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UPSC IAS 2026 - The Union Public Service Commission releases the UPSC IAS notification 2026. The board releases the UPSC IAS 2026 application form along with the notification on the official website, upsc.gov.in. Candidates can fill and submit the UPSC IAS application form 2026 in online mode only. It is advised to check the UPSC IAS eligibility criteria 2025 before filling the form. Only the candidates who successfully submit the application form will be issued the UPSC IAS admit card 2026.
The UPSC conducts UPSC IAS exam every year to recruit eligible candidates into Indian Administrative Services. Candidates of Indian origin and within an age group of 21 to 32 years will be eligible to appear for UPSC IAS 2026. For more details regarding syllabus, exam pattern, and important dates, candidates can check the article given below.
IAS full form | Indian Administrative Services / Civil Services Examination |
Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission |
Official website | upsc.gov.in |
UPSC IAS vacancy | TBA |
Level of Exam | National |
Selection criteria |
|
Medium of exam | English and Hindi |
Mode of Exam | Offline |
Application fee | Rs. 100 |
Total exam centres | Preliminary - 80 Mains - 24 |
The Union Public Service Commission will declare all the dates regarding UPSC Indian Administrative Services in the official notification. To be updated on the recent and upcoming UPSC IAS exam dates 2026, candidates are advised to keep checking the official website regularly. The table below details on important UPSC IAS dates.
Events | Prelims Exam | Mains Exam |
UPSC IAS Notification | TBA | TBA |
IAS application form 2026 | TBA | TBA |
Last date to apply for UPSC IAS 2026 | TBA | TBA |
UPSC IAS application form correction | TBA | TBA |
UPSC IAS 2025 admit card | TBA | TBA |
IAS exam date 2025 | TBA | TBA |
UPSC IAS result date | TBA | TBA |
IAS 2025 personality test | TBA | TBA |
Final UPSC IAS result 2025 | TBA | TBA |
UPSC IAS vacancy 2026 will be declared in the official notification by the Commission. Candidates can check the post wise UPSC IAS 2026 vacancy from the official website, upsc.gov.in. The previous years IAS vacancies has been listed in the table below.
Year | Number of openings |
2026 | TBA |
2025 | 979 |
2024 | 1056 |
2023 | 1105 |
2022 | 1011 |
2021 | 712 |
2020 | 796 |
The various posts under UPSC IAS recruitment 2026 are divided into two different categories like All India Services and Central Government Services. The Category wise distribution of UPSC IAS posts 2026 are given in the table below.
Category | Name of the Post |
All India Services | Indian Administrative Services (IAS) |
Indian Police Services (IPS) | |
Indian Forest Services (IFS) | |
Central Government Services | Indian Foreign Services (IFS) |
Indian P & T Accounts & Finance Service | |
Indian Audit and Accounts Service | |
Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central Excise) | |
Indian Defence Accounts Service | |
Indian Revenue Service (I.T.) | |
Indian Ordnance Factories Service | |
Indian Postal Service | |
Indian Civil Accounts Service | |
Indian Railway Traffic Service | |
Indian Railway Accounts Service | |
Indian Railway Personnel Service | |
Post of Assistant Security Commissioner in Railway Protection Force | |
Indian Defence Estates Service | |
Indian Information Service | |
Indian Trade Service | |
Indian Corporate Law Service | |
Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service | |
Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Civil Service | |
Pondicherry Police Service | |
Pondicherry Civil Service | |
Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Police Service |
The UPSC IAS eligibility criteria 2026 will be prescribed by the Union Public Service Commission in the official notification. The UPSC IAS 2026 eligibility criteria details on nationality, age and qualification of applicants which must be met while filling the application form. Only those candidates fulfilling the eligibility conditions will be able to apply for UPSC IAS 2026. For more accurate details on IAS eligibility criteria 2026, candidates can refer to the article below.
Particulars | Details |
Nationality | Indian |
Age | 21 - 32 years |
Qualification | Graduate in any field from a recognised board or university |
UPSC attempt limit |
|
The UPSC IAS application form 2025 will be released online sometime along with the notification pdf. Candidates fulfilling the eligibility criteria will be able to fill the IAS 2026 application form on the official website, upsc.gov.in. The steps to fill the IAS application form is as follows.
