Every cycle of news + important dates we've captured for UPSC Civil Services Examination — Prelims, oldest cycles at the bottom. Live information is on the main exam page; this archive preserves what each previous cycle officially announced.
The Commission announced the Mains 2026 timetable with Essay and GS Papers I-IV scheduled for August 21-23, qualifying language papers on August 29, and Optional Subject papers on August 30. Exam will be held at 27 centres nationwide.
Archived 23 Aug 2026
UPSC has opened the Detailed Application Form (DAF) window for qualified Prelims candidates. All candidates who cleared Prelims must fill the Common Application Form for Mains on upsconline.nic.in by 29 June 2026 at 6:00 PM. Failure to submit will bar candidates from appearing in Mains.
Archived 17 Jul 2026
The Union Public Service Commission released the Prelims 2026 Result on 17 June 2026. A total of 13,343 candidates have been shortlisted for the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026 against 933 vacancies. Candidates can check their result by searching for their roll number in the official PDF.
Archived 17 Jul 2026
For the first time, UPSC implemented biometric face-authentication at Prelims 2026 centres, processing 12,000 verification checks per minute. Of the 8.19 lakh registered candidates, approximately 5.49 lakh appeared for the exam.
Archived 23 Aug 2026
UPSC released the Civil Services Prelims 2026 result on June 15, with 13,343 candidates shortlisted for the Mains examination against 1,016 vacancies. Qualified candidates were required to complete DAF submissions by June 28.
Archived 23 Aug 2026
The Union Public Service Commission announced the Civil Services Prelims 2026 result on June 15, with 13,343 candidates shortlisted for the Mains examination against 933 vacancies. Qualified candidates must fill DAF-I form between June 19-28, 2026.
Archived 6 Aug 2026
UPSC published its 2027 exam calendar on May 20, 2026. CSE 2027 notification will release on January 13, 2027, application window closes February 2, 2027, and Prelims exam is set for May 23, 2027.
Archived 23 Aug 2026
The Union Public Service Commission has released the provisional answer key and question papers for the UPSC Prelims 2026 examination conducted on 24 May 2026. Candidates can access these materials through the official UPSC portal.
Archived 17 Jul 2026
The official notification announced approximately 933 total vacancies for UPSC CSE 2026, including 33 posts reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disability. These vacancies cover 21 different central services including IAS, IPS, and IFS.
Archived 17 Jul 2026
In a major policy shift, UPSC released the provisional answer key just four days after the Prelims examination on May 28, 2026, marking a departure from its traditional practice of releasing keys only after the final result cycle.
Archived 6 Aug 2026
The official notification released on February 4, 2026 announced 933 vacancies across IAS, IPS, IFS and other Group A and B central services. The application window remained open until February 24, 2026.
Archived 6 Aug 2026
UPSC issued e-admit cards for the Civil Services Prelims exam 2026 on May 15, nine days before the examination date. Candidates were advised to verify all details and carry printed admit cards along with valid photo ID to the exam center.
Archived 6 Aug 2026
The Union Public Service Commission has officially released admit cards for the Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026 scheduled for May 24, 2026. Candidates can download their hall tickets using Registration ID or Roll Number from the official portal at upsc.gov.in.
Archived 5 Jul 2026
The official notification released on February 4, 2026 confirmed approximately 933 vacancies including 33 seats reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disability across IAS, IPS, IFS and other Group A and B services.
Archived 5 Jul 2026
The online application process for Civil Services Examination 2026 which opened on February 4 concluded at 6:00 PM IST on February 24, 2026. Candidates were advised to apply early to secure preferred exam centers.
Archived 5 Jul 2026
The Union Public Service Commission released its annual calendar on May 15, 2025, setting the Prelims date for May 24, 2026 and Mains examination starting August 21, 2026, helping aspirants plan their preparation timeline.
