UPSC Civil Services (IAS) Mains 2026 – Online Form Window
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has opened the Detailed Application Form (DAF) / Mains registration window for Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026. The Prelims were held on 24 May 2026 and the result was declared on 15 June 2026. Candidates who cleared Prelims can now fill the Mains application from 19 June to 29 June 2026 (6:00 PM). A total of 933 vacancies are on offer across IAS, IPS, IFS, and 20+ other central services.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| CSE 2026 Prelims Exam | 24 May 2026 |
| Prelims Result Declared | 15 June 2026 |
| Mains Application Start | 19 June 2026 |
| Mains Application Last Date | 29 June 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| CSE Mains Exam Date | As per UPSC calendar (typically Sep-Oct) |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS (Male) | ₹100 |
| SC / ST | Exempted |
| PH / PwBD | Exempted |
| Female Candidates (All Categories) | Exempted |
| Payment Mode | Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, e-Challan (SBI) |
Total Vacancies: 933
These 933 posts cover IAS, IPS, IFS (Indian Foreign Service) and 20+ other All India Services and Central Group A services. The final service-wise and category-wise allocation is based on rank in the final merit list.
Eligibility
- Education: Bachelor's Degree from any recognized university (final year students also eligible to appear in Prelims)
- Age: 21–32 years as of 1 August 2026 (UR). OBC: up to 35, SC/ST: up to 37, PwBD: up to 42 years
- Number of Attempts: General/EWS: 6; OBC: 9; SC/ST: unlimited (till age limit)
- Must have cleared UPSC CSE 2026 Prelims to be eligible
UPSC CSE Mains Exam Pattern
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper A | Indian Language (Compulsory) — Qualifying | 300 |
| Paper B | English (Compulsory) — Qualifying | 300 |
| Paper I | Essay | 250 |
| Paper II | GS-I (Indian Heritage, Culture, History, Geography) | 250 |
| Paper III | GS-II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, IR) | 250 |
| Paper IV | GS-III (Technology, Economic Dev, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security) | 250 |
| Paper V | GS-IV (Ethics, Integrity, Aptitude) | 250 |
| Paper VI & VII | Optional Subject (2 papers × 250) | 500 |
| Total (Mains Written) | 1,750 | |
| Personality Test / Interview | 275 | |
| Grand Total | 2,025 |
How to Apply
- Go to upsconline.nic.in
- Login with your Prelims registration credentials
- Fill the Detailed Application Form (DAF) — optional subject, personal details, service preferences
- Pay ₹100 fee (if applicable) before 29 June 2026, 6 PM
- Print the submitted DAF for future reference
Important Links
| Link | URL |
|---|---|
| Mains Application (Login) | upsconline.nic.in |
| Official Notification PDF | Download Notification |
| UPSC Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who can fill the UPSC CSE Mains 2026 form?
Only candidates who appeared in and cleared UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Exam 2026 (result: 15 June 2026) are eligible to fill the Mains form. Fresh applicants cannot apply directly for Mains.
Q: What is the optional subject in UPSC Mains?
You must choose 1 optional subject from a list of 26 subjects (e.g., History, Geography, Sociology, Political Science, Public Administration, etc.). Both Paper VI and Paper VII are from this optional subject — total 500 marks.
Q: How many attempts are allowed for UPSC CSE?
General/EWS: 6 attempts; OBC: 9 attempts; SC/ST: unlimited (till age limit). Appearing in Prelims counts as one attempt.