UPSC CSE 2026: eligibility, syllabus, cut-offs, salary and how to apply
UPSC Civil Services Examination, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Posts: IAS, IPS, IFS and other Group A and Group B central services.
| Vacancies | How often | Application fee |
|---|---|---|
| 933 (CSE 2026) | Once a year: notification around February, preliminary exam in May or June, main exam in August or September, interview early next year. | Rs 100. Women, SC, ST and persons with benchmark disabilities do not pay. |
Latest UPSC CSE notices
| Date | Kind | Notice | Board |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Oct 2026 | Notice | Must bring youth into public services who are not attracted by public office: PM Modi · Exam guide | The Economic Times |
UPSC CSE eligibility: who can apply
| Requirement | Rule |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian citizens for IAS, IPS and IFS; other services as set out in the rules. |
| Age | 21 to 32 years on 1 August of the exam year. Relaxation: OBC +3 years, SC/ST +5 years, persons with benchmark disabilities +10 years, and others as notified. |
| Education | A degree from a recognised university. Final-year students can apply and show proof before the main exam. |
| Attempts | General and EWS: 6. OBC: 9. SC/ST: no limit within the age limit. Persons with benchmark disabilities (General, EWS, OBC): 9. |
UPSC CSE selection process
- Preliminary exam (screening; marks do not count in the final merit)
- Main exam (written)
- Personality test (interview)
UPSC CSE exam pattern and marks
Preliminary exam
| Paper | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Studies Paper I (counts for qualifying to mains) | 100 | 200 | 2 hours |
| CSAT, General Studies Paper II (qualifying: 33% needed) | 80 | 200 | 2 hours |
One-third of the marks for a question is deducted for each wrong answer.
Main exam and interview
| Paper | Marks |
|---|---|
| Paper A: an Indian language (qualifying, 25% needed) | 300 |
| Paper B: English (qualifying, 25% needed) | 300 |
| Essay | 250 |
| General Studies I, II, III and IV | 250 each (1,000) |
| Optional subject, Papers I and II | 250 each (500) |
| Written total (counted for merit) | 1,750 |
| Personality test | 275 |
| Grand total | 2,025 |
UPSC CSE syllabus
- Preliminary GS: current events, history of India and the national movement, Indian and world geography, polity and governance, economic and social development, environment, general science.
- CSAT: comprehension, interpersonal and communication skills, logical reasoning, decision making, basic numeracy (Class 10 level) and data interpretation.
- Mains GS I: heritage, culture, history, society, geography. GS II: Constitution, polity, governance, social justice, international relations. GS III: economy, agriculture, science and technology, environment, internal security, disaster management. GS IV: ethics, integrity and aptitude.
- Optional subject: one subject chosen from the list in the notification (literature of a language included).
How to prepare for UPSC CSE
- Start with the official syllabus and previous years' papers on upsc.gov.in.
- Build basics from NCERT books (Classes 6 to 12), then one standard book per subject.
- Follow one national newspaper and PIB daily for current affairs, and keep short notes.
- Practise answer writing for mains from the start, and take full-length mock tests for prelims.
- Choose the optional subject by interest and available guidance, not only by past results.
UPSC CSE previous cut-offs: CSE 2025 cut-offs, preliminary exam (General Studies Paper I, out of 200)
| Category | Prelims cut-off |
|---|---|
| General | 92.66 |
| EWS | 89.34 |
| OBC | 92.00 |
| SC | 84.00 |
| ST | 82.66 |
| PwBD-1 | 76.66 |
| PwBD-2 | 54.66 |
| PwBD-3 | 40.66 |
| PwBD-5 | 40.66 |
Main exam (written, out of 1,750): General 739, OBC 717, EWS 706. Final (out of 2,025): General 963. Released by UPSC on 9 March 2026. Source: UPSC cut-off marks page · Deccan Herald: UPSC CSE 2025 cut-offs released
Salary and posts after UPSC CSE
Group A officer of the Government of India: the All India Services (IAS, IPS, IFS) and Central Group A services such as the Indian Revenue Service, Indian Audit and Accounts Service and Indian Railway Management Service, plus some Group B services. The service you get depends on your rank, your order of preference and the vacancies.
| Post | Pay level and starting basic pay | What the work is |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Administrative Service (IAS) | Level 10, Rs 56,100 | Runs government at district and State level and in central ministries. First posting: Sub-Divisional Magistrate or Assistant Collector. |
| Indian Police Service (IPS) | Level 10, Rs 56,100 | Leads police forces. First posting: Assistant Superintendent of Police of a sub-division. |
| Indian Foreign Service (IFS) | Level 10, Rs 56,100 | Represents India abroad: diplomacy, trade, consular help to Indians. Starts as Third Secretary in an Indian mission. |
| Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax; Customs and Indirect Taxes) | Level 10, Rs 56,100 | Assesses and collects taxes and investigates evasion. Starts as Assistant Commissioner. |
Example: a candidate ranked high enough who put IAS first is given a State cadre, trains for about two years (the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie, then a district), and is posted as Sub-Divisional Magistrate. About four years later the officer is usually a District Magistrate (Collector) running a whole district.
