UPSC Prelims Exam Date 2026 (Out), Check Official Date, Updates

UPSC Prelims Exam Date 2026: The UPSC CSE 2026 notification has been officially released on 4 February 2026, with the online application window open from 4 February to 24 February 2026. Despite the notification delay, the UPSC Prelims Exam Date 2026 remains unchanged and is scheduled for 24 May 2026. Aspirants should continue their preparation according to this timeline.

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Is the UPSC 2026 Prelims Exam Date Postponed?

Many aspirants have been asking if UPSC Prelims 2026 has been postponed. The confusion arose because the official notification, originally expected on 14 January 2026, was delayed. The UPSC has now released the CSE 2026 notification on 4 February 2026, with the online application window open from 4 February to 24 February 2026.

Despite the delay in notification and application start, the Prelims Exam 2026 remains scheduled for 24 May 2026. The Commission has confirmed that the exam date has not changed, and the delay was purely for administrative reasons.

UPSC 2026 Notification (Out)

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 notification on 4 February 2026 for 933 vacancies. The notification was earlier scheduled for 14 January 2026 but was delayed due to administrative reasons.

UPSC Prelims 2026 Notification Date

The UPSC Prelims 2026 notification for the Civil Services Examination and the Indian Forest Service Examination is on 4th February 2026. The UPSC prelims exam notification 2026 contains complete details related to eligibility, application process, exam centres, the syllabus, and instructions.

Candidates are advised to keep scanned copies of photographs, signatures, and required documents ready. The application window usually remains open for a limited period. Staying prepared helps avoid last-minute issues.

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The release of the notification also clarifies doubts related to the UPSC prelims exam date and details 2026, including application correction windows and admit card timelines.

UPSC Prelims Exam Date 2026 Overview

UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 is a national-level competitive examination conducted every year to recruit candidates for various Group A and Group B services. These services include administrative, police, revenue, audit, and allied roles under the Government of India.

The examination process is conducted in three stages: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Personality Test. The exam is held in offline mode and is conducted in both English and Hindi to provide language convenience to candidates.

UPSC Prelims Exam Date 2026 Event Wise

Union Public Service Commission has confirmed that the UPSC CSE Prelims Date 2026 is fixed as 24 May 2026. Even though the notification release was postponed from the earlier date of 14 January 2026, the preliminary examination schedule has not been revised. The UPSC CSE 2026 Notification has been released on 4 February 2026 with 933 vacancies.

The Mains examination is planned for August 2026, while other important events, such as admit card release, result declaration, and interview schedule, will be announced soon. Candidates should regularly check official updates and strictly follow the prescribed timeline to avoid missing any important deadlines.

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UPSC Prelims Exam Timetable 2026

UPSC Prelims Exam Timetable 2026 is expected to follow a structure similar to the previous year. Since the official timetable for 2026 has not been released yet, the tentative schedule below is prepared based on the UPSC Prelims Exam Timing 2025. This gives aspirants a clear idea of shift timings and exam flow.

The UPSC Prelims examination is usually conducted in two shifts on the same day. Each paper is of two hours duration. Candidates must report to the exam centre well in advance, as entry gates close before the exam begins.

As per past guidelines, including those mentioned on the UPSC Prelims Admit Card 2025, exam centre gates close 30 minutes before the commencement of each paper. No candidate is allowed entry after the gate closing time.

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UPSC Prelims Admit Card 2026 Date

The UPSC 2026 admit card will be released a few weeks before the examination. Candidates can download it using their registration credentials.

The admit card will mention the exam centre, reporting time, and important instructions. It is mandatory to carry a valid photo ID along with the admit card to the exam centre.

Consistent preparation, regular revision, and focus on fundamentals remain the key priorities at this stage. Staying aligned with the official schedule will help candidates move forward with confidence and clarity.

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