The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has extended the last date to apply for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 and the Indian Forest Service (IFS) Examination 2026 following technical issues on the application portal. Candidates can now submit their applications till February 27, 2026, up to 6 PM through the official websites upsc.gov.in and upsconline.nic.in.
The extension was granted after the portal experienced heavy traffic near the original deadline, leading to login failures, slow loading pages, and difficulty in submitting forms. Aspirants are advised not to wait until the final hours and complete their registration well in advance.
UPSC CSE & IFS 2026 Revised Application Schedule
- Last Date to Apply: February 27, 2026 (6 PM)
- Official Websites: upsc.gov.in, upsconline.nic.in
- Applies To: Civil Services Examination 2026 & Indian Forest Service Examination 2026
Candidates must complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) process before accessing the application form. The portal is used for OTR, filling personal and academic details, uploading photograph and signature, paying fees, and downloading the confirmation page.
Vacancies & Exam Schedule
As per the official notification:
- Total Vacancies (CSE 2026): 933 posts
- Preliminary Examination Date: May 24, 2026
- Main Examination Start Date: August 21, 2026
Both the Civil Services Examination and Indian Forest Service Examination will be conducted through a common preliminary examination. Candidates qualifying the Prelims will be eligible to appear for the Main examination.
Quick Reference Summary
| Event | Details |
| Exam Name | UPSC Civil Services & IFS 2026 |
| Application Deadline (Extended) | February 27, 2026 (6 PM) |
| Total Vacancies (CSE) | 933 |
| Prelims Date | May 24, 2026 |
| Mains Start Date | August 21, 2026 |
| Application Fee | ₹100 (except PwBD exempted) |
| Official Websites | upsc.gov.in, upsconline.nic.in |
How To Apply For UPSC CSE 2026
- Visit upsconline.nic.in.
- Complete One-Time Registration (OTR) if not already registered.
- Log in and select CSE 2026 or IFS 2026 application link.
- Enter personal, educational, and contact details.
- Upload scanned photograph, signature, and required documents.
- Pay the prescribed application fee online, if applicable.
- Review, submit the form, and download the confirmation page.
Application Fee Details
- General / OBC / EWS: ₹100
- SC / ST / Female Candidates: ₹100
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): Exempted
Payment must be made online only through the official portal.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for UPSC CSE 2026, candidates must:
- Hold a graduate degree from a recognised university.
- Be aged between 21 and 32 years as per the prescribed cut-off date.
- Avail of age relaxation if eligible under reserved categories as per Government of India rules.
Selection Process
The UPSC Civil Services recruitment process consists of multiple stages:
- Preliminary Examination (Objective)
- Main Examination (Descriptive)
- Interview / Personality Test
- Document Verification
- Medical Examination
Final selection is based on merit in the Main examination and Interview.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
| What is the extended last date to apply for UPSC CSE 2026? |
| February 27, 2026, up to 6 PM. |
| Does the extension apply to IFS 2026 as well? |
| Yes, the extension applies to both CSE and IFS 2026. |
| How many vacancies are available in CSE 2026? |
| A total of 933 vacancies have been announced. |
| When will the UPSC Prelims 2026 be conducted? |
| The Preliminary examination will be held on May 24, 2026. |
| What is the application fee for UPSC CSE 2026? |
| ₹100 for most categories; PwBD candidates are exempted. |
| Is One-Time Registration mandatory? |
| Yes, candidates must complete OTR before applying. |
| What is the age limit for UPSC CSE 2026? |
| 21 to 32 years, with age relaxation for reserved categories. |
| What are the stages of selection in UPSC CSE? |
| Prelims, Mains, Interview, Document Verification, and Medical Examination. |
The extension of the UPSC CSE 2026 application deadline provides relief to thousands of aspirants who faced technical difficulties. Candidates should utilise this additional time wisely and complete their registration before February 27, 2026 (6 PM). For official notifications and updates, visit upsc.gov.in and upsconline.nic.in, and bookmark this page for the latest UPSC exam updates, for more details and apply CLICK HERE