Visit the official UPSC Login website, upsc.gov.in.
Login using the mailed OTR credentials after successful registration
Check the UPSC apply online link mentioned on the home page
Fill all the details in the UPSC IAS application form
Upload prescribed documents in order
Pay the IAS application fee online
Submit the online form and print a copy for future reference
The UPSC IAS syllabus 2026 will be prescribed by the Commission. For UPSC IAS 2026 syllabus pdf download, candidates can check the official website. The UPSC IAS syllabus pdf will mention all the topics and subtopics appearing in the exam. The topic wise distribution of IAS syllabus 2026 will be mentioned in the official notification.
The UPSC IAS 2026 exam pattern is provided in the official Indian Administrative Services notification. The IAS exam pattern 2026 will give an idea on number of questions, total marks, duration of exam and more. The table below gives stage wise details on UPSC IAS 2026 paper pattern.
Number of Papers | Two |
Medium of Exam | Hindi and English |
Exam Duration | Total 4 hours (2 hours for each paper) |
Number of questions | General Studies
|
Total Marks | 400 (200 for each paper) |
IAS Prelims qualifying marks | 33% |
Papers | Nine |
Medium | Assamese, Bengali, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu |
Duration | 3 hours for each paper |
Subjects |
|
Total questions | Part A & B - 300 each GS and optional paper - 250 each |
Maximum marks | 1750 |
The Union Public Service Commission will prescribe a list of UPSC IAS exam centres 2026 across the country. Candidates can select the nearby UPSC IAS 2026 exam centre for them while filling the application form. They can find the area wise list of UPSC IAS exam centres in the official notification.
The UPSC will release the UPSC IAS admit card 2026 at least one week before the exam day. Candidates who applied for the exam will be able to download the IAS admit card 2025 from the official website, upsc.gov.in. The UPSC IAS admit card will contain details on name of candidate, exam center address, exam timings, guidelines and more. It is advised to carry a copy of IAS 2026 admit card along with an ID proof to the exam hall for verification purposes.
The UPSC IAS 2026 exam day guidelines will be listed in the admit card. Candidates are advised to go through the IAS exam guidelines before appearing for IAS 2026. The details on Indian Administrative Services exam guidelines has been given below.
Candidates must arrive to the exam centre at least an hour before the exam starts
They must carry a copy of government issued ID along with the IAS admit card to the exam hall for verification
Examinees are not allowed to leave the exam hall till the time concludes
No kind of gadgets and electronic devices will be allowed inside the exam hall
Candidates are allowed to bring a ball pointed pen and transparent water bottle inside the exam hall.
The official UPSC IAS answer key 2026 will be released by Union Public Service Commission after the conclusion of exam. The UPSC answer key will be released in two stages, provisional and final. First a provisional IAS answer key is released which can be challenged by the candidates with a valid proof and applicable fee. Considering all objections, a final UPSC IAS answer key will be released.
The UPSC IAS 2026 answer key will be released at different time interval for various stages of exam like prelims, mains and interview. A direct link to download the IAS 2026 answer key will be provided on this page after official or unofficial release.
The UPSC will not provide any official UPSC IAS exam analysis 2026. However, many leading coaching institutes will make list of UPSC IAS 2026 exam analysis on their respective websites. The UPSC IAS analysis will give an idea to the candidates on difficulty level of exam. The exam analysis of UPSC IAS 2026 will be prepared considering the live feedback given by the examinees.
Other articles:
The UPSC board will release all the sets of UPSC IAS question papers 2026 on its official website. Candidates can download the previous years UPSC IAS question papers at upsc.gov.in. The IAS question papers will give candidates good practice for the examination. The UPSC IAS 2026 question paper will enhance the accuracy of candidates for the final exam.
Year of Exam | Paper 1 | Paper 2 |
2025 | Download | Download |
2024 | Download | Download |
2023 | Download | Download |
2022 | Download | Download |
2021 | Download | Download |
The Union Public Service Commission will declare the UPSC IAS result 2026 a few days after the exam concludes. The UPSC IAS result pdf will be available online at upsc.gov.in. The IAS result 2026 will mention the name of the candidate along with their qualifying status and cutoff marks. Only those who qualify in prelims exam will be eligible for mains and further interview stage of UPSC recruitment 2026.
