The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced an extension of the application deadline for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 and the Indian Forest Service (IFS) Examination 2026. Candidates can now submit their online applications until 27 February 2026, at 6 PM.
The decision comes as a relief for aspirants who were yet to complete their registration for the highly competitive national-level examinations. The official notification for both CSE and IFS 2026 was issued on 4 February 2026, and the application window opened on the same day.
As per the revised timeline, interested candidates may complete their registration process by visiting the official UPSC websites: upsc.gov.in and upsconline.nic.in before the extended deadline.
Vacancies and Examination Timeline
As per the official notification, the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 will be conducted to fill 933 vacancies in various ministries and departments of the Central Government.
The Civil Services Examination (CSE) and the Indian Forest Service (IFS) Examination will begin with a common Preliminary Examination, serving as the first stage of the selection process. The Preliminary Examination is scheduled for 24 May 2026, while the Main Examination will commence on 21 August 2026. Candidates who successfully clear the Preliminary stage will be eligible to appear for the Main examination, which forms the next crucial step in the recruitment process.
How to Apply for UPSC CSE & IFS 2026
- Step 1: Visit upsc.gov.in or upsconline.nic.in.
- Step 2: Complete the One-Time Registration (OTR), if not already done.
- Step 3: Fill in the online application form with personal and academic details.
- Step 4: Upload required documents, including photograph and signature.
- Step 5: Pay the application fee online (if applicable).
- Step 6: Review the form carefully and submit it.
- Step 7: Download the confirmation page for future reference.
Eligibility Criteria For UPSC CSE & IFS 2026
As per the official notification, candidates must meet the following eligibility conditions to apply:
- Applicants must possess a graduate degree from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification.
- The age of the candidate should be between 21 and 32 years as on the prescribed cut-off date.
- Age relaxation will be provided to candidates belonging to reserved categories in accordance with the government norms.
Application Fee Details for UPSC CSE & IFS 2026
According to the official notification, candidates belonging to the General, OBC and EWS categories are required to pay an application fee of INR 100. Applicants from the SC, ST and female categories will also need to pay INR 100 as the prescribed examination fee. However, Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) have been exempted from payment of the application fee. The Commission has clarified that the fee must be remitted through online mode only via the designated payment gateway.
Selection Process
As outlined in the official notification, the recruitment process will be carried out in multiple stages. It will begin with the Preliminary Examination, which serves as a screening test. Candidates who qualify in the preliminary stage will be eligible to appear for the Main Examination. Those who clear the Main Examination will be called for the Interview round. The final stages of the selection process include Document Verification and a Medical Examination to ensure candidates meet the prescribed eligibility and fitness standards.
