UPSC CSE 2026 Notification Released: Registration Open For 933 Vacancies, Prelims On May 24

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has issued the official notification for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) and the Indian Forest Service (IFS) Examination 2026 and has opened the online application window. Eligible candidates can submit their applications through the official website, upsconline.nic.in, until 6:00 pm on February 24, 2026.

Through the Civil Services Examination 2026, UPSC aims to recruit candidates for a total of 933 vacancies across various services. As per the notification, the Civil Services Preliminary Examination will be conducted on May 24, 2026, while the Main Examination is scheduled to commence on August 21, 2026.

Key Dates For UPSC CSE 2026

• Notification released: February 4, 2026
• Online application begins: February 4, 2026
• Last date to apply: February 24, 2026 (up to 6:00 pm)
• Preliminary examination: May 24, 2026

How To Apply For UPSC Civil Services 2026?

Candidates must apply exclusively through the UPSC's official online portal at https://upsconline.nic.in. The application process is divided into four stages:

Step 1: Account Creation
Candidates must first create a profile on the portal.

Step 2: Universal Registration
Applicants need to generate a lifetime Universal Registration Number (URN), which will be used for all future UPSC applications.

Step 3: Common Application Form (CAF)
Candidates must fill in general details, capture a live photograph, and upload a clear signature. The signature should be signed three times on white paper using black ink.

Step 4: Examination-Specific Module
Applicants must enter details specific to the Civil Services Examination 2026, including choice of examination centre and payment of the applicable fee.

Vacancy Details For UPSC CSE 2026

UPSC has announced approximately 933 vacancies for the Civil Services Examination 2026. The final number of posts may be revised after confirmation from the respective Cadre Controlling Authorities.

Reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) will be implemented as per government rules.

Out of the total vacancies, 33 posts are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD), distributed as follows:

• Blindness and Low Vision: 7 vacancies
• Deaf and Hard of Hearing: 11 vacancies
• Locomotor Disability: 8 vacancies (including cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims, and muscular dystrophy)
• Multiple Disabilities: 7 vacancies

Number Of Attempts Allowed For UPSC CSE 2026

• General / EWS: 6 attempts
• OBC: 9 attempts
• SC / ST: Unlimited attempts
• PwBD (General / EWS / OBC): 9 attempts
• PwBD (SC / ST): Unlimited attempts

UPSC CSE Prelims 2026: Application Fee

Candidates belonging to SC, ST, Persons with Disabilities (PwBD), and women applicants are exempted from paying the Rs 100 application fee for the preliminary examination. Candidates who qualify for the prelims and apply for the main examination are required to pay an additional Rs 20. However, women, PwBD, SC, and ST candidates are exempt from paying the mains examination fee as well.