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Last Updated: June 2026

UPSC Exams 2026: IAS, IPS, IFS, CAPF, NDA — Eligibility & Complete Guide

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is India's premier central recruiting body for Group A and B gazetted posts. This guide covers every major UPSC examination — from the prestigious Civil Services (IAS/IPS/IFS) to CAPF Assistant Commandant, NDA, CDS, and EPFO — with eligibility, exam pattern, pay scale, and step-by-step application guidance.

Verified by NagrikIQ Research Team
Sources: Official .gov.in portals only · Updated June 2026
UPSC Official Portal — upsc.gov.in — Official Portal →

Most people I've spoken to who cleared UPSC spent not one, not two, but three to five years in this process — often in silence, watching peers move ahead in private jobs while they stayed in preparation mode. What's rarely said out loud is that the Civil Services exam isn't just a test of knowledge; it's a test of how long you can hold on without external validation. If you're starting out or in the middle of this journey, the single most important thing to know is which exam you're actually targeting — because UPSC runs over a dozen different exams, and the strategy, timeline, and eligibility are completely different for each.

— Sibin O, Founder, NagrikIQ · Last verified June 2026

Overview

UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) is a constitutional body established under Article 315 of the Indian Constitution. It is India's most respected central recruiting authority, responsible for selecting officers for the All India Services, Central Services, and the armed forces through rigorous multi-stage examinations. The most prestigious UPSC examination is the Civil Services Examination (CSE), which leads to appointment as IAS (Indian Administrative Service), IPS (Indian Police Service), IFS (Indian Foreign Service), IRS (Indian Revenue Service), IDAS, IRTS, IRPS, IAAS, and 20 other Central Group A and Group B services. The entire selection is merit-based with no donation, capitation fee, or recommendation system. Major UPSC Examinations at a Glance: 1. Civil Services Examination (CSE): The most competitive exam in India. Three stages — Prelims (objective), Mains (written), and Personality Test (interview). Selects IAS, IPS, IFS, and 21 other services. Eligibility: Graduate from any stream, age 21–32 (General), 6 attempts (General). Fee: ₹100 for Prelims, ₹200 for Mains. SC/ST/PwD/Women: FREE. 2. CAPF (AC) — Central Armed Police Forces Assistant Commandant: Selects Assistant Commandants for BSF, CRPF, CISF, SSB, and ITBP. Two written papers + Physical Efficiency Test + Medical + Interview. Eligibility: Graduate, age 20–25. Starting pay: ₹56,100/month (Level 10). 3. NDA & Naval Academy Examination: For Class 12 pass or appearing candidates aspiring to join the Army, Navy, and Air Force as commissioned officers through the National Defence Academy (Khadakwasla) and Indian Naval Academy (Ezhimala). Eligibility: 12th pass (PCM for Navy/Air Force), age 16.5–19.5 years. Two-stage: Written exam + SSB (Services Selection Board) interview. 4. CDS (Combined Defence Services): Selects officers for Indian Military Academy (IMA Dehradun), Indian Naval Academy (INA Ezhimala), Air Force Academy (AFA Hyderabad), and Officers Training Academy (OTA Chennai). Eligibility: Graduate, age 19–25 (varies by academy). Written exam + SSB interview. 5. EPFO — Enforcement Officer / Accounts Officer: Selects officers for the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation under Ministry of Labour. Eligibility: Graduate, age 21–30. Single-stage written exam + interview. 6. Geo-Scientist Examination: For Geologist, Geophysicist, Chemist, and Junior Hydrogeologist posts in the Geological Survey of India and Central Ground Water Board. Eligibility: Post-graduate in relevant science, age 21–32. Pay Scales (7th Pay Commission): — IAS/IPS/IFS (Entry): ₹56,100/month (Level 10) — CAPF Assistant Commandant: ₹56,100/month (Level 10) — EPFO Enforcement Officer: ₹44,900/month (Level 7) — NDA/CDS Commissioned Officer (Second Lieutenant): ₹56,100/month (Level 10) All UPSC applications are submitted online at upsc.gov.in or upsconline.gov.in. UPSC does not accept offline/postal applications for any examination. Disclaimer: Vacancy numbers, notification dates, and cutoff scores change every year. Always verify current information at upsc.gov.in before applying.

