The Union Public Service Commission has officially released the UPSC Calendar 2026. Candidates preparing for UPSC examinations can download the UPSC Calendar 2026 PDF to stay informed about important announcements, examination timelines, and key deadlines.
The UPSC Calendar provides tentative dates for notifications, application submissions, and exam schedules. The UPSC Calendar 2026, released on 15th May 2025, includes major examinations such as the Civil Services Examination (CSE), Indian Forest Service (IFS), Engineering Services, CDS, NDA, CAPF, and others.
UPSC Calendar 2026: Major Examinations:
The UPSC Calendar 2026 outlines the schedule for all major examinations conducted by the Commission. Released on 15th May 2025, it includes important exams such as the Civil Services Examination (CSE), National Defence Academy (NDA), Combined Defence Services (CDS), Indian Forest Service (IFS), and others.
Download UPSC Calendar 2026 PDF
UPSC Calendar 2026 – Major Exam Dates:
1. Civil Services (Prelims) 2026 –
- Exam Date: 24th May 2026 (Sunday)
- Notification Release: 14th January 2026 (Postponed)
- Last Date to Apply: To be announced
2. Civil Services (Mains) 2026 –
- Exam Start Date: 21st August 2026 (Friday)
- Duration: 5 Days
3. Indian Forest Service (Prelims) –
- Conducted through Civil Services (Prelims)
4. Indian Forest Service (Mains) 2026 –
- Exam Start Date: 22nd November 2026
5. NDA & CDS (I & II) –
- Exam Months: April & September 2026
6. CAPF (Assistant Commandants) –
- Exam Date: 19th July 2026
With the release of the UPSC Calendar 2026, aspirants can now track crucial dates related to notification releases, application deadlines, and examination schedules. This early announcement helps candidates plan their preparation strategy more effectively.
UPSC Prelims 2026:
The UPSC Preliminary Examination 2026 will be conducted on 24th May 2026 (Sunday). It is a one-day examination consisting of two objective-type papers:
General Studies Paper I
CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) – Paper II
Both papers are multiple-choice based and act as a screening test for the UPSC Mains Examination 2026. Notably, the IFoS Prelims 2026 will also be held on the same day using the same question papers. With the exam date announced well in advance, aspirants have nearly 16 months to plan and execute their preparation effectively.
UPSC Mains 2026:
The UPSC Mains Examination 2026 will begin on 21st August 2026 (Friday) and will be conducted over a period of five days. The Mains examination includes:
Essay Paper
Four General Studies Papers
Two Optional Subject Papers
Unlike the Prelims, the Mains examination is descriptive in nature and requires strong analytical ability, conceptual clarity, and effective writing skills. Since there is a three-month gap between the Prelims and Mains, candidates are advised to begin Mains preparation alongside their Prelims strategy. Those who clear the Mains stage will be called for the Personality Test (Interview), which is the final stage of the UPSC Selection Process 2026.
