UPSC CSE: the complete guide, from login to result
The whole path for UPSC Civil Services Examination 2027 in one page: whether you can sit it, where to log in, how to apply, the syllabus, where to study from, and what happens from the admit card to the result. Every step links to the official source, and every table shows the day it was checked.
These facts are for: 2027 dates from UPSC's calendar. Rules from the 2026 notice, until the 2027 notice on 13 January 2027. Run by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Official site: upsc.gov.in.
1. Can you sit this exam?
Check this first. It is read from the official bulletin or notice, and the institute or university you want may add its own rules.
| Age | At least 21 and not yet 32 on 1 August of the exam yearIn 2026 that meant born between 2 August 1994 and 1 August 2005. The 2027 notice will give the 2027 dates. |
|---|---|
| Upper age relaxation | Up to 5 years for SC and ST, and up to 3 years for OBC candidates eligible for reservationThe notice lists further relaxations. |
| Number of attempts | Six attemptsSC and ST: unlimited. OBC: nine. PwBD: nine for General, EWS and OBC, and unlimited for SC and ST. |
| Education | A graduate degree from a recognised university, or an equivalent qualificationFinal-year students can appear, and must produce proof of passing within the time the rules give. |
| Provisional admission | Admission to every stage is provisional. UPSC checks eligibility against original documents only after you qualify for the Interview / Personality Test. |
Source: UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 notice (the latest published rules). Checked on 10 November 2026.
2. Where to log in and how to apply
Everything happens on the official site. This is the order of the steps, the exact file sizes to prepare, and what to do if payment does not go through.
| Official site | upsc.gov.in |
|---|---|
| Apply, log in and download the e-admit card | upsconline.nic.in, the Online Application Portal |
| What you log in with | The account you create there; the URN and Application Number identify you after that |
| E-admit card | Issued on the last working day of the week before the exam and downloaded from the portal. No admit card is sent by post or email. |
| Question paper representations | After the Preliminary, you can send representations on the questions and the answer key at upsconline.nic.in, under Examinations, then Representations on Question Paper, in a window from the third day after the exam to 6:00 PM on the seventh dayUPSC accepts nothing by email, post or hand, and nothing after the window. |
Source: UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 notice and upsc.gov.in (the latest published). Checked on 10 November 2026.
| Where | Online only, at upsconline.nic.in |
|---|---|
| The four modules | Account creation, Universal Registration and the Common Application Form (all three can be filled at any time), then the examination-specific module, which opens in the window the notice allows |
| URN | Registering gives you a Universal Registration Number, used for every UPSC exam. You register once in your lifetime. |
| Application Number | Generated when you finish the exam-specific form. It differs for each exam. Keep it with your URN for any contact with UPSC. |
| ID document | UPSC strongly advises Aadhaar. You give the details of one photo ID while filling the URN profile and should carry that ID to the exam. |
| Photo and signature | Uploaded in the form; the portal has instructions under Photos and Signature |
| Before you start | Read the portal's general instructions first and have your documents ready |
Source: UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 notice, how to apply (the latest published). Checked on 10 November 2026.
| Preliminary | ₹100Women, SC, ST and PwBD candidates pay no fee. |
|---|---|
| Main | A further ₹200Same exemptions. It is paid in a 10-day window after the Preliminary result. |
| How to pay | Net banking of any bank, or a Visa, Master or RuPay credit or debit card, or UPI |
Source: UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 notice (the latest published rules). Checked on 10 November 2026.
3. The dates, in order
Dates change, so confirm on the official site before you rely on one.
The dates in order
13 January 2027next
Notification of the Civil Services Examination 2027
2 February 2027
Last date to apply for the Civil Services Examination 2027
23 May 2027
Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2027
20 August 2027
Civil Services (Main) Examination 2027 begins (5 days)
| Notification of the examination | 13 January 2027 |
|---|---|
| Last date to apply | 2 February 2027 |
| Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination | 23 May 2027 (Sunday), 1 day |
| Civil Services (Main) Examination | 20 August 2027 (Friday), 5 days |
| Indian Forest Service (Preliminary) | Through the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2027, same notification dates |
| Indian Forest Service (Main) | 21 November 2027, 7 days |
| Calendar disclaimer | UPSC says the dates of notification, commencement and duration are liable to alteration if circumstances warrant |
Source: UPSC programme of examinations, calendar year 2027 (published May 2026). Checked on 10 November 2026.
