UPSC Annual Planner 2026 – Complete Exam Schedule & Preparation Strategy

 

 

 

 

Every year, thousands of aspirants prepare for India’s most prestigious examinations conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). 

 

Success in UPSC demands not just hard work, but smart long-term planning aligned with the official exam calendar.

 

To help aspirants prepare strategically, Professor Academy presents the UPSC Annual Examination Planner – 2026, covering Civil Services Examination (CSE) and Indian Forest Service (IFS) with key dates and preparation insights.

 

 

Why an Annual Planner is Crucial for UPSC Aspirants

 

UPSC preparation is a multi-stage and multi-year process. Without a clear roadmap, aspirants often struggle with:

 

• Poor time management
• Syllabus overload
• Last-minute stress

 

An annual planner helps you:

 

• Align preparation with official UPSC timelines
  
• Balance Prelims + Mains + Optional preparation
• Plan revisions, mock tests, and answer writing effectively

 

UPSC Examinations Conducted in 2026 – Overview

 

UPSC conducts the following major examinations relevant to civil services aspirants:

 

• Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination
• Indian Forest Service (Preliminary) Examination (through CSE Prelims)
  
• Civil Services (Main) Examination
• Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination

 

 

 

UPSC Annual Examination Planner – 2026

 

 

Sl. No.	Name of Examination	Notification Date	Last Date for Applications	Exam Commencement Date	Duration
1	Reserved for UPSC RT / Examination	—	—	10 Jan 2026 (Saturday)	2 Days
2	Reserved for UPSC Examination	—	—	17 Jan 2026 (Saturday)	2 Days
3	Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Examination, 2026	03 Sep 2025	23 Sep 2025	08 Feb 2026 (Sunday)	1 Day
4	Engineering Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2026	17 Sep 2025	07 Oct 2025	08 Feb 2026 (Sunday)	1 Day
5	CBI (DSP) LDCE	24 Dec 2025	13 Jan 2026	28 Feb 2026 (Saturday)	2 Days
6	CISF AC (EXE) LDCE – 2026	03 Dec 2025	23 Dec 2025	08 Mar 2026 (Sunday)	1 Day
7	NDA & NA Examination (I), 2026	10 Dec 2025	30 Dec 2025	12 Apr 2026 (Sunday)	1 Day
8	CDS Examination (I), 2026	—	—	—	—
9	Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2026	14 Jan 2026	03 Feb 2026	24 May 2026 (Sunday)	1 Day
10	Indian Forest Service (Preliminary) Examination, 2026 (through CSE Prelims)	—	—	24 May 2026 (Sunday)	1 Day
11	Reserved for UPSC RT / Examination	—	—	06 Jun 2026 (Saturday)	2 Days
12	IES / ISS Examination, 2026	11 Feb 2026	03 Mar 2026	19 Jun 2026 (Friday)	3 Days
13	Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) Examination, 2026	—	—	20 Jun 2026 (Saturday)	2 Days
14	Engineering Services (Main) Examination, 2026	—	—	21 Jun 2026 (Sunday)	1 Day
15	Reserved for UPSC RT / Examination	—	—	04 Jul 2026 (Saturday)	2 Days
16	Central Armed Police Forces (ACs) Examination, 2026	18 Feb 2026	10 Mar 2026	19 Jul 2026 (Sunday)	1 Day
17	Combined Medical Services Examination, 2026	11 Mar 2026	31 Mar 2026	02 Aug 2026 (Sunday)	1 Day
18	Reserved for UPSC Examination	—	—	08 Aug 2026 (Saturday)	2 Days
19	Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2026	—	—	21 Aug 2026 (Friday)	5 Days
20	NDA & NA Examination (II), 2026	20 May 2026	09 Jun 2026	13 Sep 2026 (Sunday)	1 Day
21	CDS Examination (II), 2026	—	—	—	—
22	Reserved for UPSC RT / Examination	—	—	26 Sep 2026 (Saturday)	2 Days
23	Reserved for UPSC RT / Examination	—	—	10 Oct 2026 (Saturday)	2 Days
24	Reserved for UPSC RT / Examination	—	—	31 Oct 2026 (Saturday)	2 Days
25	Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination, 2026	—	—	22 Nov 2026 (Sunday)	7 Days
26	SO / Steno (GD-B / GD-I) LDCE	16 Sep 2026	06 Oct 2026	12 Dec 2026 (Saturday)	2 Days
27	Reserved for UPSC RT / Examination	—	—	19 Dec 2026 (Saturday)	2 Days

 

 

 

Stage-wise Preparation Strategy for UPSC 2026

 

Prelims Stage (January – May 2026)

 

Focus Areas:

 

• Polity, Economy, History, Geography, Environment
• Current Affairs (12–18 months)
• CSAT practice (qualifying but crucial)

 

Recommended Strategy:

 

• Complete syllabus at least once before March
  
• Take weekly mock tests
  
• Revise static + current affairs repeatedly

 

 

Mains Stage (June – August 2026)

 

Once Prelims are over, aspirants should immediately shift focus to Mains.

 

Focus Areas:

 

• GS Papers I to IV
• Optional Subject (Paper I & II)
• Essay Writing
• Ethics case studies

 

 

Recommended Strategy:

 

• Daily answer writing practice
• Value addition with examples, diagrams & data
• Full-length Mains mock tests

 

 

IFS Main Examination ( Post- CSE Mains )

 

IFS aspirants must plan additional time for:

• Optional subject depth
• Forestry-specific syllabus
• Longer descriptive answers

 

A dedicated strategy is essential due to the 7-day examination duration.

 

 

 

Common Mistakes UPSC Aspirants Must Avoid

 

❌ Ignoring CSAT preparation
❌ Delaying Mains answer writing
❌ Over-dependence on too many sources
❌ Skipping revision cycles

 

Consistency and discipline matter more than studying long hours.

 

 

 

How Professor Academy Supports UPSC Aspirants

 

At Professor Academy, we provide:

 

• Structured UPSC annual planning
• Exam-oriented classes for Prelims & Mains
• Answer writing practice with expert evaluation
• Mock tests aligned with UPSC standards
• Strategic mentorship and guidance

 

Our approach focuses on clarity, consistency, and confidence.

 

 

 

Final Words

 

UPSC is not just an examination — it is a journey of transformation. With the right planning, disciplined preparation, and expert guidance, cracking UPSC becomes achievable.

 

Use this UPSC Annual Examination Planner – 2026 as your roadmap and stay aligned with every milestone.

 

Plan early. Prepare smart. Perform confidently.

 

 

To know more about us

 

 

 

 

Contact: 

 

 

+91 7070701009

 

 

+91 7070701005

 

 

Email:  enquiry@professoracademy.com