by Last Updated: July 1, 2026 | Source: Official UPSC Annual Calendar 2027 (Released 20 May 2026, upsc.gov.in)
The Union Public Service Commission released its Annual Exam Calendar 2027 on 20 May 2026 — giving every serious aspirant more than eleven months of advance notice before the Civil Services Prelims. This is the single most important planning document for anyone targeting IAS, IPS, IFS, NDA, CDS, Engineering Services, CAPF, or any other UPSC recruitment in 2027.
This article gives you every confirmed date from the official 2027 calendar, explains what each exam involves, and tells you exactly what to do with these dates right now — not six months from now.
Why this matters today (July 2026): Several 2027 exam notifications drop as early as September 2026 — including Engineering Services and Combined Geo-Scientist. If you’re targeting those, your application window opens in under three months. Don’t wait for the notification to start preparing.
UPSC Calendar 2027: Quick Reference Snapshot
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Calendar Released | 20 May 2026 |
| Total Exams Scheduled | 27 entries (14 major + 13 reserved RT slots) |
| Official Source | upsc.gov.in → Examinations → Calendar |
| CSE Notification Date | 13 January 2027 |
| CSE Application Deadline | 2 February 2027 |
| CSE Prelims 2027 | 23 May 2027 (Sunday) |
| CSE Mains 2027 | 20 August 2027 (Friday) — 5 days |
| IFoS Prelims 2027 | 23 May 2027 (same as CSE Prelims) |
| IFoS Mains 2027 | 21 November 2027 — 7 days |
| NDA & CDS I 2027 | 11 April 2027 |
| NDA & CDS II 2027 | 19 September 2027 |
| IES/ESE Prelims 2027 | 31 January 2027 |
| CAPF (AC) 2027 | 4 July 2027 |
| CMS 2027 | 18 July 2027 |
Complete UPSC Exam Schedule 2027 — All Exams, All Dates
Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2027 — IAS, IPS, IFS & 20+ Services
The Civil Services Exam is UPSC’s premier recruitment, filling posts in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Revenue Service, and over twenty Group A and Group B central services. It remains one of the most competitive examinations conducted anywhere in the world, with over ten lakh applicants vying for a few hundred seats each cycle.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 13 January 2027 |
| Last Date to Apply | 2 February 2027 |
| Prelims Exam | 23 May 2027 (Sunday) |
| Mains Exam Begins | 20 August 2027 (Friday) |
| Mains Duration | 5 days |
| Personality Test (Interview) | To be notified after Mains results (expected early 2028) |
Application window alert: The window between notification (13 Jan) and last date to apply (2 Feb) is just 20 days. Candidates who haven’t completed their OTR (One Time Registration) on upsconline.nic.in before January 2027 may find themselves scrambling. Complete OTR registration now — it’s free and takes 15 minutes.
Prelims-to-Mains gap: There are exactly 89 days between Prelims (23 May) and Mains (20 Aug 2027). This is not enough time to build Mains preparation from scratch. Aspirants who integrate Mains-oriented study — especially answer writing and optional subject preparation — into their current schedule will have a decisive advantage.
Indian Forest Service (IFoS) 2027
National Defence Academy & Naval Academy (NDA & NA) 2027
UPSC conducts two NDA cycles each year. The NDA exam is open to candidates who have passed or are appearing in Class XII. It is a gateway to the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy.
| Cycle | Exam Date | Application Opens/Closes |
|---|---|---|
| NDA & NA (I) 2027 | 11 April 2027 (Saturday) | Apply by 22 December 2026 |
| NDA & NA (II) 2027 | 19 September 2027 (Saturday) | Apply by 1 June 2027 |
Heads-up for NDA (I) aspirants: The application window for NDA I 2027 opens in late 2026 — the deadline is 22 December 2026, meaning notifications will drop around November–December 2026. If you’re Class XII appearing and targeting defence, track the UPSC website from October 2026.
Combined Defence Services (CDS) 2027
CDS is the graduate-level defence entry, recruiting officers for the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers Training Academy (OTA). CDS shares exact exam dates with NDA in both cycles.
| Cycle | Exam Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CDS (I) 2027 | 11 April 2027 | Same day as NDA (I) — separate exam |
| CDS (II) 2027 | 19 September 2027 | Same day as NDA (II) — separate exam |
Candidates cannot appear for both NDA and CDS on the same day since they are held simultaneously. At the graduate level, CDS is the relevant pathway — NDA is for pre-graduation entry only.
Engineering Services Examination (ESE/IES) 2027
One of the earliest exams on the 2027 calendar, IES is for engineering graduates targeting Group A technical services under the central government (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics & Telecom engineering).
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 16 September 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 6 October 2026 |
| IES Prelims 2027 | 31 January 2027 (Sunday) |
Urgent for IES aspirants: The IES notification drops on 16 September 2026 — less than three months from today. If you haven’t started subject-specific engineering preparation, now is the time. The Prelims on 31 January 2027 leaves only 4–5 months from notification to exam.
Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027
The earliest major exam on the 2027 calendar. It recruits geologists, geophysicists, chemists, and hydrogeologists for the Geological Survey of India and Central Ground Water Board.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 2 September 2026 |
| Prelims Exam | 10 January 2027 (Sunday) |
| Mains Exam | 19 June 2027 |
This exam has the shortest runway of any UPSC 2027 recruitment — notification drops in September 2026 and the Prelims is in January 2027. Geo-Science graduates targeting this must begin preparation immediately.
Central Armed Police Forces — CAPF (Assistant Commandants) 2027
The CAPF AC exam recruits officers for the BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, NSG, and Assam Rifles. It is a single-day written examination followed by a Physical Efficiency Test, medical examination, and interview.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 17 February 2027 |
| CAPF (AC) Exam | 4 July 2027 (Saturday) |
Combined Medical Services (CMS) 2027
The CMS exam is for MBBS doctors seeking posts as Assistant Divisional Medical Officer (Railways), Junior Scale Posts in Central Health Services, and General Duty Medical Officers.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 3 March 2027 |
| Last Date to Apply | 23 March 2027 |
| CMS Exam | 18 July 2027 (Saturday) |
Indian Economic Service / Indian Statistical Service (IES/ISS) 2027
Recruits post-graduate economists and statisticians for Group A posts in the central government. This is a 3-day examination.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 10 February 2027 |
| Last Date to Apply | 2 March 2027 |
| IES/ISS Exam | 18 June 2027 (Friday) — 3 days |
Departmental / Limited Competitive Examinations 2027
The 2027 calendar also includes internal UPSC examinations for serving government employees:
| Exam | Notification | Exam Date |
|---|---|---|
| CISF AC (EXE) LDCE 2027 | To be announced | Early 2027 |
| SO/Steno (Grade B/Grade I) LDCE 2027 | 15 September 2027 | 18 December 2027 |
| CBI (DSP) LDCE 2027 | To be announced | 2027 |
These Limited Departmental Competitive Examinations (LDCEs) are for eligible central government employees only and are not open to external candidates.
UPSC CSE 2027: The Three-Stage Selection Process Explained
Understanding the structure — not just the dates — is what separates serious preparation from aimless studying.
Stage 1: Prelims — 23 May 2027
A one-day, two-paper objective MCQ screening examination:
GS Paper I: 100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours. Covers History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Science & Technology, and Current Affairs. Negative marking applies: one-third of marks deducted per wrong answer. Only Paper I scores are used for shortlisting to Mains.
CSAT (Paper II): 80 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours. Qualifying in nature — candidates must score a minimum of 33% (66/200). CSAT marks are not counted for merit ranking. However, failing to clear 33% means automatic disqualification regardless of your Paper I performance. Do not treat CSAT as an afterthought.
The IFoS Prelims 2027 is held on the same day using the same papers. Candidates who applied separately for IFoS are screened through this common sitting.
Stage 2: Mains — 20 August 2027
A 5-day descriptive examination consisting of nine papers:
- Two qualifying papers: Regional language paper + English (marks not counted for merit)
- Essay paper: One paper, descriptive, counts toward final merit
- General Studies I–IV: Four papers covering History & Geography; Governance & Polity; Economy, Environment & Technology; Ethics & Integrity
- Optional Subject Paper I & II: Two papers from a chosen optional subject (from a list of 48 subjects including 23 literature subjects)
Total marks counted toward the merit list: 1,750 (Essay + GS I–IV + Optional I + Optional II).
The 89-day gap between Prelims (23 May) and Mains (20 Aug) is your most critical preparation window. Most toppers use this time exclusively for Mains preparation — answer writing practice, optional subject deep revision, and essay structuring.
Stage 3: Personality Test (Interview)
Candidates who clear Mains are called for the Personality Test. This is not a knowledge test — it assesses temperament, decision-making ability, communication skills, awareness of current and administrative issues, and overall suitability for a career in public service. Interview marks (typically 275 out of a total of 2025) are added to Mains marks to produce the final merit list. Based on the 2026 cycle timeline, UPSC CSE 2027 Personality Tests are expected in early 2028.
What You Should Be Doing Right Now (July 2026)
The UPSC Calendar 2027 isn’t just a date sheet — it’s a backward-planning tool. Here’s what different aspirants should be doing today:
Targeting CSE 2027? You have approximately 10 months until Prelims. Divide this into three phases: foundation and syllabus coverage (July–November 2026), intensive revision and mock testing (December 2026–March 2027), and a final 6-week consolidation sprint before 23 May 2027. Finalise your optional subject now — at 500 marks, it is too important to decide late.
Targeting IES/ESE 2027? The notification arrives 16 September 2026 — under 3 months away. Begin subject-specific engineering paper preparation immediately. Prelims is 31 January 2027.
