UPSC Civil Services IAS Prelims Exam 2026

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the detailed notification and recruitment advertisement for the posts of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) / IPS / IFS for the year 2026. This is a highly anticipated recruitment drive for candidates seeking a secure and prestigious career in All India. Selection for these vacancies will be done through a competitive multi-stage selection process. Interested and eligible candidates can find the detailed syllabus, eligibility criteria, physical criteria, selection process, age limits, post wise vacancies, and step-by-step application instructions below. Make sure to apply online before the closing date of 26-Jun-2026.

Pay Scale, Salary Structure & Job Benefits

Candidates selected for the post of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) / IPS / IFS under the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will receive a competitive salary package of Rs. 56,100 - 2,50,000/- per month. In addition to the basic pay scale, selected candidates will be eligible for various government allowances, benefits, and welfare schemes as per the active pay matrix guidelines. These include:

• Dearness Allowance (DA): Calculated as a percentage of basic pay and revised bi-annually.
• House Rent Allowance (HRA): Paid to support housing expenses, varying according to the class of city (Class X, Y, Z).
• Transport Allowance (TA): Fixed allowance to cover daily commuting costs to the office.
• Medical Benefits: Comprehensive health insurance coverage for the employee and dependent family members.
• Gratuity & Pension: Long term financial security through national pension schemes and gratuity upon retirement.

Eligibility Criteria & Age Limit Details

Before submitting the online application form, candidates must ensure they meet all the eligibility criteria specified by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC):

• Educational Qualification: Candidates must possess Bachelor Degree in Any Stream from Recognized University from a board or university recognized by the government of India. Documents like mark sheets and certificates must be kept ready.
• Age Limit: The candidate's age must be 21-32 Years. Age relaxation is applicable for reserved categories (SC, ST, OBC, PWD, ESM, etc.) as per the official recruitment rules and guidelines of the government.

Selection Process

The recruitment process for Indian Administrative Service (IAS) / IPS / IFS will consist of the following successive stages:

1. Written Examination (CBT/OMR): A competitive objective-type test covering topics such as General Knowledge, Numerical Ability, Reasoning, and Language.
2. Physical Measurement & Endurance Test (PMT & PET): Where applicable (especially for Police and Defence jobs), candidates must clear physical efficiency standards like running, height, and chest measurements.
3. Document Verification (DV): Candidates who pass the exams must produce original copies of educational certificates, identity proofs, caste certificates, and category claims.
4. Medical Examination: A final medical fitness test to ensure the candidate meets the medical standards required for the post.

Exam Pattern & Marks Distribution

The written examination will consist of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with the following structure:

• General Awareness & GK: 25 Questions / 50 Marks - covering history, geography, current affairs, and basic science.
• Numerical Ability & Mathematics: 25 Questions / 50 Marks - focusing on arithmetic, decimals, percentages, interest, and data interpretation.
• Reasoning Ability: 25 Questions / 50 Marks - testing logical reasoning, series, analogies, and coding-decoding.
• Language Proficiency (Hindi/English): 25 Questions / 50 Marks - assessing grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension.
• Marking Scheme: A negative marking of 0.25 marks will be deducted for every incorrect response to discourage guessing. The duration of the exam will be 120 minutes.

How to Apply Online Form

To apply for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) / IPS / IFS vacancies, follow these detailed instructions:

1. Registration: Visit the official website at https://upsc.gov.in and click on the 'Apply Online' link. Create a new user profile by entering your basic details like name, email ID, and mobile number.
2. Login & Form Filling: Login with your registration credentials. Fill in all personal details, contact address, educational qualifications, and category preferences.
3. Upload Documents: Upload a recently clicked scanned passport-size color photograph (20KB - 50KB size in JPG format) and clear scanned signature (10KB - 20KB size). Ensure the background of the photograph is white or light-colored.
4. Fee Payment: Pay the application fee of General / OBC: Rs. 100/-, SC / ST / PH / Women: Nil online using Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card, or UPI gateway. Keep the transaction receipt safe.
5. Final Submission: Review all entered details carefully before final submission. Click on 'Submit' and download the generated PDF application form. Take at least two printouts for your records.

Exam Day & Admit Card Guidelines

The admit card for the written exam will be released 7 to 10 days before the scheduled exam date. Candidates must download and print their admit cards from the official portal. On the day of the exam, candidates must carry a printed copy of the Admit Card, two recent passport-size photographs, and a valid government-issued Photo ID proof in original (like Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Voter ID, Passport, or Driving License).

Important Links Area

Use these direct links to download official notification, apply online, download syllabus, or check exam result:

• Apply Online: Click Here to Apply Online
• Download Notification: Click Here to Download PDF Notification
• Download Exam Syllabus: Click Here to Download Exam Syllabus PDF
• Official Website: Visit Official Website