- By Sarju Saran Tiwari
- Thu, 15 May 2025 09:03 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
UPSC 2026 Exam Calendar: UPSC Calendar 2026 is an official document released annually by the Union Public Service Commission. It contains the list of all exams conducted by UPSC, along with the expected dates for notification, application form, and exam dates. Some popular exams included in the UPSC Calendar are the Civil Services Exam, Indian Forest Services, NDA, CDS, CAPF, etc.
The commission has locked UPSC CSE 2026 Exam in May 24 for Prelims and August 21 for Mains, with interviews slated for early 2027. This three-stage gauntlet demands precision, and the newly released calendar is your battle plan.
With just three months between Prelims and Mains, aspirants must strategize smarter. Experts recommend starting mains preparation before prelims to leverage the tight timeline. The clock is ticking-let’s decode the roadmap!
UPSC 2026 Examination Calendar Table:
| SL. No. | Date of Notification | Last Date for Applications | Name of Examination | Date of Exam | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | - | - | Reserved for UPSC RT/Examination | 10.01.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
| 2 | - | - | Reserved for UPSC Examination | 17.01.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
| 3 | 03.09.2025 | 23.09.2025 | Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Exam, 2026 | 08.02.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| 4 | 17.09.2025 | 07.10.2025 | Engineering Services (Preliminary) Exam, 2026 | 18.02.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| 5 | - | - | CBI (DSP) LDCE | 28.02.2026 (Saturday) | 1 Day |
| 6 | 24.12.2025 | 13.01.2026 | CISF AC(EXE) LDCE-2026 | 28.02.2026 (Saturday) | 1 Day |
| 7 | 03.12.2025 | 23.12.2025 | N.D.A. & N.A. Exam (I), 2026 | 08.03.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| 8 | 10.12.2025 | 30.12.2025 | C.D.S. Exam (I), 2026 | 12.04.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| 9 | 14.01.2026 | 03.02.2026 | Civil Services (Preliminary) Exam, 2026 | 24.05.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| 10 | 14.01.2026 | 03.02.2026 | Indian Forest Service (Prelims) via CS(P) Exam, 2026 | 24.05.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| 11 | - | - | Reserved for UPSC RT/Examination | 06.06.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
| 12 | 11.02.2026 | 03.03.2026 | L.E.S./L.S.S. Exam, 2026 | 19.06.2026 (Friday) | 3 Days |
| 13 | - | - | Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) Exam, 2026 | 20.06.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
| 14 | - | - | Engineering Services (Main) Exam, 2026 | 21.06.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| 15 | - | - | Reserved for UPSC RT/Examination | 04.07.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
| 16 | 18.02.2026 | 10.03.2026 | Central Armed Police Forces (ACS) Exam, 2026 | 02.08.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| 17 | 11.03.2026 | 31.03.2026 | Combined Medical Services Exam, 2026 | 08.08.2026 (Saturday) | 1 Day |
| 18 | - | - | Reserved for UPSC Examination | 21.08.2026 (Friday) | 2 Days |
| 19 | - | - | Civil Services (Main) Exam, 2026 | 20.08.2026 (Thursday) | 5 Days |
| 20 | 20.05.2026 | 09.06.2026 | N.D.A. & N.A. Exam (II), 2026 | 13.09.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| 21 | 16.09.2026 | 06.10.2026 | C.D.S. Exam (II), 2026 | 26.09.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
| 22 | - | - | Reserved for UPSC RT/Examination | 10.10.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
| 23 | - | - | Reserved for UPSC RT/Examination | 31.10.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
| 24 | - | - | Reserved for UPSC RT/Examination | 22.11.2026 (Sunday) | 7 Days |
| 25 | - | - | Indian Forest Service (Main) Exam, 2026 | 12.12.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
| 26 | - | - | S.O./Steno (GD-B/GD-I) LDCE | 19.12.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
| 27 | - | - | Reserved for UPSC RT/Examination | - | - |
Note: Dates are subject to change as per official notifications. Always refer to upsc.gov.in for latest updates.
UPSC 2026 Exam Calendar: Mark Your CSE Dates:
The UPSC 2026 schedule is packed with milestones. Here’s a snapshot:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Prelims Exam | May 24, 2026 |
| Mains Exam | August 21, 2026 |
| Interview Stage | January–March 2027 |
| Admit Card Release | Early May 2026 |
| Result Declaration | 4–6 weeks post-exam |
Cracking the UPSC 2026 Code: Prep Strategies
Prelims Focus: Prioritize NCERTs and current affairs. Solve past papers to master the MCQ format.
Mains Mastery: Write daily essays and practice answer structuring. Focus on optional subjects early.
Interview Prep: Stay updated on national issues and mock interviews.
Why Start Mains Early?
The three-month gap between Prelims and Mains is deceptive. With mains requiring in-depth answers, begin answer writing and optional subject revision during prelims prep .
The UPSC 2026 calendar is your blueprint. From admit card downloads to result checks, every step demands attention. Stay disciplined, leverage past papers, and keep upsc.gov.in on speed dial.
Download UPSC 2026 Calendar PDF:
