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UPSC Exam 2026 calendar has been officially released by UPSC. UPSC Prelims 2026 application will start from January 14, 2026, for the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026 and Indian Forest Service (Prelims) 2026 on the UPSC website. The application process began on January 14, 2026, and will close on February 03, 2026. Aspirants targeting prestigious positions like IAS, IPS, and IFS must submit their applications accurately to avoid disqualification.

UPSC Exam full form consists of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Exam. This exam is to select officers for prestigious Group A and Group B services, such as IAS, IPS, IFS, and IRS. Lakhs of aspirants apply every year, making it one of the most competitive exams in India.

Also, read UPSC Calendar 2026

What is UPSC Prelims?

UPSC Prelims or Preliminary Examination is the 1st stage of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Service Exam. UPSC CSE Prelims comprises two objective-type papers (General Studies I and General Studies II or CSAT) for a total of 400 marks. The UPSC Prelims exam is objective in nature. It consists of two papers: General Studies and Civil Service Aptitude Test (CSAT ).CSAT is qualifying in nature, and one has to secure 33% marks(66 out of 200). Preliminary Examination serves as a screening test. It tests general awareness and aptitude through objective-type questions.

UPSC Prelims 2026

UPSC Prelims 2026 is scheduled for May 24, 2026. The Preliminary stage will be held in roughly 75 cities across India. Only those candidates who qualify for the Prelims Exam are eligible to appear for the Mains Exam, which is a descriptive test. The Mains Exam is followed by an interview. The final ranking of candidates is based on their performance in the Mains Exam and the interview.

The Prelims exam consists of two papers:

• General Studies Paper I: This is a general awareness paper that covers subjects like history, geography, polity, economy, science, and current affairs. The questions are of an objective type, and the paper carries 200 marks.
• General Studies Paper II: The Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) is a qualifying paper, meaning candidates need to secure a minimum qualifying mark (66 marks) in this paper to be considered for the Mains. The CSAT paper tests logical reasoning, quantitative aptitude, and general mental ability.

Also read UPSC Prelims 2026 Pattern

UPSC Prelims 2026 Date

UPSC Prelims Exam 2026 is scheduled to be held on 24th May 2026 (Sunday) as per the UPSC annual calendar 2026. UPSC Prelims 2026 is a one-day examination that comprises two objective-type papers.

UPSC Prelims 2026 Calendar

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the UPSC Prelims 2026 Calendar on 15th May. It includes dates for other recruitment exams, such as the Indian Forest Services (IFS), Indian Engineering Services (IES), NDA, CDS, and others. Candidates preparing for UPSC 2026 should also stay updated on these dates if they are planning to appear for any of these exams.UPSC Civil Services Exam 2026 Calendar

Also read Books for UPSC Prelims 2026

UPSC Prelims 2026 Notification

UPSC Prelims Official notification for UPSC CSE 2026 will be released on 14th January 2026 on the UPSC official website. The notification is an essential document as it provides all the critical details regarding the exam, including:

• The number of vacancies available for various civil services positions.
• Eligibility criteria, such as age limits, educational qualifications, and other requirements.
• The detailed syllabus for both Prelims and Mains.
• The exam pattern and structure for each stage of the selection process.
• Guidelines for the application process and important deadlines.

Candidates must thoroughly read the notification to understand all aspects of the examination, ensuring that they meet the eligibility criteria and follow the necessary procedures

Also read total Quality Enrichment Programme 2026

UPSC Prelims 2026 Application 

UPSC CSE 2026 notification will be released on 14th January 2026, and candidates can start the online registration process. The application window will remain open until 03th February 2026. During this time, candidates are required to fill out their application forms on the official UPSC website and submit the fee and the necessary documents, including scanned photographs, signatures, and other relevant certificates.

It is essential to ensure that all the details provided in the application form are accurate and complete. Any discrepancies can lead to the rejection of the application. Therefore, candidates must double-check all information before submitting the form.

 Also Read: IAS HUB Courses for 2026

UPSC Prelims 2026 Pattern 

UPSC Prelims exam pattern 2026 includes two papers: General Paper 1 and CSAT. Both are objective-type papers that contain multiple-choice questions and are conducted on a single day. General Studies Paper 1 will be used to select candidates for the Mains exam. On the other hand, the candidates have to obtain at least 33% (66 Marks) in the IAS GS Paper 2.

UPSC Prelims 2026 Marking Scheme

UPSC Prelims 2026 marking scheme plays a vital role in determining a candidate’s success. To do that, candidates have to understand the UPSC Prelims total marks.

