Upcoming UPSC Exams 2026 - Check All UPSC Exams Schedule

Upcoming UPSC Exams 2026 - Check All UPSC Exams Schedule

Meghana Mohana KrishnanUpdated on 29 Dec 2025, 03:05 PM IST

Union Public Service Commission released the UPSC 2026 recruitment calendar online on the official website. The UPSC calendar PDF 2026 can be downloaded from upsc.gov.in. Candidates looking to attempt any of the UPSC exams, such as the UPSC CSE, IFS, NDA, ESE, etc can go through the article below for more details.

This Story also Contains

  1. UPSC Recruitment 2026 Calendar
  2. What is the full form of UPSC?
  3. UPSC Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria
  4. UPSC Recruitment 2026 Application Process
  5. UPSC Recruitment Exam Pattern 2026
  6. UPSC recruitment 2026 Admit Card
  7. UPSC recruitment 2026 Result
  8. UPSC Recruitment 2026 - Cut off
  9. UPSC 2026 Cut off Links
  10. UPSC Recruitment Salary 2026
Upcoming UPSC Exams 2026 - Check All UPSC Exams Schedule
UPSC Recruitment

Union Public Service Commission conducts a variety of exams to recruit qualified candidates for various posts across the Indian government. All UPSC Candidates who attempt the UPSC recruitment exam 2026 may get jobs in departments like Administrative posts, Army Wings, Armed Forces, Indian Railways and even in the medical field. The official notifications for every UPSC exam 2026 will be released online on the official website.

UPSC Recruitment 2026 Calendar

UPSC released the UPSC 2026 exam calendar, a document containing the application dates and exam dates of recruitment exams that will take place this year. Candidates can find the dates pertaining to UPSC 2026 recruitment exams in the table below.

UPSC 2026 Calendar - Important Dates

Name of Examination

Date of Notification

Last Date for receipt of

Applications

Date of commencement

of Exam

Duration

Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination

-

-

January 10, 2026

2 DAYS

Reserved for UPSC Examination

January 17, 20262 Days

Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Examination, 2026

September 3, 2025

September 23, 2025

February 8, 2026

1 DAY

Engineering Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2026

TBA

TBA

February 8, 2026

1 DAY

CBI (DSP) LDCE

December 24, 2025

January 13, 2026

February 28, 2026

2 DAYS

CISF AC(EXE) LDCE-2026

December 3, 2025

December 23, 2026

February 28, 2026

1 DAY

N.D.A. & N.A. Examination (I), 2026

December 10, 2025

December 30, 2025

April 12, 2026

1 DAY

C.D.S. Examination (I), 2026

Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2026

January 14, 2026

February 2, 2026

May 24, 2026

1 DAY

Indian Forest Service (Preliminary) Examination, 2026 through CS(P) Examination 2026

Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination



June 6, 2026

2 DAYS

I.E.S./I.S.S. Examination, 2026

February 11, 2026

March 3, 2026

June 19, 2026

3 DAYS

Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) Examination, 2026

-

-

June 20, 2026

2 DAYS

Engineering Services (Main) Examination, 2026

-

-

June 21, 2026

1 DAY

Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination



July 4, 2026

2 DAYS

Combined Medical Services Examination, 2026

March 11, 2026

March 31, 2026

August 2, 2026

1 DAY

Central Armed Police Forces (ACs) Examination, 2026

February 18, 2026

March 10, 2026

July 19, 2026

1 DAY

Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination



August 8, 2026

2 DAYS

Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2026



August 21, 2026

5 DAYS

N.D.A. & N.A. Examination (II), 2026

May 20, 2026

June 9, 2026

September 13, 2026

1 DAY

C.D.S. Examination (II), 2026

Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination



September 26, 2026

2 DAYS

Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination



October 10, 2026

2 DAYS

Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination, 2026



November 22, 2026

7 DAYS

S.O./Steno (GD-B/GD-I) LDCE

September 16, 2026

October 6, 2026

December 12, 2026

2 DAYS

Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination



December 19, 2026

2 DAYS

Also check

What is the full form of UPSC?

Union Public Service Commission is the full form of UPSC. UPSC is an organisation that conducts recruitment exams, such as CDS, NDA, UPSC CSE, CAPF, etc. for various government posts.

Highlights of UPSC Recruitment 2026

Candidates can find basic details pertaining to UPSC recruitment 2026 in the table below.

Overview

Specifications

Exams Under UPSC Recruitment

ESE - Engineering Services Exam

CDS - Combined Defense Services

NDA - National Defense Academy

CSE - Civil Services Exam

IFS - Indian Foreign Services

IES/ISS - Indian Economic Services/Indian Statistical Services

Combined Geo-Scientist and Geologist Exam

CMS - Combined Medical Services

CAPF - Central Armed Police Forces

Mode of exam

Offline

Exam conducting authority

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

Mode of application

Online

UPSC Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Candidates can find the basic information regarding UPSC eligibility criteria 2026 of various UPSC recruitment exams in the table below. For more information regarding the eligibility of UPSC 2026 exams, candidates are encouraged to go through the UPSC recruitment eligibility criteria articles linked in the table.

