UPSC Unveils 2026 Exam Calendar for Civil Services and Other National-Level Exams
New Delhi, 17th May 2025: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has made public the full examination timetable for the 2026 recruitment cycle. The Civil Services Preliminary Exam will be held on May 24, and the Main Exam is slated for August 21.
UPSC organizes a variety of high-level recruitment exams such as Civil Services, Engineering Services, NDA, Forest Services, and others, drawing participation from lakhs of aspirants across India. The release of the annual exam calendar allows candidates to prepare more efficiently.
As per the released schedule:
The NDA and CDS (I) notification will be issued on December 10, 2025, with the exam on April 12, 2026.
The NDA and CDS (II) notification will come out on May 20, 2026, and the exam will take place on September 13, 2026.
The Combined Geo-Scientist Exam will have its notification on September 3, 2025, Prelims on February 8, 2026, and Mains on June 20, 2026.
The Engineering Services Exam notification will be out on September 17, 2025. The Prelims will be on February 8, 2026, and the Mains will be on June 21, 2026.
The Combined Medical Services Exam is set for August 2, 2026, with its notification releasing on March 11, 2026.
The Indian Forest Service Prelims will be held on May 24, 2026, and the Main Exam on November 22, 2026.
The Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) Exam will be notified on February 18, 2026, and held on July 19, 2026.
Candidates can view the full detailed schedule on UPSC’s official website, “upsc.gov.in“
