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UPSC Application Process 2026 started on 4 February 2026, and the last date to apply online is 24 February 2026. Candidates can apply through the new application portal at https://upsconline.nic.in
UPSC 2026 Notification was officially released by the Union Public Service Commission on 4 February 2026, marking the formal beginning of the UPSC 2026 examination cycle. The UPSC Application 2026 process started for 933 vacancies from 4 February 2026, and the last date for submission of online applications is 24 February 2026 for the Civil Services Examination. Candidates can visit the Commission’s official website at www.upsc.gov.in for detailed information.
For the UPSC CSE 2026 cycle, the Online Application Portal of the Union Public Service Commission for registration and filling out the application form consists of four modules. Out of these, three modules — Account Creation, Universal Registration, and Common Application Form — are common for all examinations and can be completed at any time by the candidate. The fourth module is examination-specific and can be filled only during the period specified in the respective notification. Applicants are required to apply online through the website https://upsconline.nic.in
The Union Public Service Commission has released the UPSC Application Form 2026 for the Civil Services Examination. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria can now submit their applications through the official online portal. The entire process is conducted digitally, and applications are accepted only in online mode.
As per the official notification, aspirants must complete registration, fill in the Common Application Form, upload their photograph and signature, capture a live photo, select their examination centre, and pay the required fee before the last date. Early submission is recommended to avoid last-minute technical issues and to secure the preferred exam centre
Applicants are advised to carefully read the instructions, verify all details, and keep necessary documents ready before starting the form. Once submitted, the application cannot be modified or withdrawn, so accuracy at every step is important.
Earlier UPSC has postponed the CSE 2026 application process originally set for January 14, with no revised dates announced yet. Official updates on notification, start, end, and correction window appear on UPSC Exam 2026 here.
| UPSC Application 2026 New Dates | |
| Activity | Updated Dates |
| UPSC 2026 Notification Release Date | 4th February 2026 |
| UPSC Application 2026 Start Date | 4th February 2026 |
| UPSC Application 2026 End DATE | The UPSC Online Applications can be filled upto 24th February, 2026 till 6:00 PM. |
| UPSC Application Correction Window 2026 | The candidates should also note that no addition/deletion/any changes are allowed in the Online Application Form in any circumstances once it is submitted. |
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The Union Public Service Commission will conduct the Civil Services Examination 2026 to recruit candidates for various prestigious Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ services of the Government of India.
The Civil Services Preliminary Examination is scheduled to be held on 24 May 2026. Through this examination cycle, around 933 vacancies are expected to be filled. These posts are distributed across administrative, police, revenue, accounts, railway, defence, and allied services.
Out of the total vacancies, 33 seats are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD). The final vacancy count may change depending on confirmation from the respective cadre controlling authorities.
The Union Public Service Commission has prescribed a simple and category-based fee structure for the Civil Services Examination 2026. Candidates are required to pay the fee separately for the Preliminary and Main stages. However, certain categories are fully exempted from payment.
| Examination Stage | Category | Fee Amount | Payment Mode | Notes |
| Preliminary Exam | General / OBC / Other eligible candidates | Rs. 100 | Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card, UPI, Visa, MasterCard, RuPay | Pay during online application |
| Preliminary Exam | Female / SC / ST / PwBD | Nil | Not applicable | Fully exempted |
| Main Examination | General / OBC / Other eligible candidates | Rs. 200 | Online payment modes | Pay after qualifying Prelims |
| Main Examination | Female / SC / ST / PwBD | Nil | Not applicable | Fully exempted |
Note;
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The eligibility conditions for the Civil Services Examination are defined by the Union Public Service Commission in the official notification. Candidates must satisfy requirements related to nationality, age, education, number of attempts, and service restrictions before applying.
