NEELGYAN EXAM GUIDE
UPSC Civil Services Examination Guide
Civil Services Examination (CSE)
2026 examination cycle · Union Public Service Commission
Written and source-checked by NeelGyan Team · Last verified 2 August 2026
Checked against the official sources linked below
Current cycle
2026
Current stage
Main examination upcoming
Next key date
21 August 2026
Vacancies
About 933
Conducting body
Union Public Service Commission
Selection route
Prelims → Main → Interview
2026 cycle tracker
- Notification4 Feb
- ApplicationsClosed 27 Feb
- Prelims24 May
- Prelims result15 Jun
- Main21–30 AugYou are here
- InterviewAwaited
On This Page
Exam Resources
Conducting body
Union Public Service Commission
Student level
Graduate recruitment
About UPSC Civil Services Examination
What is UPSC Civil Services Examination?
The Union Public Service Commission Civil Services Examination, commonly searched as UPSC CSE or the IAS exam, is the common competitive route for recruitment to the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Foreign Service, Indian Police Service and several other participating Group A and Group B services and posts. It is one examination with three successive stages: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination and Interview/Personality Test.
The Preliminary Examination is a screening stage. Candidates who clear it can enter the Main Examination, but their Prelims marks are not added to the final merit score. Final ranking is based on the seven merit-counting Main papers and the Interview/Personality Test. Service allocation then depends on final rank, preferences, vacancies and the applicable eligibility and service rules.
This is an evergreen guide at a yearless URL. Current-cycle facts are labelled 2026 and separated from stable guidance so students can quickly see what has happened, what is next and which official source supports the information. Dates, vacancies, fees and result status can change, so use the linked UPSC pages and notice as the final authority.
Latest UPSC CSE Updates
Current cycle updates, newest first
UPSC CSE Highlights
Key details for the current examination cycle
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Exam name | Civil Services Examination |
| Common names | UPSC CSE, IAS exam |
| Conducting body | Union Public Service Commission |
| Frequency | Usually once a year |
| Exam mode | Offline, pen-and-paper |
| Stages | Prelims, Main and Interview |
| 2026 vacancies | Approximately 933; subject to change |
| Application status | Closed |
| Current status | Main upcoming |
| Main dates | 21–23 August and 29–30 August 2026 |
UPSC CSE Vacancy Trend
Vacancy trend · official figures
The 2021–2025 values are final government-reported vacancies. The 2026 value is UPSC's approximate expected count at notification and may change after firm vacancies are received from Cadre Controlling Authorities.
UPSC CSE 2026 Important Dates
Notification, application, Prelims and Main timeline
| Milestone | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 notification issued | Completed | |
| 2026 application deadline | Closed | |
| Preliminary e-admit card uploaded | Published | |
| Preliminary Examination | Completed | |
| Preliminary question papers uploaded | Published | |
| Preliminary written result | Published | |
| Preliminary result with names | Published | |
| Main important notice | Published | |
| Main timetable uploaded | Published | |
| Main Examination | Upcoming as of 1 August 2026 |
Date note: The live UPSC examination page records 27 February 2026; the notice PDF was revised after its initial publication.
UPSC CSE Application Process and Fees
Current application status and category fees
The 2026 application window is closed. UPSC records the application deadline as 27 February 2026 at 6:00 PM on its live examination page. A student preparing for a future cycle should not reuse this date; open the newest notification and examination page before starting an application.
Applications are submitted through the official UPSC online portal. Complete only the steps requested by the live portal, check that personal and category details match supporting documents, and retain the submitted application and fee receipt where applicable.
Admission at every stage is provisional. UPSC may verify age, educational qualification, category and other eligibility conditions against original documents. A successful form submission does not by itself confirm final eligibility.
| Category | Preliminary and Main fees |
|---|---|
| General, EWS and OBC candidates | Prelims: ₹100 · Main: ₹200 for candidates admitted to Main |
| Women candidates | Prelims: Exempt · Main: Exempt |
| SC, ST and PwBD candidates | Prelims: Exempt · Main: Exempt |
UPSC CSE Eligibility Criteria
Educational qualification
Graduate degree
- A candidate must hold a graduate degree from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification described in the notification.
- Candidates awaiting a qualifying result may be provisionally eligible where the notice permits, but they must produce the required proof at the prescribed later stage.
- Certain professional and technical qualifications recognised by the government as equivalent may qualify under the notice conditions.
Nationality
Indian citizenship*
- For the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Foreign Service and Indian Police Service, the candidate must be a citizen of India.
- For other services and posts, the notification describes additional permitted nationality categories and certificate conditions.
- Candidates relying on a category other than Indian citizenship should read the nationality clause in the current notice in full.
