Know the UPSC Prelims 2026 Exam Date in advance to prepare yourself well in advance for the exam. According to the official calendar released by the New Delhi-based Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), the Civil Services Examination 2026 Preliminary exam is scheduled to be held on Sunday, May 24, 2026. The CSE 2026 notification is expected in January 2026, with applications closing in early February.

Key UPSC Prelims 2026 Exam Date

  • Notification Release: January 14, 2026
  • Application Deadline: February 3, 2026
  • Prelims Exam: May 24, 2026 (Sunday)
  • Mains Exam: August 21, 2026 (5 days)
  • Personality Test: February–March 2027 (Tentative)

Candidates are encouraged and requested to always refer to the official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in) for the definitive calendar and UPSC Prelims 2026 Exam Date.

UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026

The UPSC Prelims 2026 Exam Date is scheduled for 24 May 2026. The Preliminary stage functions as a qualifying and screening examination, intended to shortlist candidates for the subsequent Mains stage.

The Prelims comprise two objective-type papers held on the same day in offline (pen-and-paper) mode at examination centres across the country. These papers are:

General Studies Paper I, which assesses candidates on subjects such as history, polity, economy, geography, environment, and current affairs; and

General Studies Paper II (CSAT), which evaluates comprehension, logical reasoning, analytical ability, and basic numeracy.

Marks obtained in General Studies Paper I alone are considered for merit ranking at this stage, while CSAT is qualifying in nature. Only candidates who clear the prescribed cut-off are permitted to appear for the Mains examination.

UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination 2026

The UPSC CSE Mains Examination 2026 is slated to begin on 21 August 2026 and will be conducted over a period of five days. This stage is designed to test candidates’ academic depth, conceptual clarity, analytical competence, and written expression in a comprehensive manner.

The Mains examination consists of nine descriptive papers, including one Essay paper, four General Studies papers, two Optional Subject papers, and qualifying papers on Indian languages and English. Performance in the Mains plays a decisive role in determining a candidate’s progression to the final stage of the selection process, namely the Personality Test (Interview).

Only those candidates who successfully qualify in the Preliminary Examination are eligible to appear for the Mains examination.

UPSC Civil Services Eligibility Criteria

Candidates aspiring to appear for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) must satisfy the eligibility conditions prescribed by the Union Public Service Commission. These criteria relate to nationality, age limit, educational qualification, and number of attempts.

Read here for nationality, educational qualifications, age, number of attempts, etc.

Nationality

  • For the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS), the candidate must be a citizen of India.
  • For other services, candidates may be:
    • Citizens of India, or
    • Subjects of Nepal or Bhutan, or
    • Tibetan refugees who came to India before 1 January 1962 with the intention of permanent settlement, or
  • Persons of Indian origin who have migrated from specified countries with the intention of permanently settling in India.

Age Limit

The candidate must be at least 21 years old and not more than 32 years of age as on the cut-off date specified in the official notification.

Upper age relaxation is provided to candidates belonging to reserved categories such as SC, ST, OBC, and certain other categories, as per government norms.

Educational Qualification

A candidate must hold a graduate degree from a recognized university or possess an equivalent qualification.

Candidates appearing in the final year of their graduation are also eligible to apply, subject to producing proof of qualification at the appropriate stage.

Number of Attempts

  • General category candidates are allowed six attempts.
  • OBC candidates can avail nine attempts.
  • SC/ST candidates are permitted unlimited attempts within the prescribed age limit.

UPSC Civil Services Syllabus

The UPSC syllabus is extensive and is designed to evaluate candidates’ intellectual abilities, awareness of national and international issues, and administrative aptitude. It is broadly divided into Preliminary Examination and Main Examination.

Read detailed Syllabus for UPSC Prelims and Mains

UPSC Preparation Books and Study Resources

Selecting the right books is crucial for systematic and effective UPSC preparation. Aspirants are advised to rely on standard, time-tested sources rather than excessive material.

For details read Recommended Books for UPSC Civil Services Exam

Conclusion

The UPSC Civil Services Examination is a multi-stage process that demands conceptual clarity, disciplined preparation, and sustained effort. A clear understanding of eligibility conditions, a structured grasp of the syllabus, and reliance on standard books and authentic sources form the foundation of a successful preparation strategy. Aspirants who align their study plan with the official UPSC framework significantly enhance their chances of success. For UPSC Prelims 2026 Exam Date and notification keep on visiting the official website.