UPSC Civil Services IAS Pre Online Form 2026: Notification, Eligibility & Exam Date
UPSC Civil Services IAS Pre Online Form 2026: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the notification for the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026. This is the most prestigious examination in India for recruitment to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other Central Group 'A' and 'B' services.
Candidates who have completed their graduation or are in the final year of their degree can apply for this examination. The application process involves One Time Registration (OTR) followed by the specific application form. In this post, we provide all the necessary details regarding eligibility, age limit, syllabus, and the application procedure.
UPSC CSE 2026: Recruitment Overview
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Civil Services (Pre) Exam 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 1050+ (Approx) |
| Application Mode | Online (OTR Based) |
| Exam Date | 26 May 2026 (Sunday) |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
Important Dates & Application Fees
Important Dates
- Notification Released: 14 February 2026
- Application Start: 14 February 2026
- Last Date to Apply: 05 March 2026 (up to 6 PM)
- Correction Window: 06-12 March 2026
- Prelims Exam Date: 26 May 2026
- Admit Card: May 2026 (2nd Week)
Application Fee
- General / OBC / EWS: Rs. 100/-
- SC / ST / PH / Female: Nil (0/-)
- Payment Mode: Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, UPI, or Cash at SBI Branch.
Eligibility Criteria (As on 01/08/2026)
1. Educational Qualification
- Candidates must hold a Degree (Graduation) from a recognized university in any stream (BA, B.Sc, B.Com, B.Tech, etc.).
- Candidates appearing in their final year examination are also eligible to apply for the Preliminary Exam.
2. Age Limit
- Minimum Age: 21 Years
- Maximum Age: 32 Years
- Age Relaxation:
- OBC: 3 Years (Max 35 Years)
- SC/ST: 5 Years (Max 37 Years)
- PH: 10 Years
3. Number of Attempts
- General / EWS: 6 Attempts
- OBC: 9 Attempts
- SC / ST: Unlimited (Up to Age Limit)
- PwBD: 9 Attempts (Unlimited for SC/ST PwBD)
Exam Pattern (Preliminary)
The Preliminary Examination consists of two objective type (multiple choice) papers:
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies (GS) | 100 | 200 | 2 Hours |
| Paper II | CSAT (Aptitude) | 80 | 200 | 2 Hours |
Note: Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying in nature (Minimum 33% marks required). Merit is based only on Paper I.
How to Apply Online?
- Visit the official website of UPSC (upsconline.nic.in).
- Click on "One Time Registration (OTR) for Examinations".
- Register yourself if applying for the first time. If already registered, log in using Email/Mobile/OTR ID.
- Go to "Latest Notifications" tab and select "Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026".
- Fill in Part-I (Basic Details) and Part-II (Payment, Center Selection, Photo & Signature Upload) of the application.
- Upload scanned photograph and signature as per specific dimensions.
- Submit the form and take a printout for future reference.
Important Links
Apply Online (OTR): Available on upsconline.nic.in
Download Notification: Available on upsc.gov.in
Official Website: upsc.gov.in
FAQs
Q1. What is the exam date for UPSC IAS Pre 2026?
Ans: The Preliminary examination is scheduled for 26 May 2026.
Q2. Can final year students apply?
Ans: Yes, final year students are eligible for the Prelims exam.
Q3. Is OTR mandatory for UPSC?
Ans: Yes, One Time Registration (OTR) is mandatory before filling out the application form.