UPSC Prelims 2026 Eligibility

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has provided the detailed eligibility criteria for the prelims 2026 as given below: 

UPSC Prelims 2026 Nationality

For the Indian Administrative Service, the Indian Foreign Service and the Indian Police Service, a candidate must be a citizen of India.

For other services, a candidate must be either:—

(a) a citizen of India, or

(b) a subject of Nepal, or

(c) a subject of Bhutan, or

(d) a Tibetan refugee who came over to India before 1st January, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling in India.

UPSC Prelims 2026 Age Limits

A candidate must have attained the age of 21 years and must not have attained the age of 32

years on the 1st of August, 2026, i.e., the candidate must have been born not earlier than 2nd August,1994 and not later than 1st August, 2005. Age relaxations are provided for candidates from reserved categories.

UPSC Prelims 2026 Qualification

Minimum Educational Qualification: A candidate must hold a Graduate degree from any of the Universities incorporated by an Act of the central or State Legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament or declared to be deemed as a University under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 or possess an equivalent qualification.  

UPSC Prelims 2026 Age Limit 

UPSC Prelims 2026 Age Limits: A candidate must have attained the age of 21 years and must not have attained the age of 32 years on the 1st of August, 2026, i.e., the candidate must have been born not earlier than 2nd August, 1994 and not later than 1st August, 2005. 

UPSC Prelims Age Relaxation

The upper age limit prescribed above will be relaxable: 

UPSC Prelims Attempt Limit

Every candidate appearing at the examination, who is otherwise eligible, shall be permitted six (6) attempts at the CSE. However, relaxation in the number of attempts will be available to the SC/ST/OBC and PwBD category candidates who are otherwise eligible. 

UPSC Prelims 2026 Syllabus

Prelims exam consists of two papers: General Studies (GS) and CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test). The Prelims will be in multiple-choice format, with the General Studies paper contributing to qualification for the Mains, while the CSAT paper is qualifying with a required cutoff of 66.66 marks.

UPSC Prelims 2026 Syllabus for GS Paper 1

• Current Affairs: National and international events of importance.
• History (Including Art and Culture): Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Indian History; Indian National Movement.
• Geography: Physical, Social, and Economic Geography of India and the World.
• Polity and Governance: Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, and Rights Issues.
• Economy: Basic Economic Concepts, Sustainable Development, Trade, Demographics, and Economic Organisations.
• Environment and Ecology: General environmental issues, Biodiversity, and Climate Change.
• Science and Technology: General Science and recent scientific developments.

UPSC Prelims 2026 Syllabus for CSAT (GS Paper 2)

• Comprehension: Reading, Vocabulary, Antonyms, Synonyms, and Grammar.
• Interpersonal Skills: Communication, Active/Passive Voice, Direct/Indirect Speech, and Writing.
• Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability: Analogies, Coding-Decoding, Series, Blood Relations, Venn Diagrams.
• Decision-Making and Problem-Solving: Data Sufficiency, Decision Analysis, and Problem-Solving.
• General Mental Ability: Number series, Letter series, Word Patterns, and Mixed Patterns.
• Basic Numeracy and Data Interpretation: Charts, Graphs, Tables, and Data Interpretation at Class X level.

How to Prepare for UPSC Prelims 2026

To clear UPSC Prelims 2026 requires a strategic approach and a practical study timetable. To maximise your chances of success in the UPSC Prelims 2026 exam, adopting effective strategies is important. Aspirants must start  with understanding how to prepare for the UPSC Prelims, which involves breaking down the preparation process into manageable steps, which are listed below:

• Start your preparation at least a year or, if possible, 18 months before the Prelims exam.
• Understand the syllabus of both the Prelims and Mains exams, and after going through the syllabus, develop a Proper UPSC Study Plan to succeed in UPSC Prelims 2026
• Analyse the past few years’ question papers of both Prelims and Mains. Exam familiarity is crucial. You can download previous years’ question papers for both Prelims and Mains from the UPSC website or from the IAS HUB website. Analyse question trends, important topics, UPSC Paper language, which will be different from test series and mocks, and practice answering them within the time limit.
• Start reading a newspaper regularly, either the Hindu or the Indian Express and make a short list of relevant articles based on the PYQ  theme.
• Read and understand the basic NCERT books, and then go through the UPSC Syllabus and relevant standards books.
• Make short notes of important topics in whichever way you feel comfortable, either online or in hard copy.
• Make a realistic timeline of objectives and subject-wise coverage to be achieved, both long-term and daily.
• If you are attending coaching, attend classes regularly and revise the content after class.
• Use the internet and social media judiciously while preparing, u can use focus mode on your phone to cover the topics daily basis.
• Start learning the basics of answer writing through the previous year’s questions. 
• Join a Test Series for both Prelims and Mains from IAS Hub or any other whichever you feel. It will help you learn about your strengths and weaknesses.
• Form discussion/answer writing groups to help each other.
• Revise regularly the content you have been reading, at least on a weekly, monthly, and 6-month basis..

