By Career Varta News Desk | Updated: November 2025
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released its 2026 examination calendar, outlining crucial dates for aspirants preparing for the prestigious Civil Services Examination and other central government recruitment tests.
According to the official notification published on the UPSC website, the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026 will be held on May 24, 2026, while the Mains Examination is scheduled to commence from August 21, 2026. The official notification for the Civil Services Exam will be released on January 14, 2026, marking the opening of the online application window for candidates.
The UPSC calendar also includes schedules for other important examinations such as the Indian Forest Service (IFS), Engineering Services, Combined Medical Services, and National Defence Academy (NDA) exams, providing aspirants ample time to plan their preparation strategy.
| Examination | Notification Release | Preliminary Exam Date | Mains Exam Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Services (IAS/IPS/IFS) | January 14, 2026 | May 24, 2026 | August 21, 2026 |
| Indian Forest Service (IFS) | January 14, 2026 | May 24, 2026 (with Civil Services Prelims) | November 2026 (Tentative) |
| Engineering Services (ESE) | September 18, 2025 | February 15, 2026 | June 2026 |
| Combined Medical Services (CMS) | April 3, 2026 | July 12, 2026 | — |
| NDA & NA (I) | December 18, 2025 | April 12, 2026 | — |
| NDA & NA (II) | May 20, 2026 | September 20, 2026 | — |
These dates are part of UPSC’s effort to ensure transparency and predictability for lakhs of candidates preparing for India’s most competitive examinations. Experts advise candidates to begin their structured preparation early and to keep an eye on the official UPSC website for any schedule changes.
Speaking about the 2026 calendar, education analysts note that the early release gives candidates a strategic advantage — particularly those balancing work or university schedules. “UPSC aspirants should utilize this timeline to fine-tune their revision cycles and focus on mock tests from early 2026,” said a Delhi-based civil services coach.
Preparation Pointers from Career Varta
- Begin comprehensive reading of NCERTs and standard texts by December 2025.
- Allocate at least three months (Feb–Apr 2026) for full-length test series practice.
- Keep scanned documents and eligibility proofs ready before the January notification.
- Subscribe to UPSC alerts or follow the official upsc.gov.in
The UPSC remains India’s premier recruiting body for top administrative and technical services, with millions competing annually for a few coveted positions across the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and other central roles.
📰 Disclaimer (Career Varta)
This article is for informational and educational purposes only. Dates and details are based on the official UPSC Exam Calendar 2026 as available at the time of publication. Candidates are strongly advised to verify all updates, notifications, and eligibility conditions directly from the official UPSC website (www.upsc.gov.in)
