UPSC
GovernmentCentral GovtApplications ClosedPartially Verified
UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)All IndiaLast verified: 8 Oct 2026
Total Vacancies
1,056 Posts
Qualification
Graduate
Apply Deadline
25 Feb 2026
Applications Closed
Exam Schedule
Mains Written Examination Conducted — Awaiting next stage
Direct Official Source
Official Recruitment Notification PDF
As per LakshyaNaukri verification guidelines, official recruitment advertisements are served directly from official government portal servers. No local PDF hosting.
Source: OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION • Checked: 8 Oct 2026
Official PDF unavailable
Official WebsiteJob Summary & Overview
Premier recruitment examination for IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, and Central Group 'A' Civil Services of the Government of India.
OrganizationUnion Public Service Commission (UPSC)
CategoryGovernment
Typegovernment
Important Dates & Schedule
What's next
Personality Test / Interview
Date to be announced
Applications open
4 Feb 2026
Last date to apply
25 Feb 2026
Preliminary Examination
Held
24 May 2026
Mains Written Examination
Held
21–28 Aug 2026
Personality Test / Interview
To be announced
| Event / Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Open Date | 4 Feb 2026 |
| Application Closing Date | 25 Feb 2026 |
Preliminary ExaminationCONDUCTED | 24 May 2026 |
Mains Written ExaminationCONDUCTED Date source: UPSC Official Examination Timetable Mains examination conducted 21–28 Aug 2026. | 21–28 Aug 2026 |
Personality Test / InterviewNOT DECLARED | TBA |
Vacancy Details & Post Breakdown
Total Available Vacancies1,056 Posts
Eligibility Criteria & Age Limit
Educational Qualification
- Degree from a University incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India.
Age Limit Criteria
Age Range21 to 32 Years
Calculated as of: 1 Aug 2026
Age Relaxation:
- OBC: +3 years (9 attempts)
- SC/ST: +5 years (Unlimited)
Check your age for this recruitment
Your age is counted on 1 Aug 2026, the date the notice uses. Nothing you enter is saved or sent.
This checks age only, using the limits shown above. Qualification, other relaxations and the final decision are as per the official notification.
Application Fee & Payment Modes
| Category | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| General / OBC | ₹100 |
| SC / ST / PwBD | Nil |
Accepted Payment Modes:Visa/Mastercard/RupayNet BankingUPI
Selection Process
1
Civil Services Preliminary Examination (Objective)
2
Civil Services Main Examination (Written — 1750 Marks)
3
Personality Test / Interview (275 Marks)
Exam Pattern
Preliminary Examination Paper-I (General Studies)
Offline OMR Objective · 2 hours · 100 questions · 200 marks
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Studies | 100 | 200 |
Negative marking: 1/3 (0.33) of marks assigned to each question
2 hours duration. Marks obtained in Paper-I alone are counted for shortlisting candidates for the Main Examination.
Preliminary Examination Paper-II (CSAT)
Offline OMR Objective · 2 hours · 80 questions · 200 marks
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Studies Paper-II (CSAT) | 80 | 200 |
Negative marking: 1/3 (0.33) of marks assigned to each question
2 hours duration. Qualifying paper with minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33% (66 marks). Marks not counted for shortlisting to Mains.
Main Examination (Written Conventional)
Offline Conventional Descriptive · 1750 marks
| Subject | Marks |
|---|---|
| Paper-A Indian Language (Qualifying) | 300 |
| Paper-B English (Qualifying) | 300 |
| Paper-I Essay | 250 |
| Paper-II General Studies I | 250 |
| Paper-III General Studies II | 250 |
| Paper-IV General Studies III | 250 |
| Paper-V General Studies IV | 250 |
| Paper-VI Optional Subject Paper 1 | 250 |
| Paper-VII Optional Subject Paper 2 | 250 |
9 papers total. Qualifying papers (not counted for ranking): Paper-A Indian Language (300 marks, 180m) & Paper-B English (300 marks, 180m). Merit papers (1750 marks total, 180 mins each): Paper-I Essay (250m), Papers II to V GS I-IV (250m each), Papers VI & VII Optional Subject (250m each).
