Jun 9, 2025
5
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Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced the UPSC Calendar 2026 for all the important UPSC exams. This calendar is extremely important for candidates who are preparing for various prestigious exams like Civil Services Examination (CSE), Indian Forest Service (IFS), National Defence Academy (NDA), Combined Defence Services (CDS), Engineering Services, CAPF, etc. Understanding and following the UPSC Calendar 2026 is essential for keeping one step ahead in the preparation. Candidates should check the UPSC Annual Calendar 2026 off the direct link available at official website to schedule their preparation for the examination accordingly.
UPSC 2026 Calendar The UPSC Calendar 2026 is the complete schedule of all UPSC exams along with important dates of notification release, last date to apply and date of exam. As per the UPSC Calendar 2026, the UPSC Prelims Exam Date 2026 has been scheduled on 24th May 2026 (Sunday). Candidates who will qualify this stage will proceed to UPSC Mains Exam 2026 commencing from 21st August 2026 (Friday) for five days.
The UPSC Calendar 2026 also has dates for a range of other exams like the Combined Geo-Scientist, National Defence Academy (NDA), Combined Defence Services (CDS), Indian Engineering Services (IES), and Indian Forest Service (IFS) and so on, apart from the Civil Services Exams.
Table of content
Name of Examination | Date of Notification | Last Date for Receipt of Applications | Date of Commencement of Exam | Duration |
Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | – | – | 10.01.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
Reserved for UPSC Examination | – | – | 17.01.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Examination, 2026 | 03.09.2025 | 23.09.2025 | 08.02.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
Engineering Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2026 | 17.09.2025 | 07.10.2025 | 08.02.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
CBI (DSP) LDCE | 24.12.2025 | 13.01.2026 | 28.02.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
CISF AC(EXE) LDCE – 2026 | 03.12.2025 | 23.12.2025 | 08.03.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
N.D.A. & N.A. Examination (I), 2026 | 10.12.2025 | 30.12.2025 | 12.04.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
C.D.S. Examination (I), 2026 | ||||
Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2026 | 14.01.2026 | 03.02.2026 | 24.05.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
Indian Forest Service (Preliminary) via CS(P) Exam, 2026 | 14.01.2026 | 03.02.2026 | 24.05.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | – | – | 06.06.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
I.E.S./I.S.S. Examination, 2026 | 11.02.2026 | 03.03.2026 | 19.06.2026 (Friday) | 3 Days |
Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) Examination, 2026 | – | – | 20.06.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
Engineering Services (Main) Examination, 2026 | – | – | 21.06.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | – | – | 04.07.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
Central Armed Police Forces (ACs) Examination, 2026 | 18.02.2026 | 10.03.2026 | 19.07.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
Combined Medical Services Examination, 2026 | 11.03.2026 | 31.03.2026 | 02.08.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
Reserved for UPSC Examination | – | – | 08.08.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2026 | – | – | 21.08.2026 (Friday) | 5 Days |
N.D.A. & N.A. Examination (II), 2026 | 20.05.2026 | 09.06.2026 | 13.09.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
C.D.S. Examination (II), 2026 | 20.05.2026 | 09.06.2026 | 13.09.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | – | – | 26.09.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | – | – | 10.10.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | – | – | 31.10.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination, 2026 | – | – | 22.11.2026 (Sunday) | 7 Days |
S.O./Steno (GD-B/GD-I) LDCE | 16.09.2026 | 06.10.2026 | 12.12.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | – | – | 19.12.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
Note: Dates of Notification, commencement and duration of Examinations RTs are subject to alteration, if considered necessary.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the Calendar for UPSC 2026 which is the complete date-sheet for all Civil Services Examinations. This calendar help a lot to the aspirants who are preparing for prestigious exams like Civil Services Examination (CSE), Indian Forest Service (IFS), National Defence Academy (NDA), Combined Defence Services (CDS) and s.o. By referring to the UPSC Calendar of 2026, you can keep records and avoid missing any essential dates.
