UPSC exam calendar 2026 released, CSE prelims on May 24, Mains on August 21

The Civil Services (Preliminary) examination is scheduled for May 24 and the Main examination will take place on August 21, 2026.

Updated on: May 15, 2025 1:45 PM IST

By HT Education Desk

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UPSC Exam Calendar 2026: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the examination calendar for 2026. The Civil Services (Preliminary) examination is scheduled for May 24, and the Mains examination will take place on August 21, 2026.

Notification for the UPSC CSE 2026 will be issued on January 14 and applications will be accepted till February 3.

Also read: Ajay Kumar, former defence secretary, appointed as UPSC chairman

The entrance examination for the National Defence Academy/Naval Academy and the Combined Defence Services (UPSC NDA/NA, CDS 1) examination will be held on April 12.

UPSC exam calendar 2025: Important dates

Name of examination	Date of notification	Last date to apply	Exam date/exam start date
Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Examination, 2026	September 3, 2025	September 23, 2025	February 8, 2026
Engineering Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2026	September 17, 2025	October 7, 2025	February 8, 2026
CBI (DSP) LDCE	December 24, 2025	January 13, 2025	February 28
CISF AC(EXE) LDCE	December 3, 2025	December 23, 2025	March 8, 2026
N.D.A. & N.A. examination (I), 2026, CDS (I) examination, 2026	December 10, 2025	December 30, 2025	April 12, 2026
Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2026 Indian Forest Service (Preliminary) Examination, 2026 through CS(P) Examination 2026	January 14, 2026	February 3, 2026	May 24, 2026
I.E.S./I.S.S. Examination, 2026	February 11, 2026	March 3, 2026	June 19, 2026
Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) Examination, 2026	-	-	June 20, 2026
Engineering Services (Main) Examination, 2026	-	-	June 21, 2026
Central Armed Police Forces (ACs) Examination, 2026	February 18, 2026	March 10, 2026	July 19, 2026
Combined Medical Services Examination, 2026	March 11, 2026	March 31, 2026	August 2, 2026
Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026	-	-	August 21, 2026
N.D.A. & N.A. Examination (II), CDS Examination (II) 2026	May 20, 2026	June 9, 2026	September 13, 2026
Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination, 2026	-	-	November 22, 2026
S.O./Steno (GD-B/GD-I) LDCE	September 16, 2026	October 6, 2026	December 12, 2026

UPSC said that the dates of notification, commencement and duration of examinations are liable to alteration, if the circumstances so warrant.

Candidates can check the exam calendar here.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT Education Desk
For over a decade, the Hindustan Times Digital Streams – Education Desk has been a trusted source for accurate, in-depth, and timely news on education and careers. We bring the latest updates on board exams, competitive exams, results, employment news, study abroad, scholarships, and school and college admissions, helping students, job seekers, and educators make informed decisions. Our Coverage Areas 1. Board Exams & Results: Comprehensive reporting on CBSE, CISCE, and state board exams (UP, Bihar, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and others), including schedules, admit cards, answer keys, results, and career opportunities. 2. Competitive Exams: Insights into major exams like UPSC, JEE, NEET, GATE, CAT, SAT, and state and central government services. Exam Results: Timely updates on UPSC, SSC, SBI, IBPS, NTA, IIMs, and other competitive exam results. 3. Employment News: Notifications on government and private sector jobs, vacancies, eligibility, application processes, and results. 4. Study Abroad: Information on top universities, courses, tuition fees, scholarships, visa regulations, and career prospects for international students. Features & Analysis: Opinion pieces, expert explainers, deep-dive reports, and interviews with key figures in education. 5. Breaking Education News: Real-time updates on major policy changes, institutional reforms, and trends shaping the education sector. 6. With a commitment to factual, unbiased journalism, HT Digital’s Education Desk has seen continuous growth in readership, offering credible and engaging content tailored for students, parents, and professionals. Meet the Team 1. Nilesh Mathur – News Editor A journalist with 24 years of experience, including 18+ years at Hindustan Times, Nilesh leads editorial planning, ensures factual accuracy, and enhances audience engagement through strategic content. 2. Papri Chanda – Deputy Chief Content Producer With over a decade of experience in education journalism, Papri specializes in exam-related content, study abroad insights, and education trends. She also explores new opportunities in education that benefit students. 3. Bishal – Senior Content Producer Active in the education and jobs sector since 2019, Bishal focuses on tracking developments, analyzing trends, and crafting informative content for students and job aspirants. 4. Gaurav Sarma – Deputy Chief Content Producer A multimedia journalist with 9+ years of experience, Gaurav is skilled in research-based storytelling, feature writing, and reporting on competitive exams, online courses, and education trends. At Hindustan Times Digital Streams – Education Desk, we strive to be the go-to platform for students and professionals navigating the dynamic world of education and careers.Read More

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