The UPSC Calendar 2026 was officially released on 15th May 2025 by the Union Public Service Commission. It has been issued to provide detailed exam schedules, including notification dates, application deadlines, and final examination dates for all major UPSC exams. As a result, aspirants have been enabled to organize their study strategies accordingly. Furthermore, the UPSC Calendar 2026 can now be downloaded from the official UPSC website in PDF format.
Also you can read : UPSC Results 2024
What is UPSC Calendar 2026?
The UPSC Calendar 2026 has been designed as an official document to outline the upcoming exams conducted by UPSC. Accordingly, the schedule has included examinations like Civil Services (CSE), Indian Forest Service (IFoS), NDA, CDS, Engineering Services, CAPF, and many others. It must be noted that the UPSC Calendar has served as a strategic planning tool for aspirants by listing exam-related events well in advance.
UPSC Calendar Major Exams Overview
The following major exams have been included in the UPSC Calendar 2026
| 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 (Main) 2026 | Exam Start Date | 22nd November 2026 |
| NDA & CDS (I & II) 2026 | Exam Months | April & September 2026 |
| CAPF (ACs) | Exam Date | 19th July 2026 |
As shown in the table, multiple prestigious exams have been included in the UPSC Calendar 2026, allowing candidates to remain well-informed.
UPSC Prelims Exam 2026: Schedule & Structure
The UPSC Calendar 2026 has declared that the Prelims will be conducted on 24th May 2026 (Sunday). This exam has consisted of two objective-type papers:
- General Studies Paper I
- CSAT (Paper II)
Both papers have been MCQ-based and conducted on the same day. Importantly, the Indian Forest Service (Prelims) exam has also been conducted simultaneously. Thus, ample time has been provided to the aspirants to thoroughly prepare in advance as per the UPSC Calendar 2026.
UPSC Mains Exam 2026: Complete Details
It has been officially mentioned in the UPSC Calendar 2026 that the Mains Exam will begin from 21st August 2026 (Friday). The exam will span five consecutive days and include:
- Essay Paper
- Four General Studies Papers
- Two Optional Subject Papers
Unlike Prelims, the Mains stage has been conducted in a descriptive format. Therefore, deeper understanding and analytical skills have been expected from candidates. Consequently, the Mains stage has demanded more thorough preparation.
UPSC Notification Dates 2026
According to the UPSC Calendar 2026, the following are the important notification and application deadlines:
- Notification Release: 14th January 2026
- Last Date to Apply: 3rd February 2026
- UPSC Prelims Date: 24th May 2026
- UPSC Mains Date: 21st August 2026
- IFoS Mains: 22nd November 2026
Hence, all these events have been planned in advance and disclosed clearly in the UPSC Calendar 2026.
How to Download UPSC Calendar 2026 PDF?
The UPSC Calendar 2026 PDF can be easily downloaded by following these steps:
- The official UPSC website (https://www.upsc.gov.in/) must be visited.
- The “Calendar” tab under the “Examination” section should be clicked.
- The “UPSC Annual Calendar 2026” link must then be selected.
- The PDF can then be downloaded for future reference.
Therefore, candidates have been provided with convenient access to the document via the official portal.
Also you can check UPSC Calendar 2025
Conclusion
To summarize, the UPSC Calendar 2026 has served as an essential document for all civil service aspirants. By providing structured timelines and transparent scheduling, the UPSC Calendar 2026 has enabled effective preparation strategies. Moreover, timely awareness of important events such as notification releases and exam dates has contributed significantly to efficient planning. As a result, the UPSC Calendar 2026 must be referred to regularly by every serious UPSC aspirant to stay aligned with official updates.
FAQs
Q1. When was the UPSC Calendar 2026 released?
It was officially released on 15th May 2025 by the UPSC.
Q2. What is the UPSC Prelims 2026 date as per UPSC Calendar 2026?
The Prelims exam has been scheduled for 24th May 2026 (Sunday).
Q3. What is the duration of the UPSC Mains 2026?
As per the UPSC Calendar 2026, the Mains will span 5 days, starting from 21st August 2026.
Q4. Will the IFoS Prelims 2026 be held separately?
No, it will be conducted through the Civil Services (Prelims) as per the UPSC Calendar 2026.
Q5. Where can the official UPSC Calendar 2026 PDF be downloaded?
It can be accessed from the official UPSC website under the Examination > Calendar section.
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