Books & Magazines
UPSC Calendar 2026 is out at the official website of the Union Public Service Commission. UPSC Calendar 2026 mentions that Prelims of Civil Services exam will be held on May 24th, and Mains will start from 21st August.
PWOnlyIAS
May 15, 2025
UPSC Calendar 2026 is now available to download at ‘upsc.gov.in’. This UPSC Annual Calendar 2026 notification has brought clarity for lakhs of aspirants preparing for the Civil Services and other prestigious exams by providing the full schedule for its examinations in 2026.
From the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2026 to the UPSC NDA Exam 2026, all important dates, including notifications, application deadlines, and exam schedules, are now public. Find the direct UPSC IAS Calendar 2026 download here to plan your study routines better.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the Annual Calendar for 2026, detailing the schedule for various examinations and recruitment tests. UPSC Calendar 2026 includes crucial dates such as notification releases, application deadlines, and examination dates for major UPSC exams:
| Sl. No. | Name of Examination | Date of Notification | Last Date for Receipt of Applications | Date of Commencement of Exam | Duration of Exam |
| 1 | Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | – | – | 10.01.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
| 2 | Reserved for UPSC Examination | – | – | 17.01.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
| 3 | Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Examination, 2026 | 03.09.2025 | 23.09.2025 | 08.02.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| 4 | Engineering Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2026 | 17.09.2025 | 07.10.2025 | 08.02.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| 5 | CBI (DSP) LDCE | 24.12.2025 | 13.01.2026 | 28.02.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
| 6 | CISF AC(EXE) LDCE – 2026 | 03.12.2025 | 23.12.2025 | 08.03.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| 7 | N.D.A. & N.A. Examination (I), 2026 | 10.12.2025 | 30.12.2025 | 12.04.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| 8 | C.D.S. Examination (I), 2026 | – | – | – | – |
| 9 | Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2026 | 14.01.2026 | 03.02.2026 | 24.05.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| 10 | Indian Forest Service (Preliminary) via CS(P) Exam, 2026 | – | – | 24.05.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| 11 | Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | – | – | 06.06.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
| 12 | I.E.S./I.S.S. Examination, 2026 | 11.02.2026 | 03.03.2026 | 19.06.2026 (Friday) | 3 Days |
| 13 | Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) Examination, 2026 | – | – | 20.06.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
| 14 | Engineering Services (Main) Examination, 2026 | – | – | 21.06.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| 15 | Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | – | – | 04.07.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
| 16 | Central Armed Police Forces (ACs) Examination, 2026 | 18.02.2026 | 10.03.2026 | 19.07.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| 17 | Combined Medical Services Examination, 2026 | 11.03.2026 | 31.03.2026 | 02.08.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| 18 | Reserved for UPSC Examination | – | – | 08.08.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
| 19 | Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2026 | – | – | 21.08.2026 (Friday) | 5 Days |
| 20 | N.D.A. & N.A. Examination (II), 2026 | 20.05.2026 | 09.06.2026 | 13.09.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| 21 | C.D.S. Examination (II), 2026 | – | – | – | – |
| 22 | Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | – | – | 26.09.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
| 23 | Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | – | – | 10.10.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
| 24 | Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | – | – | 31.10.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
| 25 | Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination, 2026 | – | – | 22.11.2026 (Sunday) | 7 Days |
| 26 | S.O./Steno (GD-B/GD-I) LDCE | 16.09.2026 | 06.10.2026 | 12.12.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
| 27 | Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | – | – | 19.12.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
The UPSC CSE Calendar 2026 PDF download link is now available on the official UPSC website. Candidates should download the PDF and keep it handy. It is a key tool to stay ahead of deadlines and avoid last-minute confusion. To support your preparation, we have provided the UPSC Calendar 2026 PDF link below:
The UPSC Civil Services Exam 2026 is the gateway to becoming an IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, and Group ‘A’ officer. The notification for the exam will be released on 14 January 2026, and the last date to apply is 3 February 2026.
The UPSC Prelims 2026 for Civil Services is scheduled for 24 May 2026 (Sunday). This stage consists of two papers: GS Paper I and CSAT (Paper II). Those who qualify in Prelims will appear for the UPSC CSE Mains 2026 starting 21 August 2026 (Friday). The Mains exam will run for five days.
Aspirants must start their preparation immediately and align it with the official calendar to stay on track for both Prelims and Mains.
The UPSC Indian Forest Service 2026 exam will also begin with the Prelims stage on 24 May 2026, conducted alongside the CSE Prelims. The IFS selection process involves Prelims, Mains, and a personality test.
The Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination 2026 will be held from 22 November 2026 (Sunday) and continue for seven days. This gives selected candidates ample time after the Mains to prepare for the IFS descriptive papers, which focus heavily on science and environment subjects.
The UPSC NDA Exam 2026 (National Defence Academy) will be conducted in two cycles:
The NDA exams are crucial for candidates aspiring to join the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force after Class 12.
The UPSC CDS Exam 2026 (Combined Defence Services) also happens twice every year alongside the NDA. The registration process will be held together for both exams. UPSC CDS Exam 2026 dates are as follows:
Aspirants aiming for officer-level positions in the Indian Armed Forces should plan their preparation with these months in mind.
The UPSC Central Armed Police Forces (ACs) Examination 2026 is scheduled for 19 July 2026 (Sunday). The notification will be released on 18 February 2026, and the last date to apply is 10 March 2026.
This examination is a great opportunity for those who want to join forces like BSF, CRPF, CISF, and ITBP as Assistant Commandants. It consists of a written test, physical standards test, and interview/personality test.
Ready to boost your UPSC 2025 preparation? Join PW’s UPSC online courses today!
.png)
Connect with our experts to get free counselling & start preparing
Download Our App
Download Our App
Books & Magazines
Prelims Wallah (Q&A Bank)
Udaan
Udaan 500+
Budget & Economic Survey
Monthly Current Wallah
Weekly Current Wallah
Editorial Summary
Editorial Q&A Compilation
NCERT Wallah
Prahaar (Mains Wallah)
Marks Booster
Mains Wallah (Q&A Bank)
<div class="new-fform">
</div>
