The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the Annual Examination Calendar for 2026. This calendar outlines the schedule for all major recruitment examinations conducted by the Commission—including Civil Services (IAS/IPS/IFS), Indian Forest Service, Engineering Services, Combined Defence Services (CDS), National Defence Academy (NDA), Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), and others.
If you’re preparing for any of these competitive exams, aligning your study plan with the official timeline is essential. This calendar will help you set clear milestones, organize your preparation efficiently, and most importantly, avoid any last-minute surprises.
Below is a detailed summary of key exams, dates, and tips to help you prepare smartly for 2026.
Here is an Exam-wise Calendar for UPSC 2026 extracted from the official UPSC PDF. This table gives a clear breakdown of the exam name, notification date, application deadline, exam date, and duration:
🗓️ UPSC 2026 Exam-Wise Calendar
| Exam Name | Notification Date | Last Date to Apply | Exam Date | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) | 03 Sept 2025 | 23 Sept 2025 | 08 Feb 2026 (Sun) | 1 Day |
| Engineering Services (Preliminary) | 17 Sept 2025 | 07 Oct 2025 | 08 Feb 2026 (Sun) | 1 Day |
| CBI (DSP) LDCE | 24 Dec 2025 | 13 Jan 2026 | 28 Feb 2026 (Sat) | 2 Days |
| CISF AC (EXE) LDCE | 03 Dec 2025 | 23 Dec 2025 | 08 Mar 2026 (Sun) | 1 Day |
| NDA & NA (I) | 10 Dec 2025 | 30 Dec 2025 | 12 Apr 2026 (Sun) | 1 Day |
| CDS (I) | 10 Dec 2025 | 30 Dec 2025 | 12 Apr 2026 (Sun) | 1 Day |
| Civil Services (Preliminary) | 14 Jan 2026 | 03 Feb 2026 | 24 May 2026 (Sun) | 1 Day |
| Indian Forest Service (Preliminary) | – | – | 24 May 2026 (via CSE Prelims) | 1 Day |
| IES/ISS | 11 Feb 2026 | 03 Mar 2026 | 19 Jun 2026 (Fri) | 3 Days |
| Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) | – | – | 20 Jun 2026 (Sat) | 2 Days |
| Engineering Services (Main) | – | – | 21 Jun 2026 (Sun) | 1 Day |
| CAPF (AC) | 18 Feb 2026 | 10 Mar 2026 | 19 Jul 2026 (Sun) | 1 Day |
| Combined Medical Services | 11 Mar 2026 | 31 Mar 2026 | 02 Aug 2026 (Sun) | 1 Day |
| Civil Services (Main) | – | – | 21 Aug 2026 (Fri) | 5 Days |
| NDA & NA (II) | 20 May 2026 | 09 Jun 2026 | 13 Sep 2026 (Sun) | 1 Day |
| CDS (II) | 20 May 2026 | 09 Jun 2026 | 13 Sep 2026 (Sun) | 1 Day |
| Indian Forest Service (Main) | – | – | 22 Nov 2026 (Sun) | 7 Days |
| SO/Steno (GD-B/GD-I) LDCE | 16 Sept 2026 | 06 Oct 2026 | 12 Dec 2026 (Sat) | 2 Days |
🔔 Note: Reserved dates (for future RTs or interviews) are also listed in the official calendar. Exam schedules are subject to change if circumstances warrant.
