The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has postponed the release of the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 notification, initially due on 14 January 2026 for aspirants aiming for posts including Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Forest Service (IFS). The commission cited administrative reasons for the delay and stated the updated notification date will be announced soon on the official portal upsc.gov.in
Official UPSC Calendar and Key Exam Dates
While the formal notification is pending, the UPSC exam calendar 2026 provides key dates for planning preparation. The Civil Services Preliminary Exam is scheduled for 24 May 2026 (Sunday), serving also as the Indian Forest Service (Preliminary) Exam screening test. The UPSC Civil Services Main Examination is planned to begin on 21 August 2026 and continue for five days.
Once published, the notification will outline eligibility criteria including age limits and educational qualifications, vacancy details, the online application process, deadlines and the exam pattern across all stages: prelims, mains and interview. Aspirants should regularly check upsc.gov.in and upsconline.nic.in for the official notice and the opening of the application window.
What UPSC CSE Aspirants Should Know While Waiting?
Candidates preparing for UPSC CSE 2026 should utilise the current timeline to strengthen core subjects and revision strategies. Keeping all documentation including educational proofs and identity details ready will help with swift registration once the notification goes live. The delay does not currently affect the scheduled exam dates for prelims and mains, but any change will be notified officially. Stay updated with the latest UPSC notifications directly on the official UPSC website to avoid misinformation and ensure timely application submission when the notification is published.