UPSC IES/ISS Recruitment 2026 has been officially announced, and now, aspirants with a background in economics and statistics have a clear opportunity to enter prestigious central services. The Union Public Service Commission, through this notification, has invited online applications for the Indian Economic Service (IES) and Indian Statistical Service (ISS) Examination 2026. Overall, a total of 44 vacancies have been released, and therefore, eligible candidates should not delay their application process.
Overview of UPSC IES/ISS Recruitment 2026
UPSC IES/ ISS Recruitment covers recruitment through a national-level competitive examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. Importantly, these services play a crucial role in economic planning, policy formulation, and statistical governance of India.
Key Highlights
- Name of Examination: Indian Economic Service / Indian Statistical Service Examination 2026
- Total Vacancies: 44 Posts
- Mode of Application: Online
- Conducting Authority: UPSC
Examination-wise Vacancy Details under UPSC IES/ ISS Recruitment 2026
Under UPSC IES/ ISS Recruitment, vacancies have been distributed examination-wise to ensure balanced intake across both services.
- Indian Economic Service (IES): 16 Posts
- Indian Statistical Service (ISS): 28 Posts
Thus, candidates must carefully choose the examination while applying.
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Eligibility Criteria for UPSC IES/ISS Recruitment 2026
Before applying for UPSC IES/ISS Recruitment, candidates must clearly understand the eligibility conditions. Therefore, age limit, educational qualification, and physical standards should be checked properly.
Age Limit for UPSC IES/ISS Recruitment 2026
For UPSC IES/ ISS Recruitment, candidates must satisfy the prescribed age criteria as on 1st August 2026.
- Minimum Age: 21 years
- Maximum Age: 30 years
Accordingly, candidates must have been born not earlier than 2nd August 1996 and not later than 1st August 2005.
Age Relaxation under UPSC IES/ISS Recruitment 2026
Additionally, category-wise age relaxation is applicable as per government norms under UPSC IES/ISS Recruitment.
- SC / ST: 5 years
- OBC: 3 years
- PwBD: 10 years
- PwBD (OBC/NCL): 13 years
- PwBD (SC/ST): 15 years
Hence, eligible reserved category candidates should fully utilize this benefit.
Educational Qualification for UPSC IES/ ISS Recruitment 2026
Educational qualification remains one of the most important conditions in UPSC IES/ ISS Recruitment. Therefore, candidates must meet the service-specific requirements.
Indian Economic Service (IES)
For UPSC IES/ISS Recruitment 2026, an IES candidate must possess:
- A Postgraduate Degree in
- Economics
- Applied Economics
- Business Economics
- Econometrics
- Economics
The degree must be obtained from:
- A university incorporated by a Central or State Act in India, or
- An institution established by an Act of Parliament, or
- A deemed university under the UGC Act, 1956, or
- A foreign university approved by the Central Government.
Indian Statistical Service (ISS)
For UPSC IES/ISS Recruitment 2026, an ISS candidate must possess either:
- A Bachelor’s Degree with
- Statistics / Mathematical Statistics / Applied Statistics as one subject,
or
- Statistics / Mathematical Statistics / Applied Statistics as one subject,
- A Master’s Degree in
- Statistics / Mathematical Statistics / Applied Statistics
- Statistics / Mathematical Statistics / Applied Statistics
The degree must be from a recognized Indian or approved foreign university.
Physical Standards for UPSC IES/ISS Recruitment 2026
Under UPSC IES/ ISS Recruitment, candidates must be physically fit as per the standards prescribed in Appendix III of the examination rules. These rules, published in the Gazette of India dated 11th February 2026, remain mandatory for final selection.
Application Fee for UPSC IES/ISS Recruitment 2026
UPSC IES/ ISS Recruitment requires payment of a nominal application fee by eligible candidates.
- Application Fee: Rs. 200/-
However, the following categories are exempt from fee payment:
- Female Candidates
- SC Candidates
- ST Candidates
- Persons with Benchmark Disability
Candidates may pay the fee through:
- SBI Branch Cash Deposit
- Visa / Mastercard / RuPay Credit or Debit Card
- UPI
- Internet Banking of any bank
How to Apply for UPSC IES/ ISS Recruitment 2026
Candidates interested in UPSC IES/ISS Recruitment must apply through the official UPSC online portal. To simplify the process, follow the steps given below.
- Scroll down and go to the Important Web-Links section.
- Click on the Online Application Form and complete registration.
- Log in again using the registered credentials.
- Fill in all personal and educational details carefully.
- Upload the required documents in the prescribed format.
- Pay the application fee as per category.
- Submit the form and take a printout for future reference.
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Important Dates for UPSC IES/ISS Recruitment 2026
Keeping track of dates is crucial for UPSC IES/ISS Recruitment. Therefore, note the schedule below.
- Starting Date to Apply Online: 11th February 2026
- Last Date to Apply Online: 3rd March 2026
Important Web-Links for UPSC IES/ISS Recruitment 2026
Here are the important links for the Exam
| Online Application Form | Click Here |
| Advertisement Details | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
Final Words
UPSC IES/ISS Recruitment 2026 offers a direct path into India’s core economic and statistical services. Therefore, candidates meeting the eligibility criteria should apply early, prepare sincerely, and follow the official guidelines carefully. With the right planning and timely action, this examination can become a career-defining opportunity.
FAQs:
The starting date to apply online for UPSC IES/ISS Recruitment 2026 is 11th February 2026. From this date, the online application portal becomes active on the official website of the Union Public Service Commission. Therefore, candidates can begin the registration process, fill in personal and academic details, upload required documents, and proceed with fee payment. Moreover, applying early helps candidates avoid server issues, payment failures, and form submission errors that often occur close to the deadline. As a result, aspirants get sufficient time to cross-check every detail before final submission.
The last date to apply online for UPSC IES/ ISS Recruitment is 3rd March 2026. After this date, the application link gets disabled automatically, and no fresh applications or corrections are allowed. Hence, candidates must complete all steps, including registration, document upload, and fee payment, before the deadline. Additionally, candidates should download and print the submitted application form, as it may be required during later stages of the recruitment process, such as examination, interview, or document verification.
A total of 44 vacancies have been released under UPSC IES/ ISS Recruitment. These vacancies are distributed between the Indian Economic Service (IES) and the Indian Statistical Service (ISS) to meet the functional needs of various government departments. Consequently, the number of posts directly affects the level of competition and selection ratio. Therefore, candidates must carefully choose the service while applying, keeping in mind their educational background, subject strength, and long-term career goals. Furthermore, the final appointment depends not only on vacancies but also on performance in all stages of the examination.