Age limit for the 2026 cycle
21–32 years
- The base age band is 21 to 32 years on 1 August 2026, meaning the candidate must satisfy both the minimum and maximum dates stated in the notice.
- The notification provides prescribed upper-age relaxations for eligible SC, ST, OBC, defence-service, ex-servicemen and PwBD categories, subject to its definitions and documentary conditions.
- Age rules are cycle-specific. Recheck the operative cut-off date in the notification even if you were eligible in an earlier year.
Number of attempts
6 General · 9 OBC
- The 2026 notice permits six attempts for General and EWS candidates and nine attempts for OBC candidates.
- SC and ST candidates have unlimited attempts within the applicable age limit.
- PwBD attempt limits depend on the candidate's category: nine for General, EWS and OBC candidates, and unlimited for SC and ST candidates, within the prescribed age limits.
- Appearing in at least one Preliminary paper counts as an attempt under the notice rules.
UPSC CSE Admit Card
Prelims released; Main admit card awaited
Current status: The 2026 Prelims e-admit card was uploaded on 15 May; a Main e-admit card was not listed on the official Main page as of 1 August 2026.
UPSC publishes e-admit card updates on its official website. Candidates should download the document from the official route, verify the name, roll number, photograph, examination venue, reporting time and instructions, and carry the documents specified on it.
A dead or absent download button should not be treated as a release. This guide will show a Main admit-card link only after UPSC publishes one.
- Use the registration or roll details requested on the official download page.
- Read prohibited-item, photograph and identity-proof instructions before exam day.
- Contact UPSC through the official channel promptly if a material detail is incorrect.
UPSC CSE Exam Pattern and Selection Process
- Prelims400 marks · screening
- Main1,750 merit marks
- Interview275 merit marks
Final merit · 2,025 marks
- Main written 1,750 marks · 86.4%
- Interview 275 marks · 13.6%
Preliminary Examination pattern
| Paper | Marks, duration and role |
|---|---|
| General Studies Paper I | 200 · 2 hours · Screening cut-off |
| General Studies Paper II (CSAT) | 200 · 2 hours · Qualifying at 33% |
- Both papers are objective type and compulsory.
- Wrong answers attract a penalty of one-third of the marks assigned to the question, subject to the notice rules.
- Preliminary marks are not counted in the final merit ranking.
Main written examination pattern
| Paper group | Marks and nature |
|---|---|
| Paper A: one Indian language | 300 · Qualifying |
| Paper B: English | 300 · Qualifying |
| Essay | 250 · Counts for merit |
| General Studies I to IV | 1,000 total · Counts for merit |
| Optional subject Papers I and II | 500 total · Counts for merit |
- The seven merit-counting written papers total 1,750 marks.
- The two language papers are qualifying and their marks are not added to merit, subject to the notification's exemption and qualifying rules.
- The Main papers are conventional essay-type papers.
Interview and final merit
| Stage | Marks and role |
|---|---|
| Main written merit | 1,750 · Counts in final ranking |
| Personality Test | 275 · Counts in final ranking |
| Final merit total | 2,025 · Determines rank, subject to the rules |
- Only candidates meeting the Main written standard are called for the Interview/Personality Test.
- Final service allocation is not determined by marks alone; preferences, vacancies and service-specific eligibility also apply.
UPSC CSE Syllabus Overview
Preliminary, Main and Personality Test coverage
- Preliminary General Studies Paper I covers current events; Indian history and the national movement; Indian and world geography; polity and governance; economic and social development; environment, biodiversity and climate change; and general science.
- Preliminary General Studies Paper II covers comprehension, communication and interpersonal skills, logical reasoning, analytical ability, decision-making, problem-solving, general mental ability, basic numeracy and data interpretation. It is qualifying at 33 percent.
- Main Paper A tests one Indian language selected from the permitted languages, while Paper B tests English. These papers are qualifying, subject to the notice rules.
- The Essay paper assesses the ability to organise ideas, remain relevant to the chosen topic and express arguments clearly and concisely.
- General Studies I covers heritage, culture, history, society and geography; General Studies II covers governance, Constitution, polity, social justice and international relations.
- General Studies III covers technology, economic development, biodiversity, environment, security and disaster management; General Studies IV covers ethics, integrity and aptitude.
- Candidates choose one optional subject for two papers. Use the official notice for the complete list of optional subjects and the detailed topic-wise syllabus.
General Studies I
Indian heritage and culture, history and geography of the world and society.
General Studies II
Governance, Constitution, polity, social justice and international relations.
General Studies III
Technology, economic development, biodiversity, environment, security and disaster management.
