UPSC Recruitment 2026 - Vacancies, Dates, Eligibility, Exam pattern

UPSC Recruitment 2026 - Union Public Service Commission released the UPSC calendar 2026 at upsc.gov.in. The UPSC Recruitment 2026 gives aspiring candidates the opportunity to join the ranks of services like the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS). Candidates will undergo a rigorous UPSC 2026 selection process which includes a preliminary exam, main exam, and interview. Detailed notification, eligibility criteria and UPSC Recruitment 2026 Syllabus will be released well in advance, providing ample time for candidates to prepare for the exam.

This Story also Contains

1. UPSC Recruitment 2025 - Important dates
2. UPSC Recruitment 2026 - Civil Services exam
3. Combined Geo-Scientist exam
4. Engineering Services exam
5. N.D.A. and NA exam
6. C.D.S. exam
7. Combined Medical Services exam
8. Indian Forest Service Examination
9. Indian Economic Service (IES) and Indian Statistical Service (ISS) Exam

Some important exams which fall under UPSC are:

• Civil Services exam

• Combined Geo-Scientist exam

• Engineering Services exam

• N.D.A. and NA exam

• C.D.S. exam

• Combined Medical Services exam

• Indian Forest Service Examination

• Indian Economic Service (IES) and Indian Statistical Service (ISS) Exam

UPSC 2026 Calendar - Important Dates

UPSC Recruitment 2025 - Important dates

Also read:

• SSC Exams

• Defence Exams

• Police Exams

• UPSC Exams

• Bank Exams

UPSC Recruitment 2026 - Civil Services exam

The Civil Services Examination (CSE) by UPSC is a prestigious test for recruitment into India’s top government positions, including the IAS, IFS, and IPS. It comprises three stages: A preliminary Exam for general knowledge and aptitude, Main Exam for in-depth subject understanding, and a Personal Interview to assess suitability for public service roles.

UPSC Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria- Civil Services Exam2026

The eligibility criteria for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by UPSC include:

• Nationality:
  

  • Indian citizens are eligible.

  • For certain services, citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, or those of Indian origin settled abroad may also apply.

• Age Limit:

Educational Qualification:

• Must hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.

• Final-year students of a degree course can also apply, but they must provide proof of passing the exam at the time of the Main Exam.

Combined Geo-Scientist exam

The Combined Geo-Scientist Examination, administered by UPSC, recruits for various geo-scientist roles in government departments. It features three stages: a Preliminary Exam with objective questions, a Main Exam with descriptive papers in geology or geophysics, and a Personal Interview. The exam aims to select candidates for positions in the Geological Survey of India and allied organisations.

UPSC Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria- Combined Geo-Scientist Exam

• Nationality:

  • Indian citizens are eligible.

  • Citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, or individuals of Indian origin settled abroad may also apply under certain conditions.

Educational Qualification:

• Age Limit:

Also read:

• RRB Exams

• UPSC Calendar

• TET Exams

• Upcoming Government Exams

• Sarkari Result

Engineering Services exam

The Engineering Services Examination (ESE), conducted by UPSC, recruits engineers for various technical and managerial positions in central government departments. It comprises three stages: a Preliminary Exam with objective questions, a Main Exam with detailed engineering papers, and a Personal Interview. The exam targets roles in areas such as Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics engineering.

UPSC Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria- Engineering Services exam

• Nationality:

  • Indian citizens are eligible.

  • Citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, or those of Indian origin who have settled abroad may also apply under certain conditions.

• Educational Qualification:
  

  • Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Technology from a recognized university or institution.

  • Final-year students of an engineering course may also apply, but they must provide proof of passing the degree at the time of the Main Examination.

• Age Limit:
  

  • Generally, candidates must be between 21 and 30 years of age.

  • Age relaxations are available for specific categories:

    • OBC: Up to 33 years.

    • SC/ST: Up to 35 years.

    • PWD: Up to 40 years (10 years’ relaxation for general, 13 years for OBC, and 15 years for SC/ST).

N.D.A. and NA exam

The National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA) Examination, conducted by UPSC, recruits candidates for the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of NDA and the Naval Academy. It consists of a written exam covering Mathematics and General Studies, followed by the Service Selection Board (SSB) interview. This exam trains future leaders of the Indian armed forces.

UPSC Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria- N.D.A. and NA exam

• Nationality:

  • Indian citizens.

  • Citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, or persons of Indian origin who have settled abroad may also apply under certain conditions.

• Educational Qualification:
  

  • Army Wing of NDA: Must have passed the 10+2 examination or equivalent from a recognized board.

  • Navy and Air Force Wings of NDA: Must have passed the 10+2 examination with Physics and Mathematics as subjects.

  • Naval Academy: Must have passed the 10+2 examination with Physics and Mathematics.

