Today is December 27, 2025, and with the new year just days away, serious aspirants are already planning their UPSC journey for 2026. Although the UPSC Examination Calendar 2026 was released earlier, this is the right time to bring it back into focus. When you know your dates in advance, you can prepare with confidence instead of panic.If you are targeting Civil Services, NDA, CDS, Engineering Services, CAPF, or any other UPSC-conducted examination, this calendar helps you stay organised. You can plan revision cycles, mock tests, optional subjects, and even rest days without guessing. Many candidates lose momentum simply because they do not align their preparation with official timelines. You don’t want to be one of them.Below is the official UPSC Programme of Examinations / Recruitment Tests (RTs) – 2026, presented clearly so you can bookmark it, save it, or print it for daily reference.UPSC Programme of Examinations / RTs – 2026
S. No.
|
Examination
|
Notification Date
|
Last Date
|
Exam Commencement
|
Duration |
| 1 |
Reserved for UPSC RT/Examination |
— |
— |
January 10, 2026 |
2 Days |
| 2 |
Reserved for UPSC Examination |
— |
— |
January 17, 2026 |
2 Days |
| 3 |
Combined Geo-Scientist (Prelims) |
September 3, 2025 |
September 23, 2025 |
February 8, 2026 |
1 Day |
| 4 |
Engineering Services (Prelims) |
September 17, 2025 |
October 7, 2025 |
February 8, 2026 |
1 Day |
| 5 |
CBI (DSP) LDCE |
December 24, 2025 |
January 13, 2026 |
February 28, 2026 |
2 Days |
| 6 |
CISF AC (EXE) LDCE |
December 3, 2025 |
December 23, 2025 |
March 8, 2026 |
1 Day |
| 7 |
NDA & NA (I) |
December 10, 2025 |
December 30, 2025 |
April 12, 2026 |
1 Day |
| 8 |
CDS (I) |
December 10, 2025 |
December 30, 2025 |
April 12, 2026 |
1 Day |
| 9 |
Civil Services (Prelims) |
January 14, 2026 |
February 3, 2026 |
May 24, 2026 |
1 Day |
| 10 |
IFS (Prelims) through CS(P) |
January 14, 2026 |
February 3, 2026 |
May 24, 2026 |
1 Day |
| 11 |
Reserved for UPSC RT |
— |
— |
June 6, 2026 |
2 Days |
| 12 |
IES / ISS |
February 11, 2026 |
March 3, 2026 |
June 19, 2026 |
3 Days |
| 13 |
Geo-Scientist (Main) |
— |
— |
June 20, 2026 |
2 Days |
| 14 |
Engineering Services (Main) |
— |
— |
June 21, 2026 |
1 Day |
| 15 |
Reserved for UPSC RT |
— |
— |
July 4, 2026 |
2 Days |
| 16 |
CAPF (ACs) |
February 18, 2026 |
March 10, 2026 |
July 19, 2026 |
1 Day |
| 17 |
Combined Medical Services |
March 11, 2026 |
March 31, 2026 |
August 2, 2026 |
1 Day |
| 18 |
Reserved for UPSC Examination |
— |
— |
August 8, 2026 |
2 Days |
| 19 |
Civil Services (Main) |
— |
— |
August 21, 2026 |
5 Days |
| 20 |
NDA & NA (II) |
May 20, 2026 |
June 9, 2026 |
September 13, 2026 |
1 Day |
| 21 |
CDS (II) |
May 20, 2026 |
June 9, 2026 |
September 13, 2026 |
1 Day |
| 22 |
Reserved for UPSC RT |
— |
— |
September 26, 2026 |
2 Days |
| 23 |
Reserved for UPSC RT |
— |
— |
October 10, 2026 |
2 Days |
| 24 |
Reserved for UPSC RT |
— |
— |
October 31, 2026 |
2 Days |
| 25 |
Indian Forest Service (Main) |
— |
— |
November 22, 2026 |
7 Days |
| 26 |
SO / Steno LDCE |
September 16, 2026 |
October 6, 2026 |
December 12, 2026 |
2 Days |
| 27 |
Reserved for UPSC RT |
— |
— |
December 19, 2026 |
2 Days |
As you step into 2026, keep this calendar close. Preparation works best when clarity meets consistency. Stay disciplined, trust the process, and let dates guide your daily effort.