General Studies IV
Ethics, integrity and aptitude, including case studies that test public-service judgement.
UPSC CSE Answer Key Status
Use only the official key when UPSC releases it
Current status: No official 2026 Civil Services Preliminary answer key was linked on the examination page as of 1 August 2026.
Coaching-institute keys can help with informal review, but they are not UPSC's official answer key and may disagree. For an authoritative key, wait for publication through the UPSC website.
Because the Preliminary result has already been published, candidates should use the official result documents—not a predicted score from an unofficial key—to confirm qualification for Main.
UPSC CSE 2026 Result Status
Preliminary results are published
Current status: The Preliminary written result was uploaded on 15 June 2026 and the result with candidate names on 18 June 2026.
The Preliminary result identifies candidates qualified for the Civil Services Main Examination. It is a screening result; Preliminary marks are not added to the final merit score.
Main and final results will be added only after UPSC publishes them. Check the roll number and name documents on the official examination page and follow the Main instructions issued to qualified candidates.
UPSC CSE Cut-off Marks
2026 cut-off marks are not yet published
Current status: The official cut-off archive did not list CSE 2026 cut-off marks as of 1 August 2026.
UPSC publishes examination cut-off documents through its official cut-off archive. A previous-cycle cut-off can show past competition but cannot predict the current threshold because vacancies, question difficulty, candidate performance and applicable rules vary.
For Prelims, General Studies Paper II is qualifying at 33 percent, but that qualifying rule is not the same as the General Studies Paper I cut-off used for screening. Final selection is based on the Main merit papers and Interview/Personality Test, subject to all qualifying requirements.
UPSC CSE Cut-off Trend: 2021–2025
| Year | Prelims GS I /200 | Main /1,750 · Final /2,025 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 92.66 | 739 · 963 |
| 2024 | 87.98 | 729 · 947 |
| 2023 | 75.41 | 741 · 953 |
| 2022 | 88.22 | 748 · 960 |
| 2021 | 87.54 | 745 · 953 |
- Across these five cycles, the General-category Prelims cut-off ranged from 75.41 to 92.66, Main from 729 to 748 and Final from 947 to 963. The wider movement at the screening stage shows why an old Prelims score should not be treated as a prediction for 2026.
- Prelims figures are for General Studies Paper I only. General Studies Paper II, commonly called CSAT, is qualifying at 33 percent.
Official sources for this table
UPSC CSE 2025 Cut-off by Category
| Category | Prelims GS I /200 | Main /1,750 · Final /2,025 |
|---|---|---|
| General | 92.66 | 739 · 963 |
| EWS | 89.34 | 706 · 926 |
| OBC | 92.00 | 717 · 931 |
| SC | 84.00 | 700 · 905 |
| ST | 82.66 | 694 · 902 |
| PwBD-1 | 76.66 | 703 · 917 |
| PwBD-2 | 54.66 | 708 · 944 |
| PwBD-3 | 40.66 | 536 · 804 |
| PwBD-5 | 40.66 | 451 · 631 |
- UPSC's published table for this cycle lists PwBD-1, PwBD-2, PwBD-3 and PwBD-5; it does not publish a PwBD-4 row.
- Main written cut-offs are subject to at least 10 percent in each of the seven competitive papers: Essay, General Studies I to IV and Optional Papers I and II.
Official sources for this table
Services, Posts and Job Allocation
What successful candidates may be allocated to
The Civil Services Examination feeds multiple participating services and posts. Final allocation depends on a candidate's rank, submitted preferences, category, vacancies, medical or physical standards where applicable and the service rules in force.
Students searching for IAS salary should distinguish entry basic pay from gross and take-home pay. The table below uses the notified Level 10 entry basic pay under the 7th-CPC framework; allowances, deductions, posting, government accommodation and prior government service can change the amount actually received.
- Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
- Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
- Indian Police Service (IPS)
- Indian Revenue Service and other participating Group A services
- Participating Group B services and posts listed in the current notice
Entry Basic Pay for Major UPSC CSE Services
| Service and entry grade | Level and entry basic pay |
|---|---|
| Indian Administrative Service (IAS) — Junior Scale | Level 10 · ₹56,100/month |
| Indian Police Service (IPS) — Junior Scale | Level 10 · ₹56,100/month |
| Indian Foreign Service — Junior Scale / JTS | Level 10 · ₹56,100/month |
| IRS (Income Tax) — Assistant Commissioner / Assistant Director, JTS | Level 10 · ₹56,100/month |
| IRS (Customs and Indirect Taxes) — Assistant Commissioner, JTS | Level 10 · ₹56,100/month |
- Basic pay only under the 7th-CPC pay matrix, not gross or in-hand salary. Allowances and deductions vary with posting, government accommodation or HRA eligibility, prevailing rules and individual circumstances. Prior government service may result in pay protection.
