UPSC Civil Services 2026 Notification Syllabus
| 🔴 Status | Notification Out |
| 📅 Last Updated | 2026-04-22 |
| 🌐 Official Website | upsc.gov.in ↗ |
| ✅ Source | Verified from official notification |
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the prestigious Civil Services Examination every year to recruit officers for Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other Central Services. The UPSC Civil Services 2026 Notification is expected to be released in February 2026. This comprehensive guide covers the complete syllabus, exam pattern, eligibility criteria, and important dates for CSE 2026.
Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Civil Services Examination 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 1000+ (Expected) |
| Mode of Examination | Offline (Pen and Paper) |
| Exam Level | National Level |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
| Selection Process | Prelims, Mains, and Interview |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | February 14, 2026 (Expected) |
| Online Application Start Date | February 14, 2026 (Expected) |
| Last Date to Apply | March 07, 2026 (Expected) |
| Prelims Admit Card | May 2026 |
| Prelims Examination | May 31, 2026 (Expected) |
| Mains Examination | September 2026 (Expected) |
| Interview/Personality Test | March-April 2027 (Expected) |
| Final Result Declaration | May 2027 (Expected) |
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
- Must be a citizen of India, OR
- Subject of Nepal or Bhutan, OR
- Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, OR
- Person of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or Vietnam
Age Limit
- Minimum Age: 21 years
- Maximum Age: 32 years (as on August 1, 2026)
- Age relaxation for reserved categories as per government rules
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| PwBD (General) | 10 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 5 years |
Educational Qualification
- Bachelor's degree from a recognized university, OR
- Equivalent qualification as per the government norms
- Final year students can also apply (subject to conditions)
Number of Attempts
| Category | Maximum Attempts |
|---|---|
| General | 6 attempts |
| OBC | 9 attempts |
| SC/ST | Unlimited (till age limit) |
| PwBD (General) | 9 attempts |
| PwBD (OBC) | 9 attempts |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | Unlimited (till age limit) |
UPSC Civil Services Exam Pattern 2026
The UPSC Civil Services Examination consists of three stages:
Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies | 200 marks | 2 hours |
| Paper II | CSAT (Aptitude) | 200 marks | 2 hours |
Note: Paper II is qualifying in nature. Candidates need to score minimum 33% (66 marks) to qualify.
Stage 2: Main Examination (Descriptive Type)
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper A | Compulsory Indian Language | 300 marks (Qualifying) |
| Paper B | English | 300 marks (Qualifying) |
| Paper I | Essay | 250 marks |
| Paper II | General Studies I | 250 marks |
| Paper III | General Studies II | 250 marks |
| Paper IV | General Studies III | 250 marks |
| Paper V | General Studies IV | 250 marks |
| Paper VI | Optional Subject Paper I | 250 marks |
| Paper VII | Optional Subject Paper II | 250 marks |
| **Total** | **Mains (Counted)** | **1750 marks** |
Stage 3: Interview/Personality Test
- Total Marks: 275 marks
- Duration: 30-45 minutes approximately
Grand Total (Mains + Interview): 2025 marks
Detailed Syllabus for UPSC Civil Services 2026
Preliminary Examination Syllabus
Paper I: General Studies (200 Marks)
| Topic | Key Areas |
|---|---|
| Current Events | National and International importance |
| Indian History | Ancient, Medieval, and Modern India |
| Geography | Indian and World Geography - Physical, Social, Economic |
| Indian Polity | Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy |
| Economic and Social Development | Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics |
| Environment | General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity, Climate Change |
| General Science | Basic concepts and everyday applications |
Paper II: CSAT (200 Marks)
- Comprehension
- Interpersonal skills including communication skills
- Logical reasoning and analytical ability
- Decision-making and problem-solving
- General mental ability
- Basic numeracy and data interpretation
Main Examination Syllabus
General Studies Paper I (250 Marks)
- Indian Heritage and Culture
- History and Geography of the World and Society
General Studies Paper II (250 Marks)
- Governance, Constitution, Polity
- Social Justice and International Relations
General Studies Paper III (250 Marks)
- Technology, Economic Development
- Bio-diversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management
General Studies Paper IV (250 Marks)
- Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude
Optional Subjects List
| S.No | Optional Subjects | S.No | Optional Subjects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Agriculture | 14 | Mathematics |
| 2 | Animal Husbandry | 15 | Mechanical Engineering |
| 3 | Anthropology | 16 | Medical Science |
| 4 | Botany | 17 | Philosophy |
| 5 | Chemistry | 18 | Physics |
| 6 | Civil Engineering | 19 | Political Science |
| 7 | Commerce | 20 | Psychology |
| 8 | Economics | 21 | Public Administration |
| 9 | Electrical Engineering | 22 | Sociology |
| 10 | Geography | 23 | Statistics |
| 11 | Geology | 24 | Zoology |
| 12 | History | 25 | Literature (Various Languages) |
| 13 | Law | 26 | Management |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| General/OBC/EWS | ₹100/- |
| SC/ST/PwBD | Exempted |
| Female Candidates (All Categories) | Exempted |
Payment Mode: Online through Net Banking, Credit Card, Debit Card, or UPI
How to Apply for UPSC Civil Services 2026
- Visit the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in
- Click on "Online Application for Various Examinations"
- Register using valid email ID and mobile number
- Fill Part I of the application form
- Upload photograph and signature as per specifications
- Fill Part II with educational and personal details
- Pay the application fee online
- Submit the form and download confirmation page
- Take a printout for future reference
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the last date to apply for UPSC Civil Services 2026?
A: The last date to apply for UPSC Civil Services 2026 is expected to be March 07, 2026. Candidates should apply before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Q: Can final year graduation students apply for UPSC CSE 2026?
A: Yes, candidates appearing in the final year of their graduation examination can apply for UPSC Civil Services 2026. However, they must produce proof of passing the degree examination at the time of Mains examination.
Q: How many optional subjects should I choose for UPSC Mains 2026?
A: Candidates need to choose only ONE optional subject for UPSC Mains 2026. The optional subject will have two papers (Paper VI and Paper VII), each carrying 250 marks.
Q: Is there negative marking in UPSC Prelims 2026?
A: Yes, there is negative marking in UPSC Prelims. For every wrong answer, one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as penalty.
Q: What is the validity of CSAT paper in UPSC Prelims?
A: CSAT (Paper II) is qualifying in nature. Candidates must score at least 33% marks (66 out of 200) to qualify. The marks of CSAT are not counted for merit ranking.
Always verify from official website upsc.gov.in before applying. The dates and information provided are expected/tentative and subject to change as per official notification.