Important dates, CSE 2027
| Notification and online application open | 13 January 2027 |
| Last date to apply | 2 February 2027 |
| Preliminary examination | 23 May 2027 |
| Main examination begins | 20 August 2027 |
From UPSC's calendar as on 20 May 2026 (PDF ↗). UPSC may revise these dates.
Who can apply
- Nationality: for the IAS, IFS and IPS you must be a citizen of India; for other services, subjects of Nepal and Bhutan and some other groups named in the notice can apply with an eligibility certificate.
- Education: a graduate degree from a recognised university, or equivalent. Final-year students can sit Prelims and Mains, and must show proof of passing if called for the interview.
- Age: 21 to 32 years on 1 August of the exam year. For CSE 2027, if UPSC keeps this rule, a General candidate must be born between 2 August 1995 and 1 August 2006. Check yours with the age calculator →
Upper age limit by category
| Category | Upper age | Relaxation |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 32 | — |
| OBC | 35 | 3 years |
| SC / ST | 37 | 5 years |
| Persons with Benchmark Disability | up to 10 years more | up to 10 years |
| Ex-servicemen (5 years' service) | up to 5 years more | up to 5 years |
Number of attempts
| General / EWS | 6 |
| OBC | 9 |
| SC / ST | Unlimited (within the age limit) |
| PwBD (General / EWS / OBC) | 9 |
| PwBD (SC / ST) | Unlimited |
Appearing in any one Prelims paper counts as an attempt; applying without appearing does not.
Age limit and attempts together, by category
| Category | Upper age | Attempts |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 32 | 6 |
| OBC | 35 | 9 |
| SC / ST | 37 | Unlimited |
| PwBD | up to 10 more | 9, or unlimited for SC/ST |
The same limits apply to men and women; there is no separate relaxation by gender.
Exam pattern
Prelims: two objective papers of 200 marks and two hours each, set in Hindi and English. GS Paper I decides who qualifies; GS Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying at 33%. A wrong answer costs one-third of the question's marks.
Mains and interview:
| Paper | Marks | |
|---|---|---|
| Paper A: one Indian language | 300 | Qualifying, 25% |
| Paper B: English | 300 | Qualifying, 25% |
| Paper I: Essay | 250 | Counted |
| Papers II–V: General Studies I–IV | 4 × 250 | Counted |
| Papers VI–VII: Optional subject I and II | 2 × 250 | Counted |
| Written total | 1,750 | |
| Interview / Personality Test | 275 | No minimum |
| Final total | 2,025 |
Mains papers except Papers A and B can be written in English or any Eighth Schedule language. For CSE 2026 UPSC expected about 933 vacancies. Full syllabus →
Application fee
₹100 for Prelims and ₹200 for Mains. Women, SC, ST and PwBD candidates are exempt. Applications are made online at upsconline.nic.in.
What to do now
Source for every rule: UPSC Exam Notice No. 05/2026-CSP ↗. This page will be updated when the CSE 2027 notice is published.
Take the next step
One mentor · Prelims to interview
Prepare with a mentor who reads your answers
Weekly targets, a weekly one-to-one and every assigned Mains answer evaluated. Start with a free 30-minute strategy call.
Timed tests · UPSC's marking
PYQ Test Pass
Every Prelims and CSAT paper since 2011 as a timed test, sectional sets, a monthly ranked Grand Test and a mistakes bank, in English and Hindi.
Quick answers
When is the UPSC CSE 2027 notification?
UPSC's annual calendar (as on 20 May 2026) lists the CSE 2027 notification for 13 January 2027, the last date to apply as 2 February 2027 and Prelims on 23 May 2027. UPSC may revise these dates.
What is the UPSC age limit?
Under the 2026 notice you must be 21 to 32 years old on 1 August of the exam year. The upper limit is relaxed by 3 years for OBC, 5 years for SC/ST and up to 10 years for Persons with Benchmark Disability.
How many attempts are allowed in UPSC?
Six for General and EWS, nine for OBC, and unlimited for SC/ST within the age limit. PwBD candidates get nine (General/EWS/OBC) or unlimited (SC/ST). Appearing in any one Prelims paper counts as an attempt.
Can final-year students apply?
Yes. Candidates who have taken or will take the qualifying degree exam may sit the written exam, but if called for the interview they must show proof of passing within the time UPSC sets.
What is the UPSC application fee?
₹100 for Prelims and ₹200 for Mains. Women, SC, ST and PwBD candidates are exempt.
Is there any age relaxation for women in UPSC?
No. UPSC's notice gives no separate age or attempt relaxation for women; the limits depend on category, disability and service. Women are, however, exempt from the application fee.
Can I apply for UPSC after 12th?
Not yet. You need a graduate degree, though final-year students can apply. Use the college years to build the base: NCERTs, the newspaper and past papers.
What is the last date for the UPSC 2027 application form?
UPSC's calendar (as on 20 May 2026) lists 2 February 2027 as the last date, with the notification on 13 January 2027. Check upsconline.nic.in when the notice is out, as UPSC can revise dates.
