UPSC CSE 2026 — Complete Guide: Syllabus, Eligibility, Salary & Cut-off
Last Updated: 23 August 2026 · By SarkariPaper Editorial
UPSC CSE 2026 Overview
UPSC CSE (Civil Services Examination) is India's most prestigious competitive exam, conducted annually to recruit IAS, IPS, IFS, and other Group A & B Central Services officers.
UPSC CSE 2026 has notified 1,056 vacancies including 36 vacancies for Persons with Benchmark Disability. The exam comprises Prelims (objective), Mains (written), and Personality Test (interview). Approximately 10 lakh candidates appear for Prelims annually.
Selected officers lead district administration, policy formulation, and diplomatic missions — making CSE the ultimate career goal for lakhs of Indian graduates.
UPSC CSE 2026 Important Dates
| Notification Release | 1 February 2026 |
| Application Opens | 1 February 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 22 February 2026 |
| Tier 1 Exam Date | 25 May 2026 |
| Tier 2 Exam Date | 19 September 2026 |
| Official Website | https://upsc.gov.in |
UPSC CSE Eligibility Criteria 2026
Educational Qualification
Bachelor's Degree from any recognized university
Age Limit
21–32 years (as on 1st January 2026)
OBC: +3 years (9 attempts), SC/ST: +5 years (unlimited attempts till age limit), PwD: +10 years
Nationality
Indian Citizen (for IAS/IPS). For IFS: Indian Citizen or subject of Nepal/Bhutan
UPSC CSE Selection Process
Prelims — 2 papers (GS + CSAT), 400 marks total (qualifying CSAT)
Mains — 9 papers (7 merit + 2 qualifying), 1750 marks
Personality Test (Interview) — 275 marks
Final merit = Mains + Interview
UPSC CSE Exam Pattern 2026
Prelims — GS Paper 1
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| History, Geography, Polity, Economy | 100 | 200 |
| Environment, Science, Current Affairs | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
Prelims — CSAT Paper 2
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Comprehension, Reasoning, Decision Making | 80 | 200 |
| Total | 80 | 200 |
Mains (Merit Papers)
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Essay | 2 | 250 |
| GS I–IV | 20 | 1000 |
| Optional Subject | 8 | 500 |
| Total | 30 | 1750 |
UPSC CSE Syllabus 2026
Full Syllabus →Prelims GS
Mains GS I
Mains GS II
Mains GS III
Download the complete UPSC CSE topic-wise syllabus PDF →Premium (₹199/yr)
UPSC CSE Posts — Which is Best?
UPSC CSE offers 3+ posts across different departments. Here's a comparison to help you decide your target post before filling the form.
| Post | Salary | Promotion |
|---|---|---|
Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Group A TOP PICK | ₹56,100 – ₹2,50,000 | fast |
Indian Police Service (IPS) Group A | ₹56,100 – ₹2,25,000 | fast |
Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Group A | ₹56,100 – ₹2,50,000 | fast |
UPSC CSE Salary Structure
Salary varies based on post, city tier (X/Y/Z) for HRA, and DA rate. Figures above are indicative for 2026 DA rates.
UPSC CSE Cut-off Marks
All Cut-offs →UPSC CSE 2025 Tier 1 Cut-off
UPSC CSE 2024 Tier 1 Cut-off
Cut-offs vary by post. Detailed post-wise cut-offs (2015–2026) available withSarkariPaper Premium →
UPSC CSE Preparation Strategy
Phase 1: Foundation (Month 1–6)
- ›Read NCERTs Class 6–12 for all subjects
- ›Follow one newspaper daily (The Hindu/Indian Express)
- ›Choose optional subject by Month 3
- ›Join test series for Prelims by Month 4
Phase 2: Mains + Interview (Month 7–12)
- ›Write daily answer for Mains GS papers
- ›Complete optional subject syllabus
- ›Revise current affairs monthly
- ›Practice essay writing weekly