The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced an extension to the registration deadline for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 and Indian Forest Service (IFS) 2026 applications. The commission’s decision pushes the last date to 27 February 2026 (6:00 PM) from the previous deadline of 24 February 2026, giving aspirants additional time to complete their online submissions at upsconline.nic.in.
Revised UPSC CSE 2026 Application Dates
The revised timeline for the UPSC CSE and IFS 2026 registration process is as follows:
- Notification Release: 04 February 2026
- Online Registration Start: 04 February 2026
- Original Last Date: 24 February 2026 (6:00 PM)
- Extended Last Date: 27 February 2026 (6:00 PM)
- Preliminary Examination: 24 May 2026
- Mains Examination: 21 August 2026
Candidates planning to apply for the Civil Services and Indian Forest Service examinations should make use of this extended window if they have not completed their registration yet.
Reason for the Extension
The UPSC extended the deadline after reports of technical difficulties on the official application portal (upsconline.nic.in), including slow loading and login problems that hindered applicants from submitting their forms close to the original deadline. This adjustment was intended to ensure that all eligible candidates have a fair opportunity to register.
How to Apply for UPSC CSE 2026?
Candidates who have yet to submit their applications can follow these general steps to register:
- Visit the official UPSC registration website: upsconline.nic.in.
- Create a new user registration if applying for the first time.
- Login using the generated credentials.
- Fill in the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 application form with accurate personal and academic details.
- Upload required documents such as photograph and signature in the specified formats.
- Pay the application fee (Rs 100 for most categories; exemptions apply).
- Submit the form and download the confirmation page for future reference.
Eligibility and Fees
To be eligible for UPSC CSE 2026, candidates must:
- Hold a graduation degree from a recognised university.
- Be at least 21 years old and not more than 32 years old as on 01 August 2026, with age relaxations available as per government rules.
- Pay the applicable application fee or qualify for fee exemption based on category (e.g., SC/ST/PwBD).
What Aspirants Should Do Next?
Candidates who have not yet completed their UPSC CSE 2026 registration are advised not to wait until the last hours to submit their forms, as the portal may experience heavy traffic again. Aspirants should use this extension window effectively to ensure their applications are submitted smoothly and confirm receipt of the confirmation page before the extended deadline.