UPSC IAS & IFS Recruitment 2026

UPSC IAS & IFS Recruitment 2026: Apply Online 1206 Posts

The Union Public Service Commission has notified us about the Civil Services and Forest Service examination in 2026. Candidates who want to appear for the UPSC IAS or IFS should go through the advertisement to learn about the eligibility criteria, age limit, application process, selection procedure, etc.

Important information about the UPSC IAS/IFS.

Particulars	Details
Name of the recruiting organization	Union Public Service Commission
Number . of vacancies	1206
The name of the official website	https:/upsc.gov.in
Vacancies for the posts	Civil Services and Forest Services
Exam Level	National
Mode of Application	Online
Mode of Examination	Offline
In a year, the frequency of exams	Once a year
The number of attempts allowed for each category	General category candidates: six times OBC candidates: 9 times SC/ST candidates: any number of times

Important Dates for the Post of IAS/Forest Service 2026

Event	Dates
Date of release of the advertisement	14 February 2026
Date of commencement of the Application	14 February 2026
The last date for applying for the exam	5th March 2026
The last date for paying fees	5th March 2026
Date of examination for the UPSC Prelims Exam 2026	26 May 2026
Date of the Main Exam	20 September 2026, up to 5 days

Vacancy Details

Posts	Vacancy
Indian Administrative Services or Civil Services (IAS)	1056
Indian Forest Service (IFS)	150

Application fees for the Posts

Candidates belonging to OBC, general, or EWS: Rs. 100

SC/ST/PH candidates: exempt

Eligibility for various posts:

1. Indian Administrative Services

• The applicant should be a graduate from any stream from a recognised university in India.

2. Indian Forestry Services

• To join forestry services, the candidate must complete graduation in subjects such as animal husbandry, botany, veterinary science, mathematics, geology, chemistry, zoology, statistics, physics, or agriculture.
• The candidates must otherwise possess an equivalent degree in the following subjects:.

Age Limit

Minimum age requirement: 21 years as of August 1, 2026

Maximum age requirement: 35 years as of August 1, 2026

Even candidates born earlier than August 1, 1992, are not qualified.

Age relaxation is provided to candidates belonging to the special category according to the 2026 Rules.

Age relaxation for SC/ST candidates: 5 years

OBC candidates: 3 years

Ex-services who have served at least for 5 years in the military

Disabled when fighting with other countries, defence personnel, or residing in a disturbed area: 3 years

PwD: 10 years

Other Requirements for the post:

• Should be an Indian citizen.
• Should complete graduation from Central or State University

How do I apply for the posts of IAS and IFS 2026?

• Go to the official site of the Union Public Service Commission or https:/upsc.gov.in.
• Before filling out the form, read the notification by clicking on the notification bar.
• Then, you can find recruitment button in the menu bar and an ‘apply’ button.
• Then, after clicking, you can further find the option 'registration’ and hence click it.
• You should enter your credentials to register your name. then the user ID and password are notified to your account.
• Then, log in, and you can find a form.
• Then, fill out the form, entering the required information.
• Upload the documents required, i.e., ID, address, and qualification proof, including a photograph and signature.
• Then proceed with the online payment. After verifying, submit the form.
• Then take a printout for future use.

Selection procedure IAS/IFS 2026

• 1st Phase: Preliminary Exam
• 2nd Phase: Main Exam
• 3rd Phase: Interview Round

Note:- After three phases, a merit list is prepared.

Exam Pattern of the Prelim Round

Paper 1: General Studies for 200 marks

Paper 2: CSAT for 200 marks

Exam Pattern for the Mains Exam:

Paper A: Indian language as selected by the candidate: 300 marks

Paper B, English, 300 marks 

Papers for Merit

• Paper 1: Essay for 250 marks
• Paper 2: General Studies or Social Science, 250 marks
• Paper 3: Civics of 250 Marks
• Paper 4: Environment, Economics, Bio-Diversity, Environment Security, and Disaster Management for 250 marks
• Paper 5: Integrity, Aptitude, or Ethics: 250 marks
• Paper 6 and Paper 7 include optional subjects worth 250 marks.

Bifurcation of Tests

• The total marks allocated to the written test are 1750.
• The total marks for the personality test are 275.
• The personality test includes group discussion and a personal interview.
• The total marks for the test are 2025.