UPSC Exam Calendar 2026 Out at upsc.gov.in; Civil Services Prelims on May 24, Mains from August 21
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released UPSC exam calendar 2026, providing crucial information regarding the dates of notification, last date to apply, and examination dates for major national-level competitive exams. This yearly calendar is a valuable planning tool for lakhs of aspirants preparing for exams like the Civil Services Exam (CSE), Indian Forest Service (IFS), Engineering Services (ESE), NDA, CDS, CAPF, and many others.
UPSC calendar helps aspirants structure their study plan, strategize optional subject preparation, and schedule revisions well in advance. With the release of this calendar, the countdown to UPSC 2026 begins!
UPSC 2026 Exam Schedule
Below is the detailed list of major UPSC exams with their notification release date, application deadlines, and exam dates:
| S. No. | Name of Examination | Notification Date | Last Date to Apply | Exam Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | — | — | 10.01.2026 (Saturday) |
| 2 | Reserved for UPSC Examination | — | — | 17.01.2026 (Saturday) |
| 3 | Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Examination, 2026 | 03.09.2025 | 23.09.2025 | 08.02.2026 (Sunday) |
| 4 | Engineering Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2026 | 17.09.2025 | 07.10.2025 | 08.02.2026 (Sunday) |
| 5 | CBI (DSP) LDCE | 24.12.2025 | 13.01.2026 | 28.02.2026 (Saturday) |
| 6 | CISF AC(EXE) LDCE-2026 | 03.12.2025 | 23.12.2025 | 08.03.2026 (Sunday) |
| 7 | N.D.A. & N.A. Examination (I), 2026 | 10.12.2025 | 30.12.2025 | 12.04.2026 (Sunday) |
| 8 | C.D.S. Examination (I), 2026 | 10.12.2025 | 30.12.2025 | 12.04.2026 (Sunday) |
| 9 | Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2026 | 14.01.2026 | 03.02.2026 | 24.05.2026 (Sunday) |
| 10 | Indian Forest Service (Preliminary) Examination, 2026 (through CS(P) Examination) | 14.01.2026 | 03.02.2026 | 24.05.2026 (Sunday) |
| 11 | Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | — | — | 06.06.2026 (Saturday) |
| 12 | I.E.S./I.S.S. Examination, 2026 | 11.02.2026 | 03.03.2026 | 19.06.2026 (Friday) |
| 13 | Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) Examination, 2026 | — | — | 20.06.2026 (Saturday) |
| 14 | Engineering Services (Main) Examination, 2026 | — | — | 21.06.2026 (Sunday) |
| 15 | Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | — | — | 04.07.2026 (Saturday) |
| 16 | Central Armed Police Forces (ACs) Examination, 2026 | 18.02.2026 | 10.03.2026 | 19.07.2026 (Sunday) |
| 17 | Combined Medical Services Examination, 2026 | 11.03.2026 | 31.03.2026 | 02.08.2026 (Sunday) |
| 18 | Reserved for UPSC Examination | — | — | 08.08.2026 (Saturday) |
| 19 | Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2026 | — | — | 21.08.2026 (Friday) |
| 20 | N.D.A. & N.A. Examination (II), 2026 | 20.05.2026 | 09.06.2026 | 13.09.2026 (Sunday) |
| 21 | C.D.S. Examination (II), 2026 | 20.05.2026 | 09.06.2026 | 13.09.2026 (Sunday) |
| 22 | Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | — | — | 26.09.2026 (Saturday) |
| 23 | Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | — | — | 10.10.2026 (Saturday) |
| 24 | Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | — | — | 31.10.2026 (Saturday) |
| 25 | Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination, 2026 | — | — | 22.11.2026 (Sunday) |
| 26 | S.O./Steno (GD-B/GD-I) LDCE | 16.09.2026 | 06.10.2026 | 12.12.2026 (Saturday) |
| 27 | Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | — | — | 19.12.2026 (Saturday) |
Key Highlights from UPSC Exam Calendar 2026
- Civil Services (Prelims) will be held on May 24, 2026, and Mains will begin from August 21, 2026, spanning five days.
- NDA and CDS Exams will be conducted in April and September, in two phases: NDA I/CDS I and NDA II/CDS II.
- Engineering Services (Prelims) and Combined Geo-Scientist (Prelims) will be held on the same day: February 8, 2026.
- CAPF (ACs) exam will take place on July 19, 2026.
- Combined Medical Services (CMS) is scheduled for August 2, 2026.
- Indian Forest Service (Main) will be a week-long exam starting November 22, 2026.
UPSC Exam Calendar 2026 FAQs
Ques: Can I appear for IFS and Civil Services with one preliminary exam?
Ans: Yes, the IFS Preliminary Exam is conducted through the Civil Services Preliminary Exam.
Ques: How many times are NDA and CDS exams conducted in a year?
Ans: Both NDA and CDS exams are conducted twice a year — in April and September.
Ques: How long is the Indian Forest Service (Main) Exam 2026?
Ans: The IFS Main exam will be conducted over 7 days starting November 22, 2026.
Ques: When should I start preparing for Civil Services Exam 2026?
Ans: Ideally, you should begin preparation at least 12 months in advance, i.e., by mid-2025, to cover the syllabus thoroughly.
Ques: Can I apply for multiple UPSC exams in the same year?
Ans: Yes, you can apply for multiple exams if you meet the eligibility criteria for each. However, avoid schedule conflicts like exams on the same day.
Ques: What does “Reserved for UPSC RT/Examination” mean?
Ans: These are buffer dates reserved for conducting recruitment tests (RTs) or rescheduled exams as needed.
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