The Union Public Service Commission just dropped the official notification for the Civil Services Exam (CSE) and Indian Forest Service (IFS) 2026. If you’ve been dreaming about a spot in top government jobs like IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, or other Group A and B roles, now’s your chance—the application window is open. You can fill out your form online, and honestly, you’ll want to get moving on this.
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933 Vacancies Announced
As of February 4, 2026, UPSC has announced around 933 openings for CSE 2026. People from all over India are eligible to apply on upsc.gov.in or upsconline.nic.in, but don’t wait until the last minute—the deadline is February 24, 2026. The official notification PDF spells out everything: eligibility, the number of seats by category, how much you’ll need to pay, and the whole selection process.
Key Dates and How to Apply
Applications started on February 4 and close at 6:00 PM on February 24, 2026. Make sure you’ve got your documents—degree certificates, a photo, and your signature—ready to upload so you’re not scrambling at the end.
Looking at the schedule, the Preliminary Exam is set for May 24, 2026. If you clear that, the Mains kick off on August 21, 2026. So, you’ve got a clear timeline to map out your prep for each stage.
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Who Can Apply and What’s the Process?
To be eligible, you need to meet the age and education rules listed in the official notification—usually, that means a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university and falling within the specific age range for your category. The exam process goes in three parts:
Prelims (objective questions)
Mains (written, descriptive papers)
Interview/Personality Test
If you make it through all three, you could land a spot in the IAS, IPS, IFS, or other top government services.
A Few Words for Aspirants
Now that the notification’s out, it’s time to get serious. Start with the prelims syllabus—General Studies, CSAT, current events—then focus on writing practice for the mains, and don’t forget to prep for interviews. Also, keep an eye out for fresh updates from UPSC so you don’t miss any important announcements or date changes. Good luck!