About the Examination
The Union Public Service Commission conducts the Civil Services Examination annually for recruitment to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and other Group A & B Central Civil Services.
Selection Pattern Overview
Three-stage comprehensive competitive selection: Stage I (Preliminary Objective Screening), Stage II (Main Written Descriptive 9 Papers), Stage III (Personality Test / Interview).
Examination Stages & Marks Distribution
Detailed tier-by-tier breakdown of test duration, total marks, qualifying cutoffs, and mode.
Stage I: Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination
offline omr
240 Mins
400 Marks
132 Marks
Objective type screening test consisting of Paper I (GS) and Paper II (CSAT).
Stage II: Civil Services (Main) Examination (Written)
pen paper
1620 Mins
1750 Marks
750 Marks
Conventional descriptive examination consisting of 9 written theory papers.
Stage III: Personality Test (Interview)
interview only
45 Mins
275 Marks
100 Marks
Board interview evaluating candidate suitability, mental caliber, and analytical judgment.
Examination Shift Timetable
Official shift reporting hours, exam commencement, and candidate guidelines.
| Paper / Subject | Exam Date | Shift / Timings | Reporting |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Studies Paper-I (GS) Black ball point pen only. No electronic devices, smartwatches, or calculators permitted in examination hall. | 24 May 2026 | Morning Shift: 09:30:00 - 11:30:00 | 09:00:00 |
| General Studies Paper-II (CSAT) Qualifying paper. Candidates must secure at least 33% marks (66 marks out of 200). | 24 May 2026 | Afternoon Shift: 14:30:00 - 16:30:00 | 14:00:00 |
Syllabus & Marking Guidelines
Syllabus Breakdown
General Studies Paper-I (Current events, History, Geography, Polity, Economics, Science & Tech) and General Studies Paper-II / CSAT (Comprehension, Logical reasoning, Quantitative aptitude).
Marking & Negative Marking Rules
Negative marking of 1/3rd (0.33) marks for wrong answers in Objective Preliminary Examination. CSAT Paper-II is qualifying with minimum 33% marks.
Eligibility, Age & Educational Qualifications
21 to 32 Years
6 Attempts (General)
Citizen of India for IAS & IPS; for other services: Citizen of India, subject of Nepal, or subject of Bhutan.
Bachelor's Degree (Graduation) (Level: graduate)
Candidate must hold a Bachelor’s Degree of any recognized University incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament.
Age calculated as on 1st August 2026. Upper age limit relaxation: 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC, 10 years for PwBD candidates, 5 years for Defence personnel disabled in operations.
Designated Examination Centers (9 Cities)
Allocated examination cities and regional test venue codes.
Milestone Timeline
Official Notification Release Date
Online Application Window Opens
Last Date to Submit Application Form
Application Form Correction Window
Preliminary e-Admit Card Release
Civil Services (Preliminary) Exam Date
Preliminary Examination Result Declaration
Civil Services (Main) Exam Commencement
Application Fee Structure
Gazettes & Circulars
Other Exams by UPSC
SuchnaSetu aggregates and structures official examination data solely from government gazettes and certified public portals. Candidates are advised to cross-verify all dates and eligibility conditions with the official commission brochure.