Exam Name

Age limit

Academic Qualification

Detailed Information

NDA (National Defense Academy)

16.5 to 19.5 years

Class 12th

NDA Eligibility Criteria

CDS (Combined Defense Services)

19 to 24 years

Graduation

CDS Eligibility Criteria

CSE (Civil Services Examination

21 to 32 years

Graduation

IAS Eligibility Criteria

Indian Forest Service Examination (IFS)

21 to 32 years

Graduation


I.E.S./I.S.S. (Indian Economic Services/ Indian Statistical Services)

21 to 30 years

Post-Graduate (IES)

Masters or Graduation (ISS)


Combined Geo-Scientist and Geologist Examination

21 to 32 years

Masters degree


ESE (Engineering Services Examination)

21 to 30 years

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

ESE Eligibility Criteria

CMS (Combined Medical Services Examination)

Not more than 32 years

MBBS


CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces)

20 to 25 years

Graduation

CAPF Eligibility Criteria

Please note that it is extremely important for candidates to check whether they are eligible for an UPSC exam before applying, as candidates who are found to be ineligible at any stage of the process run the risk of getting their candidature cancelled.

UPSC Recruitment 2026 Application Process

After checking their UPSC eligibility, candidates can proceed to apply for their choice of exam. The articles linked below describe the application process of each UPSC recruitment 2026 exam. Additionally, candidates can also find direct links to the UPSC application forms 2026 as soon as they are released.

UPSC Application Form 2026

Exam Name

Application Form

NDA (National Defense Academy)

NDA Application Form

CDS (Combined Defense Services)

CDS Application Form

CSE (Civil Services Examination)

IAS Application Form

IFS (Indian Forest Services)

-

I.E.S./I.S.S. (Indian Economic Service/Indian Statistical Services)

IES/ISS Application Form

Combined Geo-Scientist and Geologist

-

ESE (Engineering Services Examination)

ESE Application Form

CMS (Combined Medical Services)

UPSC CMS Application Form

CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces)

CAPF Application Form

Also read: Complete guide for UPSC CSE exam preparation

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

UPSC Recruitment Exam Pattern 2026

Candidates must go through the UPSC 2026 exam pattern of their chosen exam before starting preparation. The exam pattern of UPSC recruitment exams 2026 consist of information such as stages, sections, marking scheme and time duration of each exam and much more. To know the exam pattern of any UPSC exam, candidates can visit the pages linked below.

UPSC Exam Pattern 2026

Exam Name

Exam Pattern

NDA (National Defense Academy)

NDA Exam Pattern

CDS (Combined Defense Services)

CDS Exam Pattern

CSE (Civil Services Examination)

IAS Exam Pattern

CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces)

CAPF Exam Pattern

IFS (Indian Forest Service)

IFS Exam Pattern

I.E.S./I.S.S. (Indian Economic Services/Indian Statistical Services)

-

Combined Geo-Scientist and Geologist Examination

-

ESE (Engineering Services Exam)

UPSC ESE Exam Pattern

CMS (Combined Medical Services)

-

UPSC recruitment 2026 Admit Card

Candidates who have successfully applied for any UPSC recruitment exam 2026 are issued an UPSC 2026 admit card. Candidates can visit the pages linked in the table below for details pertaining to UPSC admit cards, exam day guidelines and more.

UPSC Admit Card 2026

Exam Name

Admit Card

NDA (National Defense Academy)

NDA Admit Card

CDS (Combined Defense Services)

CDS Admit Card

CSE (Civil Services Examination)

IAS Admit Card

IFS (Indian Forest Service)

IFS Admit Card

I.E.S./I.S.S. (Indian Economic Services/Indian Statistical Services)

IES/ISS Admit Card

Combined Geo-Scientist and Geologist Examination

Combined Geo-Scientist and Geologist Exam Admit Card

ESE (Engineering Services Exam)

ESE Admit Card

CMS (Combined Medical Services Exam)

UPSC CMS Admit Card

CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces)

CAPF Admit Card

UPSC recruitment 2026 Result

Candidates who attempt any UPSC recruitment exam can check their results on the official website. Candidates can find out more about how to access their UPSC result 2026 by going through the result article of their chosen exam. Candidates who have qualified all levels of the exam can occupy one of the vacant posts.

UPSC Result 2026

Exam Name

Result

NDA (National Defense Academy)

NDA Result

CDS (Combined Defense Services)

CDS Result

CSE (Civil Services Examination)

IAS Result

IFS (Indian Forest Service)

IFS Result

I.E.S./I.S.S. (Indian Economic Services/Indian Statistical Services)

IES/ISS Result

Combined Geo-Scientist and Geologist Examination

Combined Geo-Scientist and Geologist Exam Result

ESE (Engineering Services Exam)

ESE Result

CMS (Combined Medical Services Exam)

UPSC CMS Result

CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces)

CAPF Result

Check Here List of Other Government Exams

UPSC Recruitment 2026 - Cut off

The UPSC 2026 Cut off marks is the term for the minimum number of marks a candidate needs in order to qualify for the next round. Candidates can find the cut off information for UPSC recruitment 2026 exams in the table below.

