The UPSC Exam Calendar 2026 has officially been released on the website of the Union Public Service Commission at www.upsc.gov.in. The annual calendar provides a structured roadmap for all major examinations including Civil Services (CSE), Indian Forest Service (IFS), NDA, CDS, CAPF, CMS, Engineering Services, and more.
For lakhs of aspirants preparing for prestigious government services, this calendar is more than just a schedule—it is a planning tool that helps structure preparation, revision cycles, and mock test strategies throughout the year.
UPSC Exam Calendar 2026 – Overview
Every year, UPSC conducts national-level examinations to recruit candidates into India’s top administrative, defence, engineering, medical, and police services. The UPSC Annual Calendar 2026 outlines:
- Notification Release Dates
- Online Registration Periods
- Preliminary & Main Exam Dates
- Duration of Examinations
- Reserved Exam Dates
The calendar was officially released on 15 May 2025, covering all examinations to be conducted in 2026.
UPSC Notification & Registration Dates 2026
Below is the detailed schedule of notification releases and application windows for major UPSC examinations in 2026:
| Exam Name | Notification Date | Registration Period |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2026 | 14 January 2026 | 14 January – 3 February 2026 |
| Indian Forest Service (Prelims via CSE) | 14 January 2026 | 14 January – 3 February 2026 |
| I.E.S./I.S.S. Examination, 2026 | 11 February 2026 | 11 February – 3 March 2026 |
| Central Armed Police Forces (ACs) | 18 February 2026 | 18 February – 10 March 2026 |
| Combined Medical Services (CMS) | 18 March 2026 | 18 March – 7 April 2026 |
| NDA & NA Examination (II) | 20 May 2026 | 20 May – 9 June 2026 |
| CDS Examination (II) | 20 May 2026 | 20 May – 9 June 2026 |
| S.O./Steno LDCE | 16 September 2026 | 16 September – 6 October 2026 |
Candidates are advised to complete registrations well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues.
UPSC Annual Exam Dates 2026 (Complete Schedule)
UPSC examinations begin as early as January 2026 and continue until December 2026. Below is the comprehensive exam schedule:
| S.No | Examination | Date | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reserved for RT/Exam | 10 Jan 2026 | 2 Days |
| 2 | Combined Geo-Scientist (Prelims) | 18 Jan 2026 | 1 Day |
| 3 | Engineering Services (Prelims) | 8 Feb 2026 | 1 Day |
| 4 | CBI (DSP) LDCE | 24 Jan 2026 | 1 Day |
| 5 | CISF AC(EXE) LDCE | 1 Mar 2026 | 1 Day |
| 6 | NDA & NA (I) | 12 Apr 2026 | 1 Day |
| 7 | CDS (I) | 12 Apr 2026 | 1 Day |
| 8 | Civil Services (Prelims) | 24 May 2026 | 1 Day |
| 9 | Indian Forest Service (Prelims) | 24 May 2026 | 1 Day |
| 10 | I.E.S./I.S.S. | 26 June 2026 | 3 Days |
| 11 | Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) | 20 June 2026 | 2 Days |
| 12 | Engineering Services (Main) | 28 June 2026 | 1 Day |
| 13 | CAPF (ACs) | 9 August 2026 | 1 Day |
| 14 | CMS | 23 August 2026 | 1 Day |
| 15 | NDA & NA (II) | 6 September 2026 | 1 Day |
| 16 | CDS (II) | 6 September 2026 | 1 Day |
| 17 | Civil Services (Main) | 18 September 2026 | 5 Days |
| 18 | Indian Forest Service (Main) | 21 November 2026 | 10 Days |
| 19 | S.O./Steno LDCE | 12 December 2026 | 2 Days |
Several dates are reserved for departmental or recruitment tests.
Major UPSC Exams 2026 – Detailed Timeline
1️⃣ UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026
The Civil Services Examination is conducted to recruit candidates into IAS, IPS, IFS and other central services.
Key Dates:
- Notification: 14 January 2026
- Last Date to Apply: 3 February 2026
- Prelims: 24 May 2026
- Mains: 18 September 2026 (5 Days)
This exam remains the most competitive examination in India.
2️⃣ UPSC NDA 1 & NDA 2 Exam 2026
The NDA exam is conducted for admission to Army, Navy, and Air Force wings.
| Activity | NDA 1 | NDA 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Notification | 10 December 2025 | 20 May 2026 |
| Last Date | 30 December 2025 | 9 June 2026 |
| Exam Date | 12 April 2026 | 13 September 2026 |
3️⃣ UPSC CDS 1 & CDS 2 Exam 2026
The CDS examination recruits officers for Indian Military Academy, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and OTA.
| Activity | CDS 1 | CDS 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Notification | 10 December 2025 | 20 May 2026 |
| Exam Date | 12 April 2026 | 13 September 2026 |
4️⃣ UPSC CAPF (ACs) 2026
CAPF recruits Assistant Commandants in CRPF, BSF, ITBP, CISF, and SSB.
- Notification: 18 February 2026
- Last Date: 10 March 2026
- Exam Date: 9 August 2026
5️⃣ UPSC Combined Medical Services (CMS) 2026
- Notification: 18 March 2026
- Exam Date: 23 August 2026
How to Download UPSC Exam Calendar 2026 PDF
Follow these steps:
- Visit the official UPSC website: www.upsc.gov.in
- Click on “Examinations” tab
- Select “Calendar”
- Download “Annual Calendar 2026” PDF
- Save and print for reference
Candidates should mark important dates immediately after downloading.
Why UPSC Exam Calendar 2026 Is Important?
The UPSC calendar is extremely important for serious aspirants. Here’s why:
1️⃣ Strategic Preparation Planning
Knowing notification and exam dates in advance helps in structured preparation.
2️⃣ Time Management
Aspirants can divide preparation into Prelims-focused, Mains-focused, and Interview stages.
3️⃣ Avoid Exam Clashes
Candidates preparing for multiple exams like NDA, CDS, and CAPF can avoid scheduling conflicts.
4️⃣ Revision Strategy
Calendar awareness ensures multiple revision cycles before exam day.
5️⃣ Stress-Free Preparation
No last-minute surprises regarding exam announcements.
Preparation Strategy After UPSC Calendar 2026 Release
Now that the calendar is out, candidates should:
- Prepare a month-wise study plan
- Complete syllabus at least 2 months before Prelims
- Start answer writing practice for Mains early
- Solve previous year question papers
- Take full-length mock tests
FAQs
Yes, it was released on 15 May 2025 on the official website.
Civil Services Prelims 2026 will be held on 24 May 2026.
Mains examination will begin from 18 September 2026 for 5 days.
It includes notification dates, registration deadlines, exam dates, and duration of exams.
Final Words
The release of the UPSC Exam Calendar 2026 marks the official beginning of the preparation journey for thousands of aspirants. Whether you are targeting Civil Services, NDA, CDS, CAPF, or CMS, having a clear understanding of exam timelines gives you a strategic edge.
Download the PDF, mark your important dates, and build a disciplined preparation roadmap today. Early planning and consistent effort are the keys to cracking one of India’s toughest examinations.
Stay updated with official announcements only through www.upsc.gov.in to avoid misinformation.
Best wishes to all aspirants preparing for UPSC 2026! 🚀
