Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has launched the 2026 recruitment drive for the Indian Economic Service (IES) and Indian Statistical Service (ISS). A total of 44 vacancies – 16 for IES and 28 for ISS – are now open. Candidates can submit their online applications from 11 February 2026 until 03 March 2026 (6:00 PM). The written examination is scheduled for 19 June 2026. This article consolidates all essential details – eligibility, fees, important dates, and step‑by‑step instructions – so aspirants can apply without missing a deadline.
Recruitment/Exam Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Department/Board | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Post Name | Indian Economic Service (IES) & Indian Statistical Service (ISS) |
| Exam Name | UPSC IES / ISS Examination 2026 |
| Total Vacancy | 44 (16 IES + 28 ISS) |
| Category | New Recruitment |
| Application Mode | Online (through One‑Time Registration) |
| State | All‑India (central recruitment) |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | 11 February 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 03 March 2026 (06:00 PM) |
| Fee Payment Deadline | 03 March 2026 |
| Examination Date | 19 June 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | Before the exam (details in notification) |
| Result / Answer Key Date | Details to be updated soon |
Application Fee details
| Category | Fee (INR) |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | 200 /- |
| SC / ST / PH | 0 /- (exempted) |
| All‑Category Female | 0 /- (nil) |
| Payment Mode | Net‑Banking, Debit/Credit Card, or E‑Challan (offline) |
Vacancy & Eligibility Criteria
- Age Limit: Candidates must be 21 – 30 years as on 01 August 2026. Age relaxation follows UPSC norms for reserved categories.
- Educational Qualification:
| Post Name | Total Posts | Qualification (minimum) |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Economic Service (IES) | 16 | Passed / Appearing Post‑Graduate / Master’s in Economics, Applied Economics, Business Economics or Econometrics from a recognized Indian university. |
| Indian Statistical Service (ISS) | 28 | Passed / Appearing Bachelor’s with Statistics/Mathematical Statistics/Applied Statistics as a subject or Master’s in Statistics, Mathematical Statistics, Applied Statistics. |
How to Apply Online?
Follow these six steps to complete your UPSC IES / ISS 2026 application:
- Visit the official UPSC portal – https://www.upsc.gov.in.
- Click on “Recruitment” → “Latest Notifications” and locate the “UPSC IES/ISS 2026 – Online Application” link.
- One‑Time Registration (OTR): Create a new user ID, provide a valid email and mobile number, and set a secure password.
- Fill in the personal, academic and professional details as per the notification. Upload a live colour photograph and a scanned copy of your signature.
- Select your preferred exam centre (colours turn red when a centre is full – act quickly to secure your choice).
- Pay the application fee using net‑banking or debit/credit card. After successful payment, download and print the final application summary for future reference.
Tip: Keep the PDF of your uploaded documents handy; any mismatch with the originals can lead to rejection during verification.
Important Links
| Link Name | Direct Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online (OTR & Form) | Apply |
| Download Notification (PDF) | Download |
| Official UPSC Website | Visit |
| Join WhatsApp Group (Updates) | Join Now |
| Join Telegram Channel (Alerts) | Join Now |
Conclusion
The UPSC IES & ISS 2026 recruitment offers a fast‑track entry into two of India’s most prestigious civil services. With 44 vacancies and a clear deadline of 03 March 2026, candidates should complete the One‑Time Registration and submit their applications without delay. Always verify details against the official notification before finalising any entry.
FAQs.
Q1. Who can apply for the UPSC IES & ISS 2026 examinations?
Ans: Indian citizens who meet the age (21‑30 years) and educational qualifications specified for IES (post‑graduate in economics) or ISS (statistics‑related degree) are eligible. Age relaxations apply as per UPSC rules for reserved categories.
Q2. Is there any application fee waiver for female candidates?
Ans: Yes. All‑category female candidates are exempted from the INR 200 fee; they pay ₹0.
Q3. What happens if my preferred exam centre shows as “full”?
Ans: The centre label turns red when capacity is reached. You must select another centre from the remaining list or wait for a possible vacancy release during the correction window.
Q4. Can I edit my application after submission?
Ans: Corrections are allowed only during the scheduled Correction Period mentioned in the official notification. Outside that window, changes are not permitted.
Q5. When will the admit card be released?
Ans: The admit card will be made available before the exam; the exact date will be announced on the UPSC website. Candidates should keep checking the portal regularly.
