UPSC Calendar 2026: Official Dates for Major Exams
UPSC Prelims
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Gajendra Singh Godara
Jun 9, 2025
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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 Calendar 2026 PDF
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.
UPSC Exams 2026 Calendar
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.
UPSC 2026 Exam Calendar: Important Dates for Upcoming Exams Released!
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.
Key Dates in UPSC Calendar for 2026
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 Exam Dates 2026: Important Exam Related Details
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
UPSC Calendar 2026 is released on 15th May, 2025.
UPSC Mains Result 2025 is now released.
Check out the updated and latest UPSC Syllabus 2026 here.
UPSC Notification 2025 was released on 22nd January 2025.
UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2025 and Unofficial Prelims Answer Key 2025 are available now.
UPSC Prelims 2026 will be conducted on 24th May, 2026 & UPSC Mains 2026 will be conducted on 21st August 2026.
The UPSC Prelims 2026 is scheduled for May 24, 2026, while the UPSC Mains 2026 will be conducted from August 21, 2026.
The UPSC Selection Process is of 3 stages-Prelims, Mains and Interview.
UPSC Result 2024 is released with latest UPSC Marksheet 2024. Check Now!