Personality Test (Interview)
Offline Face to Face · 275 marks
Candidates who obtain minimum qualifying marks in Written Main Examination are called for Interview (275 marks). Final ranking is based on Written Main (1750 marks) + Interview (275 marks) = 2025 marks.
As stated in the official notification. Check it for the final word.
Syllabus
Preliminary Examination
General Studies Paper-I7 topics
- Current events of national and international importance
- History of India and Indian National Movement
- Indian and World Geography - Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World
- Indian Polity and Governance - Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues
- Economic and Social Development - Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives
- General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change
- General Science
General Studies Paper-II (CSAT)7 topics
- Comprehension
- Interpersonal skills including communication skills
- Logical reasoning and analytical ability
- Decision-making and problem-solving
- General mental ability
- Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude) (Class X level)
- Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency) (Class X level)
Main Examination
Paper-I Essay2 topics
- Writing essays on multiple specified contemporary socio-economic, philosophical and political topics
- Orderly arrangement of ideas and concise, effective expression
Paper-II General Studies I14 topics
- Indian culture: Salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times
- Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present - significant events, personalities, issues
- The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors / contributions from different parts of the country
- Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country
- History of the world: events from 18th century such as Industrial Revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization
- Political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism - their forms and effect on the society
- Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India
- Role of women and women's organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies
- Effects of globalization on Indian society, Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism and secularism
- Salient features of world's physical geography
- Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent)
- Factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India)
- Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc.
- Geographical features and their location-changes in critical geographical features and flora and fauna and the effects of such changes
Paper-III General Studies II23 topics
- Indian Constitution - historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure
- Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure
- Devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein
- Separation of powers between various organs, dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions
- Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries
- Parliament and State legislatures - structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these
- Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary - Ministries and Departments of the Government
- Pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity
- Salient features of the Representation of People's Act
- Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies
- Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies
- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation
- Development processes and the development industry - the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and donors, charities, institutional stakeholders
- Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes
- Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections
- Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources
- Issues relating to poverty and hunger
- Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance, citizen charters, transparency and institutional measures
- Role of civil services in a democracy
- India and its neighborhood- relations
- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests
- Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora
- Important International institutions, agencies and fora - their structure, mandate
Paper-IV General Studies III23 topics
- Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment
- Inclusive growth and issues arising from it
- Government Budgeting
- Major crops - cropping patterns in various parts of the country - different types of irrigation and irrigation systems
- Storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers
- Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System - objectives, functioning, limitations
- Buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing
- Food processing and related industries in India - scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management
- Land reforms in India
- Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth
- Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
- Investment models
- Science and Technology - developments and their applications and effects in everyday life
- Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology
- Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights
- Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
- Disaster and disaster management
- Linkages between development and spread of extremism
- Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security
- Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges
- Basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention
- Security challenges and their management in border areas - linkages of organized crime with terrorism
- Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate
Paper-V General Studies IV14 topics
- Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences in human actions
- Dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships
- Human Values - lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family, society and educational institutions
- Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion
- Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy
- Emotional intelligence - concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance
- Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world
- Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions
- Laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance
- Strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance
- Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information sharing and transparency in government
- Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen's Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds
- Challenges of corruption
- Case Studies on above issues
As listed in the official notification. Check it for the final word.
Preparation strategy, topic explanations, practice questions and paper analysis will be on LakshyaGyan.
How to Apply Online Step-by-Step
- 1Application period for CSE 2026 has ended.
- 2Prelims conducted 24 May 2026. Mains conducted Aug 2026. Await Personality Test / Interview schedule from upsc.gov.in.
- 3Check upsconline.nic.in for e-admit cards and updates.
About Recruiting Body
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is a premier organization responsible for conducting recruitment examinations and selecting qualified candidates across India.