UPSC Exam Calendar 2026: Get All Details!
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released its annual examination calendar for the year 2026, providing crucial dates for various prestigious examinations. Released on May 15, 2025, the calendar outlines the schedule for examinations including the Civil Services Examination (CSE), National Defence Academy (NDA), Combined Defence Services (CDS), Indian Forest Service (IFS), Engineering Services Examination, and several others. This timely announcement is vital for aspirants to meticulously plan their preparation strategy according to the official timeline.
Key Date Highlight
The Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026 is scheduled for May 24, 2026.
Key Examination Timeline 2026 (Summarized in one table)
The UPSC calendar provides a clear overview of the year's examination schedule. Below is a summary of the key dates for major examinations.
| Sl. No. | Name of Examination | Date of Notification | Last Date for Applications | Exam Date | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Examination, 2026 | 03.09.2025 | 23.09.2025 | 08.02.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| 2 | Engineering Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2026 | 17.09.2025 | 07.10.2025 | 08.02.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| 3 | CBI (DSP) LDCE | 24.12.2025 | 13.01.2026 | 28.02.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
| 4 | CISF AC(EXE) LDCE-2026 | 03.12.2025 | 23.12.2025 | 08.03.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| 5 | N.D.A. & N.A. Examination (I), 2026 | 10.12.2025 | 30.12.2025 | 12.04.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| 6 | C.D.S. Examination (I), 2026 | 10.12.2025 | 30.12.2025 | 12.04.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| 7 | Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2026 | 14.01.2026 | 03.02.2026 | 24.05.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| 8 | Indian Forest Service (Preliminary) Examination, 2026 through CS(P) | 14.01.2026 | 03.02.2026 | 24.05.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| 9 | I.E.S./I.S.S. Examination, 2026 | 11.02.2026 | 03.03.2026 | 19.06.2026 (Friday) | 3 Days |
| 10 | Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) Examination, 2026 | 20.06.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days | ||
| 11 | Engineering Services (Main) Examination, 2026 | 21.06.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day | ||
| 12 | Central Armed Police Forces (ACs) Examination, 2026 | 18.02.2026 | 10.03.2026 | 19.07.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| 13 | Combined Medical Services Examination, 2026 | 11.03.2026 | 31.03.2026 | 02.08.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| 14 | Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2026 | 21.08.2026 (Friday) | 5 Days | ||
| 15 | N.D.A. & N.A. Examination (II), 2026 | 20.05.2026 | 09.06.2026 | 13.09.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| 16 | C.D.S. Examination (II), 2026 | 20.05.2026 | 09.06.2026 | 13.09.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| 17 | Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination, 2026 | 22.11.2026 (Sunday) | 7 Days | ||
| 18 | S.O./Steno (GD-B/GD-I) LDCE | 16.09.2026 | 06.10.2026 | 12.12.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
Application Deadline Alert
The final date for submitting online applications for the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 is February 3, 2026.
Detailed Examination Schedules
Aspirants can find specific dates for various stages of the examinations in the comprehensive calendar.
Civil Services & Forest Service Exams
These are among the most sought-after examinations conducted by the UPSC, leading to recruitment for prestigious services like IAS, IPS, IFS (Indian Forest Service), and more. The preliminary examination is common for both CSE and IFSE.
Civil Services & Indian Forest Service Exam Dates and Timeline, 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | January 14, 2026 |
| Last Date for Online Application | February 3, 2026 |
| Preliminary Examination (CSE & IFSE) | May 24, 2026 |
| Civil Services (Main) Examination Starts | August 21, 2026 |
| Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination Starts | November 22, 2026 |
Defence Services Examinations
The NDA, NA, and CDS examinations are conducted for entry into the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the Defence Services.
NDA, NA, and CDS Exam Dates 2026
| Examination | Date |
|---|---|
| NDA & NA (I) | April 12, 2026 |
| CDS (I) | April 12, 2026 |
| NDA & NA (II) | September 13, 2026 |
| CDS (II) | September 13, 2026 |
Other Major Examinations
The UPSC also conducts examinations for various other services, including Engineering, Economics, Statistics, Geo-Scientist, and Central Armed Police Forces.
Other UPSC Exam Dates 2026
| Examination | Date(s) |
|---|---|
| Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) | February 8, 2026 |
| Engineering Services (Preliminary) | February 8, 2026 |
| Indian Economic Service & Indian Statistical Service | June 19, 2026 |
| Central Armed Police Forces (ACs) | July 19, 2026 |
| Combined Medical Services | August 2, 2026 |
The calendar also includes reserved dates for Union Public Service Commission Recruitment Tests/Examinations on January 10, 2026, and January 17, 2026, each spanning two days also include others in later stage of the year.
Important Note
The dates published in the calendar are subject to change under exceptional circumstances as per the Union Public Service Commission. Aspirants should regularly check the official website for updates.
What should you do next?đ¤
Candidates preparing for UPSC examinations should take note of the following action items based on the released calendar.
| Action Item | Details | Deadline (if applicable) |
|---|---|---|
| Download Calendar | Obtain the official PDF from the UPSC website. | Immediately |
| Note Key Dates | Mark notification dates, application deadlines, and exam dates. | Ongoing |
| Plan Preparation | Develop a study plan aligned with the exam schedule. | Immediately |
| Prepare for Application | Gather necessary documents and information for online application. | Before Notification Date |
| Apply Online | Complete and submit the online application form. | February 3, 2026 (for CSE/IFSE) |
| Stay Updated | Regularly visit the official UPSC website for any announcements or changes. | Ongoing |
Official Resources
This article may change on later stage and may contain errors, aspirants are strongly advised to refer only to the official sources for accurate and up-to-date information regarding the UPSC examinations.
Visit Official UPSC Website Download UPSC Annual Calendar 2026