when will be the next civil service exam 2026
The next Civil Service Exam 2026 for UPSC is the Civil Services Main Examination , which is scheduled to begin on August 21, 2026. The preliminary exam was held on May 24, 2026 , and the DAF submission window for qualified candidates runs until June 29, 2026.
Quick Scoop
- Next major stage: UPSC Civil Services Main Examination 2026.
- Start date: August 21, 2026.
- Prelims date: May 24, 2026.
- DAF deadline: June 29, 2026.
What this means
If you already cleared the prelims, the immediate step is to complete the DAF before the deadline. After that, the mains exam comes in late August, so the preparation window is fairly tight.
Key dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Prelims | May 24, 2026 | [16]
| DAF submission closes | June 29, 2026 | [7]
| Mains begins | August 21, 2026 | [1][7]
Note
This answer is about the UPSC Civil Services Exam. If you meant a different civil service exam in another country, tell me which one and I’ll give the exact date.