The UPSC Civil Services (Pre) Examination 2026 is one of the most prestigious competitive examinations in India, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Every year, lakhs of aspirants apply for this examination with the dream of serving the nation through top administrative and allied services. For the year 2026, UPSC has officially released the notification to fill 933 vacancies through the Civil Services Examination.

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This recruitment drive opens the gateway to elite services such as IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, and many other Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ central services. Eligible and interested candidates can apply online within the prescribed dates through the official UPSC recruitment portal.

Overview of UPSC Civil Services (Pre) Examination 2026

The UPSC Civil Services (Pre) Examination 2026 is the first stage of the Civil Services Examination process. It acts as a screening test for candidates aspiring to appear in the Main Examination.

Key Highlights at a Glance

Particulars	Details
Conducting Authority	Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Examination Name	Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026
Total Vacancies	933 Posts
Exam Notice No.	05/2026-CSE
Notification Date	04 February 2026
Application Mode	Online
Preliminary Exam Date	24 May 2026
Last Date to Apply	24 February 2026 (6 PM)

Services Covered Under UPSC Civil Services Examination

Candidates selected through the UPSC Civil Services (Pre) Examination 2026 will be appointed to various prestigious services under the Government of India.

List of Major Services

Group	Services
Group ‘A’	IAS, IFS, IPS, IRS (IT & Customs), Indian Audit & Accounts Service, Indian Defence Accounts Service, Indian Railway Management Service, Indian Information Service, Indian Postal Service
Group ‘B’	DANICS, DANIPS, Pondicherry Civil Service, Pondicherry Police Service, Armed Forces HQ Civil Service

These services play a crucial role in policy-making, administration, law enforcement, diplomacy, finance, and public governance.

Eligibility Criteria for UPSC Civil Services (Pre) Examination 2026

Before applying, candidates must carefully check the eligibility conditions laid down by UPSC.

Age Limit

A candidate must be:

Minimum Age: 21 years
Maximum Age: 32 years

The candidate should be born not earlier than 2nd August 1994 and not later than 1st August 2005.

Age Relaxation

Category	Age Relaxation
SC / ST	5 Years
OBC	3 Years
PwBD (UR)	10 Years
PwBD (OBC)	13 Years
PwBD (SC/ST)	15 Years

Educational Qualification

For the UPSC Civil Services (Pre) Examination 2026, candidates must possess:

A Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university established by an Act of Parliament or State Legislature
A degree from a deemed university under UGC Act, 1956
An equivalent qualification recognized by the Government of India

Appearing Candidates

Candidates who are appearing in their final year of graduation or awaiting results are also eligible to apply. However, proof of passing the examination must be produced at the time of the Interview/Personality Test.

UPSC Civil Services Examination Scheme

The UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 is conducted in three stages, starting with the Preliminary Examination.

Examination Stages

Stage	Nature	Purpose
Preliminary Examination	Objective Type	Screening for Main Exam
Main Examination	Written	Assessment of academic knowledge
Interview / Personality Test	Interview	Evaluation of personality and suitability

Only candidates who qualify the Preliminary Examination are eligible to appear for the Main Examination.

Examination Centres in Assam

Candidates from Assam can appear for the UPSC Civil Services (Pre) Examination 2026 at the following centers:

Dispur
Jorhat

Application Fee Details

The application fee for UPSC Civil Services Examination is category-based.

Category	Application Fee
SC / ST / Women / PwBD	Nil
Other Categories	Rs. 100/-

The fee can be paid online through net banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI.

How to Apply for UPSC Civil Services (Pre) Examination 2026

Candidates must apply online through the official UPSC recruitment portal. The application process involves registration, form filling, document upload, and fee payment.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step	Description
Step 1	Visit the official UPSC online application portal
Step 2	Click on “Online Application Form” and complete registration
Step 3	Log in using registration credentials
Step 4	Fill personal, educational, and contact details
Step 5	Upload required documents and photograph
Step 6	Pay the application fee as applicable
Step 7	Submit the form and take a printout for future reference

Important Dates of UPSC Civil Services (Pre) Examination 2026

Event	Date
Online Application Start Date	4 February 2026
Last Date to Apply Online	24 February 2026 (6 PM)
Preliminary Examination Date	24 May 2026

Candidates are advised to complete the application well before the last date to avoid technical issues.

Important Web Links

Online Application Form	Click Here
Recommended Books	Click Here
Advertisement Details	Click Here
Official Website	Click Here

FAQs – UPSC Civil Services (Pre) Examination 2026

Q1. What is the starting date to apply online for UPSC Civil Services (Pre) Examination 2026?
The online application process starts on 4th February 2026.

Q2. What is the last date to apply for UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026?
The last date to submit the online application is 24th February 2026 till 6 PM.

Q3. How many vacancies are available under UPSC Civil Services Recruitment 2026?
A total of 933 vacancies have been announced.

Q4. What is the exam date for UPSC Civil Services (Pre) Examination 2026?
The Preliminary Examination will be held on 24th May 2026.

Q5. Can final-year graduation students apply for UPSC Civil Services Examination?
Yes, appearing candidates can apply, but they must submit proof of qualification during the interview stage.