Every year, eligible candidates are shortlisted for various Central Government positions through the UPSC Civil Services Examination. These positions include the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Foreign Service, and Indian Police Service. Additionally, candidates may be selected for the Indian Revenue Service, which covers Customs & Indirect Taxes and Income Tax. Furthermore, there are opportunities in the Indian Railway Management Services and the Indian Trade Service.
In addition to these, several other Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ services are also part of the examination, including DANICS and DANIPS. Therefore, it is important to review the details about UPSC CSE 2026 thoroughly.
In this article, we will look into the UPSC full form. Moreover, we will also understand the UPSC post details and eligibility criteria in detail.
What is UPSC CSE 2026?
The UPSC CSE (Union Public Service Commission Civil Services Examination) is India’s prestigious annual exam for recruiting top officers (like IAS, IPS) into government services. The exam has three stages:
- Prelims (Objective)
- Mains (Written)
- Interview (Personality Test)
A focused answer-writing strategy and mentorship are essential, which makes UPSC Mains Guidance extremely valuable.
These three stages cover General Studies, Aptitude, Ethics, and Optional Subjects, requiring a graduate degree and testing extensive knowledge.
The UPSC full form is Union Public Service Commission. The UPSC CSE 2026 examination is conducted to select candidates for various All India Services. These include the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS). The exam also selects candidates for Central Services categorized as Group A and B. This examination is commonly referred to as the IAS exam.
To understand stages, syllabus, and preparation approach, explore the UPSC Civil Service Examination in detail.
UPSC Post Details
A UPSC post is highly coveted by aspirants. This is due to its prestigious status and excellent career opportunities. It also offers the chance to serve the nation at the highest levels. The UPSC Post List 2025 has been published in the official UPSC CSE Notification. This list details both Gazetted and Non-Gazetted services. It includes premier positions such as IAS, IPS, and IFS.
Candidates will undergo a rigorous three-stage selection process to be recommended for the following UPSC posts:
- All India Services
- Group A Services
- Group B Civil Services
Below are the UPSC post details for all 24 services:
| UPSC Post Details 2026 | |
| Post Type | Services |
| All India Services | Indian Administrative Service (IAS) |
| Indian Police Service (IPS) | |
| Indian Foreign Service (IFS) | |
| Group ‘A’ Services | Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS) |
| Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS) | |
| Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes) | |
| Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) | |
| Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS) | |
| Indian Corporate Law Service (ICLS) | |
| Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) | |
| Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES) | |
| Indian Information Service (IIS) | |
| Indian Postal Service (IPoS) | |
| Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS) | |
| Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS) | |
| Indian P&T Accounts and Finance Service (IP&TAFS) | |
| Indian Railway Protection Force Service (RPF) | |
| Indian Communication Finance Services (ICFS) | |
| Indian Trade Service (Grade III) | |
| Group ‘B’ Services | Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service (Section Officer’s Grade) |
| Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Civil Service (DANICS) | |
| Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Police Service (DANIPS) | |
| Pondicherry Civil Service (PONDICS) | |
| Pondicherry Police Service (PONDIPS) | |
UPSC Eligibility Criteria
Along with the official UPSC CSE notification, the Union Public Service Commission has also released the UPSC Eligibility Criteria. It is important for all candidates to fulfill these eligibility requirements. This ensures that they are shortlisted for the various posts under the Civil Services Exam. Therefore, the eligibility criteria for the UPSC Civil Services exam are as follows.
- In terms of education, candidates must hold a degree from a recognized university or its equivalent. The minimum age to appear for the exam is 21 years, while the maximum age is 32 years as on August 1 of the year of examination.
- There are age relaxations provided for candidates belonging to reserved categories like SC, ST and OBC.
- Candidates must be citizens of India or subjects of Nepal, Bhutan, Tibetan refugees, or persons of Indian origin migrated from certain African countries.
- The number of attempts allowed for general candidates is 6, for OBC it is 9 and for SC/ST category, there is no limit onthe number of attempts till the prescribed age limit.
Aspiring candidates must ensure they meet these eligibility norms before applying. Additionally, they help maintain the standards of this prestigious civil service examination. Therefore, it is important to review them thoroughly before submitting your application.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the UPSC Civil Services Examination opens doors to prestigious government roles in India. Therefore, understanding the UPSC full form, post details, and eligibility is crucial for aspirants. Additionally, focused preparation for the exam’s three stages- Prelims, Mains, and Interview- is important. By doing so, candidates can boost their chances of success. Lastly, best of luck to all as they pursue their dreams in public service!
A reliable institute with experienced faculty is crucial, and UPSC Coaching in Guwahati offers structured preparation support.
Frequently Asked Questions
The UPSC full form is Union Public Service Commission.
It has three stages, i.e., Preliminary exam, Main exam & interview.
The application fee is Rs 100. Females and reserved classes are exempt from paying the application fee.
