NEW DELHI: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released its annual exam calendar for 2026, detailing the schedule for major recruitment examinations including the Civil Services (Preliminary and Main), NDA & NA, CDS, Engineering Services, and more.
As per the calendar, the Civil Services (Prelims) 2026 will be held on May 24, 2026, and the Main exam will begin from August 21, 2026.
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The NDA & NA (I) and CDS (I) exams are scheduled for April 12, 2026, while the NDA & NA (II) and CDS (II) will be conducted on September 13, 2026.
UPSC exam calendar
| Name of examination | Date of notification | Last Date for Receipt of Applications | Date of Commencement of Exam |
Duration of Exam |
| Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | — | — | 10.01.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
| Reserved for UPSC Examination | — | — | 17.01.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
| Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Examination, 2026 | 03.09.2025 | 23.09.2025 | 08.02.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| Engineering Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2026 | 17.09.2025 | 07.10.2025 | 08.02.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| CBI (DSP) LDCE | 24.12.2025 | 13.01.2026 | 28.02.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
| CISF AC(EXE) LDCE-2026 | 03.12.2025 | 23.12.2025 | 08.03.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| NDA & NA Examination (I), 2026 | 10.12.2025 | 30.12.2025 | 12.04.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| CDS Examination (I), 2026 | 10.12.2025 | 30.12.2025 | 12.04.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2026 | 14.01.2026 | 03.02.2026 | 24.05.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| Indian Forest Service (Preliminary) Examination, 2026 through CS(P) | 14.01.2026 | 03.02.2026 | 24.05.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | — | — | 06.06.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
| IES/ISS Examination, 2026 | 11.02.2026 | 03.03.2026 | 19.06.2026 (Friday) | 3 Days |
| Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) Examination, 2026 | — | — | 20.06.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
| Engineering Services (Main) Examination, 2026 | — | — | 21.06.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | — | — | 04.07.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
| Central Armed Police Forces (ACs) Examination, 2026 | 18.02.2026 | 10.03.2026 | 19.07.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| Combined Medical Services Examination, 2026 | 11.03.2026 | 31.03.2026 | 02.08.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| Reserved for UPSC Examination | — | — | 08.08.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
| Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2026 | — | — | 21.08.2026 (Friday) | 5 Days |
| NDA & NA Examination (II), 2026 | 20.05.2026 | 09.06.2026 | 13.09.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| CDS Examination (II), 2026 | 20.05.2026 | 09.06.2026 | 13.09.2026 (Sunday) | 1 Day |
| Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | — | — | 26.09.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
| Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | — | — | 10.10.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
| Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | — | — | 31.10.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
| Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination, 2026 | — | — | 22.11.2026 (Sunday) | 7 Days |
| SO/Steno (GD-B/GD-I) LDCE | 16.09.2026 | 06.10.2026 | 12.12.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
| Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | — | — | 19.12.2026 (Saturday) | 2 Days |
The candidates must note that the dates of notification, commencement, and duration of the examinations or recruitment tests are subject to change if required by prevailing circumstances.
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