UPSC Calendar 2026 Out, Check Exam Schedule & Important Dates

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) officially released its Annual Exam Calendar for 2026 on May 15, 2025. This calendar is a crucial planning tool for lakhs of aspirants preparing for various prestigious exams like the Civil Services, Indian Forest Services, NDA, CDS, and more. Whether you’re aiming for IAS, IPS, IFS, or Defence Services, knowing the key dates early on helps you structure your preparation and avoid last-minute stress.

UPSC Calendar 2026

The UPSC Calendar 2026 outlines all the important dates and deadlines for the upcoming Civil Services Examination and other key exams conducted by UPSC. It helps aspirants plan their preparation and application process effectively to avoid missing any critical events. Below is a detailed schedule for the UPSC CSE 2026.

UPSC Calendar 2026 Important Dates

Below is a table summarising the major exams conducted by UPSC in 2026 along with their important dates. 

UPSC Calendar 2026 Download PDF

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official UPSC Calendar 2026, detailing the dates of major exams like Civil Services, NDA, CDS, IES, and more. Aspirants can now download the UPSC Calendar 2026 PDF to stay updated and streamline their study schedule.

 Click here to Download UPSC Calendar 2026

UPSC CSE Exam Dates 2026

The UPSC CSE Prelims 2026 will be held on 31st May 2026, while the Mains exam is scheduled to begin from 18th September 2026, The detailed schedule for the UPSC Exam Dates 2026 has been provided in the table below.

Also read UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2026

Steps to Download the UPSC Exam Calendar 2026 PDF

Follow these steps to download the UPSC Exam Calendar 2026 from the official website upsc.gov.in. The PDF Link has also been provided above.

1. Go to: https://www.upsc.gov.in
2. Click on the “Examinations” tab in the menu.
3. Select “Calendar” from the dropdown.
4. Click on “Annual Calendar 2026” to download the PDF.

Exams Covered in the UPSC Calendar 2026

The UPSC Calendar 2026 includes a wide range of examinations conducted throughout the year for recruitment into various prestigious government services. Below is a list of some of the key exams scheduled as per the calendar.

1. Civil Services Examination (CSE) – IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS
2. Indian Forest Service (IFS)
3. Engineering Services Examination (ESE)
4. Combined Defence Services (CDS)
5. National Defence Academy (NDA)
6. Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF)
7. Indian Economic Service (IES)/ Indian Statistical Service (ISS)
8. Combined Medical Services (CMS)

UPSC Prelims 2026

The UPSC Prelims Exam for 2026 is set to be conducted on 24th May 2026 (Sunday). This single day exam consists of two objective-type papers:

1. General Studies Paper I
2. CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) – Paper II

Both examinations are MCQ-based and are the screening phase of the UPSC Mains Examination 2026. Significantly, the IFoS Preliminary Examination 2026 too shall be held on the same date, on the same papers. With the examination date notified so far ahead in time, students now have some 16 months from the announcement of the calendar to schedule preparation.

UPSC Mains 2026

UPSC Mains Exam 2026 will be held on 21st August 2026 (Friday) and will last five days. Mains phase contains:

1. Essay Paper
2. Four General Studies Papers
3. Two Optional Subject Papers

In contrast to the Prelims, the UPSC Mains Exam 2026 is a descriptive exam and requires thorough subject matter knowledge, analytical mind, and good writing skills. There exists a three-month gap between the Prelims and Mains, and therefore, it is important that aspirants start Mains preparation along with their Prelims strategy Candidates who clear the Mains will be shortlisted for the Personality Test (Interview), the last phase of the UPSC Selection Process 2026.

Preparation Tips for UPSC Aspirants 2026

With the exam dates now confirmed, it’s the perfect time for UPSC Aspirants 2026 to streamline their study plans. Here are a few essential tips to help you stay focused and exam-ready.

1. Create a realistic study timetable based on the exam date.
2. Start early with Prelims and Mains preparation simultaneously.
3. Regularly solve mock tests and PYQs.
4. Stay updated with current affairs daily.
5. Don’t forget to revise regularly and track your progress.

UPSC Calendar 2026 FAQs

When was the UPSC Calendar 2026 released?

The UPSC Calendar 2026 was officially released on 15th May 2025. 

What is the date for the UPSC Civil Services (Prelims) 2026?

The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026 is scheduled for 24th May 2026 (Sunday). 

When will the UPSC Civil Services (Mains) 2026 commence?

The UPSC Mains Exam 2026 will begin on 21st August 2026 (Friday) and will span five days. 

What are the notification and application deadlines for UPSC CSE 2026?

The UPSC Notification Release Date will be 14th January 2026 and the last date to apply for UPSC Exam 2025 will be 3rd February 2026.

Where can I download the official UPSC Calendar 2026 PDF?

The official UPSC Calendar 2026 PDF can be downloaded from the above provided link.

Are the exam dates subject to change?

Yes, the dates mentioned in the UPSC Calendar 2026 are tentative and may be modified under exceptional circumstances. Aspirants are advised to periodically check the official UPSC website for any updates.