• Age Limit:
  

  • Generally, candidates must be between 16.5 and 19.5 years of age at the time of commencement of the course.

  • The exact age limit may vary depending on the year’s notification.

C.D.S. exam

The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination, conducted by UPSC, recruits candidates for the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Indian Air Force Academy, and Officers Training Academy. It includes a written exam with papers in English, General Knowledge, and Mathematics, followed by the Service Selection Board (SSB) interview. The exam prepares candidates for leadership roles in the armed forces.

UPSC Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria- C.D.S. exam

• Nationality:
  

  • Indian citizens.

  • Citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, or those of Indian origin who have settled abroad may also apply under specific conditions.

• Educational Qualification:
  

  • Indian Military Academy (IMA): A Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.

  • Indian Naval Academy (INA): A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from a recognized university.

  • Indian Air Force Academy (IAF): A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from a recognized university.

  • Officers Training Academy (OTA): A Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.

• Age Limit:
  

  • IMA: 19 to 24 years.

  • INA: 19 to 22 years.

  • IAF: 19 to 23 years.

  • OTA: 19 to 25 years.

Combined Medical Services exam

The Combined Medical Services (CMS) Examination, conducted by UPSC, recruits medical officers for central government services. It consists of a written exam with papers on General Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery, and Obstetrics & Gynecology, followed by an interview. The exam aims to select candidates for roles in various government hospitals and health organisations.

UPSC Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria- Combined Medical Services exam

• Nationality:
  

  • Indian citizens.

  • Citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, or those of Indian origin who have settled abroad may also apply under specific conditions.

• Educational Qualification:
  

  • Medical Officers: Must hold an MBBS degree from a recognized university or institution.

  • Final-year MBBS students can also apply but must provide proof of passing the exam by the time of the interview.

• Age Limit:
  

  • Generally, candidates must be between 21 and 32 years of age.

  • Age relaxations are available for specific categories:

• OBC: Up to 35 years.

• SC/ST: Up to 37 years.

• PWD: Up to 42 years (10 years’ relaxation for general, 13 years for OBC, and 15 years for SC/ST).

Indian Forest Service Examination

The Indian Forest Service (IFoS) Examination, conducted by UPSC, selects candidates for forest services. It includes a Preliminary Exam with objective questions, a Main Exam featuring descriptive papers in General Studies and an optional subject, and a Personal Interview. The exam is designed to recruit officers for managing and conserving India’s forest resources and wildlife.

UPSC Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria- Indian Forest Service Examination

• Nationality:
  

  • Indian citizens.

  • Citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, or those of Indian origin who have settled abroad may also apply under certain conditions.

• Educational Qualification:
  

  • Must hold a Bachelor's degree in at least one of the following subjects: Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, or Zoology, or an Engineering degree from a recognized university.

  • Final-year students of such degree programs may also apply but must provide proof of passing the degree at the time of the Main Examination.

• Age Limit:
  

  • Generally, candidates must be between 21 and 32 years of age.

  • Age relaxations are available for specific categories:

• OBC: Up to 35 years.

• SC/ST: Up to 37 years.

• PWD: Up to 42 years (10 years’ relaxation for general, 13 years for OBC, and 15 years for SC/ST).

Also read:

• RRB Exams

• UPSC Calendar

• TET Exams

• Upcoming Government Exams

Indian Economic Service (IES) and Indian Statistical Service (ISS) Exam

The Indian Economic Service (IES) and Indian Statistical Service (ISS) Examination, conducted by UPSC, recruits economists and statisticians for central government roles. The exam includes a written test with papers on General Studies, Economics for IES, and Statistics for ISS, followed by an interview. It selects candidates for positions in economic planning, policy-making, and statistical analysis.

UPSC Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria- Indian Economic Service (IES) and Indian Statistical Service (ISS) Exam

• Nationality:
  

  • Indian citizens.

  • Citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, or those of Indian origin who have settled abroad may also apply under certain conditions.

• Educational Qualification for Indian Economic Service (IES)
  

  • Must hold a Master’s degree in Economics/Applied Economics/Business Economics/Econometrics from a recognized university.

  • Final-year students of these programs may also apply but must provide proof of passing the degree by the time of the interview.

• Educational Qualification for Indian Statistical Service (ISS) Exam
  

  • Must hold a Master’s degree in Statistics/Mathematical Statistics/Applied Statistics from a recognized university.

  • Final-year students of these programs may also apply but must provide proof of passing the degree by the time of the interview.

• Age Limit:
  

  • Generally, candidates must be between 21 and 30 years of age.

  • Age relaxations are available for specific categories:

• OBC: Up to 33 years.

• SC/ST: Up to 35 years.

• PWD: Up to 40 years (10 years’ relaxation for general, 13 years for OBC, and 15 years for SC/ST).