List of All Exams Conducted by UPSC 2026: After 12th & Graduation

List of all Exams Conducted by UPSC: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is the governmental body responsible for conducting annual recruitment examinations for various civil services and other governmental posts. It plays a crucial role in ensuring a merit-based selection process for candidates aspiring to serve in key positions within the Indian administration.

The list of all exams conducted by UPSC includes the Civil Services Examination (CSE) for IAS, IFS, and IPS, the Indian Forest Service Examination (IFoS), the Engineering Services Examination (ESE) for engineers, and the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE) for the armed forces.

Keep reading for a comprehensive list of all exams conducted by UPSC, the eligibility criteria, and important details for each exam.

How Many Exams are Conducted by UPSC?

UPSC conducts more than 10 national-level exams every year for recruiting to various government posts. Broadly speaking, the list of all exams conducted by UPSC comes under two major categories:

1. Civil Services Exams: These categories of exams are focused on administrative roles.
2. Specialized Exams: These categories of exams require specialized knowledge in specific fields such as engineering, economics, and defence.

The total number of exams conducted by UPSC each year may vary as it depends on the need for recruitment for that year, but a core set of 10 exams is conducted regularly, these are:

1. Civil Services Examination (CSE)
2. Indian Forest Service Examination (IFoS)
3. Engineering Services Examination (ESE)
4. Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE)
5. National Defence Academy Examination (NDA)
6. Combined Medical Services Examination (CMS)
7. Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination (CAPF AC)
8. Indian Statistical Service Examination/Indian Economic Service Examination (ISS-IES)
9. Combined Geo-Scientist Examination (CGSE).
10. Central Industrial Security Force (Assistant Commandants) Examination (CISF AC (EXE) LDCE)

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List of All Exams Conducted by UPSC 2026

The list of all exams conducted by UPSC includes prominent exams like the Civil Services Exam, Engineering Services Exam, and Indian Forest Service Exam, among others. The major exams, their purpose, and eligibility requirements are detailed below candidates must get knowledge of each exam:

1. UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE)

The UPSC Civil Services Exam is one of the most favoured and prominent exams which attracts lakhs of aspirants every year. This examination recruits officers for prestigious services like the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and others.

• Eligibility: Graduation from any recognized university.
• Age Limit: 21 to 32 years (with age relaxations for candidates from reserved categories).
• Selection Process: Preliminary exam, Mains exam, and Interview.

2. UPSC Engineering Services Examination (ESE)

The UPSC Engineering Services Exam is conducted to recruit aspirants from engineering backgrounds for technical services and posts in various government departments, including railways, defence, and public works.

• Eligibility: Engineering degree with specialisations like Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or Electronics & Telecommunication.
• Age Limit: 21 to 30 years.
• Selection Process: Preliminary exam, Mains exam, and Interview.

3. UPSC Indian Forest Service Examination (IFS)

The UPSC Indian Forest Service Exam is conducted every year to recruit officers dedicated to forestry services and wildlife management.

• Eligibility: A graduation degree in subjects like Forestry, Botany, Chemistry, Engineering, and others.
• Age Limit: 21 to 32 years.
• Selection Process: Preliminary exam (shared with Civil Services), Mains exam, and Interview.

4. UPSC Indian Economic Service (IES)

The UPSC Indian Economic Service Exam is conducted annually to recruit economists for various departments of the government, who will especially focus on policy formulation and economic advisory roles.

• Eligibility: A Postgraduate degree in Economics/Applied Economics/Business Economics/Econometrics.
• Age Limit: 21 to 30 years.
• Selection Process: Written exam and Interview.

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5. UPSC Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination

The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exam recruits candidates for the Indian Military Academy, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers’ Training Academy annually.

• Eligibility: Graduation from the Army, and a degree in Engineering or 12th standard with Physics and Mathematics for the Navy and Air Force.
• Age Limit: 19 to 25 years (varies according to the academy).
• Selection Process: Written exam and SSB Interview.

6. UPSC Indian Statistical Service (ISS)

The UPSC Indian Statistical Service Exam is conducted by the government to recruit statisticians for various government services. They play a crucial role in data analysis, statistical policy formulation, and research.

• Eligibility: A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Statistics/Mathematical Statistics/Applied Statistics.
• Age Limit: 21 to 30 years.
• Selection Process: Written exam and Interview.

List of Exams Conducted by UPSC After 12th

Contrary to popular belief, UPSC also conducts a few recruitment examinations open to candidates who have completed their 12th standard. The most notable exam in this category is the National Defence Academy (NDA) Exam.

UPSC NDA and NA Examination

The National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA) Examination annually recruits cadets for the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.

• Eligibility: 12th standard with Physics and Mathematics for Air Force and Navy. 12th standard for the Army.
• Age Limit: 16.5 to 19.5 years.
• Selection Process: Written exam followed by a Service Selection Board (SSB) Interview.

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List of Exams Conducted by UPSC After Graduation

Most of the UPSC job roles are only available after graduation, due to which most of the exams conducted by UPSC after graduation according to the specialized fields, making them ideal for candidates with specific educational backgrounds.

1. UPSC Combined Medical Services Examination (CMS)

The UPSC Combined Medical Services Examination (CMS) is conducted to recruit medical graduates for various government hospitals and health services across India. This examination aims to fill positions for Assistant Medical Officers in organizations like the Railways, Municipal Corporations, and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

• Educational Qualification: Candidates must possess an MBBS degree from a recognized university.
• Age Limit: Generally, the upper age limit is 32 years for unreserved candidates, with age relaxations applicable for certain categories.
• Selection Process: Written exam and Interview.

2. UPSC Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) Examination

The CAPF Exam recruits Assistant Commandants in various paramilitary forces like CRPF, BSF, ITBP, CISF, and SSB.

• Eligibility: Graduation from any recognized university.
• Age Limit: 20 to 25 years.
• Selection Process: Written exam, Physical test, and Interview.

3. UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination

The UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Exam recruits candidates only for roles related to geology and environmental fields such as geological surveys, water resource management, and other geo-scientific roles.

• Eligibility: Master’s degree in Geology, Hydrology, or related disciplines.
• Age Limit: 21 to 32 years.
• Selection Process: Preliminary exam, Mains exam, and Interview.

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List of all Exams Conducted by UPSC in 2026

UPSC every year follows a pre-planned calendar for its exams, which ensures a structured recruitment process. The UPSC Calendar for 2026 has been released, detailing the various exams scheduled for that year. The exams conducted by UPSC in 2026 will include the Civil Services Exam, Engineering Services Exam, Indian Forest Service Exam, and various others mentioned above. Here is the UPSC Calendar 2026:

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