UPSC CSE 2026 Core Matrix & Timeline
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Schedule & Key Dates
Official Notification:
February 4, 2026
Application Closing Date:
February 24, 2026 (6:00 PM)
Preliminary Exam Date:
May 24, 2026 (Sunday)
Mains Written Exam:
August 21, 2026 (5 Days)
Interview / Personality Test:
Jan โ April 2027 (Expected)
๐ Vacancies & Post Matrix
Total Allocated Vacancies:
933 Total Openings
General / Unreserved Seats:
385 Vacancies
OBC / SC / ST Allocation:
242 | 141 | 68 Openings
EWS Seat Quota Reservation:
97 Vacancies
PwBD Reserved Split:
33 Horizontal Seats
Candidate Eligibility & Category Rules
๐ Qualification & Degree Rules
Minimum Academic Level:
Bachelor’s Degree (Any Stream)
Minimum Pass Percentage:
No Minimum (Just Pass Status)
Final Year/Semester Status:
Allowed (Must pass before DAF-1)
Professional Graduates (MBBS):
Eligible without completing Internship
Correspondence / Distance Degrees:
Fully Eligible (UGC Recognized)
๐ค Age Limits & Allowed Attempts
Age Cut-Off Base Date:
Strictly as of August 1, 2026
General & EWS Categories:
21 โ 32 Years | Max 6 Attempts
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer):
21 โ 35 Years | Max 9 Attempts
SC / ST Category Candidates:
21 โ 37 Years | Unlimited Attempts
เคเคฎเฅเคฎเฅ & เคเคถเฅเคฎเฅเคฐ Domicile / Ex-Servicemen:
Up to 5 Years Relaxation Allowed
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Exam Pattern & Services Covered
๐ผ Services Recruited via CSE
Top Options Selected Under CSE Allocation:
IAS (Indian Administrative Service)
IPS (Indian Police Service)
IFS (Indian Foreign Service)
IRS (Income Tax & Customs)
IAAS (Audit & Accounts)
IDAS (Defence Accounts)
๐ Comprehensive Marks Distribution
Prelims GS Paper I & II (CSAT):
200 Marks Each (CSAT requires 33%)
Mains Written Phase (9 Papers):
1750 Total Merit Marks
Mains Language Qualifying Papers:
English + Indian Language (300M each)
Personality Test / Interview:
275 Marks
Final Grand Merit Base:
2025 Total Marks
Mandatory Venue Rules & Photo Regulations
๐จ Crucial Exam Day & Document Policies
Photo/Signature Rules (OTR Update):
Photo must not be older than 10 days from notification release. Face must occupy 3/4th of space.
Mandatory Face Authentication:
Biometric verification required at venue gates prior to session entry
OMR Marking Requirement:
Black Ballpoint Pen Only (Other ink variations invalidate scanner reads)
Gate Closing Schedules:
Forenoon Session: 09:00 AM sharp | Afternoon Session: 02:00 PM sharp (No late entry)
Online Representation System (QPRep):
Question accuracy objections must be filed online within exactly 7 days post-exam