UPSC releases its Annual Calendar in advance — typically in October or November of the preceding year. The 2026 calendar follows the same pattern as previous years, with slight adjustments in exact dates.
This guide consolidates all major UPSC 2026 exam dates across CSE, IFS, CDS, NDA, and CAPF in one place, so you can plan your preparation without cross-referencing multiple notifications.
Important: Always verify dates on the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in. Dates shift occasionally due to elections or administrative reasons — the official notification is the only authoritative source.
UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 Calendar
The Civil Services Examination (CSE) is UPSC's flagship exam, recruiting for IAS, IPS, IFS (Group A), and allied services.
| Event | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Release | February 2026 |
| Online Application Opens | February 2026 |
| Application Window Closes | March 2026 |
| Admit Card (Prelims) | May 2026 |
| Prelims Examination | 25 May 2026 (Tentative) |
| Prelims Result Declaration | July 2026 |
| Mains Application Window | July 2026 |
| Mains Admit Card | September 2026 |
| Mains Examination Begins | 19 September 2026 (Tentative) |
| Mains Examination Ends | 28 September 2026 (Tentative) |
| Mains Result Declaration | January–February 2027 |
| Interview (Personality Test) | February–April 2027 |
| Final Result Declaration | May 2027 |
CSE Prelims is typically held on the last Sunday of May. Mains starts in mid-to-late September and runs across five consecutive days (Essay + GS I–IV) plus two additional days spread across the following week for Optional papers.
Related: UPSC Syllabus 2026: Complete Prelims & Mains Guide
UPSC IFS (Indian Forest Service) Examination 2026
IFS uses the same Prelims as CSE. If you're appearing for both, you write one Prelims.
| Event | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| Notification (combined with CSE) | February 2026 |
| Common Prelims | 25 May 2026 (Tentative) |
| IFS Mains Application | July 2026 |
| IFS Mains Examination | November 2026 (Tentative) |
| IFS Interview | March–April 2027 |
| Final Result | June 2027 |
IFS Mains is separate from CSE Mains and held approximately 2 months later. The IFS Mains has different papers — General English, General Knowledge, and Optional subjects from a science/natural resource list.
UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) 2026
CDS recruits for IMA (Indian Military Academy), INA (Indian Naval Academy), AFA (Air Force Academy), and OTA (Officers Training Academy).
| Exam | Notification | Application Window | Exam Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDS I 2026 | October 2025 | October–November 2025 | February 2026 |
| CDS II 2026 | June 2026 | June–July 2026 | September 2026 |
CDS has two cycles per year. The written exam covers English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics (not required for OTA).
UPSC NDA & NA (National Defence Academy) 2026
NDA recruits for Army, Navy, and Air Force wings. Candidates appear after Class XII.
| Exam | Notification | Application Window | Exam Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| NDA I 2026 | December 2025 | December 2025–January 2026 | April 2026 |
| NDA II 2026 | May 2026 | May–June 2026 | September 2026 |
NDA also has two cycles annually. The written exam covers Mathematics and General Ability Test (English + General Knowledge).
UPSC CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces) 2026
CAPF recruits Assistant Commandants for BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB.
| Event | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| Notification | April 2026 |
| Application Window | April–May 2026 |
| Written Exam | August 2026 (Tentative) |
| Physical Standards Test | October–November 2026 |
| Interview/Personality Test | January 2027 |
| Final Result | March 2027 |
CAPF written exam has two papers: Paper I (General Ability and Intelligence, objective type) and Paper II (General Studies, Essay, Comprehension, descriptive).
