The UPSC Examination calendar for 2026 has been formally announced by the Union Public Service Commission. This calendar brings much-needed clarity for lakhs of candidates across the country who have been eagerly waiting to plan their preparation. Whether you're aiming for IAS, IFS, NDA, CDS, CPF, CMS, IES, ISS, or the Geologist exams, this annual calendar provides detailed information about when each exam notification will be published with details on the closing date for applications and the confirmed exam schedule.

Every year, UPSC conducts multiple national-level competitive exams that open the door to prestigious government services in India. These exams require proper planning, and having a confirmed schedule well in advance is a major relief for aspirants. With the release of the 2026 calendar, candidates can now align their study schedules according to the official exam dates. This also helps them avoid confusion or missed opportunities due to late awareness.

The calendar shows a month-wise breakdown of important exams, starting with the release of the advertisement followed by the last date to fill out the application form and finally the day on which the examination will be conducted. For students appearing in more than one exam, this calendar becomes a powerful tool to manage time wisely between multiple subjects and exam patterns. This initiative by UPSC helps students prepare with confidence and a clear roadmap. Candidates who have been waiting for updates can now download or check the calendar online to know exactly when their targeted exams are coming up. With this, there is no need to rely on rumors or social media posts — everything is officially confirmed by UPSC. If you are an aspirant aiming for any UPSC exam in 2026, this calendar should be your first reference point. It’s advisable to take note of important dates, stay updated with official notifications, and make a realistic study timetable accordingly.

UPSC Annual Calendar 2026

1. Reserved for UPSC RT/Examination

•Notification Date: Not specified

•Application Period: Not specified

•Exam Date: January 10, 2026 (Saturday)

•Duration: 2 days

2. Reserved for UPSC Examination

•Notification Date: Not specified

•Application Period: Not specified

•Exam Date: January 17, 2026 (Saturday)

•Duration: 2 days

3. Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Examination, 2026

•Notification Date: September 3, 2025

•Application Period: September 3–23, 2025

•Exam Date: February 8, 2026 (Sunday)

•Duration: 1 day

4. Engineering Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2026

•Notification Date: September 17, 2025

•Application Period: September 17 – October 7, 2025

•Exam Date: February 8, 2026 (Sunday)

•Duration: 1 day

5. CBI (DSP) Limited Departmental Competitive Examination

Notification Date: December 24, 2025

•Application Period: December 24, 2025 – January 13, 2026

•Exam Date: February 28, 2026 (Saturday)

•Duration: 2 days

6. CISF AC(EXE) Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2026

•Notification Date: December 3, 2025

•Application Period: December 3–23, 2025

•Exam Date: March 8, 2026 (Sunday)

•Duration: 1 day

7. National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (I), 2026

•Notification Date: December 10, 2025

•Application Period: December 10–30, 2025

•Exam Date: April 12, 2026 (Sunday)

•Duration: 1 day

8. Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026

•Notification Date: December 10, 2025

•Application Period: December 10–30, 2025

•Exam Date: April 12, 2026 (Sunday)

•Duration: 1 day

9. Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2026

•Notification Date: January 14, 2026

•Application Period: January 14 – February 3, 2026

•Exam Date: May 24, 2026 (Sunday)

•Duration: 1 day

10. Indian Forest Service (Preliminary) Examination, 2026 through CS(P)

•Notification Date: January 14, 2026

•Application Period: January 14 – February 3, 2026

•Exam Date: May 24, 2026 (Sunday)

•Duration: 1 day

11. Reserved for UPSC RT/Examination

•Notification Date: Not specified

•Application Period: Not specified

•Exam Date: June 6, 2026 (Saturday)

•Duration: 2 days

12. Indian Economic Service/Indian Statistical Service Examination, 2026

•Notification Date: February 11, 2026

•Application Period: February 11 – March 3, 2026

•Exam Date: June 19, 2026 (Friday)

Duration: 3 days

13. Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) Examination, 2026

•Notification Date: Not specified

•Application Period: Not specified

•Exam Date: June 20, 2026 (Saturday)

•Duration: 2 days

14. Engineering Services (Main) Examination, 2026

•Notification Date: Not specified

•Application Period: Not specified

•Exam Date: June 21, 2026 (Sunday)

•Duration: 1 day

15. Reserved for UPSC RT/Examination

•Notification Date: Not specified

•Application Period: Not specified

•Exam Date: July 4, 2026 (Saturday)

•Duration: 2 days

16. Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination, 2026

•Notification Date: February 18, 2026

•Application Period: February 18 – March 10, 2026

•Exam Date: July 19, 2026 (Sunday)