Archived 5 Jul 2026
🏛️UPSC Prelims 2027 exam day
Sun, 23 May, 2027Paper I (GS) 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM; Paper II (CSAT) 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Archived 23 Aug 2026
Final result declaration (expected)
Tue, 6 Apr, 2027Merit list based on combined Mains and Interview marks for service allocation
Archived 5 Jul 2026
CSE 2027 Application deadline
Tue, 2 Feb, 2027Last date to submit online application with fee payment
Archived 23 Aug 2026
Personality Test (Interview) expected
Sun, 31 Jan, 2027Interviews typically held January-April following year; dates announced after Mains result
Archived 17 Jul 2026
CSE 2027 Notification release
Wed, 13 Jan, 2027Official notification and application portal opens at upsconline.nic.in
Archived 23 Aug 2026
UPSC CSE 2027 notification release (tentative)
Wed, 13 Jan, 2027Based on annual calendar, notification expected around mid-January 2027
Archived 6 Aug 2026
Mains result announcement (expected)
Mon, 7 Dec, 2026Shortlisted candidates called for Personality Test interview round
Archived 5 Jul 2026
🏛️UPSC Mains 2026 — Optional Subject papers
Sun, 30 Aug, 2026Papers I & II of chosen Optional Subject
Archived 23 Aug 2026
🏛️Mains Examination final day (Day 5)
Sun, 30 Aug, 2026Archived 6 Aug 2026
🏛️UPSC Mains 2026 — Language qualifying papers
Sat, 29 Aug, 2026Indian Language (Paper A) and English (Paper B)
Archived 23 Aug 2026
🏛️Mains Examination continues (Day 4)
Sat, 29 Aug, 2026Archived 6 Aug 2026
🏛️UPSC Mains 2026 — GS Paper IV (Ethics)
Sun, 23 Aug, 2026Final General Studies paper
Archived 23 Aug 2026
🏛️Mains Examination continues (Day 3)
Sun, 23 Aug, 2026Archived 6 Aug 2026
🏛️UPSC Mains 2026 — GS Papers II & III
Sat, 22 Aug, 2026Morning and afternoon sessions
Archived 23 Aug 2026
🏛️Mains Examination continues (Day 2)
Sat, 22 Aug, 2026Archived 6 Aug 2026
🏛️Mains Examination begins
Fri, 21 Aug, 2026Five-day descriptive examination spanning nine papers including Essay, GS, and Optional subjects
Archived 5 Jul 2026
🏛️Mains Examination begins
Fri, 21 Aug, 2026Civil Services Main Examination starts 21 August 2026 and continues for 5 days
Archived 17 Jul 2026
🏛️UPSC Mains 2026 — Essay & GS Paper I
Fri, 21 Aug, 20269:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Essay), 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM (GS-I)
Archived 23 Aug 2026
🏛️Civil Services Mains Examination begins (Day 1)
Fri, 21 Aug, 2026Five-day examination from August 21-30, 2026 covering Essay, GS Papers I-IV, Language papers and Optional subjects
Archived 6 Aug 2026
Prelims result declaration (expected)
Sat, 25 Jul, 2026Qualifying candidates shortlisted for Mains examination
Archived 5 Jul 2026
Mains DAF submission deadline
Mon, 29 Jun, 2026DAF window closes 29 June 2026 at 6:00 PM
Archived 17 Jul 2026
Mains DAF-I submission window closes
Sun, 28 Jun, 2026Qualified candidates must fill Detailed Application Form-I and pay ₹200 fee (if applicable) by June 28
Archived 6 Aug 2026
Prelims Result declared
Wed, 17 Jun, 2026Result released on 17 June 2026; 13,343 candidates qualified
Archived 17 Jul 2026
🏛️Civil Services Preliminary Examination
Sun, 24 May, 2026Two papers: GS Paper-I (9:30-11:30 AM) and CSAT Paper-II (2:30-4:30 PM)
Archived 5 Jul 2026
🏛️Prelims Exam conducted
Sun, 24 May, 2026Civil Services Preliminary Examination held on 24 May 2026 (Sunday)
Archived 17 Jul 2026
Prelims Admit Card released
Fri, 15 May, 2026Admit cards were released on 15 May 2026
Archived 17 Jul 2026
Prelims admit card released
Mon, 11 May, 2026E-admit card available for download from official UPSC portal
Archived 5 Jul 2026
CSE 2026 Notification released
Sat, 7 Mar, 2026Official notification released on 4 February 2026 on upsc.gov.in
Archived 17 Jul 2026
Application window closed
Sat, 7 Mar, 2026Online applications closed on 24 February 2026 at 6:00 PM
Archived 17 Jul 2026
Application window closed
Tue, 24 Feb, 2026Last date to submit online application form at 6:00 PM IST
Archived 5 Jul 2026
UPSC CSE 2026 notification released
Wed, 4 Feb, 2026Official notification with eligibility, vacancies, and exam pattern details published on upsc.gov.in
Archived 5 Jul 2026
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