UPSC EPFO, CISF, and Other Exams 2026
UPSC conducts several other recruitment examinations through the year:
| Exam | Purpose | Tentative Date |
|---|---|---|
| EPFO Enforcement Officer | EPFO recruitment | March–April 2026 |
| CISF AC (EXE) LDCE | CISF promotion-linked | March 2026 |
| IES/ISS | Indian Economic/Statistical Service | June 2026 |
| Geologists' Examination | Geological Survey of India | April 2026 |
| Combined Medical Services | Medical officer recruitment | June 2026 |
| SCRA (Special Class Railway Apprentice) | Indian Railways | January 2026 |
| NDA/NA (two cycles) | Defence services | April, September 2026 |
| SO/Steno | Staff Selection Commission type | Per notification |
Understanding UPSC Notification Dates
Every UPSC exam starts with a formal notification published in the Gazette of India and on upsc.gov.in. The notification contains:
- Eligibility conditions (age, education, nationality, number of attempts)
- Number of vacancies (indicative)
- Exam pattern and syllabus reference
- Application form and fee details
- Exam schedule (dates for written exam and interview)
Always download the official notification before applying. Eligibility conditions sometimes change between years — age limits, attempt counts, and service-specific requirements can be updated.
Application Process: Key Dates to Track
UPSC's online application is on the One-Time Registration (OTR) platform. For CSE 2026:
| Step | What You Do | When |
|---|---|---|
| OTR Registration | Complete one-time profile | Before notification |
| Part I Application | Basic details, eligibility | Within 2 weeks of notification |
| Part II Application | Fee payment, photo upload | Within application window |
| Form Withdrawal | Withdraw application (if needed) | One week after application closes |
| Admit Card Download | Roll number, exam centre details | 3 weeks before exam |
Application fee: Rs. 100 for General/OBC. Fee-exempt for SC/ST/women/PwBD candidates.
Result and Cutoff Timeline
Understanding the results cycle helps you plan:
- Prelims to Result: Approximately 6–8 weeks after the exam
- Mains to Result: 3–4 months after last paper
- Interview to Final Result: 4–6 weeks after interviews conclude
The entire CSE cycle — from Prelims to final result — spans approximately 12–14 months. If you appear in Prelims in May 2026, your final result comes in May–June 2027.
Related: UPSC Attempts: Category-wise Limit & What Counts
How to Stay Updated on UPSC Exam Dates
UPSC does not send individual reminders. You must monitor actively:
- Bookmark upsc.gov.in — the What's New section lists all notifications chronologically
- UPSC official Twitter/X account: @upsc_ind — posts notifications and date changes
- National newspapers: The Hindu and Indian Express publish UPSC notifications in their education sections
- Gazette of India (egazette.nic.in): Official legal record of all notifications
For exam date changes — which happen occasionally due to state elections or unforeseen circumstances — UPSC posts an official press note on its website. Check 2 weeks before your exam for any last-minute date shifts.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the UPSC Prelims 2026 date?
UPSC Prelims 2026 is expected around 25 May 2026 (tentative). UPSC typically holds Prelims on the last Sunday of May. The confirmed date will be in the official notification released in February 2026. Always verify at upsc.gov.in.
When does the UPSC 2026 notification come out?
The UPSC CSE 2026 notification is expected in February 2026. The Annual Calendar released in late 2025 will confirm the exact notification date. Previous years: CSE 2025 notification released in January, CSE 2024 in February.
What is the last date to apply for UPSC 2026?
The application window for UPSC CSE 2026 typically stays open for 3–4 weeks from the notification date. Based on past cycles, expect the last date in mid-to-late March 2026. The exact date is in the official notification.
How many UPSC exams are held in 2026?
UPSC conducts over 14 recruitment examinations in a calendar year. The major ones in 2026 include CSE (Civil Services), IFS, CDS I and II, NDA I and II, CAPF, Combined Medical Services, IES/ISS, EPFO Enforcement Officer, and Geologists' Examination.
When is UPSC Mains 2026?
UPSC Mains 2026 is expected to begin in mid-to-late September 2026 (tentative: around 19 September). It runs over multiple days — five days for the GS papers and Essay, followed by two days for Optional papers. The confirmed dates appear in the Mains notification, released after the Prelims result.
Tell Google you want more of this.
Add Anantam IAS as a preferred sourceOne tap, and this site shows up more often in your own Top Stories, AI Overviews and AI Mode. Remove it any time.