UPSC 2026 Cut off Links

Exam Name

Cut off

NDA (National Defense Academy)

NDA Cut Off

CDS (Combined Defense Services)

CDS Cut Off

CSE (Civil Services Exam)

IAS Cut Off

IFS (Indian Forest Service)

Check here

I.E.S./I.S.S. (Indian Economic Services/Indian Statistical Services)

IES/ISS Cut Off

Combined Geo-Scientist and Geologist Examination

Combined Geo-Scientist and Geologist Cut Off

ESE (Engineering Services Examination)

UPSC ESE Cut Off

CMS (Combined Medical Services Examination)

UPSC CMS Cut Off

CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces)

CAPF Cut Off

UPSC Recruitment Salary 2026

Candidates get recruited for various government posts via the UPSC recruitment 2026 exams. Candidates can find salary details for various UPSC posts in the articles linked below.

Exam Name

Salary

NDA (National Defense Academy)

NDA Salary

CDS (Combined Defense Services)

CDS Salary

CSE (Civil Services Exam)

IAS Salary

IFS (Indian Forest Service)

IFS Officer Salary

I.E.S./I.S.S. (Indian Economic Services/Indian Statistical Services)

IES Salary

Combined Geo-Scientist and Geologist Examination

Combined Geo-Scientist and Geologist Salary

ESE (Engineering Services Examination)

ESE Salary

CMS (Combined Medical Services Examination)

UPSC CMS Salary

CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces)

CAPF Salary

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the syllabus for UPSC 2025?
A:

The UPSC 2025 syllabus varies based on the recruitment exam. You can find details pertaining to the syllabus in the UPSC recruitment exam notifications. 

Q: What are the 24 posts in UPSC?
A:

UPSC CSE 2025 posts include (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFoS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Postal Service, Group ‘A’, Indian Civil Accounts Service, Group ‘A’, and many more. Every year, UPSC CSE vacancies are split across various posts.

Q: Which degree is best for IAS?
A:

Candidates who possess a bachelor’s degree in any recognised discipline are eligible to write the IAS exam.

Q: What is the difference between UPSC and IAS?
A:

UPSC is a government organization that conducts recruitment exams for various government posts. IAS is a type of administrative post in the government. Both terms, UPSC and IAS are colloquial terms for the UPSC Civil Services Examination.

Q: Which is the highest post in UPSC?
A:

The post of Cabinet secretary is the highest paid UPSC post, with a salary of Rs 2,50,000.

Q: How many exams of UPSC are there?
A:

UPSC holds around 13 UPSC exams annually, although the number may vary depending on the posts that are required to be filled.

Q: What are the 9 papers in UPSC mains?
A:

The 9 papers of UPSC mains are Compulsory Indian language, English, Essay, General Studies I, General Studies II, General Studies III, General Studies IV, Optional I and Optional II. 

Q: What is UPSC salary?
A:

You can find out about the salary details of any UPSC post through the pages linked in the article above. 

Q: Can 12th pass apply for UPSC?
A:

12th pass candidates are eligible only for UPSC exams such as NDA and CDS. To check the eligibility criteria of other exams, refer to the eligibility criteria section of the article above. 

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Questions related to UPSC CSE

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to UPSC CSE ?

Hello Aspirant

As your question is not clear, you are asking how to become an IAS, which course or degree you should pursue, and all the related details regarding the IAS. So, I can suggest you choosing the right stream in Intermediate is important.
The Arts/Humanities stream is most helpful

Hello Aspirant

All colleges are the best, and selection mainly depends on you and your consistency. But I can help you regarding this :

After the 10th, you can join PU (11–12th) colleges that offer strong academics and an early IAS foundation.
Some good options are Delhi’s Rajendra Prasad Sarvodaya

Hello

If you want to become an IAS officer, you can choose any group CEC, MPC, or BiPC as IAS does not require a specific subject stream.
However, many students prefer CEC (Commerce, Economics, Civics) or MPC (Maths, Physics, Chemistry) because they help build analytical and general knowledge skills useful

Hello, it’s wonderful to see such clarity at such a young age. Becoming an IAS officer requires consistent preparation, strong general knowledge, and excellent analytical skills. Right now, your main focus should be building a strong base in academics, especially in subjects like History, Geography, and Economics. Start reading NCERT

The choice of your graduation path – integrated BSc BEd (Zoology), BTech CS, or integrated BS-MS at IISER Thiruvananthapuram – to pursue the dream of becoming an IAS officer requires careful consideration.

A Bachelor of Arts degree, particularly in subjects like Political Science, History, or Economics, is often considered the