Below is a UPSC Eligibility Criteria 2026 – Age Limit, Attempts, Qualification, Nationality and Restrictions based on the official UPSC 2026 Notification;
| Service | Required Nationality |
| IAS, IFS, IPS | Must be a citizen of India |
| Other Services | Citizen of India, or subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or Tibetan refugee (before 1 Jan 1962), or Person of Indian origin migrated from specified countries with Govt. of India eligibility certificate |
| Criteria | Age Requirement |
| UPSC Minimum Age | 21 years |
| UPSC Maximum Age | 32 years for the General/EWS category as of August 1st of the exam year. Candidates must be at least 21 years old. Age relaxation is provided for reserved categories: 35 years for OBC, 37 years for SC/ST, and up to 42 years for PwBD. |
| Date of Birth Range | Born between 2 August 1994 and 1 August 2005 |
| Category | Relaxation |
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| Defence Personnel (disabled in operations) | 3 years |
| Ex-servicemen / ECO / SSCO | 5 years |
| PwBD | 10 years |
| Multiple eligible categories | Relaxations can be combined as per rules |
| Requirement | Details |
| Minimum Qualification | Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university |
| Final-year students | Eligible to apply (must produce proof before interview) |
| Professional/technical degrees | Accepted if recognized by Government |
| Medical graduates | Internship completion proof required before interview |
| Category | Attempts Allowed |
| General / EWS | 6 |
| OBC | 9 |
| SC / ST | Unlimited (within age limit) |
| PwBD (General/EWS/OBC) | 9 |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | Unlimited |
Note: Appearing in even one paper of Prelims counts as an attempt.
| Situation | Eligibility Status |
| Already appointed to IAS or IFS | Not eligible to apply again |
| Already selected for IPS earlier | Cannot opt for IPS again |
| Allocated a service in current year | One-time exemption rules apply with conditions |
| Failure to join training after allocation | Allocation may be cancelled |
| Requirement | Details |
| Physical standards | Must meet medical and physical criteria prescribed for services |
| PwBD candidates | Appointment subject to suitability for identified services |
While filling out the Civil Services Examination form, candidates must keep certain documents ready to avoid delays or mistakes during submission. The Union Public Service Commission requires applicants to provide identity details, educational information, photographs, signatures, and category certificates (where applicable). All documents should be clear, valid, and accurate, as verification is done at later stages of the examination. Keeping scanned copies prepared in advance makes the application process faster and smoother.
List of Documents Required for UPSC Application 2026
| Document Type | Purpose | Details |
| Photo ID Proof | Identity verification | Aadhaar Card / Voter ID / PAN Card / Passport / Driving Licence / Govt. issued ID |
| Passport Size Photograph | Profile and verification | Recent colour photo with plain background |
| Live Photograph | Real-time verification | Captured during application |
| Signature | Authentication | Handwritten signature in black ink on white paper |
| Educational Details | Qualification proof | Graduation degree or final-year details |
| Date of Birth Proof | Age verification | Matriculation/10th certificate |
| Category Certificate (if applicable) | Reservation benefit | SC/ST/OBC/EWS certificate in prescribed format |
| PwBD Certificate (if applicable) | Disability benefit | Medical certificate issued by competent authority |
| Payment Details | Fee submission | Net banking/card/UPI details (if not exempted) |
| Contact Details | Communication | Active mobile number and email ID |
Important InstructionsCandidates should ensure that all uploaded files are clear and readable. Blurred images, incorrect documents, or mismatched information may lead to rejection of the application. Details entered in the form must match official certificates exactly. It is also advisable to keep both soft copies and printed copies for future reference. Preparing these documents beforehand helps complete the UPSC application quickly without last-minute errors. |
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The application process for the Civil Services Examination 2026 is conducted online through the Union Public Service Commission portal. Candidates must complete registration, fill in personal and academic details, upload documents, and pay the fee within the specified timeline. No offline or postal applications are accepted.
Below are step-by-step instructions to help you complete the UPSC Application 2026 process smoothly.