4. How the exam is built
Papers, marks and the marking scheme, so you know how to spend the time.
| Stages | Preliminary (objective), Main (written), then the Interview / Personality Test |
|---|---|
| Preliminary | Two objective papers (multiple choice) of 200 marks each, 400 in all, two hours eachThe Preliminary is a screening test. Its marks do not count in the final merit. |
| Preliminary Paper II | Qualifying only: you need at least 33% |
| Negative marking in the Preliminary | One-third (0.33) of a question's marks is deducted for a wrong answerMore than one answer marked counts as wrong. |
| Who reaches the Main | About twelve to thirteen times the number of vacancies |
| Main: qualifying papers | Paper A (an Indian language) 300 marks and Paper B (English) 300 marks, of Matriculation standardMarks in these do not count for ranking. |
| Main: papers that count | Essay 250. General Studies I, II, III and IV, 250 each. Optional subject Paper I and Paper II, 250 each |
| Main: totals | Written 1750 marks, Personality Test 275 marks, grand total 2025 marks |
| Main: duration | Each paper is three hours |
Source: UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 notice (the latest published rules). Checked on 10 November 2026.
5. The syllabus
The unit and topic structure from the official syllabus document. The document itself has the detailed topics under each unit.
| Preliminary Paper I (General Studies, 200 marks) | Current events of national and international importance · History of India and the Indian National Movement · Indian and world geography (physical, social, economic) · Indian polity and governance · Economic and social development · General issues on environment, ecology, bio-diversity and climate change · General science |
|---|---|
| Preliminary Paper II (CSAT, 200 marks, qualifying) | Comprehension · Interpersonal skills including communication skills · Logical reasoning and analytical ability · Decision making and problem solving · General mental ability · Basic numeracy and data interpretation (Class X level) |
| Main: Essay (250) | You may be asked to write essays on several topics, and are expected to keep closely to the subject |
| Main: General Studies I (250) | Indian heritage and culture, history and geography of the world, and society |
| Main: General Studies II (250) | Governance, constitution, polity, social justice and international relations |
| Main: General Studies III (250) | Technology, economic development, bio-diversity, environment, security and disaster management |
| Main: General Studies IV (250) | Ethics, integrity and aptitude |
| Main: Optional subject (two papers, 250 each) | One subject from the list of optional subjects in the notice, with its own syllabus |
| The full syllabus | The complete syllabi, including every optional subject, are in Section III of the notice |
Source: UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 notice, Section III: syllabi. Checked on 10 November 2026.
6. Where to find study material
Only official sources are listed here: the syllabus, the bulletin, past papers and practice published by the exam body, and the links the official site itself gives.
| The notice with the full syllabus | The 2026 Civil Services notice, which contains the rules, plan of examination and syllabus |
|---|---|
| Previous question papers | UPSC publishes past question papers on its site |
| Revised syllabus and scheme | UPSC's page of syllabus and scheme documents |
| Answer keys | UPSC's answer keys page |
| Cut-off marks | UPSC's cut-off marks page |
| Exam calendar | The programme of examinations for the year |
| FAQs and help | UPSC's FAQs page, helpdesk 011-24041001 / 011-40303444, and the helpline for SC, ST, OBC, EWS and PwBD candidates 1800-118-711 |
Source: upsc.gov.in (official links). Checked on 10 November 2026.
7. Admit card, exam day and what comes after
What to download, what to carry and when to arrive, then how the answer key and result work.
| E-admit card | Download it from upsconline.nic.in. It comes out on the last working day of the week before the exam. |
|---|---|
| Carry on the exam day | Your e-admit card and the photo ID whose details you gave in the URN profileThe notice advises carrying that ID when you appear for the exam or the Personality Test. |
| Wrong answers | The Preliminary has negative marking, so guess with care |
| Admission is provisional | A valid e-admit card does not mean UPSC has cleared your candidature. UPSC checks eligibility documents only after the Main. |
| Question paper representation | Open for five days after the Preliminary, only on the portal |
Source: UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 notice: admit card and exam day (the latest published). Checked on 10 November 2026.
8. Your checklist
Tick these off as you go. Each one comes from the sections above.
Prefer a separate page for one topic? how to apply, eligibility, exam pattern, application fee. Back to the UPSC CSE dates page. This site is independent and cannot take your application: always apply and pay on the official site.