UPSC Calendar 2026 is an official document released annually by the Union Public Service Commission that contains the list of all exams conducted by UPSC, along with the expected dates for notification, application form, and exam dates. Some popular exams included in the UPSC Calendar 2026 are the Civil Services, Indian Forest Service, Engineering Services, CDS, NDA, CAPF, etc which are briefly discussed in the article. The UPSC Calendar 2026 was released on 15th May 2025. Candidates can download the official UPSC Annual Calendar 2026 PDF from the official website or the direct link shared below to prepare for respective exams accordingly.
Also Read: UPSC Prelims Result 2025
UPSC Calendar 2026 PDF
According to the UPSC Calendar 2026, the UPSC Prelims Exam 2026, is scheduled to be conducted on 24th May 2026 (Sunday), after clearing the stage, candidates appears for the UPSC Mains Exam 2026, scheduled to conduced from 21st August 2026 (Friday), stretching to 5 days. The UPSC Calendar 2026 includes the dates for UPSC Exam 2026, including Combined Geo-Scientist, NDA, CDS, IES/ISS, etc. Access the official UPSC Annual Calendar 2026 PDF using the link provided. Stay updated on exam dates, notifications, application releases, and more to streamline your preparation process.
UPSC Calendar 2026 Major Exams
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) officially released the UPSC Calendar 2026 on 15th May 2025. This annual UPSC Calendar 2026 Major Exams includes the Civil Services Examination (CSE), National Defence Academy (NDA), Combined Defence Services (CDS), Indian Forest Service (IFS), and others.
| UPSC Calendar 2026 Major Exams | ||
|---|---|---|
| Exam Name | Event | Date / Details |
| Civil Services (Prelims) 2026 | Exam Date | 24th May 2026 (Sunday) |
| Notification Release | 14th January 2026 | |
| Last Date to Apply | 3rd February 2026 | |
| Civil Services (Main) 2026 | Exam Start Date | 21st August 2026 (Friday) |
| Duration | 5 Days | |
| Indian Forest Service (Prelims) | Details | Through Civil Services (Prelims) |
| Indian Forest Service (Main) 2026 | Exam Start Date | 22nd November 2026 |
| NDA & CDS (I & II) | Exam Months | April & September 2026 |
| CAPF (Assistant Commandants) | Exam Date | 19th July 2026 |
UPSC Calendar 2026 Important Dates
Aspiring candidates can now refer to the UPSC Calendar 2026 Important Dates related to notification releases, deadlines for application submissions, and exam schedules. This timely release enables aspirants to strategically plan and streamline their preparation in accordance with the official timeline. As per the UPSC Calendar 2026, the UPSC Prelims Exam 2026 is scheduled for 24th May 2026.
- UPSC Notification 2026 will be released on 14th January 2026.
- The last date to apply online for the exam will be 3rd March 2026.
- UPSC Prelims Exam Date 2026 - 24 May 2026
- UPSC Mains Exam Date 2026 - 21 August 2026 onwards
UPSC Exam Date 2026
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the UPSC Calendar 2026, highlighting the UPSC Exam Date 2026 for its recruitment exams, including the Civil Services Examination (CSE) and Indian Forest Service (IFS). The calendar provides detailed information on notification releases, application deadlines, and examination schedules, allowing aspirants to plan their preparation in a structured manner.
UPSC Prelims 2026
The UPSC Prelims Exam 2026 is scheduled to be held on 24th May 2026 (Sunday). This one-day examination comprises two objective-type papers:
- General Studies Paper I
- CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) – Paper II
Both papers are multiple-choice (MCQ-based) and serve as a screening stage for the UPSC Mains Exam 2026. Importantly, the IFoS Prelims Exam 2026 will also be conducted on the same day, using the same set of papers. With the exam date announced well in advance, candidates now have approximately 16 months from the release of the calendar to plan their preparation.
UPSC Mains 2026
The UPSC Mains Exam 2026 will be conducted on 21st August 2026 (Friday) and will span five days. The Mains stage includes:
- Essay Paper
- Four General Studies Papers
- Two Optional Subject Papers
Unlike the Prelims, the UPSC Mains Exam 2026 is a descriptive exam that demands in-depth subject knowledge, analytical thinking, and strong writing skills. There is a three-month window between the Prelims and Mains, making it critical for aspirants to begin Mains preparation alongside their Prelims strategy Candidates who qualify the Mains will be called for the Personality Test (Interview), the final stage of the UPSC Selection Process 2026.
How to Download UPSC Calendar 2026 From Official Website?
Here are the steps to check and download the UPSC Calendar 2026 PDF from the official website:
- Go to the official UPSC website - https://www.upsc.gov.in/
- Look for the “Calendar” on the homepage under the “Examination” tab.
- Click on the "Calendar" tab to access the relevant section.
- There you will find the PDF links to the annual calendar for the last three years.
- Click on the "UPSC Annual Calendar 2026" link to download the PDF.
[td width="238.917%"]
Other Related Posts of UPSC 2025
[/td][td width="43.8257%"][/td]
[td width="195.091%"][/td]
[td width="195.091%"][/td]