UPSC Recruitment 2026

1. Important Dates & Action Timeline

Candidates must ensure their applications are submitted accurately before the strict deadline. The UPSC portal will disable the application link exactly at the specified closing time. No extensions are typically granted.

2. Application Fees & Exemptions

The UPSC has maintained a nominal application fee for the ORA process. The fee is non-refundable and must be paid using Visa/Master/Rupay Credit/Debit Card, UPI Payment, or Internet Banking.

• General, OBC, and EWS Male Candidates: ₹ 25/- (Rupees Twenty-five only).
• SC / ST / PwBD / Women Candidates: Fully Exempted from payment of fee.

3. Category-Wise Vacancy Breakdown & Pay Scales

The 538 vacancies span numerous ministries. Below is a comprehensive, highly detailed tabular snapshot of the major vacancy blocks announced in this expansive advertisement, including exact category distribution and pay scales.

Note: The advertisement also contains numerous single and double-digit vacancies for Assistant/Associate Professors (CME Pune), Scientists (CFSL), and specialized roles in DGAQA. Please refer to the official notification for the exhaustive list.

4. Detailed Eligibility & Age Limit by Post

Due to the diverse nature of the 538 vacancies, eligibility criteria vary heavily by post. Below are the requirements for select prominent roles. (Age limits shown are for Unreserved (UR) category; standard Govt relaxations apply for reserved categories).

1. Air Safety Officer (DGCA)

• Max Age: 35 years.
• Essential Qualification: Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from a recognized university.
• Experience Requirement: None stated as essential in the core criteria.

2. Assistant Legal Adviser (Enforcement Directorate)

• Max Age: 40 years.
• Essential Qualification & Experience: Degree in Law (LLB) with 3 years' experience at the bar dealing with criminal or fiscal laws; OR a Master's Degree in Law (LLM) with 1 year of such advocacy experience.

3. DCIO (Technical) (Intelligence Bureau, MHA)

• Max Age: 35 years.
• Essential Qualification: B.E./B.Tech in Electronics/ECE/CS/IT/Software Engg OR AMIE/AMIETE OR M.Sc. Physics (with Electronics/Telecom) OR MCA/M.Sc IT.
• Experience Requirement: None stated as essential in the core criteria.

4. Assistant Director (IT) (ORGI, MHA)

• Max Age: 35 years.
• Essential Qualification: Master's Degree in Computer Applications (MCA) / M.Sc. in CS/IT/Software Engineering OR B.E./B.Tech in Computer Engineering/IT/Electronics/ECE.
• Experience Requirement: Minimum 3 years of post-qualification experience in EDP / software development / database management / networking / data security.

5. Assistant Director Grade-II (Economic Investigation) - MSME

• Max Age: 30 years.
• Essential Qualification: Master's Degree in Economics / Commerce / Business Administration / Management OR Degree in Engineering / Technology.

Age Relaxation Norms

• SC/ST Candidates: Up to 5 years of relaxation in the upper age limit.
• OBC Candidates: Up to 3 years of relaxation in the upper age limit.
• PwBD Candidates: Up to 10 years of relaxation in the upper age limit (15 years for SC/ST PwBD, 13 years for OBC PwBD).
• Ex-Servicemen: Up to 5 years (subject to certain administrative conditions and tenure length).

5. Specific Vacancies (Ladakh UT & PwBD)

UPSC has allocated specific blocks of vacancies addressing regional requirements and horizontal reservations across the board.

• Union Territory of Ladakh: Posts numbered 60 through 77 in the advertisement are exclusively reserved for candidates who are Domiciles of the Union Territory of Ladakh. A valid Domicile Certificate issued by the Tehsildar of UT Ladakh is strictly mandatory to apply for these posts. Vacancies include Lecturers (various disciplines), Private Secretaries, and Assistant Registrars.
• PwBD Candidates: Distinct posts within this advertisement carry at least one dedicated vacancy reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD). This includes highly sought-after roles like Operations Officer (DGCA), Air Safety Officer (DGCA), Assistant Legal Adviser (ED), and Assistant Director Grade-II (MSME). PwBD candidates can also apply against unreserved vacancies if the post is designated as "Suitable" for their specific disability category.

6. Screening & Selection Procedure

The UPSC employs a rigorous, multi-tiered approach to ensure only the highest caliber candidates are selected.

• Selection Method: All 538 posts will be filled via the traditional "Selection Method" as designated by the Commission.
• Shortlisting / RT: In the highly likely event that a large number of applications are received, the Commission will adopt stringent shortlisting criteria to restrict the number of candidates called for interview to a reasonable limit. This may be done by raising educational/experience standards above the minimum, prioritizing desirable qualifications, or by holding a computer-based Recruitment Test (RT).
• Minimum Suitability Marks: The category-wise minimum level of suitability in interviews, irrespective of whether the selection is made only by interview or by RT followed by interview, will be UR/EWS-50 marks, OBC-45 marks, SC/ST/PwBD-40 marks out of a total of 100 marks.
• Higher Initial Pay: The Commission reserves the right to grant higher initial pay to candidates adjudged highly meritorious during the interview phase.

7. Crucial Instructions (Live Photo, Aadhaar, etc.)

UPSC has recently introduced and strictly enforces several modern technological requirements for filling out the ORA form to prevent impersonation. Candidates must strictly adhere to these modern guidelines:

• Live Photo Capture: Applicants are required to not only upload their standard scanned photograph but also capture a "live photograph" using a webcam or mobile camera while filling up the Common Application Form (CAF) online.
• Triple Signature Upload: Applicants are required to sign three times (one below the other) on a plain white paper using black ink and upload this specific format. Signatures in CAPITAL LETTERS will be summarily rejected.
• Aadhaar Card Requirement: Applicants are strongly advised by UPSC to use their Aadhaar Card as the primary ID document for easy, effortless, and seamless verification and authentication of ID and other details at various stages.
• Face Authentication at Venue: To ensure a secure examination process, all candidates will be required to undergo mandatory face authentication at the examination venue or Interview Hall.
• Mobile Phones Banned: The use of any mobile phone, smartwatches, pagers, or Bluetooth devices in the examination/Interview Hall is strictly prohibited and can lead to permanent debarment.

8. Step-by-Step Online Application Protocol

Applications must be submitted electronically. No physical applications or documents should be sent to the UPSC office by post. Following these steps ensures a flawless submission.

1. Access ORA Portal: Visit the official UPSC Online Recruitment Application (ORA) portal at upsconline.nic.in/ora/ using a desktop browser.
2. URN Registration: Register yourself if you are a new user. Once registered, a Universal Registration Number (URN) is generated. If already registered, log in using your URN credentials.
3. Select the Post: Navigate to the active links under Advertisement No. 06/2026 and select the specific post you wish to apply for.
4. Fill Details & Live Capture: Carefully fill in your personal, educational, and experience details. Complete the Live Photo Capture step ensuring good lighting.
5. Document Uploads: Upload the required documents in PDF format only. Documents like Pay Slips, Resumes, or Un-signed Experience Certificates must NOT be uploaded in the Document Upload Module. Use the prescribed PROFORMA formats for experience and caste certificates.
6. Payment: Pay the standard ₹ 25/- application fee via net banking or UPI (if you do not fall under the exempted categories).
7. Final Submission: Submit the application before 18:00 HRS on 03 July 2026. Candidates are not allowed to withdraw their applications after submission.
8. Print Application: After submitting the Online Application, candidates are required to take a printout of the finally submitted ORA for future reference and document verification during the interview.

9. Important Official Links

10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)