IAS
Union Public Service Commission
🏛️ UPSC
🇮🇳 National level
● Active
UPSC Civil Services Examination (IAS) is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit for: Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and around twenty other Group A and Group B central services including Indian Revenue Service, Indian Audit and Accounts Service and Indian Railway Management Service. Selection is through Preliminary Examination (objective, screening only), followed by Main Examination (written, descriptive), followed by Interview / Personality Test.
IAS 2026 — Key Facts at a Glance
| Exam name | UPSC Civil Services Examination (IAS) — Civil Services Examination |
|---|---|
| Conducting body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Government of India |
| Latest cycle | CSE 2026 |
| Vacancies | 933, including 33 vacancies reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disability |
| Posts | Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and around twenty other Group A and Group B central services including Indian Revenue Service, Indian Audit and Accounts Service and Indian Railway Management Service |
| Qualification | A Bachelor's degree from a university incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India, or an institution declared deemed university under the UGC Act 1956. Candidates awaiting their final year result may also apply, subject to producing proof before the Mains application. |
| Age limit | 21 to 32 years as on 1 August 2026 — born between 2 August 1994 and 1 August 2005 |
| Number of attempts | 6 attempts for General and EWS candidates, 9 for OBC, and unlimited for SC and ST. PwBD candidates get 9 attempts if they are General, EWS or OBC, and unlimited if SC or ST. |
| Application fee | ₹100 for the Preliminary Examination and a further ₹200 for the Main Examination. Female, SC, ST and PwBD candidates are exempted from both. |
| Selection stages | Preliminary Examination (objective, screening only) → Main Examination (written, descriptive) → Interview / Personality Test |
| Total marks | Mains written 1750 marks + Personality Test 275 marks = 2025 marks |
| Negative marking | Yes — one third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer in the Preliminary Examination. There is no negative marking in the Main Examination, which is entirely descriptive. |
| Official website | upsc.gov.in |
UPSC Civil Services Examination (IAS) is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit for Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and around twenty other Group A and Group B central services including Indian Revenue Service, Indian Audit and Accounts Service and Indian Railway Management Service. The CSE 2026 notification declares 933, including 33 vacancies reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disability.
UPSC Civil Services Examination (IAS) selection process
- Preliminary Examination (objective, screening only)
- Main Examination (written, descriptive)
- Interview / Personality Test
UPSC Civil Services Examination (IAS) exam pattern
| Paper | Subjects | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prelims Paper-I | General Studies | 100 | 200 | 2 hours |
| Prelims Paper-II | CSAT — comprehension, reasoning, basic numeracy (qualifying at 33%) | 80 | 200 | 2 hours |
| Mains Paper-A | Indian Language (qualifying) | Descriptive | 300 | 3 hours |
| Mains Paper-B | English (qualifying) | Descriptive | 300 | 3 hours |
| Mains Paper-I | Essay | Descriptive | 250 | 3 hours |
| Mains Paper-II to V | General Studies I, II, III and IV | Descriptive | 250 each | 3 hours each |
| Mains Paper-VI and VII | Optional Subject Paper 1 and Paper 2 | Descriptive | 250 each | 3 hours each |
| Personality Test | Interview board | — | 275 | — |
Total marks
Mains written 1750 marks + Personality Test 275 marks = 2025 marks.
Negative marking
Yes — one third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer in the Preliminary Examination. There is no negative marking in the Main Examination, which is entirely descriptive.
UPSC does not normalise marks
This is the single most common misconception carried over from SSC. UPSC conducts each paper in one sitting with one question paper, so there are no shifts to equate and no normalisation formula. A published UPSC cut off is a raw mark you could actually have scored on the paper — which is why the figures are clean numbers rather than five-decimal scores.
What is next for UPSC Civil Services Examination (IAS)
The CSE 2026 Preliminary Examination was held on 24 May 2026 and the Main Examination runs from 21 August 2026. The CSE 2027 notification is due on 13 January 2027, with the Preliminary Examination on 23 May 2027.
📢 Latest Updates
View all news →- 22 Jul 2026 UPSC Civil Services 2026 Prelims Date Announced
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UPSC Civil Services Examination (IAS) vacancy for CSE 2026?
933, including 33 vacancies reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disability. UPSC states in the notice that the number is liable to alteration.
What is the age limit for UPSC Civil Services Examination (IAS)?
21 to 32 years as on 1 August 2026 — born between 2 August 1994 and 1 August 2005. The upper limit is relaxed by 5 years for SC and ST, 3 years for OBC, and up to 10 years for PwBD candidates.
What qualification is required for UPSC Civil Services Examination (IAS)?
A Bachelor's degree from a university incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India, or an institution declared deemed university under the UGC Act 1956. Candidates awaiting their final year result may also apply, subject to producing proof before the Mains application.
How many attempts are allowed for UPSC Civil Services Examination (IAS)?
6 attempts for General and EWS candidates, 9 for OBC, and unlimited for SC and ST. PwBD candidates get 9 attempts if they are General, EWS or OBC, and unlimited if SC or ST.
What is the UPSC Civil Services Examination (IAS) application fee?
₹100 for the Preliminary Examination and a further ₹200 for the Main Examination. Female, SC, ST and PwBD candidates are exempted from both.
Is there negative marking in UPSC Civil Services Examination (IAS)?
Yes — one third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer in the Preliminary Examination. There is no negative marking in the Main Examination, which is entirely descriptive.
What is the UPSC Civil Services Examination (IAS) selection process?
Selection is through Preliminary Examination (objective, screening only), followed by Main Examination (written, descriptive), followed by Interview / Personality Test.
What are the total marks in UPSC Civil Services Examination (IAS)?
Mains written 1750 marks + Personality Test 275 marks = 2025 marks.
What is the UPSC Civil Services Examination (IAS) salary?
Pay Level 10 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix at entry (₹56,100 basic) for the IAS, IPS and IFS, rising to Level 18 (₹2,50,000) at Cabinet Secretary rank, plus Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance and Transport Allowance.
Does UPSC normalise marks in UPSC Civil Services Examination (IAS)?
No. UPSC conducts each paper in a single sitting with one question paper, so there are no shifts to equate and no normalisation. Published cut offs are raw marks.
When does UPSC release the UPSC Civil Services Examination (IAS) answer key?
Only after the final result for that cycle is declared, under the Commission's disclosure policy. There is no post-exam challenge window of the kind SSC runs.
Where do I download the UPSC Civil Services Examination (IAS) admit card?
From upsc.gov.in. The e-Admit Card appears about two to three weeks before the examination and is not posted to candidates.
Do I need to register separately for UPSC Civil Services Examination (IAS)?
No. UPSC issues a Universal Registration Number (URN) that is registered once in a lifetime and used for every UPSC examination. Only the examination-specific module is filled per exam.
What is next for UPSC Civil Services Examination (IAS)?
The CSE 2026 Preliminary Examination was held on 24 May 2026 and the Main Examination runs from 21 August 2026. The CSE 2027 notification is due on 13 January 2027, with the Preliminary Examination on 23 May 2027.