The UPSC Civil Services / Forest Services (IAS / IFS) Prelims Examination 2026 is now open for applications. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) released the official notification for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 and the Indian Forest Service (IFS) Examination 2026 on February 4, 2026. This prestigious exam recruits candidates for top administrative roles like IAS (Indian Administrative Service), IPS (Indian Police Service), IFS (Indian Foreign Service / Indian Forest Service), and other Group A and B central services.
Thousands of aspirants across India, including many from Uttar Pradesh, are preparing for this highly competitive exam. Here’s a complete guide to the UPSC CSE/IFS Prelims 2026, including key dates, eligibility, vacancies, application process.
Important Highlights of UPSC CSE / IFS 2026
Notification Release Date: February 4, 2026
Apply Online Start Date: February 4, 2026
Last Date to Apply: February 24, 2026 (till 6:00 PM IST)
Prelims Exam Date: May 24, 2026 (Sunday)
Mains Exam Start Date: August 21, 2026
Total Vacancies (CSE): Approximately 933 (for various services including IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, etc.)
IFS Vacancies: Specific numbers for Indian Forest Service are announced separately but integrated with CSE Prelims (around 80-100 in recent cycles; check official PDF for exact)
Official Website: upsc.gov.in or upsconline.nic.in (for applications)
Eligibility Criteria
- Nationality: Indian citizen (for IAS/IPS/IFS); certain relaxations for subjects of Nepal/Bhutan or Tibetan refugees.
- Age Limit (as on August 1, 2026): 21 to 32 years (relaxations: OBC +3 years, SC/ST +5 years, PwBD +10 years, etc.).
- Educational Qualification:
- For CSE: Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
- For IFS: Bachelor’s degree with at least one of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, Zoology, or a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Forestry, or Engineering.
- Number of Attempts: General – 6; OBC – 9; SC/ST – unlimited (till age limit); PwBD – 9 (some categories unlimited).
Note: The 2026 notification introduces stricter rules for serving officers (e.g., appointed IAS/IFS candidates may face restrictions on re-attempting without resignation; check official notification for details).
How to Apply Online for UPSC CSE / IFS 2026
Applications are accepted only online through the official portal. Follow these steps:
- Visit https://upsconline.nic.in (new OTR portal).
- Complete One Time Registration (OTR) if not done earlier (provide personal details, photo, signature).
- Log in and select the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2026 (and/or IFS if eligible).
- Fill Part I and Part II of the form carefully.
- Upload scanned documents (photo, signature).
- Pay the fee (if applicable): ₹100 for General/OBC males; all category females are not any amount of fees, SC/ST, PwBD also don’t pay any amount of fees.
- Submit and take a printout of the application.
A correction window of 3 days will be provided after the closure date. Apply early to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Exam Pattern (Prelims)
Two objective papers (both on May 24, 2026):
- General Studies Paper I (200 marks) – Merit-based.
- CSAT (Paper II) (200 marks) – Qualifying (33% required).
Negative marking: 1/3rd for wrong answers. Syllabus covers current affairs, history, geography, polity, economy, environment, science, etc.
More Info.
Download the official notification PDF from upsc.gov.in for full details (syllabus, centers, rules).
Don’t miss the deadline—apply before February 24, 2026! For the latest updates, regularly visit the official UPSC website.
