The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the notification for Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 and Indian Forest Service (IFS) Examination 2026.
This is India’s most prestigious examination for recruitment to top administrative and forest services.
UPSC Civil Services & IFS 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | UPSC |
| Exam Name | Civil Services Exam (CSE) 2026 |
| Services | IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS & other Group A & B |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Selection Process | Prelims + Mains + Interview |
| Job Location | All India |
Services Under Civil Services Exam
Top Services Include:
- Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
- Indian Police Service (IPS)
- Indian Foreign Service (IFS diplomatic service)
- Indian Forest Service (IFoS)
- Indian Revenue Service (IRS)
- Indian Audit & Accounts Service
- Other Central Services
Important Dates (Tentative 2026)
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Apply Start Date | 04 February 2026 |
| Online Apply Last Date | 27 February 2026 (Extended) |
| Last Date For Fee Payment | 27 February 2026 |
| Pre Exam Date | 24 May 2026 |
| Admit Card | Before Exam |
| Result Date | Will Be Updated Here Soon |
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
- Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from recognized university
For IFS:
- Degree with at least one subject among Animal Husbandry, Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, Zoology, Agriculture, Forestry, Engineering etc.
Age Limit (Expected)
- Minimum Age: 21 Years
- Maximum Age: 32 Years
Age Relaxation:
- OBC: 3 Years
- SC/ST: 5 Years
- PwBD: 10 Years
Number of Attempts
- General: 6 Attempts
- OBC: 9 Attempts
- SC/ST: Unlimited (within age limit)
Application Fee (Expected)
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC | ₹100/- |
| SC / ST / Female / PwBD | No Fee |
| Payment Mode | Online |
Selection Process
Preliminary Examination (Objective)
Main Examination (Descriptive)
Personality Test / Interview
Preliminary Exam Pattern
| Paper | Marks |
|---|---|
| General Studies Paper I | 200 |
| CSAT (Paper II) | 200 (Qualifying) |
- Objective Type
- Negative Marking: 1/3 deduction
- CSAT requires minimum 33% to qualify
Mains Exam Pattern
- 9 Papers (Descriptive)
- Essay
- General Studies I, II, III, IV
- Optional Subject (2 Papers)
- Indian Language (Qualifying)
- English (Qualifying)
Total Marks (Mains + Interview): 2025 Marks
Salary / Pay Scale
IAS / IPS / IFS (Level 10)
- Basic Pay: ₹56,100/-
- Plus DA, HRA, TA
- Cabinet Secretary can reach ₹2,50,000 per month
Other perks:
✔ Official Residence
✔ Vehicle & Staff
✔ Medical Facilities
✔ Pension Benefits
Required Documents
- Graduation Certificate
- ID Proof
- Category Certificate (if applicable)
- Passport Size Photo
- Signature
IMPORTANT LINKS
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Check Date Extend Notice | Click Here |
| Check Official Notification | Click Here |
| UPSC Official Website | Click Here |
Why Apply for UPSC CSE 2026?
✔ India’s Most Prestigious Career
✔ High Salary & Respect
✔ Leadership & Policy Making Role
✔ National & International Exposure
✔ Job Security