UPSC CSE 2027: Notification on 13 January, Prelims on 23 May, Eligibility and Exam Pattern
UPSC's calendar for 2027 puts the Civil Services Prelims on Sunday, 23 May 2027, with the notification on 13 January. Here are the key dates, age and attempt limits, and how each stage is marked.
On this page
UPSC released its examination calendar for 2027 on 20 May 2026. For the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2027, the notification is due on Wednesday, 13 January 2027, applications close on Tuesday, 2 February 2027, and the Preliminary exam is on Sunday, 23 May 2027. The Main exam starts on Friday, 20 August 2027 and runs for five days. UPSC notes that the dates of notification, start and duration of its exams can change if circumstances require.
UPSC CSE 2027 key dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Calendar released | 20 May 2026 |
| Notification | 13 January 2027 |
| Last date to apply | 2 February 2027 |
| Preliminary exam | 23 May 2027 |
| Main exam begins | 20 August 2027, for five days |
| Indian Forest Service Prelims | 23 May 2027, through the CSE Prelims |
Indian Forest Service candidates are screened through the same Prelims. The Indian Forest Service Main exam begins on 21 November 2027.
How many vacancies to expect
UPSC announces the number of vacancies in the notification. For reference, CSE 2026 was notified with 933 vacancies and CSE 2025 with 979. The number filled finally can differ from the number notified.
Eligibility
Nationality: for the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Foreign Service and Indian Police Service you must be a citizen of India. Other services allow some other categories under the rules in the notification.
Education: a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university. Final-year students can apply for Prelims but must have passed their degree by the time they apply for the Main exam.
Age: at least 21 and not more than 32 years on 1 August 2027, which means you must be born between 2 August 1995 and 1 August 2006. The upper limit is relaxed by 3 years for OBC, 5 years for SC and ST, and 10 years for persons with benchmark disabilities, with further relaxations for some other groups.
Attempts:
| Category | Attempts allowed |
|---|---|
| General and EWS | 6 |
| OBC | 9 |
| SC and ST | No limit within the age limit |
| Persons with benchmark disabilities (General, EWS, OBC) | 9 |
Appearing in even one paper of the Preliminary exam counts as an attempt. Applying without appearing does not.
Exam pattern
Preliminary exam
| Paper | Questions | Marks | Time | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Studies Paper I | 100 | 200 | 2 hours | Decides who qualifies for Mains |
| General Studies Paper II (CSAT) | 80 | 200 | 2 hours | Qualifying: 33% needed |
Both papers are objective, with one-third of the marks for a question deducted for each wrong answer. Your Paper I score is considered only if you reach 33% in Paper II. Prelims marks are not added to the final merit.
Main exam
| Paper | Marks |
|---|---|
| Paper A: Indian language (qualifying) | 300 |
| Paper B: English (qualifying) | 300 |
| Essay | 250 |
| General Studies I | 250 |
| General Studies II | 250 |
| General Studies III | 250 |
| General Studies IV | 250 |
| Optional subject Paper I | 250 |
| Optional subject Paper II | 250 |
You need 25% in each language paper. The seven papers from Essay to Optional Paper II count for merit, a total of 1,750 marks. The personality test carries 275 marks, so the final merit is out of 2,025.
What Prelims 2026 tells you about 2027
Prelims 2026 was held on 24 May 2026. Post-exam analyses by several institutes described General Studies Paper I as heavy on statement-based questions that reward clear concepts and elimination, and many candidates found CSAT tougher than Paper I. Two lessons follow for 2027: build concepts rather than lists of facts, and do not leave CSAT to the last month.
Start with our month-by-month plan for UPSC Prelims 2027 and our guide on how to clear CSAT in 2027.
Application fee
The fee is ₹100. Women candidates and SC, ST and PwBD candidates do not pay a fee. Applications are made online through the UPSC website once the notification is out.
Frequently asked questions
When will the UPSC CSE 2027 notification come out?
On 13 January 2027, as per UPSC’s calendar. The last date to apply is 2 February 2027.
When is UPSC Prelims 2027?
Sunday, 23 May 2027.
What is the age limit for UPSC CSE 2027?
21 to 32 years on 1 August 2027 for general candidates, with relaxation for reserved categories.
Is CSAT counted in the UPSC merit?
No. You need 33% in CSAT to qualify, and Paper I decides whether you reach the Main exam.
How many attempts do I get?
Six for General and EWS candidates, nine for OBC and PwBD candidates, and no limit for SC and ST candidates within the age limit.
Dates are from UPSC’s calendar for 2027 and rules from recent CSE notifications, as reported on 11 September 2026. The CSE 2027 notification on upsc.gov.in is the final word.
