)
1 DAY
C.D.S. Examination (II), 2026
Reserved for UPSC RT/ ExaminationTBA

TBA

September 26, 2026
(Saturday)
2 DAYS
Reserved for UPSC RT/ ExaminationTBA

TBA

October 10, 2026
(Saturday)
2 DAYS
Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination
TBATBAOctober 31, 2026 (Saturday)2 DAYS
Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination, 2026TBA

TBA

November 22, 2026
(Sunday)
7 DAYS
S.O./Steno (GD-B/GD-I) LDCESeptember 16, 2026October 6, 2026December 12, 2026
(Saturday)
2 DAYS
Reserved for UPSC RT/ ExaminationTBA

TBA

December 29, 2026
(Saturday)
2 DAYS
UPSC CSE Preparation Strategy and Best Books
UPSC CSE preparation strategy along with best books for prelims as well as mains exam for sure success.
Download EBook

Please note that in the official exam calendar, the Union Public Service Commission maintains that all the dates mentioned in the UPSC exam calendar are liable to be changed in case the circumstances call for it.

UPSC Calendar 2025

Name of ExaminationDate of NotificationLast Date for receipt of
Applications
Date of commencement
of Exam
Duration
Reserved for UPSC RT/ ExaminationTBATBAJanuary 11, 2025
(Saturday)
2 DAYS
Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Examination, 2025September 4, 2024September 24, 2024February 9, 2025
(Sunday)
1 DAY
Engineering Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2025September 18, 2024October 8, 2024February 9, 2025
(Sunday)
1 DAY
CBI (DSP) LDCEJanuary 1, 2025January 14, 2025March 8, 2025
(Saturday)
2 DAYS
CISF AC(EXE) LDCE-2025December 4, 2024December 24, 2024March 9, 2025
(Sunday)
1 DAY
N.D.A. & N.A. Examination (I), 2025December 11, 2024December 31, 2024April 13, 2025
(Sunday)
1 DAY
C.D.S. Examination (I), 2025
Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2025January 22, 2025February 11, 2025May 25, 2025
(Sunday)
1 DAY
Indian Forest Service (Preliminary) Examination, 2025 through CS(P) Examination 2025
Reserved for UPSC RT/ ExaminationTBA

TBA

June 14, 2025
(Saturday)
2 DAYS
I.E.S./I.S.S. Examination, 2025February 12, 2025March 4, 2025June 20, 2025
(Friday)
3 DAYS
Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) Examination, 2025TBA

TBA

June 21, 2025
(Saturday)
2 DAYS
Engineering Services (Main) Examination, 2025TBA

TBA

June 22, 2025
(Sunday)
1 DAY
Reserved for UPSC RT/ ExaminationTBA

TBA

July 5, 2025
(Saturday)
2 DAYS
Combined Medical Services Examination, 2025February 19, 2025March 11, 2025July 20, 2025
(Sunday)
1 DAY
Central Armed Police Forces (ACs) Examination, 2025March 5, 2025March 25, 2025August 3, 2025
(Sunday)
1 DAY
Reserved for UPSC RT/ ExaminationTBA

TBA

August 9, 2025
(Saturday)
2 DAYS
Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2025TBA

TBA

August 22, 2025
(Friday)
5 DAYS
N.D.A. & N.A. Examination (II), 2025May 28, 2025June 17, 2025September 14, 2025
(Sunday)
1 DAY
C.D.S. Examination (II), 2025
Reserved for UPSC RT/ ExaminationTBA

TBA

October 4, 2025
(Saturday)
2 DAYS
Reserved for UPSC RT/ ExaminationTBA

TBA

November 1, 2205
(Saturday)
2 DAYS
Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination, 2025TBA

TBA

November 16, 2025
(Sunday)
7 DAYS
S.O./Steno (GD-B/GD-I) LDCESeptember 17, 2025October 7, 2025December 13, 2025
(Saturday)
2 DAYS
Reserved for UPSC RT/ ExaminationTBA

TBA

December 20, 2025
(Saturday)
2 DAYS

Please note that in the official exam calendar, the Union Public Service Commission maintains that all the dates mentioned in the UPSC exam calendar are liable to be changed in case the circumstances call for it.

Check Here For A List of Other Government Exams

UPSC CSE Preparation Strategy and Best Books

UPSC CSE preparation strategy along with best books for prelims as well as mains exam for sure success. Download Ebook

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Has UPSC released its annual exam calendar for 2026?

