UPSC Exam 2026– Date, Vacancy, Eligibility, Notification

UPSC Exam 2026 – Overview

Dreaming of becoming an IAS or IPS officer? The UPSC Exam 2026 is your gateway to India’s most powerful and prestigious careers in civil services. Every year, lakhs of aspirants take this exam—but only a few make it to the final merit list. What sets them apart? Early preparation, accurate information, and a well-structured plan.

Conducted by the Union Public Service Commission, the UPSC Exam is held in three intense stages — Prelims, Mains, and Interview — to test not only your knowledge but also your personality, decision-making, and ethics. The 2026 exam is expected to follow the familiar structure but with increasing competition, preparation must start now.

In this blog, we decode everything you need to know: the UPSC exam date, vacancy trends, eligibility criteria, and IAS qualification requirements

 UPSC Exam Date 2026

The UPSC exam date for CSE 2026 has been officially confirmed in the annual exam calendar. The key dates are:

• Notification Release Date: 14 January 2026
• Application Deadline: 3 February 2026
• UPSC Prelims 2026 Date: 24 May 2026 (Sunday)
• UPSC Mains 2026 Start Date: 21 August 2026 (Friday)

 UPSC 2026 Vacancy Details

While the exact vacancy count is officially declared alongside the notification, historical trends provide a useful estimate:

For UPSC Exam 2026, a vacancy range of 950–1,100 is anticipated based on past releases and official patterns, though final confirmation will only come with the official notification.

A table showing the 2025 vacancies has been shared below

 UPSC Eligibility

Meeting the UPSC eligibility criteria is mandatory. Here are the core requirements:

• Nationality: Indian citizen for IAS/IPS; other services permit citizens of Nepal/Bhutan, refugees, etc., as per rules.
• Educational Qualification: Graduate degree from a recognized university. Final-year students may apply if they submit proof before the Mains.
• Age Limit (as of 1 August 2026):
  • General: 21–32 years
  • OBC: 21–35 years
  • SC/ST: 21–37 years
  • EWS: 21–32 years
  • Additional relaxations apply for PwBD and other reserved categories.
• Number of Attempts:
  • General: 6
  • OBC: 9
  • SC/ST: Unlimited (within age limit)
  • PwBD: 9 (OBC), Unlimited (SC/ST)

Ensure UPSC eligibility criteria are thoroughly reviewed prior to applying to avoid disqualification.

Check UPSC Syllabus 2026: Prelims, Mains & Interview

 IAS Qualification

To meet the IAS qualification requirements, a candidate must:

• Be a citizen of India
• Hold a graduate degree from a recognized institution
• Fall within the prescribed age bracket
• Clear all three stages of the UPSC Exam: Prelims, Mains, and Interview

Success in the IAS qualification process stems from subject-matter mastery, analytical thinking, effective writing skills, and ethical clarity—especially for high ranks in Mains and Interview.

 What to Do After UPSC Notification 2026?

Upon the release of the UPSC 2026 notification, candidates should:

• Apply online through upsconline.nic.in
• Download and analyze the complete notification PDF
• Finalize preparation strategy for UPSC Prelims 2026
• Focus on NCERTs, core textbooks, and current affairs
• Engage in mock tests and mentoring to refine exam tactics (Refer to visionias.in to take a look at the range of mock tests and other programmes)

Watch: PYQ Analysis and Approach for 2026-2027

This is the decisive phase of your journey. With the UPSC 2026 Exam dates confirmed, now is the time to move from planning to action. Focused preparation, disciplined revision, and consistent mock testing are non-negotiable if you aim to succeed. 

Stay updated with the official calendar, understand the UPSC exam date, notification details, IAS qualification, and eligibility criteria — and start preparing with purpose. With clarity, commitment, and the right strategy, your name can be on the final list.