•Duration: 1 day

17. Combined Medical Services Examination, 2026

•Notification Date: March 11, 2026

•Application Period: March 11–31, 2026

•Exam Date: August 2, 2026 (Sunday)

•Duration: 1 day

18. Reserved for UPSC Examination

•Notification Date: Not specified

•Application Period: Not specified

•Exam Date: August 8, 2026 (Saturday)

•Duration: 2 days

19. Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2026

•Notification Date: Not specified

•Application Period: Not specified

•Exam Date: August 21, 2026 (Friday)

•Duration: 5 days

20. National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026

•Notification Date: May 20, 2026

•Application Period: May 20 – June 9, 2026

•Exam Date: September 13, 2026 (Sunday)

•Duration: 1 day

21. Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026

•Notification Date: May 20, 2026

•Application Period: May 20 – June 9, 2026

•Exam Date: September 13, 2026 (Sunday)

•Duration: 1 day

22. Reserved for UPSC RT/Examination

•Notification Date: Not specified

•Application Period: Not specified

•Exam Date: September 26, 2026 (Saturday)

•Duration: 2 days

23. Reserved for UPSC RT/Examination

•Notification Date: Not specified

•Application Period: Not specified

•Exam Date: October 10, 2026 (Saturday)

•Duration: 2 days

24. Reserved for UPSC RT/Examination

•Notification Date: Not specified

•Application Period: Not specified

•Exam Date: October 31, 2026 (Saturday)

•Duration: 2 days

25. Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination, 2026

•Notification Date: Not specified

•Application Period: Not specified

•Exam Date: November 22, 2026 (Sunday)

•Duration: 7 days

26. S.O./Steno (GD-B/GD-I) Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2026

•Notification Date: September 16, 2026

•Application Period: September 16 – October 6, 2026

•Exam Date: December 12, 2026 (Saturday)

•Duration: 2 days

27. Reserved for UPSC RT/Examination

•Notification Date: Not specified

•Application Period: Not specified

•Exam Date: December 19, 2026 (Saturday)

•Duration: 2 days

Also Read >> UPSC Assistant Engineer Other Post Recruitment 2025

How to Apply for UPSC Online Form 2025: Important Steps

•UPSC conducts various examinations every year, and the examination calendar for 2026 has been officially released.

•The calendar provides important dates like when the application forms will be available, the last date to apply, and the exam dates.

•To apply for any UPSC exam, candidates must complete the One Time Registration (OTR) process on the UPSC portal.

•OTR registration is mandatory before applying for any recruitment exam conducted by UPSC.

•Only after completing the UPSC OTR registration can candidates proceed to fill and submit their exam application forms.

•This process helps UPSC streamline applications and maintain candidate data efficiently.

•Candidates are advised to complete their OTR well in advance to avoid last-minute issues during application submission.

Important Links

Download 2026 Calendar	Click Here
India Sarkari Naukri	Click Here
Official Website	Click Here

Faqs

Q1: What is the UPSC Examination Calendar 2026?
A: It is the official schedule released by UPSC that shows important dates for various exams, including application start and end dates, and exam dates for 2026.

Q2: Why is the UPSC exam calendar important for candidates?
A: It helps candidates plan their preparation and application process well in advance, avoiding last-minute confusion or missed deadlines.

Q3: How can I apply for UPSC exams in 2025-2026?
A: First, you must complete the One Time Registration (OTR) on the UPSC portal. After that, you can apply for specific exams through your registered account.

Q4: What is One Time Registration (OTR) for UPSC?
A: One Time Registration (OTR) is a required process where candidates submit their personal details just once, enabling them to apply for various UPSC exams without filling the same information repeatedly.

Q5: Can I apply for multiple UPSC exams with a single OTR?
A: Yes, once you have completed OTR, you can apply for any UPSC exam conducted during that registration period.

Q6: Where can I find the official UPSC exam calendar for 2026?
A: Candidates can access and download the official UPSC examination calendar directly from the UPSC website for convenient planning and reference

Q7: What should I do if I miss the application deadline mentioned in the calendar?
A: Missing the deadline means you won’t be able to apply for that exam. It’s important to apply before the last date.

Q8: Is the UPSC calendar updated every year?
A: Yes, UPSC releases a fresh examination calendar each year detailing the upcoming exams and dates.

Q9: Do I need to submit new OTR details for every exam?
A: No, the One Time Registration remains active only for a specific duration before it needs renewal.

Q10: How can I stay updated about changes in the UPSC exam schedule?
A: Regularly check the official UPSC website and subscribe to official notifications to receive timely updates.

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