Eligibility

  • Civil Services (CSE): Any graduate from a recognised university; age 21–32 (General), 21–35 (OBC), 21–37 (SC/ST); 6 attempts General, 9 OBC, unlimited SC/ST until age limit
  • CAPF AC: Graduate from recognised university; age 20–25 (relaxation for SC/ST/OBC); only Indian nationals; higher physical and medical fitness standards than CSE
  • NDA: Class 12 passed or appearing; age 16.5–19.5 years; unmarried; Army: any stream; Navy/Air Force: Physics and Mathematics mandatory in Class 12
  • CDS: Graduate (IMA/INA/AFA); age 19–25 years; unmarried; For OTA Chennai: graduates age 19–25 including women (Short Service Commission)
  • EPFO Enforcement Officer: Graduate from recognised university; age 21–30 (SC/ST: 21–35, OBC: 21–33)
  • Geo-Scientist: Post-graduate (M.Sc./M.Tech.) in Geology/Applied Geology/Geophysics/Chemistry; age 21–32
  • All candidates must be Indian citizens; OCI/PIO not eligible for most UPSC posts
  • Persons with benchmark disabilities (PwD) eligible with relaxed age limits and additional attempts for CSE; specific medical standards apply per exam

Documents Required

Graduation certificate or provisional degree certificate (for age/education proof)
Class 10 certificate (for date of birth — school certificate preferred by UPSC)
Aadhaar card / Voter ID / Passport (valid photo ID)
Category certificate: OBC (non-creamy layer), SC/ST certificate from competent authority
PwD/disability certificate from a government medical authority (if applicable)
NOC from employer if currently serving in government/PSU/armed forces
Class 12 mark sheet with Physics and Mathematics (mandatory for NDA Air Force/Navy)
Recent passport-size photographs (as specified in the notification)

Fees & Processing Time

Fee
Civil Services Prelims: ₹100 (General/OBC/EWS); FREE for SC/ST/PwD/Women. Civil Services Mains: ₹200 (General/OBC/EWS); FREE for SC/ST/PwD/Women. CAPF (AC): ₹200 (General/OBC); FREE for SC/ST/PwD/Women. NDA: ₹100 (General/OBC); FREE for SC/ST/PwD/Women. All payments online via SBI Net Banking, VISA/Master/RuPay debit/credit card, or SBI Challan (cash at SBI branch).
Processing Time
Civil Services: Notification (February) → Prelims (May/June) → Mains (September) → Interview (January–April next year) → Final Result (May) → Training → Posting. Total: approximately 14–18 months from notification to posting. CAPF AC: approximately 8–12 months. NDA: 6-month SSB process; 3-year NDA training post-selection.

How to Apply Online

  1. 1Visit the official UPSC portal at upsc.gov.in and go to 'Examinations' section
  2. 2Click on the specific examination notification (e.g., 'Civil Services Examination 2026')
  3. 3Read the official notification PDF completely — note eligibility, exam date, and centre options
  4. 4Go to upsconline.gov.in for online application (separate from the main upsc.gov.in site)
  5. 5Register using your email and mobile number — create a One-Time Registration (OTR) profile
  6. 6Fill in personal details, educational qualification, category, and select exam centre preferences
  7. 7Upload photograph and signature in specified dimensions (JPEG format as per notification)
  8. 8Pay the application fee online via net banking, debit/credit card, or SBI Challan
  9. 9Submit the application and note your Registration ID / Roll Number for future reference
  10. 10Download and save the confirmation page / e-Receipt as proof of application
  11. 11Admit Card: Download 2–3 weeks before the exam from upsc.gov.in → 'Admit Cards' section
  12. 12Results: Check upsc.gov.in → 'Written Results' after each stage — roll numbers are published

