UPSC Calendar 2026: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the Annual Exam Calendar for 2026 on its website upsc.gov.in. This calendar outlines the schedule for various major exams like the Civil Services Examination (CSE), Engineering Services, NDA, CDS, Indian Forest Services, and many others.
Candidates preparing for UPSC exams can now plan their preparation as per the exam schedule. Let’s look at the key highlights from the UPSC Calendar 2026.
UPSC Exam Calendar 2026: UPSC Civil Services Exam Update
One of the most important exams conducted by UPSC is the Civil Services Examination (CSE), which includes both the IAS and IPS posts.
- Notification Release Date: January 14, 2026
- Last Date to Apply: February 3, 2026
- Prelims Exam Date: May 24, 2026 (Sunday)
- Mains Exam Date: August 21, 2026 (Friday)
- Duration: Mains will be conducted over 5 days
The Indian Forest Service (Preliminary) Exam will also be held on the same date as the CSE Prelims — May 24, 2026.
NDA & CDS Exam Dates 2026
The National Defence Academy (NDA) and Combined Defence Services (CDS) exams are conducted twice a year. Here are the details:
NDA & CDS (I) 2026
- Notification Release Date: December 10, 2025
- Last Date to Apply: December 30, 2025
- Exam Date: April 12, 2026 (Sunday)
NDA & CDS (II) 2026
- Notification Release Date: May 20, 2026
- Last Date to Apply: June 9, 2026
- Exam Date: September 13, 2026 (Sunday)
These dates give aspiring candidates enough time to prepare for careers in the Indian Armed Forces.
Also Read: SSC Revised Exam Calendar 2025-26 Released: Check Full Schedule, Exam Dates, and Important Details
Other Major UPSC Exams in 2026
Engineering Services Exam (ESE)
Prelims: February 8, 2026
- Notification: September 17, 2025
- Last Date: October 7, 2025
Mains: June 21, 2026 (Sunday)
Indian Economic Service / Indian Statistical Service (IES/ISS)
- Notification: February 11, 2026
- Last Date: March 3, 2026
- Exam Date: June 19, 2026 (3 Days)
Combined Medical Services (CMS)
- Notification: March 11, 2026
- Last Date: March 31, 2026
- Exam Date: August 2, 2026 (Sunday)
Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) – Assistant Commandants
- Notification: February 18, 2026
- Last Date: March 10, 2026
- Exam Date: July 19, 2026
Combined Geo-Scientist Exam
- Prelims: February 8, 2026
- Mains: June 20, 2026 (2 Days)
Other Notable Exams
- CISF AC(EXE) LDCE 2026: March 8, 2026
- CBI (DSP) LDCE: February 28, 2026
- S.O./Steno (Grade B/Grade I) LDCE: December 12, 2026
- Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination: November 22, 2026 (7 Days)
UPSC Exam Calendar 2026: Reserved Dates
UPSC has also kept certain dates reserved for potential exams or recruitment tests. These include:
- January 10 & 17
- June 6
- July 4
- August 8
- September 26
- October 10
- October 31
- December 19
These slots may be used if new notifications are released or exams need to be rescheduled.
Where to Download the UPSC Exam Calendar 2026?
Candidates can download the full UPSC Exam Calendar 2026 PDF from the official website: https://www.upsc.gov.in
It is highly recommended that aspirants mark these dates on their calendar and follow UPSC’s official website for any updates or changes in the schedule.