UPSC IES/ISS Exam 2026 - Apply for 44 Posts

UPSC IES / ISS Exam 2026 - Complete Details

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is inviting online applications for the Indian Economic Service / Indian Statistical Service Examination 2026, which aims to fill a total of 44 posts under two prestigious national services. Candidates must submit their applications on or before 03-03-2026, ensuring that they carefully check the eligibility conditions and recruitment rules before applying.

The recruitment includes 16 vacancies for Indian Economic Service and 28 vacancies for Indian Statistical Service. These positions involve specialized responsibilities in economic analysis and the national statistical system. This is a highly competitive and reputed examination that requires dedicated preparation and offers roles of great national importance.

Vacancies & Eligibility Criteria:

Dates to Consider:

• Last Date to Apply Online: 03-03-2026 (up to 06:00 PM)
• Examination Date: 19-06-2026
• Other notable dates -
  • E-Admit Card will be Released on last working day of the week preceding the examination week
  • Question Paper Representation Portal Will remain open for 5 days, from the 3rd day after the exam date till the 7th day (up to 06:00 PM).
  • Document Upload/Update Window: A 15-day window will be provided for successful candidates after the declaration of the written examination result

Mode of Recruitment :

The selection process will consist of two stages: a Written Examination followed by a Viva Voce (Personality Test).

Stage I: Written Examination

The written examination will tentatively begin from 19-06-2026 onwards. It will carry a maximum of 1000 marks. The subjects, maximum marks allotted, and the time allowed will be as follows:

A. Indian Economic Service (IES)

B. Indian Statistical Service (ISS)

There will be Negative Marking for wrong answers marked by a candidate in the Objective Type Question Papers (Statistics-I and Statistics-II for ISS). For each wrong answer, one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as penalty.

Statistics I & II will be of Objective Type Questions (80 questions each) to be attempted in 120 minutes. Statistics III and IV will be of Descriptive Type. All other papers will be of subjective/conventional (essay) type.

Syllabus

Examination Centres

The examination will be held at the following centres:

• Ahmedabad
• Bengaluru
• Bhopal
• Chandigarh
• Chennai
• Cuttack
• Delhi
• Dispur
• Faridabad
• Ghaziabad
• Hyderabad
• Jaipur
• Jammu
• Kolkata
• Lucknow
• Mumbai
• Patna
• Prayagraj (Allahabad)
• Shillong
• Shimla
• Thiruvananthapuram

Allotment of Centres will be on the "first-apply-first-allot" basis.

Stage II: Viva Voce

Candidates who are called by the Commission will undergo a Viva Voce which will carry a maximum of 200 marks. This stage is intended to supplement the written examination for testing the general and specialized knowledge and abilities of the candidate, including intellectual curiosity, critical powers of assimilation, and integrity of character.

The final merit list will be prepared based on the total marks obtained by the candidates in the Written Examination and the Viva Voce combined.

Fee Structure :

Applicable application fee is to be paid online. Fee structure is -

• Unreserved Candidates will be required to pay a fee of Rs 200 (Rupees Two Hundred only).
• Female / SC/ST / Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) candidates : No Fee (Exempted).

How to Apply :

To apply for UPSC IES/ISS Examination 2026, candidates must use the UPSC Online Application Portal, as detailed below :

1. Preliminary Registration on UPSC Online Portal -
   1. Applicants must first complete three common steps: Account Creation, Universal Registration, and filling the Common Application Form (CAF).
   2. If these steps have not been completed earlier, candidates must finish them before applying for IES/ISS 2026.
   3. After completing the common steps, candidates can proceed to fill the fourth module, which is the examination-specific application form for IES/ISS Examination 2026.
   4. Once registered, a Universal Registration Number (URN) is generated, which remains the same for all UPSC examinations throughout life.
   5. After submitting the examination-specific form, an Application Number is generated for that particular exam only.
   6. Candidates must keep both the URN and Application Number safe for future communication with UPSC.
   7. UPSC provides a one-time facility to update or modify the URN Profile, but changes will not reflect in applications already submitted.
2. Applying for IES/ISS Examination 2026 -
   1. Candidates must submit the required information and supporting documents for claims such as date of birth, category, educational qualification, etc.
   2. Applicants must upload their photograph and also capture a live photograph while filling the Common Application Form (CAF).
   3. For uploading signature, candidates must sign three times (one below the other) on plain white paper using black ink, scan it, and upload it clearly.
   4. Candidates must provide details of one Photo ID card (Aadhaar/Voter ID/PAN/Passport/Driving License/other Government ID) while filling the URN Profile.
   5. The same Photo ID must be carried to the examination and Personality Test/Interview for verification.
   6. The last date to submit the online application form is 03-03-2026 up to 6 PM. Note down the unique Application Number for this application.
   7. Applications cannot be withdrawn after submission, and no correction or modification is allowed once the form is submitted.
   8. Candidates are not required to submit any hard copy of the application to the Commission at this stage.
   9. After the written examination result, UPSC will provide a window of 15 days for candidates shortlisted for Personality Test/Interview to login and upload/update required documents.
   10. Helpdesk - Candidates can contact the Commission’s dedicated helpline for any support during the application process.
       1. Assistance is available through phone (011-24041001) or email ([upscsoap@nic.in](mailto:upscsoap@nic.in)) for queries related to applications, examination details, fee payment, document upload, etc.
       2. The helpline will operate from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM on all working days between 11-02-2026 and 03-03-2026.

Related :

• Official Notification
• Application Form