Also Read: How to Prepare for CSAT 2026

UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2025

UPSC Prelims 2025 held on 25 May 2025, aspirants can download GS Paper 1 2025, and CSAT 2025  from the link below. It will be helpful for those preparing for UPSC prelims 2026. Overall UPSC Prelims 2025  paper was relatively moderate compared to the previous year. A greater focus was placed on conceptual questions, while questions on current affairs and institutions were limited.

UPSC Prelims 2025 Question Paper in Hindi

Students can download the Prelims 2025 GS Paper 1 in Hindi medium, Paper from the link is given below:

Download the PDF UPSC 2025 GS Paper 1 in Hindi 

UPSC Prelims 2026 Study Material

UPSC Prelims 2026 Study Materials are essential to clear UPSC Prelims 2026. We have categorised essential material because aspirants might get confused between various books and various digital content available for the UPSC. Here we will categorise UPSC Study Material 2026 into various categories:

• UPSC NCERT Books: NCERT textbooks are a foundation for the UPSC syllabus. They simplify complex topics, making it easier for beginners to understand. The foundation of various subjects of the UPSC Syllabus can be understood by these books. These subjects are History, Geography, Economics, Polity, and Science, are well-covered in the NCERT books.
• UPSC Standard Books: These books are categorised as standard books, which are essential value addition and in-depth analysis required for the UPSC Exam, for Prelims and Mains examinations. The Popular choices of UPSC Standard Books are:
  • Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
  • History of Modern India by Bipan Chandra
  • India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra
  • Geography of India by Majid Husain

• UPSC Prelims Study Material: UPSC Prelims demand factual & conceptual knowledge and speed to answer the Multiple Choice Questions. For these, the study materials include:
  • Economic Survey and India Year Book
  • Current affairs magazines like Yojana and Kurukshetra
  • Online test series for practising MCQs
  • NCERTs of History, Geography, Economics, Polity, and Science are well-covered in the NCERT books.
• Free Study Material for UPSC: There are various government websites and telegrams of some selected aspirants who upload regular notes and strategy; candidates can follow them. Some sources of Free Study material for UPSC are:

UPSC Prelims 2026 Books

Here are a few books that aspiring candidates should keep with them while preparing for UPSC prelims 2026 and further stages of the UPSC exam. The following books are indispensable for your UPSC Prelims 2026 preparation:

• NCERT Textbooks: Cover all subjects systematically.
• Standard Reference Books: Laxmikanth, Bipan Chandra, Ramesh Singh, and Shankar IAS.
• Current Affairs Resources: Newspapers, Yojana, and government websites.
• Practice Papers: UPSC’s previous years’ question papers and mock tests.

UPSC Prelims 2026 Result Date

UPSC Prelims 2026 exam is yet to happen, which is scheduled for May 24, 2026. Based on previous years’ trends, where results are typically announced within 15 to 20 days after the exam, however, the exact date will be confirmed by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on their official website, upsc.gov.in. 

What After UPSC Prelims 2025 Result?

UPSC Prelims qualified candidates 2025:

• Prepare for Mains: Start studying for Mains, which is scheduled from August 22–31, 2025. Focus on General Studies, an optional subject, essay, and answer writing.
• Submit DAF-I: Complete the Detailed Application Form (closed June 25, 2025). Ensure accurate details and documents.
• Await Admit Card: Check upsc.gov.in for Mains admit card and updates.
• Next Steps: Clear Mains to qualify for the Interview (275 marks). Final merit based on Mains (1750 marks) + Interview.

For those who couldn’t clear UPSC prelims 2025

• Analyse Performance: What went wrong? Use the official answer key (released post-final result, ~April 2026) to identify weaknesses. Before the cover weak areas and strengthen the strong areas and static parts.
• Re-strategise and stay motivated: Plan for UPSC CSE 2026 (notification on January 14, 2026). Join a test series or coaching for better preparation. Before that, prepare for mains 2026, cover all the mains topics, write the mains previous year questions and answers. Further, if possible, join the mains test series for 2026 from ias hub or any other coaching…
• Stay Motivated: Focus on improving weak areas and maintain a consistent study routine. The UPSC exam is a marathon exam; it requires constant motivation and strength to handle setbacks.

Are you preparing for UPSC 2026? Join IAShub’s UPSC coaching batches to boost your preparation. Enrol now!

UPSC Prelims FAQs?