NationalGovt2026 cycle
UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE)
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
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- Domain
- Civil Services / Administrative
- Level
- National
- Type
- Govt
- Application closes
- 2026-02-27
Exam snapshot
Overview
- Conducting body
- Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
- What you get
- IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, IRTS and other Group A & B Central Services
- Latest content cycle
- 2026
- Application window
- 2026-02-04 → 2026-02-27
Practice papers
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Plan with confidence
Complete exam guide
Eligibility, pattern, syllabus, dates and official resources in one structured view.
EligibilityPending verification
Age range
21–32 years
Reference date
2026-08-01
Category relaxation
SC: 5 · ST: 5 · OBC: 3 · Pw BD: 10 · Ex Serviceman: 5 · Defence Personnel Disabled: 3
Nationality
Indian for IAS/IFS/IPS · Indian · subject of Nepal · subject of Bhutan · Tibetan refugee · person of Indian origin from specified countries for other services
Minimum education
Graduation
Streams / subjects
Final-year candidates
Yes
Maximum attempts
OBC: 9 · Pw BD: category-specific limits in the CSE rules · SC ST: Not stated · General: 6
Physical standards
Note: Medical and physical standards apply for allocated services, especially police/defence-linked services. · Service Specific: Yes
Official sourceUPSC CSE 2026 eligibility conditions ↗
Exam patternPending verification
Civil Services Preliminary Examination
objective mcqQuestions
Not stated
Maximum marks
400
Duration
120 min
Subject distribution
- General Studies Paper I · 200 marks
- General Studies Paper II (CSAT) · 200 marks
Official sourceUPSC CSE 2026 scheme of examination ↗
Civil Services Main Examination (Written)
descriptive writtenQuestions
Not stated
Maximum marks
1750
Duration
Not stated
Official sourceUPSC CSE 2026 Main written scheme ↗
Interview / Personality Test
interviewQuestions
Not stated
Maximum marks
275
Duration
Not stated
Official sourceUPSC CSE 2026 interview clause ↗
SyllabusPending verification
Prelims General Studies Paper I8 chapters · 43 trackable topics
Current Events5 topics
- National events and policy developments
- International events and organisations
- Government programmes and reports
- Science, environment and economic developments
- Current affairs revision and issue mapping
History of India5 topics
- Ancient India
- Medieval India
- Modern India
- Social and religious reform movements
- Post-independence consolidation
Indian National Movement5 topics
- Early resistance and the Revolt of 1857
- Growth of nationalism
- Gandhian movements
- Revolutionary and constitutional streams
- Constitutional developments and independence
Indian and World Geography5 topics
- Physical geography of India
- World physical geography
- Indian resources and industries
- Population and settlement geography
- Maps, locations and geospatial current affairs
Polity and Governance6 topics
- Constitutional framework
- Union and State institutions
- Parliament and State legislatures
- Judiciary and constitutional bodies
- Panchayati Raj and local government
- Public policy, rights issues and governance
Economic and Social Development6 topics
- Growth and development
- Poverty, inclusion and demographics
- Fiscal and monetary policy
- Agriculture, industry and infrastructure
- Social-sector initiatives
- Sustainable development
Environment, Biodiversity and Climate6 topics
- Ecology and ecosystems
- Biodiversity and conservation
- Pollution and environmental governance
- Climate change
- International environmental conventions
- Environmental current affairs
General Science5 topics
- Basic physics and chemistry applications
- Biology and human health
- Space and defence technology
- Information and emerging technologies
- Science developments in current affairs
Prelims CSAT Paper II6 chapters · 26 trackable topics
Reading Comprehension5 topics
- Main idea and inference
- Tone and argument
- Assumptions and conclusions
- Passage-based decision making
- Timed comprehension practice
Communication and Interpersonal Skills3 topics
- Interpersonal situations
- Communication principles
- Conflict and response evaluation
Logical and Analytical Reasoning5 topics
- Statements and conclusions
- Syllogisms and logical consistency
- Arrangements and analytical puzzles
- Data sufficiency
- Critical reasoning
Decision Making and Problem Solving3 topics
- Administrative situations
- Ethical and practical trade-offs
- Prioritisation and course of action
General Mental Ability4 topics
- Number and letter series
- Coding and relationships
- Directions and spatial reasoning
- Basic analytical ability
Basic Numeracy and Data Interpretation6 topics
- Numbers and arithmetic
- Ratio, percentage and averages
- Time, work and distance
- Algebra and geometry basics
- Tables, charts and graphs
- Data interpretation and sufficiency
Mains Essay3 chapters · 16 trackable topics
Essay Foundations5 topics
- Understanding the topic
- Thesis and central argument
- Brainstorming dimensions
- Introduction and conclusion
- Coherence and paragraph flow
Theme Preparation6 topics
- Philosophical themes
- Society and social change
- Governance and democracy
- Economy and development
- Science, technology and environment
- International and ethical themes
Essay Practice5 topics
- Outline drills
- Timed full essays
- Examples, data and quotations
- Language and presentation
- Evaluation and rewrite
Mains General Studies I6 chapters · 29 trackable topics
Indian Heritage and Culture5 topics
- Art forms
- Literature
- Architecture
- Ancient to modern cultural traditions
- Cultural institutions and preservation
Modern Indian History5 topics
- Mid-eighteenth century developments
- Freedom struggle and contributors
- Social reform
- Post-independence consolidation
- Reorganisation within India
World History5 topics
- Industrial revolution
- World wars
- Colonialism and decolonisation
- Political philosophies
- Redrawing of national boundaries
Indian Society6 topics
- Diversity of India
- Women and population issues
