UPSC CSE & IFS Recruitment 2026: Apply Online, Fees, Selection Process, Eligibility, Exam Date
The UPSC CSE & IFS Recruitment 2026 is one of the most important national-level competitive examinations conducted in India for selecting officers into the country’s top administrative and forest services. For the year 2026, the recruitment process officially begins in February 2026, with the Preliminary Examination scheduled for 24 May 2026. The application process is completely online and remains open from 04 February 2026 to 24 February 2026. As per the notification, around 933 vacancies are proposed to be filled across various Civil Services, including reserved posts for candidates with benchmark disabilities. This examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission and follows a structured three-stage selection process.
UPSC CSE & IFS Recruitment 2026
The Civil Services Examination (CSE) recruits candidates for prestigious services such as the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service, Indian Foreign Service, Indian Revenue Service, and several other Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ central services. Alongside this, the Indian Forest Service (IFS) examination selects officers responsible for forest administration, wildlife conservation, and environmental governance. Both examinations are governed by strict eligibility rules, attempt limits, and service allocation guidelines defined in the official recruitment notice.
UPSC CSE & IFS Recruitment 2026 is not just an exam but a gateway to leadership roles in governance, policy formulation, law enforcement, diplomacy, finance, and ecological management. Aspirants must carefully understand eligibility criteria, important dates, fee structure, and the examination pattern to ensure compliance and effective preparation. This article presents a clean, accurate, and notification-based overview of the recruitment without external references or links.
What is UPSC CSE and IFS Recruitment 2026?
UPSC CSE & IFS Recruitment 2026 is a centralized competitive examination process conducted to select candidates for India’s elite civil and forest services. The recruitment is carried out annually and is known for its transparency, merit-based evaluation, and multi-stage assessment system.
The Civil Services Examination covers a wide range of administrative services, while the Indian Forest Service focuses on scientific and administrative management of forests and natural resources. Candidates applying for IFS must meet specific physical and educational standards in addition to the general eligibility conditions.
UPSC CSE & IFS Recruitment 2026: Important Dates Overview
| Event | Scheduled Timeline |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 04 February 2026 |
| Online Application Start | 04 February 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 24 February 2026 |
| Preliminary Examination | 24 May 2026 |
| Main Examination | As notified later |
| Interview / Personality Test | After Main Exam |
| Total Expected Vacancies | Approximately 933 |
| Examination Mode | Offline (Written) |
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Eligibility Criteria for UPSC CSE & IFS Recruitment 2026
Nationality
For Indian Administrative Service, Indian Forest Service, and Indian Police Service, the candidate must be a citizen of India. For other civil services, certain categories of non-Indian nationals are eligible subject to conditions and government certification.
Age Limit
The candidate must be at least 21 years old and not more than 32 years as on 01 August 2026. Age relaxation is applicable for reserved categories such as Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, Ex-Servicemen, and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities as per rules.
Educational Qualification
Applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification. Candidates appearing in the final year of their degree course are also eligible, subject to producing proof at later stages.
Number of Attempts Allowed
The number of attempts for UPSC CSE & IFS Recruitment 2026 varies by category:
- General category candidates are allowed a maximum of six attempts
- OBC candidates have nine attempts
- SC and ST candidates have unlimited attempts within the age limit
- Candidates already appointed to IAS or IFS from earlier examinations are not eligible to appear again
UPSC CSE & IFS Recruitment 2026 Vacancy Details
| IAS (Civil Services) | 933 |
| IFS | 80 |
Application Process for UPSC CSE & IFS Recruitment 2026
The application process is conducted exclusively online and requires candidates to complete registration, fill in personal and educational details, upload documents, and submit the examination fee if applicable.
Key application rules include:
- A single registration generates a unique identification number usable for all UPSC exams
- Once finally submitted, applications cannot be edited
- Incorrect or incomplete applications are liable for rejection
- Photograph and signature must strictly follow prescribed specifications
UPSC CSE & IFS Recruitment 2026 Selection Process
The recruitment process consists of three distinct stages:
- Preliminary Examination: Objective-type papers used as a screening test
- Main Examination: Descriptive written papers assessing academic depth and analytical skills
- Personality Test (Interview): Evaluation of leadership qualities, judgment, integrity, and suitability for public service
Only candidates qualifying each stage are allowed to proceed to the next.
UPSC CSE & IFS Recruitment 2026 Examination Fee and Exemptions
- Candidates belonging to General, OBC, and EWS categories are required to pay an application fee of Rs. 100
- Female candidates and those belonging to SC, ST, and PwBD categories are fully exempted from fee payment
- Fee payment is applicable only for the Preliminary Examination stage
Examination Centres and Allocation
UPSC conducts examinations at multiple centres across the country. Candidates are advised to select their preferred centre early, as allocation is done on a first-apply basis subject to availability. Once allotted, centres are not changed under normal circumstances.
Key Highlights of UPSC CSE & IFS Recruitment 2026
- The recruitment aims to fill around 933 posts across services
- Preliminary Examination is fixed for 24 May 2026
- Strict eligibility, attempt limits, and service allocation rules apply
- Selection is based entirely on merit through a structured process
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the last date to apply for UPSC CSE & IFS Recruitment 2026?
The last date for submitting the online application is 24 February 2026.
Q2. How many vacancies are announced for UPSC CSE & IFS 2026?
Approximately 933 vacancies are proposed across various civil and forest services.
Q3. Is the Preliminary Examination date fixed?
Yes, the Preliminary Examination is scheduled to be held on 24 May 2026.
Conclusion
The UPSC CSE & IFS Recruitment 2026 represents one of the most prestigious and competitive recruitment processes in India. With clearly defined eligibility rules, a transparent selection system, and a well-structured examination pattern, it continues to attract aspirants committed to public service and national development. Candidates must carefully follow application timelines, ensure eligibility compliance, and prepare strategically for all three stages of the examination. Success in this recruitment not only offers a respected career but also the opportunity to contribute directly to governance, administration, and environmental conservation at the highest level.
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |