Overview
- At last check, the notification PDF and the registration schedule had not been published on upsc.gov.in despite the homepage link being updated.
- The official calendar lists the Preliminary examination on May 24, 2026 and the Mains beginning on August 21, 2026.
- Applications will open on upsconline.gov.in after One Time Registration, with a ₹100 fee for most male General, OBC and EWS candidates and exemptions for Female, SC, ST and PwBD applicants.
- The selection pathway remains Prelims with two objective papers and a qualifying CSAT, followed by nine descriptive Mains papers and a Personality Test.
- The forthcoming circular is expected to specify vacancies, category-wise eligibility and attempt limits, photo-upload rules requiring a recent image with name and date and consistent appearance, and reimbursement of interview travel costs.