Figures are starting basic pay in the 7th Central Pay Commission pay matrix. Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance (or government housing), Transport Allowance and other allowances are paid on top, so the monthly pay is well above the basic pay and differs by city. The 8th Central Pay Commission, set up in November 2025, will revise the matrix once its report is accepted.
UPSC CSE job profile and duties
- Law and order and magistrate powers in the area
- Land revenue and records, elections, disaster relief
- Carrying out government schemes and spending public money
- Drafting and advising on policy in the State or central government
UPSC CSE promotions and promotion cycle
| Stage | Pay | When |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Time Scale: Sub-Divisional Magistrate | Level 10 (Rs 56,100) | On joining |
| Senior Time Scale: District Magistrate, Deputy Secretary | Level 11 (Rs 67,700) | After 4 years |
| Junior Administrative Grade: Joint Secretary in the State | Level 12 (Rs 78,800) | After 9 years |
| Selection Grade: Special Secretary, Director at the Centre | Level 13 (Rs 1,23,100) | After 13 years |
| Super Time Scale: Secretary in the State, Divisional Commissioner | Level 14 (Rs 1,44,200) | After 16 years |
| Above Super Time Scale: Principal Secretary; Additional Secretary at the Centre | Levels 15 and 16 | Later, by selection |
| Apex Scale: Chief Secretary; Secretary to the Government of India | Level 17 (Rs 2,25,000) | Senior-most officers, by selection |
| Cabinet Secretary | Level 18 (Rs 2,50,000) | One officer, by selection |
Years are the minimum service set in the IAS (Pay) Rules, 2016; each step also needs a vacancy and a clean record. IPS and other services have similar ladders with their own titles. Sources: IAS (Pay) Rules, 2016 · 7th CPC pay matrix (Ministry of Finance resolution of 25 July 2016), as reproduced by Gconnect
How to apply for UPSC CSE, step by step
- Read the CSE notification on upsc.gov.in (Active Examinations).
- Complete One Time Registration (OTR) on UPSC's online application portal.
- Fill the CSE application: personal details, category, exam centre and optional subject; upload photo, signature and photo ID.
- Pay the fee online or at an SBI branch (if not exempt) and submit; keep the printout.
- Download the e-admit card about three weeks before the preliminary exam.
- If you qualify, fill the Detailed Application Form (DAF-I) for the main exam, and DAF-II before the interview.
Sources: UPSC Active Examinations. Rules, vacancies and dates change with each notification: read the official notification before applying.
UPSC CSE: common questions
How many vacancies are there in UPSC CSE?
933 in CSE 2026. Including 33 for persons with benchmark disabilities.
What is the age limit for UPSC CSE?
21 to 32 years on 1 August of the exam year. Relaxation: OBC +3 years, SC/ST +5 years, persons with benchmark disabilities +10 years, and others as notified.
What qualification is needed for UPSC CSE?
A degree from a recognised university. Final-year students can apply and show proof before the main exam.
What is the selection process of UPSC CSE?
Preliminary exam (screening; marks do not count in the final merit); Main exam (written); Personality test (interview).
What is the salary after UPSC CSE?
Indian Administrative Service (IAS): Level 10, Rs 56,100; Indian Police Service (IPS): Level 10, Rs 56,100; Indian Foreign Service (IFS): Level 10, Rs 56,100; Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax; Customs and Indirect Taxes): Level 10, Rs 56,100. Figures are starting basic pay in the 7th Central Pay Commission pay matrix.
What was the last cut-off of UPSC CSE?
CSE 2025 cut-offs, preliminary exam (General Studies Paper I, out of 200): General 92.66; EWS 89.34. The full table is above.
What is the application fee for UPSC CSE?
Rs 100. Women, SC, ST and persons with benchmark disabilities do not pay.
How do I apply for UPSC CSE?
Read the CSE notification on upsc.gov.in (Active Examinations). Complete One Time Registration (OTR) on UPSC's online application portal. Fill the CSE application: personal details, category, exam centre and optional subject; upload photo, signature and photo ID. Apply only on the official website: https://upsc.gov.in/examinations/active-exams