Important Notice: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has notified the Civil Services (IAS) & Indian Forest Service (IFS) Preliminary Examination 2026 for 1,013 posts. The Prelims exam is scheduled for 24 May 2026 at centres across India. Applications were open from 04 February to 27 February 2026 at upsconline.nic.in.
Overview
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Civil Services Preliminary Exam 2026 (IAS / IFS Pre) |
| Total Vacancies | 1,013 (IAS: 933 + IFS: 80) |
| Pre Exam Date | 24 May 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online via upsconline.nic.in |
| Official Website | https://upsc.gov.in/ |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|
| Notification Date | 04 February 2026 |
| Application Start Date | 04 February 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 27 February 2026 (6 PM) |
| Correction Window | 28 Feb – 03 March 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | Before Exam (check upsc.gov.in) |
| Preliminary Exam Date | 24 May 2026 |
| Mains Exam (tentative) | September 2026 |
Vacancy Details
| Service | Vacancies | Note |
|---|
| Indian Administrative Service (IAS) & Allied Services | 933 | Civil Services Examination |
| Indian Forest Service (IFS) | 80 | Separate Mains after common Prelims |
| Total | 1,013 | |
Both IAS and IFS candidates appear for the same Preliminary Exam (GS Paper I + CSAT). IFS candidates then appear for a separate Mains with science-based optional subjects.
Age Limit (as on 01 August 2026)
| Category | Min Age | Max Age | Max Attempts |
|---|
| General | 21 | 32 | 6 |
| OBC (NCL) | 21 | 35 (+3 Years) | 9 |
| SC / ST | 21 | 37 (+5 Years) | Unlimited |
| PH / Divyang (General) | 21 | 42 (+10 Years) | 9 |
| PH / Divyang (SC/ST) | 21 | 47 (+15 Years) | Unlimited |
| Ex-Servicemen | 21 | 37 (+5 Years) | As per rules |
Pay Scale (After Selection)
| Level | Pay (7th CPC) | Grade |
|---|
| Junior Time Scale (IAS/IFS) | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 | Level 10 |
| Senior Time Scale | ₹67,700 – ₹2,08,700 | Level 11 |
| Junior Administrative Grade | ₹78,800 – ₹2,09,200 | Level 12 |
| Additional Secretary / Secretary | ₹1,44,200 – ₹2,18,200 / ₹2,25,000 (fixed) | Level 15/17 |
Educational Qualification
- IAS & Allied Civil Services: Bachelor's Degree in any stream from a recognized Indian university or equivalent
- Indian Forest Service (IFS): Bachelor's Degree with at least one of the following subjects — Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, or Zoology; or a Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture, Forestry, or Engineering
- Final year students are also eligible to apply — they must produce their degree certificate before Mains exam
Preliminary Exam Pattern
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|
| Paper I | General Studies (GS) | 100 | 200 | 2 Hours |
| Paper II | CSAT – Civil Services Aptitude Test | 80 | 200 | 2 Hours |
Note: CSAT (Paper II) is qualifying only — minimum 33% required. Merit is based solely on GS Paper I marks. Negative marking: 1/3 mark deducted per wrong answer.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹100 |
| SC / ST / PH / Female (all categories) | Nil (Exempt) |
| Payment Mode | SBI Net Banking / Debit Card / Credit Card / UPI or SBI Cash Challan |
Selection Process
- Preliminary Exam (24 May 2026): Two objective papers — GS Paper I (merit) and CSAT Paper II (qualifying). Shortlisted candidates proceed to Mains
- Mains Exam (Sep 2026 tentative): 9 papers — 2 qualifying language papers + 7 merit papers including Essay, GS I–IV, and 2 Optional subject papers (IAS); separate IFS Mains with science optionals
- Personality Test / Interview (UPSC Board): 275 marks for IAS; candidates meeting Mains cutoff are called
- Final Merit List: Prepared by UPSC based on Mains + Interview marks; service allotment based on rank and preference
How to Apply
- Visit the official UPSC online portal: https://upsconline.nic.in/
- Register with a valid email ID and mobile number
- Fill Part I (personal / education details) and Part II (fee payment)
- Upload photograph and signature as per specifications
- Submit before 27 February 2026 (applications now closed)
- Download admit card from upsc.gov.in before exam
Required Documents
- Bachelor's Degree certificate / final year enrollment proof
- Class 10 certificate (date of birth proof)
- Caste certificate – SC / ST / OBC (NCL) / EWS if applicable
- PH / disability certificate if applicable
- Ex-Servicemen discharge certificate if applicable
- Valid government-issued photo ID (Aadhaar / Passport / Voter ID)
Pro Tip: UPSC Prelims GS Paper I covers a vast syllabus — History, Geography, Economy, Polity, Environment, and Current Affairs. With the exam on 24 May 2026, focus your last-mile revision on Current Affairs (Jan–May 2026), environment & ecology, and Economy. CSAT Paper II requires only 33% to qualify — do not neglect it but don't over-invest time either. For IFS candidates, additionally prepare your chosen science subject for the separate IFS Mains. Previous year Prelims question papers are freely available on upsc.gov.in — solving the last 5 years is non-negotiable.
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