Targeting Combined Geo-Scientist 2027? The notification drops 2 September 2026 and the Prelims is 10 January 2027 — giving you just over 4 months from notification to exam. Start revision of M.Sc. level Geology/Geophysics/Chemistry now.
Targeting NDA (I) 2027? The application deadline is 22 December 2026. Focus on Class XII Mathematics and Physics, which are the core differentiators in the NDA written exam. Build physical fitness alongside academic preparation.
Complete your OTR Registration: All UPSC applications are submitted through upsconline.nic.in. The One Time Registration (OTR) must be completed before any application can be filed. Do this today — it is free, takes minutes, and removes a last-minute bottleneck when application windows open.
UPSC 2026 vs 2027 Calendar: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Exam | 2026 Date | 2027 Date |
|---|---|---|
| Calendar Released | 15 May 2025 | 20 May 2026 |
| CSE Prelims | 24 May 2026 | 23 May 2027 |
| CSE Mains | 21 August 2026 | 20 August 2027 |
| IFoS Prelims | 24 May 2026 | 23 May 2027 |
| IFoS Mains | 22 November 2026 | 21 November 2027 |
| NDA & CDS (I) | 12 April 2026 | 11 April 2027 |
| NDA & CDS (II) | 13 September 2026 | 19 September 2027 |
| IES Prelims | 8 February 2026 | 31 January 2027 |
| CAPF (AC) | 19 July 2026 | 4 July 2027 |
| CMS | 2 August 2026 | 18 July 2027 |
The pattern is consistent: virtually every 2027 exam falls approximately one year after its 2026 counterpart, with minor date shifts based on day-of-week alignment. This allows 2026 Mains aspirants (who wrote Mains on 21 August 2026 and await results) to simultaneously begin groundwork for the next attempt.
How to Download the Official UPSC Calendar 2027 PDF
The official PDF — the only authoritative source — is freely available at upsc.gov.in:
- Visit upsc.gov.in
- Click “Examinations” in the top navigation bar
- Select “Calendar” from the dropdown
- Click “Annual Calendar 2027” to open and download the PDF
- You can also directly access it at:
upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/Calendar-Year-2027-Engl-200526.pdf
Save a copy on your phone and put all key dates in your calendar app with reminders set 30 days before each notification date.
Important Things to Know About the UPSC Annual Calendar
Dates can change. While UPSC rarely revises dates once the calendar is published, it does happen. In the 2026 cycle, the CSE notification was shifted from the originally indicated 14 January to 4 February due to administrative reasons. Always monitor upsc.gov.in for any corrigendum or revised schedule.
Application fee. For most UPSC exams, the application fee is ₹100 for General and OBC male candidates. Female candidates, SC/ST candidates, and PwD candidates are fully exempt from application fees across all major UPSC examinations.
Attempt limits for CSE. General category candidates may attempt the Civil Services Examination a maximum of 6 times up to the age of 32. OBC candidates receive 9 attempts up to age 35. SC/ST candidates have unlimited attempts up to the age of 37. There is no limit on attempts for most other UPSC exams like NDA, CDS, IES, CAPF, and CMS, though each has its own age ceiling.
Reserved RT slots. The 2027 calendar contains 13 “Reserved for UPSC RT/Examination” entries alongside the 14 named exams. These reserved slots are used for departmental recruitment tests that are announced closer to the date. They do not affect CSE or other major exam schedules.
Frequently Asked Questions
The UPSC Annual Exam Calendar 2027 was officially released on 20 May 2026, approximately a year before the major examinations.
UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2027 is scheduled for 23 May 2027 (Sunday). The IFoS Prelims 2027 is also held on the same day.
UPSC Civil Services Mains 2027 begins on 20 August 2027 (Friday) and runs for five consecutive days.
As per the official calendar, the UPSC CSE 2027 notification is expected on 13 January 2027, with the last date to apply being 2 February 2027.
The Combined Geo-Scientist Examination has the earliest notification date — 2 September 2026 — with its Prelims on 10 January 2027. Engineering Services (IES) notification follows on 16 September 2026.
Yes. NDA & NA (I) and CDS (I) are both scheduled for 11 April 2027. NDA & NA (II) and CDS (II) are both on 19 September 2027. Since they are conducted simultaneously, a candidate cannot appear for both NDA and CDS in the same cycle.
There are approximately 89 days between Prelims (23 May 2027) and Mains (20 August 2027). This window is critical for Mains preparation and should not be treated as buffer time.
Yes, though it is rare. UPSC may revise dates due to administrative or unforeseen circumstances. Always verify on upsc.gov.in before submitting applications or making travel arrangements.
All UPSC exam applications are submitted online through upsconline.nic.in (separate from the main upsc.gov.in website). Complete your OTR (One Time Registration) in advance.
All dates in this article are sourced from the official UPSC Annual Calendar 2027 released on 20 May 2026. Verify all dates independently at upsc.gov.in before applying, as UPSC may issue revised schedules. This page will be updated if any official changes are announced.