- Poverty and developmental issues
- Urbanisation
- Globalisation and Indian society
- Communalism, regionalism and secularism
Physical Geography4 topics
- World physical geography
- Geophysical phenomena
- Earthquakes, volcanoes and cyclones
- Changes in critical geographical features
Resources and Economic Geography4 topics
- Natural-resource distribution
- Industry location factors
- Water and land resources
- Resource-linked regional development
Mains General Studies II6 chapters · 29 trackable topics
Constitution and Federalism5 topics
- Constitutional evolution and features
- Amendments and basic structure
- Federal structure and devolution
- Separation of powers
- Comparison with other constitutions
Legislature, Executive and Judiciary5 topics
- Parliament and State legislatures
- Executive structure and functioning
- Judiciary and judicial review
- Ministries and departments
- Pressure groups and associations
Constitutional and Statutory Bodies4 topics
- Constitutional posts
- Regulatory bodies
- Quasi-judicial bodies
- Appointment, powers and accountability
Governance and Accountability5 topics
- Government policies and implementation
- Development processes and stakeholders
- NGOs, SHGs and civil society
- Transparency and e-governance
- Citizen charters and civil services
Social Justice5 topics
- Welfare schemes
- Vulnerable sections
- Health and education
- Human resources
- Poverty and hunger
International Relations5 topics
- India and neighbourhood
- Bilateral and regional groupings
- Global institutions
- Diaspora
- Policies of developed and developing countries
Mains General Studies III6 chapters · 33 trackable topics
Indian Economy6 topics
- Planning and resource mobilisation
- Growth, development and employment
- Inclusive growth
- Government budgeting
- Liberalisation and industrial policy
- Infrastructure and investment models
Agriculture and Food Security6 topics
- Cropping patterns and irrigation
- Storage, transport and marketing
- Farm subsidies and MSP
- Food processing
- Land reforms
- Technology in agriculture
Science and Technology5 topics
- Technology developments and applications
- Indigenisation and innovation
- IT, space and robotics
- Biotechnology
- Intellectual property rights
Environment and Disaster Management5 topics
- Conservation and pollution
- Environmental impact assessment
- Climate-related challenges
- Disaster types and vulnerability
- Preparedness, response and recovery
Internal Security6 topics
- Extremism and development linkages
- External and non-state actors
- Cyber security
- Money laundering
- Border management
- Security forces and agencies
GS III Answer Writing5 topics
- Data and diagram use
- Policy evaluation
- Case-study integration
- Current-affairs linkage
- Timed 10- and 15-mark answers
Mains General Studies IV5 chapters · 22 trackable topics
Ethics and Human Interface5 topics
- Essence and determinants of ethics
- Consequences of ethical action
- Dimensions of ethics
- Ethics in public and private relationships
- Human values and lessons from leaders
Attitude and Aptitude4 topics
- Content and structure of attitude
- Moral and political attitudes
- Social influence and persuasion
- Civil-service aptitude and foundational values
Emotional Intelligence and Thinkers3 topics
- Emotional-intelligence concepts
- Application in administration
- Moral thinkers and philosophers
Public Service Ethics5 topics
- Ethical concerns in government
- Accountability and ethical governance
- Codes of ethics and conduct
- Probity and public funds
- Corruption challenges
Ethics Case Studies5 topics
- Stakeholder mapping
- Ethical dilemmas
- Option evaluation
- Administrative judgement
- Structured case-study writing
Optional Subject Preparation3 chapters · 15 trackable topics
Optional Selection and Syllabus Map5 topics
- Confirm selected optional subject
- Download official Paper I syllabus
- Download official Paper II syllabus
- Map sources to every syllabus line
- Create PYQ theme index
Optional Paper I5 topics
- Complete core theory
- Create detailed notes
- Build short notes
- Write sectional answers
- Attempt full Paper I tests
Optional Paper II5 topics
- Complete core theory
- Create detailed notes
- Build short notes
- Write sectional answers
- Attempt full Paper II tests
Qualifying Language Papers2 chapters · 10 trackable topics
English5 topics
- Comprehension
- Precis writing
- Usage and vocabulary
- Short essays
- Translation where applicable
Indian Language5 topics
- Comprehension
- Precis writing
- Usage and vocabulary
- Short essays
- Translation to and from English
Personality Test3 chapters · 15 trackable topics
Detailed Application Form5 topics
- Personal background
- Education and employment
- Home state and district
- Hobbies and achievements
- Service and cadre preferences
Current Issues and Opinion5 topics
- National issues
- International issues
- Balanced opinion formation
- Policy trade-offs
- Ethical and situational questions
Communication and Mock Interviews5 topics
- Clear and concise responses
- Composure and listening
- Structured mock interviews
- Feedback correction
- Final interview readiness
Important datesPending verification
Year
2026
Vacancies
933
Prelims Date
2026-05-24
Notification Date
2026-02-04
Notification Title
Civil Services Examination, 2026
Application window
2026-02-04 → 2026-02-27
Job profile & salaryPending verification
Salary And Posting
Service, cadre, pay and posting depend on allocation rules and the appointed service; add official DoPT service profiles separately.
| Service |
|---|
| Indian Administrative Service |
| Indian Foreign Service |
| Indian Police Service |
| Indian Revenue Service |
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Previous-year papersPending verification
Best booksNot loaded
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Best free resourcesOfficial link available
| Url | Name |
|---|---|
| Open ↗ | UPSC previous question papers |
How to applyOfficial link available
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Final eligibility and dates are always subject to the latest official notification. Content marked “Pending verification” is not presented as verified advice.