The Union Public Service Commission Civil Services Examination (UPSC CSE) is one of India’s most prestigious and competitive examinations, conducted annually to recruit officers for elite services such as the IAS, IPS, IFS, and other central services. It plays a crucial role in selecting individuals who will contribute to policy formulation, administration, and governance at the highest levels. The examination is designed not only to test academic knowledge but also to assess analytical ability, ethical understanding, decision-making skills, and leadership qualities.
UPSC CSE follows a rigorous three-stage process Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Interview/Personality Test ensuring a holistic evaluation of candidates. With its vast syllabus covering history, polity, economy, science, technology, and current affairs, the examination demands consistent preparation, discipline, and intellectual curiosity. Success in UPSC CSE signifies a commitment to public service and the responsibility of nation-building.
UPSC CSE 2026: Overview Table
| Feature | Details |
| Exam Name | Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Notification Date | February 4, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | February 24, 2026 (until 6:00 PM) |
| Preliminary Exam Date | May 24, 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | Approximately 933 |
| Application Mode | Click Here |
| Age Limit (General) | 21 to 32 years (as of August 1, 2026) |
| Minimum Education | Graduate degree in any discipline |
UPSC CSE Exam Pattern & Stages
The UPSC CSE is conducted in two successive stages:
| Stage | Type | Purpose |
| Preliminary Examination | Objective Type (MCQs) | Qualifying stage for the Main Exam |
| Main Examination | Written (Descriptive) & Interview | Final selection for various Services |
1. Preliminary Examination Syllabus
The Prelims consists of two compulsory papers of 200 marks each:
Paper | Name | Syllabus Topics |
Paper I | General Studies | Current events; History of India; Indian and World Geography; Indian Polity; Economic Development; Environmental Ecology; General Science |
Paper II | CSAT | Comprehension; Interpersonal skills; Logical reasoning; Decision making; General mental ability; Basic numeracy (Class X level) |
2. Main Examination & Interview
| Stage | Component | Description |
| Written Exam | Language Papers (Qualifying) | Tests basic proficiency in the selected languages |
| Essay | Evaluates clarity of thought and expression |
| General Studies Papers | Four papers covering core GS subjects |
| Optional Subject Papers | Two papers based on the chosen optional subject |
| Interview / Personality Test | Personality Assessment (275 Marks) | Assesses personal suitability, mental alertness, leadership qualities, and overall personality through a purposive conversation |
UPSC CSE Syllabus
1. Preliminary Examination Syllabus
The Preliminary examination consists of two compulsory objective-type papers of 200 marks each, with a duration of two hours per paper.
Paper I: General Studies
| Subject Area | Detailed Topics |
| Current Affairs | Events of national and international importance. |
| History | History of India and the Indian National Movement. |
| Geography | Physical, Social, and Economic Geography of India and the World. |
| Polity & Governance | Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, and Rights Issues. |
| Economic & Social Development | Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, and Social Sector Initiatives. |
| Environment | General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity, and Climate Change (no subject specialization required). |
| General Science | Basic concepts and developments in General Science. |
Paper II: CSAT (Aptitude Test)
| Skill Set | Detailed Topics |
| Comprehension | Reading and understanding complex passages. |
| Interpersonal Skills | Including communication skills. |
| Reasoning | Logical reasoning and analytical ability. |
| Decision Making | Problem-solving and decision-making scenarios. |
| General Mental Ability | Core mental aptitude testing. |
| Basic Numeracy | Numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc. (Class X level). |
| Data Interpretation | Charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc. (Class X level). |
Main Examination Syllabus
The Main examination is descriptive and consists of nine papers, followed by an Interview/Personality Test.
Qualifying & Merit Papers
| Paper Type | Subject | Marks |
| Qualifying | Paper-A: One Indian Language (from the 8th Schedule) | 300 |
| Qualifying | Paper-B: English | 300 |
| Merit-Based | Paper-I: Essay | 250 |
| Merit-Based | Paper-II: General Studies-I (Indian Heritage/Culture, History, and Geography) | 250 |
| Merit-Based | Paper-III: General Studies-II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and IR) | 250 |
| Merit-Based | Paper-IV: General Studies-III (Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management) | 250 |
| Merit-Based | Paper-V: General Studies-IV (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude) | 250 |
| Merit-Based | Paper-VI & VII: Optional Subject (Paper 1 & Paper 2) | |
Preparation Tips
Phase-Wise Strategy
| Phase | Focus Areas | Actionable Tips |
| Foundational | NCERTs & Basics | Build a strong base in History, Geography, and Polity using school-level books. |
| Advanced GS | Integrated Study | Connect static topics with current events of national and international importance. |
| Optional Subject | Deep Specialization | Choose a subject based on interest and study it in-depth as required for the Main exam. |
| Interview Prep | Personality Development | Practice clear and logical exposition of thoughts and stay curious about world discoveries. |
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