The Calendar 2026 includes important dates for competitive exams such as notification release, application deadline and schedule of exams:
UPSC 2026 exam date (Prelims): 24th May 2026, Sunday
Notification Date: 14th January 2026
Apply by: 3 Feb 2026
UPSC 2026 exam dates (Main) 21st August 2026 (Friday)
Duration: 5 days
Indian Forest Service (Prelims) 24th May 2026 (Sunday) (Same as Civil Services Prelims)
Indian Forest Service (Main): 22-11-2026 (Sunday)
NDA & CDS (I): 12th April, 2026 (Sunday)
NDA & CDS (II): 13th September 2026 (Sunday)
CAPF Exam: 19th July (Sunday) 2026
These dates are important for UPSC aspirants and will allow you to manage your preparation accordingly.
UPSC Prelims 2026
The UPSC Prelims Exam date 2026 is 24th May 2026 (Sunday).
The Prelims consists of two objective-type papers: General Studies Paper I and CSAT (Paper II). Both papers are MCQ-based and serve as the first stage of the selection process for the UPSC Mains Exam 2026. The IFS Prelims Exam will also be conducted on the same day, using the same papers.
UPSC Mains 2026
The UPSC Mains Exam 2026 will begin on 21st August 2026 (Friday) and will last for five days. The Mains exam is a descriptive test, which includes:
Essay Paper
Four General Studies Papers
Two Optional Subject Papers
There is a three-month gap between the Prelims and Mains, so it’s important for candidates to start their Mains preparation along with Prelims preparation.
Unlike the UPSC 2026 Prelims Exam, which is objective in nature, the UPSC 2026 Mains Exam marks the beginning of a more rigorous phase. The Mains exam is descriptive and requires in-depth subject knowledge, analytical thinking, and strong writing skills.
With a three-month gap between the UPSC 2026 Prelims Exam Date and the UPSC 2026 Mains Exam Date, it is crucial for candidates to start their Mains preparation while simultaneously strategizing for the Prelims. Those who qualify the Mains exam will be called for the Personality Test (Interview), the final stage of the UPSC 2026 Selection Process.
How to Download UPSC Calendar 2026 PDF?
You can directly download the Calendar from official UPSC website here.
Or.
To download UPSC Calendar 2026, you can follow these easy steps:
Open the official UPSC website: www. upsc. gov.in
Go to the Homepage and click at the Examination .
How to Download the UPSC Annual Calendar? Click on Calendar to download the UPSC Annual Calendar for the year.
Click the link to download the PDF of UPSC Calendar 2026.
and you can ensure that you are on right track for all UPSC events.
2. UPSC Calendar 2026 – What’s New?
The UPSC Calendar 2026 has brought some significant changes:
More Time to Prepare: Since the date of the exam is announced, it gives candidates ample time to device a schedule and prepare for both Prelims and Mains.
Concurrently Exams: such as Civil Services Prelims and Indian Forest Service Prelims will be held on the same day.
3. UPSC Exam Patterns and the Major Differences
Each UPSC exam has its own distinct pattern:
Civil Services Examination (CSE): Comprises Prelims, Mains, and Interview.
Indian Forest Service (IFS): The Prelims are conducted alongside CSE, but the Main exam is separate.
NDA & CDS: Focuses on Defence services, with one exam in April and another in September.
4. When is the UPSC 2026 Prelims Exam Date?
A: The UPSC 2026 Prelims Exam Date will denote the starting of the Civil Services Examination and will be conducted on 24th May 2026. It has two papers comprising General Studies Paper I and CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test). The date will be intimated by the UPSC intimated later on.
What will be the UPSC 2026 Mains Exam Date?
A: UPSC 2026 Mains Exam will be held on 21st August 2026 (Friday) and after the Prelims, the exam will end on 5th day. Those who clear the Prelims will be called for the Mains exam, which is usually held in September or October. UPSC 2026 Mains Exam Date The official UPSC 2026 Mains Exam date will be declared on the UPSC official website after the declaration of Prelims results.
UPSC Calendar 2026 is all that you need to prepare for the UPSC exams in the upcoming year. It is clear when the notification, application, exam dates fall so you can plan your preparation accordingly. Make sure you click on the link provided to get the UPSC Calendar 2026 PDF and start sticking to your study for the exam.
If you are genuinely an aspirant of UPSC exam and ready to focus on your studies, your one month advance of minimum 1 year plan will let you stand above all your competitors.
Internal Linking Suggestions:
External Linking Suggestions:
Official UPSC Website: www.upsc.gov.in
UPSC 2026 Notification and Exam Schedule PDF
UPSC Exam Syllabus 2025 for Prelims, Mains & Interview
