UPSC Civil Services IAS IPS 2026 Online Form – Complete Guide, Eligibility, Dates & Preparation
The wait is over! UPSC has released the official notification for Civil Services Examination 2026. This is one of India most most prestigious examinations conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). If you are aspiring to become an IAS, IPS, IFS, or other Group A officer, this is your chance!
Important Dates (Tentative)
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | February 2026 |
| Application Start | February 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | March 2026 |
| Prelims Exam | June 2026 |
| Mains Exam | September 2026 |
| Interview | February-March 2027 |
| Final Result | April 2027 |
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Candidate must hold a Bachelor degree from any recognized university. Final year students can also apply provisionally.
Age Limit
- General Category: 21-32 years (born between 1994-2005)
- OBC: 21-35 years
- SC/ST: 21-37 years
- PwD: 21-42 years (depending category)
Number of Attempts
- General: 6 attempts
- OBC: 9 attempts
- SC/ST: Unlimited attempts
Exam Pattern
Preliminary Examination (400 Marks)
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies | 200 | 2 Hours |
| Paper II | CSAT (Qualifying) | 200 | 2 Hours |
Note: Paper II is qualifying in nature (33% required)
Mains Examination (1750 Marks)
9 papers including:
- Essay Paper
- GS Paper I (Indian Heritage and Culture)
- GS Paper II (Governance, Constitution)
- GS Paper III (Technology, Economic Development)
- GS Paper IV (Ethics, Integrity,>
- Optional Paper Aptitude)
- English Language (Qualifying)
- Indian Language (Qualifying)
Personality Test (275 Marks)
Final interview round to assess personality, communication skills, and overall suitability.
Best Books for UPSC Preparation
Foundation Books
- NCERT History (Class 6-12)
- NCERT Geography (Class 6-12)
- NCERT Polity (Class 9-12)
- NCERT Economy (Class 9-12)
Standard Reference Books
- History: Spectrum by Rajiv Ahir
- Polity: Constitution of India by Laxmikant
- Geography: Certificate Physical Geography by GC Leong
- Economy: Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh
- Environment: Environment by Shankar IAS
- Current Affairs: The Hindu, Yojana, Kurukshetra
Online Resources
- Mrunal.org – Economy and Finance
- IASbaba – Current Affairs and Test Series
- Vision IAS – Test Series and Notes
- InsightsonIndia – Daily Answer Writing
- UPSC Portal – Official Updates
Application Fee
| Category | Fees |
|---|---|
| General/OBC | Rs 100 |
| SC/ST/PwD | Exempted |
| Female (General) | Exempted |
Selection Process
The complete selection process involves:
- Step 1: Fill Online Application Form
- Step 2: Appear for Prelims (June 2026)
- Step 3: Appear for Mains (September 2026)
- Step 4: Personality Test/Interview
- Step 5: Final Merit List and Allocation of Service
Services Offered
Based on rank, candidates can get allocation to:
- Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
- Indian Police Service (IPS)
- Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
- Indian Revenue Service (IRS)
- Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IAAS)
- Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS)
- And many more Group A and B services
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the last date to apply for UPSC CSE 2026?
The last date to submit the online application is expected to be March 2026. Candidates are advised to apply well before the last date to avoid technical glitches.
2. Can final year students apply for UPSC 2026?
Yes, candidates who are appearing for their final year graduation exams are eligible to apply provisionally. However, they must submit proof of passing before the mains examination.
3. What is the age limit for UPSC for General category?
For General category candidates, the age limit is 21-32 years (born between 1994-2005). The candidate must not have attained the age of 32 years on August 1 of the examination year.
4. How many attempts are allowed for UPSC?
General category candidates get 6 attempts, OBC gets 9 attempts, while SC/ST candidates have unlimited attempts till they reach the age limit.
5. Is there any reservation for women in UPSC?
Yes, Women candidates belonging to General category are exempted from payment of fee. Reservation in selection follows government norms.
6. What is the marking scheme for UPSC Prelims?
Each paper in Prelims is of 200 marks with 2 hours duration. There is negative marking of 1/3rd (0.66 marks) for each wrong answer in both papers.
7. Can I choose IPS as my first preference?
Yes, you can fill your service preference during the DAF (Detailed Application Form) after clearing Mains. However, allocation depends on your rank, availability of seats, and reservation category.
8. What is the passing mark for UPSC Prelims CSAT Paper?
CSAT (Paper II) is a qualifying paper. You need to score at least 33% (66 marks out of 200) to qualify.
9. Is there any physical fitness test for IPS?
Yes, IPS requires candidates to meet certain physical standards including height, chest, and vision requirements. Detailed physical standards are mentioned in the official notification.
10. What is the best time to start UPSC preparation?
Ideally, 12-18 months before Prelims is considered optimal. Start with NCERTs and basic books, then move to advanced material. Join a test series 6 months before Prelims.
How to Apply
- Visit UPSC Official Portal: upsconline.nic.in
- Click on Online Application for Various Examination 2026
- Fill your basic details, photo, and signature
- Pay the application fee (if applicable)
- Submit and take printout for future reference
Official Website: upsc.gov.in
Apply Link: upsconline.nic.in
Stay tuned to FreeJobsAlerts.org for more updates on UPSC 2026 notification, admit card, result, and cut-off marks.