- Indian Foreign Service is written in full to distinguish it from the Indian Forest Service (IFoS), which is a separate service and examination route.
- Verified against the linked service and pay rules on 1 August 2026. Recheck the operative government rules before relying on these figures.
Official sources for this table
UPSC CSE Preparation Strategy
A syllabus-first plan using official papers
- Start with the official syllabus and notice. Convert each syllabus line into a topic checklist so preparation remains tied to what UPSC can test.
- Study official previous question papers before choosing sources. They reveal recurring themes, the level of detail expected and the difference between Prelims recognition and Main explanation.
- Prepare Prelims and Main together for overlapping subjects, then practise their different outputs: objective elimination for Prelims and structured, evidence-based answers for Main.
- Do not neglect CSAT because it is qualifying. Schedule regular timed practice, especially if numeracy, reasoning or comprehension is a weak area.
- Build a revision system instead of continually adding material. Short notes, repeated recall and timed tests are more useful than an unmanageable source list.
- Practise Main answer writing with clear introductions, logical subheadings, balanced arguments and concise conclusions. Review answers against the question's directive and word limit.
- Track current affairs by linking each issue to a syllabus topic. Recheck all cycle-specific instructions on the official UPSC page before submitting a form or appearing for a stage.
How to Choose Books and Study Material
- Use the official syllabus and previous papers as the filter for every book. A popular title is useful only when it covers a defined syllabus need at the right depth.
- Prefer one dependable foundation source per subject, supported by concise current-affairs notes, rather than several overlapping books that cannot be revised.
- Choose the optional subject only after reading its official syllabus and papers and assessing interest, available guidance and time—not from a universal 'best optional' claim.
- For the Interview/Personality Test, prioritise the detailed application record, current issues and thoughtful communication over memorised model answers.
UPSC CSE Previous Question Papers
Official question-paper archives and current-cycle papers
Official papers are the safest starting point for understanding scope and difficulty. Attempt them under timed conditions, classify mistakes by syllabus area, and revisit weak topics before taking another paper.
The 2026 Preliminary page contains the current-cycle papers. UPSC's archive provides older examination papers; confirm the year and stage before downloading because Preliminary and Main papers serve different practice goals.
UPSC CSE Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current status of UPSC CSE 2026?
The Preliminary written result was published on 15 June 2026 and the result with candidate names on 18 June. The Main examination is scheduled for 21–23 August and 29–30 August 2026; its timetable was uploaded on 10 July.
Are UPSC CSE Prelims and the IAS exam separate examinations?
No. The Preliminary Examination is the first screening stage of the Civil Services Examination commonly called UPSC CSE or the IAS exam. Candidates must clear Prelims, Main and the Interview/Personality Test in sequence.
Who can apply for UPSC CSE?
A candidate generally needs a recognised graduate degree or an equivalent qualification and must satisfy the nationality, age, attempt and other conditions in the current notification. Some candidates awaiting a qualifying result may be provisionally eligible under the notice conditions.
What is the UPSC CSE 2026 age limit?
The base age band is 21 to 32 years on 1 August 2026. The notice provides prescribed upper-age relaxations for eligible categories, so candidates should check the exact dates and documentary conditions in the official notification.
How many UPSC CSE attempts are allowed?
For the 2026 notice, General and EWS candidates have six attempts, OBC candidates have nine, and SC/ST candidates have unlimited attempts within their age limits. PwBD limits depend on category. Appearing in at least one Prelims paper counts as an attempt.
What is the UPSC CSE application fee?
The 2026 notice specifies ₹100 for the Preliminary Examination and ₹200 for candidates admitted to the Main Examination. Women and SC, ST and PwBD candidates are exempt from these fees under the stated conditions.
Do UPSC Prelims marks count in the final result?
No. Prelims is a screening stage. Final ranking uses the seven merit-counting Main written papers, worth 1,750 marks, plus the 275-mark Interview/Personality Test.
Is CSAT qualifying in UPSC CSE Prelims?
Yes. General Studies Paper II, commonly called CSAT, is qualifying at 33 percent. Both Preliminary papers are compulsory, and candidates must still meet the applicable General Studies Paper I screening cut-off.
What is the total score used for UPSC CSE final merit?
The seven Main merit papers total 1,750 marks and the Interview/Personality Test carries 275 marks, producing a final merit total of 2,025 marks. The qualifying language papers and Preliminary marks are not added to this total.
Official Information and Sources
Primary notice and authority links
Related UPSC Exams
Other UPSC examinations students may compare
Verify Before You Apply
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