Latest verified update
The CSE 2026 Preliminary examination took place on 24 May. UPSC published the Preliminary written result on 15 June. The Main timetable covered 21–23 and 29–30 August, and official Main papers were uploaded on 1 September. The Main examination page reviewed on 6 October did not list a written-result document; no Main result date is asserted here.
UPSC CSE 2026 at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Examination | Civil Services Examination, 2026; includes IAS, IPS and other notified services |
| Notification | No. 05/2026-CSE, dated 4 February 2026 |
| Initial vacancies | Approximately 933, subject to revision; not a guaranteed final total |
| Application status | Closed; the exam page records 27 February 2026, 6:00 pm as the final receipt deadline |
| Selection | Preliminary screening, Main written examination and Interview/Personality Test |
Notification and eligibility cut-off
Detailed guide: UPSC ESE 2027: Notification, 480 Vacancies, Exam Dates & Eligibility
Check eligibility against the 2026 notification before relying on a general IAS age-limit chart. Age is assessed on 1 August 2026. Application closure and the age-reference date are separate requirements. The portal accepting an application or UPSC issuing an admit card does not confirm final eligibility.
Official reference: Notification, section 3.
Age limit and date-of-birth range
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| General age rule | Must have attained 21 years and must not have attained 32 years on 1 August 2026 |
| Unrelaxed birth-date range | 2 August 1994 to 1 August 2005, inclusive |
| SC/ST | Up to 5 years of upper-age relaxation |
| Eligible OBC | Up to 3 years |
| Eligible PwBD categories | Up to 10 years, subject to notification and service suitability |
| Defence and ex-servicemen provisions | Separate conditional concessions; use section 3(II), not a blanket extension for everyone |
Eligible SC/ST/OBC candidates who also fall under the specified ex-servicemen or PwBD provisions can receive the cumulative concessions described in the notification. EWS status alone does not provide a separate upper-age concession. The accepted birth date is the one recorded in the prescribed school certificate.
Educational qualification and final-year candidates
A recognised graduate degree or equivalent qualification is required. The notification permits candidates awaiting results, and candidates intending to appear in their qualifying examination, to enter the written examination subject to the stated conditions. Those called for Interview/Personality Test must provide valid proof of passing within the prescribed Rule 13 time limit. Do not assume that provisional admission waives the degree requirement.
Professional and technical qualifications recognised as equivalent are covered. MBBS and equivalent medical candidates have additional certificate and internship-completion conditions; read the specific note rather than applying an ordinary graduation checklist.
Nationality and service-specific restrictions
Indian citizenship is required for IAS, the Indian Foreign Service and IPS. For other services, the notification also recognises specified Nepalese, Bhutanese, Tibetan-refugee and person-of-Indian-origin categories, with Government of India eligibility-certificate conditions where applicable. Service-specific medical and physical requirements still apply.
Serving IAS/Indian Foreign Service officers and candidates already appointed or allocated to certain services face additional restrictions under section 3(V). A candidate who has already been selected should read that section in full before using the general attempt table.
Number of attempts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| General/EWS | 6 |
| OBC | 9 |
| SC/ST | Unlimited within applicable eligibility and age limits |
| PwBD: General/EWS/OBC | 9 |
| PwBD: SC/ST | Unlimited within applicable eligibility and age limits |
Actually appearing in even one Preliminary paper counts as an attempt. Merely submitting an application is not the same as appearing. Subsequent cancellation or disqualification does not erase an appearance.
Documents to check before the next application
Match your school certificate, degree/provisional certificate, identity details and reservation documents. Check the notification’s prescribed certificate format, issue period and category conditions. Do not send personal documents to an unofficial counselling or “eligibility approval” service.
Preparation resources and related guides
CSE eligibility · CSE examination pattern · CSE syllabus · CSE examination dates.
Use the official Preliminary and Main examination pages in the sources below to obtain the 2026 question papers. Practice papers are preparation material; marks or cut-offs from another cycle do not predict selection.
Planning for CSE 2027
The official 2027 calendar provisionally lists notification on 13 January, applications closing on 2 February, Preliminary examination on 23 May and Main examination beginning on 20 August. These dates can change. The calendar does not establish the next cycle’s vacancies, eligibility cut-off date or application rules; those require its own notification.
Official sources and review scope
- UPSC CSE 2026 notification: eligibility and examination scheme
- CSE Preliminary 2026: revised deadline and result documents
- CSE Main 2026: notices and official question papers
- CSE Main 2026 detailed timetable
- UPSC annual calendar 2027: tentative planning dates
Read subsequent official amendments and your candidate-specific instructions. A shortlist or provisional allotment does not by itself establish appointment. No unannounced 2027 recruitment facts are inferred.
Frequently asked questions
Is the CSE age cut-off the application deadline?
No. The 2026 age-reference date is 1 August 2026; the receipt deadline is a different date.
Can final-year students apply?
The notification permits conditional participation, but proof of passing and any professional-course conditions must be satisfied by the prescribed stage.
Does filling the form use an attempt?
An attempt is counted when a candidate actually appears in a Preliminary paper, subject to the notification’s rules.