About Union Public Service Commission Recruitment 2026
Union Public Service Commission has invited applications for Civil Services and Forest Services IAS / IFS Preliminary Examination 2026. There are 1013 vacancies to be filled through this drive. The appointed candidates will be posted in All India. The official notification is available on www.upsc.gov.in.
Interested candidates can submit their applications online through the official portal. the application window opens on 04/02/2026. It is recommended to apply well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Key highlights — age limit: 21 Years–32 Years years; application fee varies by category. Candidates must ensure they meet all eligibility criteria before applying. Detailed information about the selection process, exam pattern, and syllabus is available in the sections below.
Key Highlights
Vacancy Details — Total 1013 Posts
| Post Name | Vacancies | Qualification | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Administrative Service (IAS) - Civil Services | 933 | Bachelor's degree in any stream from a recognized university in India. | — |
| Indian Forest Service (IFS) | 80 | Bachelor's degree with one of the following subjects: Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, Zoology, Agriculture, or equivalent. | — |
📊 Category-wise Reservation
Important Dates
| Application Start | 04/02/2026 |
| Last Date To Apply | 27/02/2026 |
| Last Date To Pay Fee | 27/02/2026 |
| Correction Window | 28/02/2026 to 03/03/2026 |
| Pre Exam Date | 24/05/2026 |
| Admit Card Available | 15/05/2026 |
✏️ Correction Window: 28/02/2026 to 03/03/2026
Application Fee
| General | 100 |
| OBC | 100 |
| EWS | 100 |
| SC | 0 |
| ST | 0 |
| PH / / / PwD | 0 |
| 0 |
Age Limit & Relaxation
| Minimum Age | 21 Years Years |
| Maximum Age | 32 Years Years |
| Age Cutoff Date | 01/08/2026 |
| Relaxation (SC) | 5 years |
| Relaxation (ST) | 5 years |
| Relaxation (OBC) | 3 years |
| Relaxation (PWD) | 10 years |
* Age relaxation is applicable as per government rules for reserved categories.
Educational Qualification & Eligibility
Bachelor's degree in any stream (IAS) or specific subjects (IFS) from a recognized university.
Selection Process
Preliminary Examination
Main Examination
Personality Test (Interview)
Exam Pattern & Syllabus
| Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| General Studies Paper-I | 200 | 2 hours |
| General Studies Paper-II (CSAT) | 200 | 2 hours |
Documents Required
* Candidates must carry original documents for verification at the time of interview / document verification.
How To Apply
Visit the official website of Union Public Service Commission — https://www.upsc.gov.in.
Read the official notification carefully and check your eligibility.
Click on the "Apply Online" / "Registration" link for Civil Services and Forest Services IAS / IFS Preliminary Examination 2026.
Complete the registration by providing a valid email ID and mobile number.
Fill in all required details: personal information, educational qualifications, work experience (if applicable), and address.
Upload scanned copies of your photograph (passport size), signature, and required documents as per the specifications.
Pay the application fee online through the available payment gateway (if applicable).
Review all entered details carefully before final submission.
Submit the application form and take a printout / save a PDF copy for future reference.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the important dates for Civil Services and Forest Services IAS / IFS Preliminary Examination 2026?
Application Start: 04/02/2026
What is the minimum educational qualification for Civil Services and Forest Services IAS / IFS Preliminary Examination 2026?
Bachelor's degree in any stream (IAS) or specific subjects (IFS) from a recognized university.
What is the age limit for Civil Services and Forest Services IAS / IFS Preliminary Examination 2026?
Minimum Age: 21 Years years.
Maximum Age: 32 Years years.
Age relaxation is applicable as per government norms.
What is the application fee for Civil Services and Forest Services IAS / IFS Preliminary Examination 2026?
General: 100
OBC: 100
EWS: 100
SC: 0
ST: 0
PwD: 0
Female: 0
What is the selection process for Civil Services and Forest Services IAS / IFS Preliminary Examination 2026?
Preliminary Examination
Main Examination
Personality Test (Interview)
What is the last date to apply for UPSC Civil Services/Forest Services Preliminary Exam 2026?
The last date to apply online is 27/02/2026 up to 06:00 PM.
What is the application fee for General category candidates?
The application fee for General/OBC/EWS category candidates is ₹100.
Are SC/ST candidates exempted from paying the application fee?
Yes, SC/ST/PwD/Female candidates are exempted from paying the application fee.
What is the minimum and maximum age limit for applying to UPSC Civil Services/Forest Services Exam 2026?
The minimum age is 21 years and the maximum age is 32 years as of 01/08/2026.
What is the age relaxation for OBC candidates?
OBC candidates are eligible for a 3-year age relaxation.
What is the exam date for UPSC Civil Services/Forest Services Preliminary Exam 2026?
The Preliminary Exam is scheduled for 24/05/2026.
When will the admit card for the Preliminary Exam be available?
The admit card will be available from 15/05/2026 on the UPSC website.
What is the qualification required for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS)?
Candidates need a Bachelor's degree in any stream from a recognized university in India.
What is the qualification required for the Indian Forest Service (IFS)?
Candidates need a Bachelor's degree with one of the following subjects: Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, Zoology, Agriculture, or equivalent.
How many vacancies are there for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS)?
There are 933 vacancies for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).
How many vacancies are there for the Indian Forest Service (IFS)?
There are 80 vacancies for the Indian Forest Service (IFS).
What is the total number of vacancies for UPSC Civil Services/Forest Services Exam 2026?
The total number of vacancies is 1013.
What is the negative marking scheme in the Preliminary Exam?
There is a negative marking of 1/3rd of the marks assigned to the question for incorrect answers.
What are the subjects in the Preliminary Exam?
The Preliminary Exam consists of General Studies Paper-I (200 marks) and General Studies Paper-II (CSAT, 200 marks).
What is the duration of the Preliminary Exam?
Each paper in the Preliminary Exam is of 2 hours duration.