How to Apply Offline

  1. 1UPSC does not accept offline or postal applications for any examination — all applications must be submitted online at upsconline.gov.in
  2. 2Fee payment via SBI Challan is the only 'offline' step — print the challan, pay cash at any SBI branch, then return to the portal to confirm payment
  3. 3Physical presence is required at exam centres for Prelims, Mains, and at UPSC Bhavan, New Delhi for the Personality Test
  4. 4For CAPF and NDA, Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Medical Examination are conducted in person at designated venues — venue details are on the admit card

Common Problems & Solutions

OTR (One-Time Registration) profile mismatch — name or DOB differs from certificate
Your OTR profile details must exactly match your Class 10/12 certificate. Edit the OTR profile before final submission — corrections are allowed during the Edit Window announced by UPSC (usually 2–3 days after application opens). Incorrect details can lead to disqualification during document verification.
Category certificate not in prescribed format — OBC NCL certificate rejected
UPSC accepts OBC Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) certificates only in the format prescribed by DoPT. The certificate must be issued on or after 1st April of the current financial year and must specifically mention 'Non-Creamy Layer'. Obtain a fresh certificate from a Sub-Divisional Magistrate or above if yours is outdated.
Admit card not downloading — portal error near exam date
UPSC servers face heavy load during admit card release. Try accessing upsc.gov.in during early morning hours (5–8 AM) or late night. Use a different browser or clear cache. If the admit card is not available even 1 week before the exam, email facilitation@upsc.gov.in immediately with your registration number.
Confused about which UPSC exam to appear for — CSE vs CAPF vs CDS
Choose based on interest and eligibility: CSE/IAS is for administration and policy; CAPF is for paramilitary/border security with physical fitness requirements; CDS/NDA is for armed forces. CSE requires 6+ years of dedicated preparation on average; CAPF and CDS can be cracked in 1–2 years with focused preparation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many UPSC exams can I take in a year?

You can apply for multiple UPSC examinations in the same year as long as you meet the eligibility criteria for each. The Civil Services Exam attempt counts as one attempt even if you appear only in Prelims. CAPF, NDA, CDS, EPFO etc. have their own separate rules — most do not have attempt limits, only age limits.

Is graduation compulsory for all UPSC exams?

No. NDA examination is open to Class 12 pass/appearing students aged 16.5–19.5. For Civil Services (IAS/IPS/IFS), CAPF AC, CDS (IMA/INA/AFA), and EPFO — graduation from any recognised university is mandatory. Final year graduation students can appear in Civil Services Prelims but must produce their degree certificate before Mains detailed application.

What is the difference between upsc.gov.in and upsconline.gov.in?

upsc.gov.in is the main information portal — it publishes notifications, results, admit cards, and recruitment calendars. upsconline.gov.in is the application portal where you actually register and fill application forms. For applying to any UPSC exam, go to upsconline.gov.in. For checking results and notifications, go to upsc.gov.in.

Can women appear for all UPSC examinations?

Women can appear for Civil Services (CSE/IAS/IPS/IFS), CAPF AC (women are selected for all 5 forces), EPFO, Geo-Scientist, and CDS OTA Chennai (Short Service Commission). NDA examination is now open to both male and female candidates. Women cannot apply for CDS IMA, INA, and AFA regular cadre posts.

Where can I find the official UPSC exam calendar?

UPSC publishes an Annual Calendar at the start of each year listing all examinations with tentative dates. Find it at upsc.gov.in → 'Annual Calendar'. Always refer to the official notification PDF for exact dates as they may shift slightly.

Helpline & Support

  • UPSC Facilitation Counter: 011-23385271, 011-23381125 (Monday–Friday, 10 AM–5 PM)
  • UPSC Email: facilitation@upsc.gov.in
  • Online Application Portal: upsconline.gov.in
  • Results & Admit Cards: upsc.gov.in → 'Written Results' / 'Admit Cards'
  • UPSC Address: Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi — 110 069

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Disclaimer: NagrikIQ is an informational platform and is not affiliated with any government department. Information provided is for guidance only. Always verify details on the official government portal before taking action.