UPSC CSE 2026 Notification: Eligibility, Age Limit, Vacancy & Apply Online
The success rate is under 0.2 percent, and that number is the single most important fact about this exam. What separates people who clear it from people who spend six years on it is rarely intelligence — it is deciding early whether the attempt budget and the age limit actually leave room for a serious run.
UPSC CSE 2026 at a glance
| Conducting body | Union Public Service Commission |
|---|---|
| Examination | Civil Services Examination (IAS, IPS, IFS) |
| Total vacancies | 979 |
| Qualification | Bachelor's degree in any discipline; final year students may apply |
| Age limit | 21–32 years as on 01 Aug 2027 (relaxation below) |
| Application dates | 22 Jan 2027 – 11 Feb 2027 |
| Application fee | ₹100 (nil for women, SC, ST and PwD) |
| Exam date | May 2027 (Prelims) |
| Salary | ₹56,100 – ₹2,50,000 per month (Level 10 and above) |
| Official website | upsc.gov.in ↗ |
Are you eligible for UPSC CSE 2026?
Don't work through the age relaxation table by hand. Enter your date of birth and category and get a definite answer in five seconds — free, no signup.
UPSC CSE age limit and relaxation 2026
The age limit for UPSC CSE 2026 is 21 to 32 years as on 01 Aug 2027. Your age is counted on that cutoff date, not on the day you apply — so a candidate who turns 33 after the cutoff date is still eligible.
| Category | Relaxation | Effective maximum age |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | None | 32 years |
| OBC-NCL | +3 years | 35 years |
| SC / ST | +5 years | 37 years |
| PwD (General) | +10 years | 42 years |
| PwD (OBC-NCL) | +10 +3 years | 45 years |
| PwD (SC / ST) | +10 +5 years | 47 years |
PwD relaxation is added on top of your category relaxation, not instead of it. A PwD OBC-NCL candidate for UPSC CSE is eligible to 45, not 42. Full age relaxation rules →
UPSC CSE posts and salary
| Post | Department | Pay level | Monthly pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Administrative Service (IAS) | Government of India | Level-10 | ₹56,100–2,50,000 |
| Indian Police Service (IPS) | Government of India | Level-10 | ₹56,100–2,25,000 |
| Indian Foreign Service (IFS) | Ministry of External Affairs | Level-10 | ₹56,100–2,50,000 |
| Indian Revenue Service (IRS) | CBDT / CBIC | Level-10 | ₹56,100–2,25,000 |
| Other Group A and B services | Various | Level-10 | ₹56,100–2,09,200 |
UPSC CSE selection process
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Prelims | Two objective papers. GS Paper-I counts for selection; CSAT is qualifying at 33%. |
| Mains | Nine descriptive papers including an optional subject. 1,750 marks counted. |
| Interview | Personality test, 275 marks. Final merit is Mains plus Interview. |
Who should apply for UPSC CSE
Worth a genuine attempt if you are under 27, have a real attempt budget remaining, and can commit two years. If you are 30 with two attempts left, running CSE alongside SSC CGL or a state PSC is a materially better strategy than betting everything on it.
- Attempts are capped: 6 for General and EWS, 9 for OBC-NCL, unlimited for SC and ST subject to age.
- Final year students may apply, but must produce proof of passing at the Mains stage.
- Age relaxation and attempt limits are separate — being within the age limit does not restore a used attempt.
UPSC CSE 2026 — आयु सीमा और योग्यता
सिविल सेवा परीक्षा (UPSC CSE) 2026 के लिए आयु सीमा 01 Aug 2027 को 21 से 32 वर्ष है। OBC-NCL उम्मीदवारों को 3 वर्ष, SC/ST को 5 वर्ष और दिव्यांग (PwD) उम्मीदवारों को अपनी श्रेणी की छूट के अतिरिक्त 10 वर्ष की छूट मिलती है।
शैक्षणिक योग्यता: किसी भी विषय में स्नातक; अंतिम वर्ष के छात्र भी आवेदन कर सकते हैं। कुल 979 पद · वेतन ₹56,100 से ₹2,50,000 प्रति माह · आवेदन की अंतिम तिथि 11 Feb 2027।
अपनी योग्यता मुफ़्त जाँचें →UPSC CSE 2026 — frequently asked questions
How many attempts are allowed for UPSC CSE?
Can final year students apply for UPSC CSE?
What is the age limit for UPSC CSE 2027?
Related exams
Useful guides
Vacancy figures, dates and salaries are compiled from official notifications and change between cycles. Age limits vary between posts within the same exam. Always confirm against the official notification on upsc.gov.in before applying.