UPSC Civil Services / Forest Service Recruitment 2026

📌 1. Notification & Application Window (2026)

• UPSC released the official notification for the Civil Services (IAS/IPS/IFS) & IFS Examination 2026 on 4 Feb 2026.
• Application period: 4 Feb 2026 to 24 Feb 2026 (exact dates per the UPSC notification).

The notification contains important details like eligibility, fees, and instructions.

🪪 2. Eligibility Check For UPSC Civil Services IAS / IFS 2026

Before applying, make sure you meet the basic criteria:
✔ Indian national (for IAS/IFS)
✔ Age, education (typically a graduate degree), number of attempts limits as per category
(Exact eligibility details are in the official UPSC notification — check before you start.)

🧾 3. Required Documents (scan & ready)

Prepare scanned copies in the required format and size:

✔ Recent passport-size photograph
✔ Scanned signature
✔ Photo ID (Aadhaar/Voter ID/PAN)
✔ Education certificates/marksheets
✔ Category certificate (if applicable)
✔ Mobile number & email ID

UPSC will ask for these during the form process.

🌐 4. Registration (One-Time Portal)

UPSC uses a new online portal — upsconline.nic.in.

👉 First, you must register online (One-Time Registration / profile setup). This creates your URN/Registration Number, which you’ll use to log in for form filling.

✔ Enter personal details
✔ Create login credentials
✔ Save the Registration number safely for later steps

🖊 5. Start Filling the Application For UPSC Civil Services IAS / IFS 2026

Once registered:

Part-I: Basic Details

• Personal info: Name, DOB, parent’s details
• Contact details: Address, email, phone
• Education details

Part-II: Exam Selection

• Choose Civil Services (Preliminary)
• For IFS also, select the right option if it appears (IFoS Preliminary)
(Ensure correct selection — this determines your exam category)

Part-III: Detailed Application Form (DAF)

• Upload scanned photo & signature
• Education / academic details
• Exam centre preferences

Part-IV: Fee & Payments

• Select payment option
• Pay application fee (if applicable)

💳 6. Application Fee Payment

✔ General / OBC / EWS Male: ₹100
✔ SC / ST / Female / PwBD: ₹0 (exempted)
(Fees may change per official notification; always refer to it.)

Payment Modes

➡ Online: Debit/Credit Card, NetBanking, UPI
➡ Offline: SBI challan (if allowed and before deadline)

📸 7. Upload Photos & Signature

Follow exact size and format mentioned in the form:

✔ Front-facing photo
✔ White background usually preferred
✔ Signature on white paper

Errors here often lead to form rejection — so double-check.

📝 8. Review & Preview Before Submission

Before final submission:

✔ Check all fields
✔ Spelling of name, DOB, category details
✔ Exam selection & centre preferences
✔ Photo & signature uploads

Once submitted, many fields (like DOB) cannot be changed later.

📨 9. Submit & Print

After final submission:

✅ Generate Confirmation Page / Receipt
✅ Print it for records

If UPSC provides a correction window, you can fix certain details later — but not all fields.

🗂 10. Correction Window (if provided)

UPSC sometimes opens a limited correction window after the form deadline — use it to fix errors (like photo, address, category details) within the specified period.

📅 Important Dates for 2026 (Tentative)

• Notification release – 4 Feb 2026
• Application window – 4 Feb to 24 Feb 2026
• Prelims 2026 – 24 May 2026 (approx)

(Always double-check the official UPSC notification for exact dates.)

🚨 Tips Before You Start

⭐ Apply early — site gets heavy traffic close to deadlines.
⭐ Use a desktop / laptop for stability.
⭐ Keep all scans ready in proper size/format.
⭐ Save screenshots after every major step.
⭐ Note down your Registration/URN safely.