The UPSC IAS 2026 cutoff will be declared by the UPSC after the exam concludes. The UPSC IAS cutoff 2025 is released in pdf format along with the result online. The IAS 2026 cutoff marks is the minimum score candidates need to get in order to qualify the exam. The IAS cutoff is released separately for each stage of exam. Candidates can check the previous years UPSC IAS cutoff marks to predict the present year cutoff scores.
The UPSC IAS selection process 2026 consists of three basic stages, preliminary, mains and interview. Candidates who qualify in all the stages of UPSC exam will be recruited under Group A & B posts listed above in the article.
Teaching exams:
The UPSC IAS salary 2026 is the remuneration provided by the government of India. After successful completion and passing of all the recruitment tests, candidates will be offered the IAS salary 2026 of Rs. 56,100 as a basic pay. Other benefits and allowances like HRA, DA, TA and medical insurance will be included in the IAS salary. Upon gaining experience and promotions with successive years, the IAS officers salary will go high to Rs. 2,50,000 per month.
Any candidates of indian origin within an age group of 21 to 32 years and having a basic bachelors degree will be eligible to appear for the IAS 2026.
All the UPSC IAS exam dates 2026 will be mentioned in the official IAS notification online.
Candidates can prepare for the IAS exam by preparing a dedicated study plan and referring to previous years question papers and making it a daily practice.
No, as the UPSC IAS age requirement falls between 21 to 30 years, it is not possible to sit for the exam at 40. However, referring to age relaxation it might be possible for some categories.
The average IAS officer salary can start from Rs. 56,100 to 2,50,00 over time and promotions.
Others:28 January,2025 - 30 April,2025
Others:31 January,2025 - 30 April,2025
Application Date:28 March,2025 - 29 April,2025
Others:31 March,2025 - 30 April,2025
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.
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!!
Hello Rishika,
You can take any stream for becoming IAS. As per the eligibility criteria of UPSC IAS , student have to graduate from any stream from any recognised university or college. So it's doesn't matter from which stream you choose. But if you really want to become IAS, then humanities , arts related subject helps you alot.
To know more, kindly go through the given link:
https://competition.careers360.com/exams/upsc-cse
Good luck!
Greetings! Here's a detailed response to your query
To start your prep for IAS exams without any coaching and free of cost here are some pointers you can follow :-
1.Understand the exam- To get started with IAS prep, first grab the official UPSC syllabus for both the first exam (Prelims) and the main exam (Mains) from their website. Understand what you need to study and how important each topic is.
Next, learn how the exam is set up. There are three parts: a multiple-choice test (Prelims), a written exam with long answers (Mains), and an interview. Know how many papers are in each, how you get marks, and how much time you get.
Finally, look at old exam papers from the last 5 to 10 years. This will give you an idea of how tough the exam is, what kinds of questions they ask, and which topics you should really focus on.
2.Build a strong foundation-Begin your IAS study with NCERT books from classes 6 to 12 for subjects like History, Geography, Civics, Economics, and Science. These will give you a basic understanding. Once you know the basics well, switch to standard books for each subject. You can find lists of recommended books online from people who've cleared the exam. Some popular ones are mentioned for Polity, Economy, Modern History, and Geography.
3.Stay updated with current affairs- To stay updated for IAS, read a good national newspaper every day (like The Hindu or Indian Express) and jot down important news from India and the world. Also, read magazines like Yojana and Kurukshetra to understand social and economic topics deeply. Check websites like PIB and those of research groups for info on government plans and reports.
4.Utilize free online resources-For IAS prep help, check out websites like BYJU'S, ClearIAS, and Mrunal. They have free study stuff. Also, watch YouTube channels by teachers and ex-IAS officers for tips and lessons. Join online groups to ask questions and learn from others preparing for the exam.
5.Mock tests and self assessment-Take free practice tests online for both Prelims and Mains to see how ready you are and what you need to work on. After each test, check what you did wrong and focus on fixing those things. Remember to study regularly, believe in yourself, and take breaks so you don't get too tired. Consistency is more important than studying for many hours at once.
I hope this helps . Financial problems can never stop one from dreaming and achieving things in their life. Stay motivated!!!
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