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Official Guide Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) • Reviewed: 01 October 2026

UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) Blueprint (2026)

The Union Public Service Commission Civil Services Examination (UPSC CSE) is the constitutional flagship examination of the Republic of India. Governed under Article 320 of the Constitution, it recruits candidates into the premier All India Services (Indian Administrative Service - IAS, Indian Police Service - IPS) and Central Group 'A' & 'B' civil services (Indian Foreign Service - IFS, Indian Revenue Service - IRS, Indian Audit and Accounts Service). The examination is celebrated globally for its intellectual breadth, demanding a three-stage marathon comprising the Preliminary Objective Examination, the 9-Paper Written Mains Examination, and the Personality Test (Interview).

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1. Statutory Eligibility Criteria

Age Limit & Crucial Date:

21 to 32 Years as on 01 August 2026. Age relaxations: OBC-NCL +3 yrs (up to 35), SC/ST +5 yrs (up to 37), PwBD +10 yrs (up to 42).

Educational Qualification:

Must hold a Bachelor’s Degree from any university incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India or recognized educational institution. Candidates appearing in the final year of degree can apply for Prelims.

Nationality:

For IAS and IPS: Must be a citizen of India. For other services: Citizen of India, subject of Nepal/Bhutan.

Permissible Attempts:

General / EWS: 6 Attempts. OBC: 9 Attempts. SC / ST: Unlimited attempts up to maximum age ceiling. PwBD: 9 attempts for Gen/OBC.

2. Multi-Stage Selection Framework

Preliminary: CSAT Prelims Examination Offline Pen-and-Paper OMR (Two Papers)

Paper-I (General Studies, 100 Qs, 200 Marks) determines cutoff for Mains. Paper-II (CSAT, 80 Qs, 200 Marks) requires mandatory 33% qualifying score (66 marks). 1/3rd negative marking.

Mains: Written Examination Subjective Descriptive (9 Papers, 1750 Marks)

Two qualifying language papers (300 marks each, 25% qualifying). 7 Merit-determining papers: Essay (250), GS-1 (250), GS-2 (250), GS-3 (250), GS-4 Ethics (250), and Optional Subject Paper-I & II (500 marks).

Interview: Personality Test Oral Board Interview in Dholpur House (275 Marks)

Conducted by a board of competent unbiased observers to assess intellectual caliber, mental alertness, balance of judgment, and leadership potential. Total Merit: 2025 Marks.

3. Examination Scheme & Syllabus

Comprehensive curriculum spanning constitution, governance, history, international relations, economy, ecology, science, ethics, and specialized optional discipline.

Section / Paper Questions Marks Duration Negative Marking
Prelims Paper-I (GS) 100 200 2 Hours 0.66 marks (1/3rd)
Prelims Paper-II (CSAT) 80 200 2 Hours 0.83 marks (Qualifying @ 33%)
Mains: Paper-I (Essay) 2 250 3 Hours Descriptive
Mains: GS-I (Heritage, History, Geography, Society) 20 250 3 Hours Descriptive
Mains: GS-II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, IR) 20 250 3 Hours Descriptive
Mains: GS-III (Technology, Economic Dev, Biodiversity, Security) 20 250 3 Hours Descriptive
Mains: GS-IV (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude) 19 250 3 Hours Descriptive
Mains: Optional Subject (Paper 1 & 2) 10 500 3 Hours each Descriptive

4. 7th CPC Pay Scale & Career Growth

Pay Level & Grade Pay:

Junior Time Scale (Pay Level 10, Basic ₹56,100) up to Cabinet Secretary (Pay Level 18, Basic ₹2,50,000)

Starting Basic & In-Hand Range:

₹56,100 per month (Junior Time Scale) (Estimated in-hand: ₹88,000 to ₹95,000 per month starting in-hand pay (plus official accommodation, staff car, and security protocol).)

Hierarchical Promotion Ladder:
  1. Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) / Assistant Collector (Level 10, Basic ₹56,100)
  2. Additional District Magistrate / Senior Time Scale (Level 11, Basic ₹67,700)
  3. District Magistrate (DM) / Collector / Junior Administrative Grade (Level 12, Basic ₹78,800)
  4. Divisional Commissioner / Joint Secretary (Level 14, Basic ₹1,44,200)
  5. Chief Secretary of State / Union Secretary (Level 17, Basic ₹2,25,000)
  6. Cabinet Secretary of India (Level 18, Basic ₹2,50,000 - Apex Civil Service Post)

5. Frequently Asked Questions (Civil Services Examination (IAS / IPS / IFS))

Are marks in Prelims counted for the final IAS merit ranking?

No. The Civil Services Preliminary Examination is purely an elimination screening test to qualify candidates for Mains. The final rank list is calculated from 2025 marks (1750 marks from Mains written papers + 275 marks from the Personality Test).

What is the qualifying criteria for CSAT Paper-II in Prelims?

Under UPSC rules, CSAT Paper-II is qualifying in nature with minimum qualifying marks fixed at exactly 33% (66 marks out of 200). If a candidate fails to score 66 marks in CSAT, their GS Paper-I is not even evaluated.

What constitutes an attempt in UPSC Civil Services?

An attempt is counted if a candidate actually appears in any one paper of the Preliminary Examination (Paper-I or Paper-II). Simply filling the application form without sitting in the examination hall does not consume an attempt.

What is the starting salary of an IAS officer during training at LBSNAA?

During foundational and professional training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie, officer trainees receive Level 10 basic pay of ₹56,100 plus DA, yielding approximately ₹65,000/month after deductions for mess and accommodation.

Can candidates write the UPSC Mains examination in Hindi or regional languages?

Yes. Candidates have the constitutional option to write the Mains examination in English, Hindi, or any of the 22 languages mentioned in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India.