| Step | Action | What You Need to Do |
| Step 1 | Visit official portal | Go to upsconline.nic.in |
| Step 2 | Account Creation | Create login ID using email and mobile number |
| Step 3 | Universal Registration Number (URN) | Complete one-time registration to generate URN (valid for all UPSC exams) |
| Step 4 | Common Application Form (CAF) | Enter personal details, address, education, and ID proof |
| Step 5 | Upload Photograph | Upload recent photo and capture live photo as instructed |
| Step 6 | Upload Signature | Sign on white paper with black ink and upload scanned copy |
| Step 7 | Examination Module | Select Civil Services Examination 2026, choose centre and preferences |
| Step 8 | Fee Payment | Pay applicable fee through Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card or UPI (if not exempted) |
| Step 9 | Final Submission | Review all details carefully and submit the form |
| Step 10 | Print Confirmation | Download and save the application form and receipt for future use |
For the Civil Services Examination 2026, the Union Public Service Commission has updated the photograph and signature upload process to ensure better identity verification. Candidates must upload a clear scanned photo, provide their signature, and also complete a live photo capture while filling out the form. Blurred or incorrect uploads may lead to rejection of the application
Below are the format requirements and instructions explained in a simple manner
| Item | Requirement | Key Instructions |
| Photograph | Recent passport-size photo | Clear face, plain background, good lighting |
| Live Photo | Mandatory capture during form filling | Must match uploaded photograph |
| Signature | Handwritten on white paper | Use black ink only |
| Signature Format | Three signatures one below another | Scan and upload clearly |
| Clarity | High quality image | No blur, shadow, or cut edges |
| Visibility | Full face and full signature visible | No crop or partial image |
UPSC Photo and Signature Upload Do’s and Don’ts (Important Instructions)Candidates should use a recent colour photograph with a light and plain background, keep their face straight and clearly visible, ensure proper lighting, and upload a sharp and high-quality image. The signature should be written naturally with black ink on white paper and scanned neatly without smudges. At the same time, avoid using old or edited photos, selfies, caps, sunglasses, masks, or dark backgrounds. Do not upload blurred, cropped, low-resolution, or filtered images. The signature should not be in capital letters, stylized fonts, or pencil, and incomplete or unclear uploads should be strictly avoided, as such mistakes may lead to rejection of the application form. Keeping these simple points in mind will help you complete the application smoothly without any technical issues. |
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As per the official guidelines 2026 of the Union Public Service Commission, candidates must understand that the Civil Services Examination application process allows very limited editing. The form can only be corrected before final submission. Once submitted, the application is treated as final and no regular correction window is provided. This means there is no separate correction window after submission.
Candidates can edit their details only while they are still filling the form and have not pressed the final submit button. During this stage, personal details, educational information, exam centre, photo, signature, and other entries can be modified.
However, once the form is finally submitted, the application becomes locked. No changes, corrections, or updates are allowed in any field. Even if you later update your Universal Registration (URN) profile, those changes will not apply to the already submitted Civil Services Examination form.
| Stage | Editing Allowed | Explanation |
| During form filling (before final submit) | Yes | All details can be changed freely |
| After final submission | No | No correction or modification permitted |
| URN/Profile section update | Yes (one-time) | Only for future exams, not current application |
| Withdrawal of application | Not allowed | Submitted form cannot be cancelled |
The Union Public Service Commission has activated the online application link for the Civil Services Examination 2026. Eligible candidates can submit their forms through the official registration portal by completing account creation, Universal Registration, and the examination-specific application module.
All applicants must apply only through the official website, as no offline or alternative mode of submission is accepted. The process includes filling personal and educational details, uploading photograph and signature, completing live photo capture, selecting exam centres, and paying the prescribed fee. It is advisable to apply early to avoid last-day rush and technical delays
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UPSC CSE 2026 Notification, released on 4 February 2026, formally begins the Civil Services Examination cycle with approximately 933 vacancies and an application window open until 24 February 2026 (6:00 PM)
The UPSC CSE 2026 Notification, released on 4 February 2026, formally begins the Civil Services Examination cycle with approximately 933 vacancies and an application window open until 24 February 2026 (6:00 PM).
As per the official notification issued by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the 2026 examination, the minimum age to apply is 21 years for all candidates. The upper age limit for General and EWS candidates is 32 years. Candidates belonging to the OBC category are eligible for age relaxation of 3 years, allowing them to apply up to 35 years. For SC/ST candidates, a 5-year relaxation is provided, extending the upper age limit to 37 years. Additionally, Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) are granted a 10-year relaxation, making the maximum permissible age 42 years. These relaxations are applicable as per government norms and must be supported with valid category certificates.
UPSC Notification 2026 strongly recommends using Aadhaar as the primary identity document for faster verification across exam stages. Candidates may alternatively use other valid government IDs: Voter ID, PAN Card, Passport, Driving Licence.
How to Fill UPSC CSE 2026 Application Form: Step-by-Step Guide Step 1: Account Creation on UPSC Online Portal. Step 2: Universal Registration Number (URN) Generation. Step 3: Filling the Common Application Form (CAF) Step 4: Examination Specific Module – UPSC CSE 2026.
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