Planning for UPSC 2026? Here Are the Key Dates, Vacancies and Rule Changes |
After weeks of anticipation and speculation, the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 notification is finally out, officially kickstarting one of India’s most closely followed exam cycles.
Released on 4 February 2026, after a brief postponement, the notification announces 933 vacancies across IAS, IPS, IFS and other Group A and B services. This is a dip from last year’s 979 posts, signalling tougher competition ahead.
While the familiar three-stage process of Prelims, Mains, and Interview remains intact, this year brings some procedural and eligibility updates that candidates should understand before applying.
Here are the key dates from the 2026 notification:
Notification release: 4 February 2026
Application window: 4 February – 24 February 2026
Civil services preliminary examination: 24 May 2026
Civil services main examination: 21 August 2026 onwards
Aspirants should plan revision cycles and mock test schedules, keeping these deadlines in mind.
Step 1: Visit the official UPSC website —https://www.upsc.gov.in —........