The Union Public Service Commission has released the UPSC 2026 calendar in online mode on May 15, 2025. 

2. When will the UPSC IAS 2026 exam be conducted?

According to the UPSC exam calendar, the UPSC IAS exam will be held on May 24, 2026.

3. Can we expect a change in the UPSC exam dates?

The dates mentioned in the UPSC calendar 2026 are tentative. 

4. When will the UPSC IAS application form 2026 be released?

As per the UPSC 2026 exam calendar, the UPSC IAS application form will be released on January 14, 2026.

5. What are the UPSC Exam dates for the civil services prelims exam 2026?

The UPSC civil services prelims exam is to be conducted on May 24, 2026.

6. What is the schedule for the IFS prelims exam 2026?

The Union Public Service Commission has mentioned in the UPSC 2026 calendar that  the prelims exam for Indian Forest Services is to be conducted on May 24, 2026.

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Questions related to UPSC CSE

Have a question related to UPSC CSE ?

Hello!
IRAS (Indian Railway Accounts Service) officers can be posted in both cities and rural areas since Indian Railways has offices and operations nationwide. They typically work in divisional offices, zonal offices, workshops, and production units. Transfers do happen but are usually not very frequent and depend on government policies and organizational needs.

Hope this helps!

To become an IAS officer, you must clear the Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), and then undergo training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA). While any bachelor's degree is acceptable, choosing a degree that aligns with the UPSC syllabus, particularly in humanities and social sciences, can be advantageous.

UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE):

This is the primary exam for becoming an IAS officer, involving three stages: Preliminary, Main, and Personality Test (Interview).

Any Bachelor's Degree:

A graduate degree from a recognized university is the basic requirement to be eligible for the CSE.

Beneficial Degrees:

Degrees in humanities and social sciences, such as Bachelor of Arts (BA), can be helpful due to the syllabus overlap with subjects like History, Political Science, Sociology, and Economics.

Optional Subject:

You can choose an optional subject in the Mains exam, and a BA degree can provide a wide range of options.

Hope it helps!!

Hello!!

That's a great goal—and your background as a research scholar can actually be a big asset in preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE), which is the path to becoming an IAS officer.

Step-by-Step Guide to Become an IAS Officer:

1. Understand the Exam Structure

The UPSC CSE has three stages:

Prelims: Objective (GS Paper + CSAT)

Mains: Descriptive (9 papers)

Interview: Personality Test

2. Check Eligibility

Age: 21 to 32 (for General category)

Degree: Any graduate degree (you already qualify)

3. Choose Your Optional Subject

Choose something you’re comfortable with (can be from your research field if it's available).

Popular optionals: Sociology, Geography, PSIR, Anthropology, etc.

4. Build a Study Plan

Since you're a research scholar, time management is key.

Daily 4–6 hours of focused study can work if you're consistent.

Focus on:

NCERTs (6th–12th)

Standard books (like Laxmikanth for Polity, Spectrum for History)

Current Affairs (The Hindu, Indian Express, or PIB + Monthly compilations)

5. Join a Test Series (Optional but Helpful)

For Prelims and Mains: to build speed, writing skills, and clarity.

6. Practice Answer Writing

Mains is all about articulation. Practice with previous year questions and mock tests.

7. Appear for the Exam

Notification comes out around February.

Prelims is in May/June, Mains in September, and Interview early next year.

How to Align This With Your Research Schedule:

Create a realistic time-table that includes 2–3 hours on weekdays, and more on weekends.

Use your research experience for deeper understanding and essay writing.

If your goal is to become an IAS officer, choose a degree that supports UPSC preparation and also provides a good backup:

BA in Political Science, History, Geography, or Economics is ideal for IAS.
BSc or BCom is fine too, but you'll need to study humanities separately for UPSC.
For backup, pick a subject with good job prospects like BBA or Computer Science.

KCET is required only if you're planning professional courses like Engineering or Agriculture. It's not needed for BA or general degrees.

After 10th for IAS

Hello aspirant,

For becoming IAS , you have to first complete your graduation from any background from any recognised university or college. If you are in your final year, then also you are eligible. After that you have to give an entrance exam name UPSC . If you will clear this exam then according to your marks you may get the IAS position.

To know about UPSC entrance exam, kindly go through the given link:

https://competition.careers360.com/exams/upsc-cse

All the best!!

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