UPSC Calendar 2026 Released
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the UPSC Exam Calendar 2026 on May 15, 2025. The calendar includes tentative dates for notifications, application submissions, and examinations. This calendar aims to help candidates plan their preparation for various national-level exams well in advance.
UPSC Calendar 2026 Released Overview
Every year, UPSC conducts a range of competitive exams for recruitment into prestigious services under the Government of India. UPSC organizes a wide range of exams like CSE, IFS, NDA, CDS, and ESE to recruit candidates for top administrative, forest, defence, and engineering roles in the Government of India. The UPSC Annual Exam Calendar 2026 provides a roadmap for these exams. Candidates can align their study strategy, set deadlines for application submission, and plan revision schedules.The official calendar is now available on the UPSC website – www.upsc.gov.in. It includes all key dates like notification release, application periods, and exam days.
List of UPSC Exams in 2026
Here is a detailed list of various exams conducted by UPSC in 2026, based on the official UPSC Annual Calendar 2026 released on 15th May 2025. Each exam serves a unique purpose and recruits candidates into different services of the Government of India.
- Civil Services Examination (CSE)
- Indian Forest Service (IFS) Examination
- Engineering Services Examination (ESE)
- Combined Geo-Scientist Examination
- Combined Medical Services (CMS) Examination
- Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination – I & II
- National Defence Academy (NDA) & Naval Academy (NA) Examination – I & II
- Indian Economic Service (IES) / Indian Statistical Service (ISS) Examination
- Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) – Assistant Commandant (AC) Examination
- CISF AC(EXE) Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE)
- S.O./Steno (Grade B/Grade I) Limited Departmental Competitive Examination
- Reserved for UPSC Recruitment Tests (RT/Examinations)
Important UPSC Exams and Their Key Dates in 2026
The 2026 calendar includes a broad range of UPSC exams. Below is a detailed look at the most important ones:
- UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE)
- Notification Date: 14 January 2026
- Application Window: 14 January to 3 February 2026
- Prelims Exam Date: 24 May 2026
- Mains Exam Date: 21 August 2026 (5 days)
- Indian Forest Service (IFS) Exam
- Conducted along with the CSE Prelims.
- Prelims Date: 24 May 2026
- Mains Exam Date: After CSE Mains (separate schedule)
- NDA & NA Exam (I & II)
- NDA 1 Notification: 10 December 2025
- Exam Date: 12 April 2026
- NDA 2 Notification: 20 May 2026
- Exam Date: 13 September 2026
- CDS Exam (I & II)
- CDS 1 Notification: 10 December 2025
- Exam Date: 12 April 2026
- CDS 2 Notification: 20 May 2026
- Exam Date: 13 September 2026
- 10 December 2025
How to Download UPSC Annual Calendar 2026 PDF
The UPSC Annual Calendar 2026 is available in PDF format on the official UPSC website. Follow these simple steps:
- Visit Official UPSC Site: Firstly go to the official UPSC site www.upsc.gov.in.
- Locate the ‘Calendar’ Section: On the homepage, look for the ‘Examinations’ or ‘Recruitment’ tab.
- Click on Annual Calendar Link: Under this section, find and click on “Annual Calendar 2026.”
- Open the PDF: A new page will open where the PDF file of the full calendar is available.
- Download the File: Click on the download icon or use the browser’s download option to save it to your device.
- Mark Your Dates: Use a highlighter or digital note to mark the dates relevant to your exams.
FAQs: UPSC Exam Calendar 2026
Q1. Why is the UPSC Annual Calendar important for aspirants?
Ans. It offers a roadmap for the entire year, helping aspirants allocate time wisely for different exams, stay ahead with deadlines, and avoid last-minute stress.
Q2. Can one prepare for multiple UPSC exams at the same time?
Ans. Yes, with smart planning. Many exams have overlapping syllabi, so integrated preparation can boost chances without doubling the effort.
Q3. Where can I find the official UPSC Exam Calendar 2026?
Ans. You can access it directly from UPSC’s official website by navigating to the ‘Calendar’ tab under the Examination section.
Q4. Does the calendar include syllabus or pattern updates?
Ans. No, the calendar only lists dates. For pattern or syllabus updates, candidates should refer to detailed exam notifications released separately.
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