UPSC Exams 2026

The Union Public Service Commission is a constitutional body set up under Articles 315 to 323 of the Constitution. It recruits officers for the All India Services and the Central Civil Services, and it also runs the entry examinations for officer cadres in the armed forces and the central engineering and medical services.

Most UPSC examinations follow a three-stage structure: an objective Preliminary test used only for screening, a descriptive Main examination that decides the bulk of your marks, and a Personality Test or Interview. The Preliminary marks are not carried into the final merit list. Entry-level defence examinations such as NDA and CDS replace the interview with the Services Selection Board process and a medical board.

Eligibility varies by examination. Civil Services and Engineering Services require a graduate degree, while NDA is open to candidates who have passed or are appearing for Class 12. Attempt limits, age relaxations for reserved categories, and the year-by-year schedule are published in the UPSC Annual Calendar on the Commission’s own website before each cycle begins.