New Delhi : The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced that the registration window for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 and the Indian Forest Service (IFS) Examination 2026 closes today, February 24, 2026, at 6:00 PM IST. Aspirants across the country are rushing to complete their applications on the official portals before the deadline to secure a chance at one of India's most prestigious career paths.
The UPSC released the detailed notification for both examinations on February 4, 2026, marking the start of the online application process on the same day via upsconline.nic.in. This year's recruitment drive targets approximately 933 vacancies in various central government services, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other allied roles. The CSE and IFS share a common preliminary examination, allowing candidates to apply for both through a single process.
The Preliminary Examination is set to take place on May 24, 2026.Successful candidates will advance to the Main Examination, scheduled to commence from August 21, 2026. The full selection process includes multiple stages: Prelims, Mains, Personality Test (Interview), Document Verification, and Medical Examination. Only those who clear each step will be recommended for appointment.
Eligibility remains stringent: candidates must hold a bachelor's degree from a recognized university and fall within the age bracket of 21 to 32 years as of the specified cut off (with relaxations for reserved categories). The application requires completion of One-Time Registration (OTR) if not already done, followed by filling personal, educational, and other details, uploading documents, and paying the prescribed fee (₹100 for general category; exempted for certain groups).UPSC has urged applicants to submit forms early to avoid technical glitches or server overloads common on the last day. The commission has also introduced reforms this year, such as mandatory face authentication using AI for verification and restrictions on in-service officers from certain cadres applying for fresh attempts.
This examination continues to draw lakhs of aspirants annually, symbolizing a gateway to public service and nation-building roles. With the clock ticking, eligible candidates who have not yet applied are advised to visit upsc.gov.in or upsconline.nic.in immediately to finalize their submissions.For official updates and direct links, refer to the UPSC website. Best of luck to all applicants!
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