UPSC Civil Services IAS/IFS Pre Recruitment 2026
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) officially released the notification for the Civil Services (IAS) and Indian Forest Service (IFS) 2026 on February 4, 2026.
The application window is currently active, with a total of 933 vacancies announced across various Group A and Group B services.
📅 Key Dates for 2026
| Event | Date |
| Notification Release | February 4, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | February 24, 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| UPSC Prelims Exam Date | May 24, 2026 (Sunday) |
| UPSC Mains Exam Date | August 21, 2026 (5 Days) |
| IFS (Mains) Exam Date | November 22, 2026 |
🎓 Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the IAS or IFS, candidates must meet the following basic requirements as of August 1, 2026:
Educational Qualification: * IAS: A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
IFS: A Bachelor’s degree with at least one of the following subjects: Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, and Zoology or a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Forestry or Engineering.
Age Limit: Minimum 21 years and maximum 32 years (Candidates must be born between August 2, 1994, and August 1, 2005).
Number of Attempts: * General/EWS: 6 attempts.
OBC: 9 attempts.
SC/ST: Unlimited attempts until the upper age limit.
📝 Exam Structure
The selection process consists of three distinct stages:
Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (Objective)
GS Paper I: 100 questions (200 marks). Determines the merit for the Mains.
GS Paper II (CSAT): 80 questions (200 marks). This is a qualifying paper; you must score at least 33% ($66.67$ marks).
Stage 2: Main Examination (Descriptive)
Consists of 9 papers, including qualifying language papers, Essay, 4 General Studies papers, and 2 Optional subject papers.
Stage 3: Personality Test (Interview)
A 275-mark interview to assess personal suitability for a career in public service.
🚀 How to Apply
Visit the official portal: upsconline.nic.in.
Complete the One Time Registration (OTR) if you haven’t already.
Fill out the application form (Part I and Part II).
Upload the required documents (Photo, Signature, and Photo ID).
Pay the application fee: ₹100 for General/OBC/EWS males; exempted for SC/ST/PwBD/Females.
Would you like me to find the detailed syllabus for a specific optional subject or provide a month-wise preparation strategy for the May Prelims?
This UPSC 2026 detailed notification guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough of the application process and the 933 vacancy breakdown.
