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UPSC Civil Services 2026 β€” Mains Concluded 30 August, Result Awaited

Source: UPSC Press Note β€” Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2026. Last verified: 2026-09-07.

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  • 1. Exam Overview

    UPSC Civil Services Officers (IAS, IFS, IPS, IRS) lead district administration, policy execution, diplomatic missions, and central government ministries. Work involves public governance, law enforcement, revenue administration, and strategic policy formulation.

  • 2. Posts and What They Involve

    IAS, IPS, IFS and other All-India / Central Services

    Accessibility: Suitable

    Government of India Β· Level 10 and above β€” career to the topmost administrative posts

    The Civil Services Examination recruits to the IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS and other Group A and B services. A VI candidate can become an IAS or IRS officer β€” several have.

    Accessibility & Quota note: Blindness and Low Vision are eligible services-wise (7 VI posts this cycle). Scribe and 20-minutes-per-hour compensatory time apply at every stage β€” Prelims, Mains and Interview.

  • 3. Vacancies β€” Total & Reserved Quotas

    Total: 933 posts total. Breakdown by service to be published with final merit list.

    Reserved / PwBD: Visually Impaired (VI): 7 posts reserved (Blindness & Low Vision) out of 933 total vacancies.

  • 4. Exam Structure and Pattern

    Prelims

    Two objective papers, on one day

    Duration: 2 hours per paper; 2 hours 40 minutes with compensatory time

    • General Studies Paper 1100 Q Β· 200 marks
    • CSAT Paper 2 (qualifying at 33%)80 Q Β· 200 marks

    Total: 200 marks Β· Minus one-third per wrong answer

    Only GS Paper 1 counts for the cut-off; CSAT is qualifying. Prelims is a screening test β€” marks do not carry forward.

    Mains

    Nine descriptive papers

    Duration: 3 hours per paper; 4 hours with compensatory time

    • Essay0 Q Β· 250 marks
    • General Studies I–IV0 Q Β· 1000 marks
    • Optional Subject (two papers)0 Q Β· 500 marks
    • Two language papers (qualifying)0 Q Β· 600 marks

    Total: 1750 marks Β· Not applicable (descriptive)

    The two language papers are only qualifying; 1750 marks count for the merit.

    Personality Test (Interview)

    Board interview

    Duration: As scheduled

      Total: 275 marks Β· Not applicable

      Final merit: Mains (1750) plus Interview (275) = 2025 marks.

    • 5. Important Dates

      1. 24 May 2026Prelims held
      2. 27 May 2026Answer keys released
      3. expected 9 to 14 June 2026Prelims result
      4. 21 August 2026Mains exam
      5. 30 August 2026Mains exam concluded
      6. 4 February 2026Application opens
      7. 27 February 2026Application closes

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