UPSC CSE 2026 (Civil Services Examination – IAS/IPS/IFS) Syllabus 2026

📜 UPSC CSE 2026 (Civil Services Examination – IAS/IPS/IFS) – Complete Guide (Prelims, Mains, Syllabus & Pattern)

Exam Name: UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026
Conducting Body: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Purpose: Recruitment for prestigious Government services including IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, etc.
Stages: Preliminary (Prelims), Main (Mains), Personality Test (Interview)
Mode: Offline (Pen & Paper for Prelims & Mains) & Personal Interview
Language: English/Hindi (Mains descriptive written)

📅 Important Dates (Tentative)

Event	Date (Expected)
Official Notification Release	January 14, 2026
Application Start	January 14, 2026
Application Last Date	February 3, 2026
UPSC CSE Prelims Exam	May 24, 2026 (Sunday)
UPSC CSE Mains Exam	August 21, 2026 onward
Interview (Personality Test)	Late 2026 – Early 2027

✔ Eligibility Criteria

• Candidate must be a citizen of India (for IAS, IPS, etc.).
• Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university.
• Final year students awaiting result are also eligible to apply.
• Age Limit: Generally 21–32 years for general category with relaxations for OBC, SC/ST candidates.

📌 UPSC CSE Stages & Pattern

🔹 Stage 1 – Preliminary Examination (Prelims)

• Two papers: Paper I – General Studies (GS) and Paper II – CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test).
• Prelims is screening in nature; marks in Paper II (CSAT) are qualifying (minimum 33%).
• Only Paper I marks are considered for qualifying for Mains.
• Both papers are objective MCQ format.

Prelims Pattern Summary

• Paper I – General Studies – 200 marks (100 questions)
• Paper II – CSAT – 200 marks (80 questions)
• Duration: 2 hours each
• Negative marking: 1/3 mark deduction for wrong answers.

🔹 Stage 2 – Main Examination (Mains)

• Mains has 9 descriptive papers: 2 qualifying and 7 merit papers.
• Qualifying Papers: Indian Language & English (must pass).
• Merit Papers include Essay, General Studies I–IV, Optional Subject Paper I & II.
• Total marks count towards final ranking.

🔹 Stage 3 – Personality Test (Interview)

• Interview for candidates who clear Mains.
• Marks: 275.
• Assesses personality, communication, suitability for civil service.

📚 UPSC Prelims Syllabus (CSE)

• General Studies Paper I: History of India and Indian National Movement
• Indian and World Geography
• Indian Polity and Governance
• Economic and Social Development
• Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change
• General Science and Technology & Current Affairs

• CSAT (Paper II Qualifying): Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, Decision Making, Basic Numeracy, Data Interpretation

📘 UPSC Mains Syllabus (Key Papers)

Paper I – Essay

Topic based essay writing (multiple topics given).

General Studies Papers

• GS I – Indian Heritage, History & Geography of World and Society
• GS II – Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice & International Relations
• GS III – Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Security & Disaster Management
• GS IV – Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude

Optional Subject Papers

Two papers (Paper VI & VII) on candidate’s chosen optional subject (e.g., History, Geography, Public Administration, Sociology, etc.).

🎯 Preparation Tips

• Start with NCERT textbooks (History, Geography, Polity, Economy).
• Follow current affairs regularly from leading newspapers & magazines.
• Practice previous years’ UPSC question papers and mock tests.
• Make concise notes for revision.
• For Mains, practice answer writing and optional subject thoroughly.

🔗 Important Links

• Official UPSC Website: https://upsc.gov.in
• Download Official UPSC CSE 2026 Notification & Syllabus PDF (available on official portal)

❓ FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1. UPSC CSE prelims date 2026 kab hai?
Ans: UPSC CSE Preliminary Exam 2026 is scheduled for May 24, 2026 (Sunday). 

  Q2. Kya CSAT ka score final merit me add hota hai?
Ans: Nahi. CSAT qualifying paper hai; sirf Paper-I ke marks se selection hota hai. 

  Q3. UPSC mains me total kitne papers hote hain?
Ans: Mains me 9 papers hote hain — 2 qualifying + 7 merit papers (including Essay, GS & Optional).

⚠ Disclaimer

Yeh UPSC CSE 2026 information official notifications aur syllabus documents ke basis par banayi gayi hai. Final aur updated syllabus-dates ke liye official UPSC website check karein.