UPSC Calendar 2026: Official Dates for Major Exams

UPSC Prelims

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Gajendra Singh Godara

Jun 9, 2025

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Introduction

Introduction

Introduction

Introduction

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.

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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.

Download the UPSC Calendar 2026 Notification here.

UPSC Current Affairs Magazines

UPSC Current Affairs Magazines

UPSC Current Affairs Magazines

UPSC Current Affairs Magazines

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.

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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

Frequently asked question (FAQs)

Frequently asked question (FAQs)

Frequently asked question (FAQs)

Frequently asked question (FAQs)

How to Download UPSC Calendar 2026 PDF?
How to Download UPSC Calendar 2026 PDF?
How to Download UPSC Calendar 2026 PDF?
How to Download UPSC Calendar 2026 PDF?
UPSC Calendar 2026 – What’s New?
UPSC Calendar 2026 – What’s New?
UPSC Calendar 2026 – What’s New?
UPSC Calendar 2026 – What’s New?
UPSC Exam Patterns and the Major Differences
UPSC Exam Patterns and the Major Differences
UPSC Exam Patterns and the Major Differences
UPSC Exam Patterns and the Major Differences
When is the UPSC 2026 Prelims Exam Date?
When is the UPSC 2026 Prelims Exam Date?
When is the UPSC 2026 Prelims Exam Date?
When is the UPSC 2026 Prelims Exam Date?
What will be the UPSC 2026 Mains Exam Date?
What will be the UPSC 2026 Mains Exam Date?
What will be the UPSC 2026 Mains Exam Date?
What will be the UPSC 2026 Mains Exam Date?

Conclusion

Conclusion

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: 

  1. UPSC Syllabus 2025 for Prelims, Mains & Interview

  2. How to Begin Your UPSC Preparation

  3. UPSC Best Books for UPSC 2025

  4. UPSC Prelims Exam-Hall Strategies 2025

  5. Last-Minute Tips to Crack UPSC Prelims 2025

  6. Detailed Analysis of UPSC PRELIMS and Answer Key 2025

External Linking Suggestions: 

  1. Official UPSC Website: www.upsc.gov.in

  2. UPSC 2026 Notification and Exam Schedule PDF

  3. UPSC Exam Syllabus 2025 for Prelims, Mains & Interview

Latest UPSC Exam 2025 Updates

Latest UPSC Exam 2025 Updates

Latest UPSC Exam 2025 Updates

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 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!

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About Author

Gajendra Singh Godara

Growth | FTE| Resident at SigIQ

Gajendra Singh Godara brings authentic UPSC preparation insights from his four-attempt journey, having successfully cleared Prelims and written Mains multiple times. His deep expertise spans Polity, Modern History, International Relations, and Economy. At PadhAI, Gajendra transforms his extensive exam experience into accessible content that simplifies complex concepts for aspirants at every preparation stage. His firsthand understanding of UPSC's demands enables him to create targeted materials that save time while maximizing learning efficiency for current affairs, general studies, and optional subjects.

a close up of a cell phone with a blurry background

About Author

Gajendra Singh Godara

Growth | FTE| Resident at SigIQ

Gajendra Singh Godara brings authentic UPSC preparation insights from his four-attempt journey, having successfully cleared Prelims and written Mains multiple times. His deep expertise spans Polity, Modern History, International Relations, and Economy. At PadhAI, Gajendra transforms his extensive exam experience into accessible content that simplifies complex concepts for aspirants at every preparation stage. His firsthand understanding of UPSC's demands enables him to create targeted materials that save time while maximizing learning efficiency for current affairs, general studies, and optional subjects.

a close up of a cell phone with a blurry background

About Author

Gajendra Singh Godara

Growth | FTE| Resident at SigIQ

Gajendra Singh Godara brings authentic UPSC preparation insights from his four-attempt journey, having successfully cleared Prelims and written Mains multiple times. His deep expertise spans Polity, Modern History, International Relations, and Economy. At PadhAI, Gajendra transforms his extensive exam experience into accessible content that simplifies complex concepts for aspirants at every preparation stage. His firsthand understanding of UPSC's demands enables him to create targeted materials that save time while maximizing learning efficiency for current affairs, general studies, and optional subjects.

a close up of a cell phone with a blurry background

About Author

Gajendra Singh Godara

Growth | FTE| Resident at SigIQ

Gajendra Singh Godara brings authentic UPSC preparation insights from his four-attempt journey, having successfully cleared Prelims and written Mains multiple times. His deep expertise spans Polity, Modern History, International Relations, and Economy. At PadhAI, Gajendra transforms his extensive exam experience into accessible content that simplifies complex concepts for aspirants at every preparation stage. His firsthand understanding of UPSC's demands enables him to create targeted materials that save time while maximizing learning efficiency for current affairs, general studies, and optional subjects.

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PadhAI UPSC App

We're PadhAI - a free UPSC prep app built by IITians, AI PhDs & top UPSC experts.

Why choose PadhAI?

Read daily top news (TH & IE) & Solve Current Affairs MCQs

Topic-wise search of 30+ yrs PYQs

24×7 AI tutor for doubt resolution

Practice 30k+ MCQs & full GS + CSAT mocks

Play Duel UPSC quizzes with fellow aspirants

PadhAI UPSC App

We're PadhAI - a free UPSC prep app built by IITians, AI PhDs & top UPSC experts.

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Embark on your journey!

Address

3rd floor, Electrical and Electronic, ALG Towers, Plot no. 48, main road, Industrial Estate, Perungudi, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600096

PadhAI is a product of SigIQ AI, and Metayb is a recognized reseller authorized to sell PadhAI subscriptions.

Embark on your journey!

Address

3rd floor, Electrical and Electronic, ALG Towers, Plot no. 48, main road, Industrial Estate, Perungudi, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600096

PadhAI is a product of SigIQ AI, and Metayb is a recognized reseller authorized to sell PadhAI subscriptions.