UPSC CSE Exam 2026

Union Public Service Commission — Civil Services Examination (IAS/IPS/IFS)

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)NationalOffline (Pen & Paper)Exam: September 2026

India's premier exam for IAS, IPS, IFS and other Group A & B central services.

UPSC CSE — Exam Highlights

Exam Name

UPSC CSE

Conducting Body

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

Level

National

UPSC CSE Important Dates & Schedule

Notification ReleasedFebruary 2026

Prelims ExamMay 2026 (Concluded)

Mains ExamSeptember 2026

InterviewEarly 2027

Dates are indicative — verify on the official website.

UPSC CSE — Overview

The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is India's most prestigious and challenging government exam, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit officers for the IAS, IPS, IFS and other central Group A and Group B services. The three-stage process — Preliminary (objective screening), Mains (nine descriptive papers) and a Personality Test (interview) — assesses a candidate's knowledge, analytical ability, writing skill and personality over nearly a year. Cracking UPSC CSE opens the door to the country's top administrative and policy-making roles.

UPSC CSE Eligibility Criteria

Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university; Indian citizen (nationality conditions vary by service).

UPSC CSE Exam Pattern & Format

Marks, duration, number of questions and marking scheme.

Prelims: two objective papers — General Studies Paper I and CSAT (Paper II, qualifying). Mains: nine descriptive papers (Essay, four GS papers, two optional-subject papers, two qualifying language papers). Personality Test (interview).

UPSC CSE Syllabus & Topics

Subject-wise topics covered in the exam.

Polity, Economy, History, Geography, Environment, Science & Tech, Current Affairs, Ethics & Integrity, Essay writing and an optional subject of choice.

UPSC CSE Selection Process

Stage-by-stage selection.

Prelims → Mains → Personality Test (Interview) → Final merit (Mains + Interview).

How to Prepare for UPSC CSE — Strategy & Tips

A focused, time-tested approach to crack UPSC CSE.

Read the official UPSC CSE notification carefully to confirm eligibility, age limit and the latest exam pattern. Build strong fundamentals in reasoning, quantitative aptitude and general awareness, and revise current affairs daily. Cover the full syllabus from standard books and make short revision notes for each topic. Solve previous-year UPSC CSE papers and take timed mock tests to improve speed, accuracy and time management.

UPSC CSE — Frequently Asked Questions

How many stages are in UPSC CSE?

Three: the Preliminary exam (objective screening), the Main exam (nine descriptive papers) and the Personality Test/interview.

What is the UPSC CSE age limit?

Generally 21 to 32 years for the general category, with relaxations and a limited number of attempts for reserved categories.

What is the UPSC CSE exam?

UPSC CSE is a national-level government recruitment exam conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in the Civil Services Exam category. India's premier exam for IAS, IPS, IFS and other Group A & B central services.

Who is eligible for UPSC CSE?

Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university; Indian citizen (nationality conditions vary by service).

What is the UPSC CSE exam pattern?

What is the selection process for UPSC CSE?

Prelims → Mains → Personality Test (Interview) → Final merit (Mains + Interview).

When is the UPSC CSE exam conducted?

The UPSC CSE exam is held September 2026. Exact dates are announced in the official notification — always verify on https://upsc.gov.in.

Is UPSC CSE information on MyInternships.in free?

Yes. All exam information is completely free and compiled from official government sources, with a reminder to verify details on the official website.