Exam dates and application windows change every year. Details here can go out of date — always confirm on the official website, or ask Sahayak below for the latest guidance.
UPSC Civil Services Examination (IAS/IPS/IFS)
Information last verified: September 2026 · Always verify on the official portal before payment.
The national exam for top administrative, police, and foreign service posts.
Conducted by
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Age Limit
21–32 (General, 6 attempts); 21–35 OBC (9 attempts); 21–37 SC/ST (unlimited). Cut-off 1 Aug of exam year.
Education
Bachelor's degree in any stream (final-year students may apply for Prelims).
Application Fee
Rs. 100 online. Exempt: all women, SC, ST, PwBD.
Documents Needed
- Degree / final-year proof
- Photo + signature per UPSC specs
- Category certificate if applicable
- PwBD certificate if applicable
- Photo ID
How to Apply
- One Time Registration on upsc.gov.in when notification opens (usually ~Jan–Feb)
- Fill Part-I/II, choose prelims centre, pay fee, submit
Selection Process
- Prelims: GS Paper-I (merit) + CSAT Paper-II (qualifying 33%)
- Mains: 9 papers (2 qualifying + 7 merit, 1750 marks)
- Interview/Personality Test (275 marks)
- Final merit on Mains + Interview
Exam Pattern
Prelims objective (-1/3); Mains descriptive; Interview panel. Services allocated (IAS/IPS/IFS/IRS etc.) by rank + preference + vacancies.
Correction Window
Usually ~7 days after closing (OTR edit window). Check notice.
Admit Card
e-Admit cards on upsc.gov.in ~3 weeks before each stage. Never by post.
Download admit card — candidate loginResult
Stage-wise merit PDFs on upsc.gov.in; Prelims key representations allowed; final marksheets after the full result.
Check result — candidate loginWho can apply
Bachelor's degree in any stream.
How the yearly cycle usually works
- Notification usually released around February.
- Prelims exam is typically held around May-June.
- Mains exam (for those who clear Prelims) is typically held around September.
- Interview and final result usually follow a few months after Mains.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for UPSC Civil Services 2026?▾
Register on upsconline.nic.in, fill in personal + educational + service preference details, upload photo/signature/photo-id, pay the fee and download the confirmation. Notification is usually out around January–February. The prelim exam is typically in May–June.
What is the UPSC CSE eligibility (age, attempts, qualification)?▾
Age: 21–32 (general) with relaxations for reserved categories and defence personnel. Attempts: 6 (general), 9 (OBC), unlimited (SC/ST), 9 (PwBD-general/OBC), higher for PwBD SC/ST. Qualification: any bachelor's degree from a recognised university.
What is the UPSC CSE exam pattern?▾
Three stages: Prelims (2 objective papers — GS Paper 1 counts, CSAT is qualifying at 33%), Mains (9 descriptive papers with 7 counting for merit + language qualifiers), and Personality Test / Interview (275 marks). Final merit uses Mains + Interview.
Which optional subject is best for UPSC Mains?▾
There is no universally 'best' optional. Popular high-scoring optionals include Political Science, Sociology, Geography, PSIR, History, Anthropology, and Public Administration. Choose based on your interest, availability of study material, and overlap with GS papers.
Can graduation final-year students apply for UPSC?▾
Yes — final-year students are eligible to appear for Prelims. However, they MUST produce proof of passing the qualifying exam before appearing in Mains.