UPSC Civil Services (Mains) Examination 2026 DAF-I Online Form

Overview: UPSC Civil Services (Mains) Examination 2026 DAF-I

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the Detailed Application Form-I (DAF-I) for candidates who have successfully qualified in the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026. A total of 1,056 vacancies are to be filled across prestigious services including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and various Central Group 'A' and Group 'B' services.

All qualified candidates are required to submit their DAF-I online through the official portal within the stipulated timeline to appear for the Mains Examination.

Key Summary Table

Parameter	Details
Organization Name	Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Exam Name	Civil Services (Mains) Examination 2026 (DAF-I)
Total Vacancies	1056 Posts
Qualification Required	Graduate Degree in any discipline + Qualified CSE Prelims 2026
Official Portal	upsc.gov.in / upsconline.nic.in

Important Dates

Event / Activity	Date
Application Begin Date	15th August 2026
DAF-I Online Form Start Date	15th August 2026
DAF-I Last Date to Apply Online	02nd September 2026
Mains Examination Start Date	18th September 2026

Application Fees

The application fee details for the UPSC Civil Services Mains DAF-I are structured as follows:

• General / OBC / EWS Candidates: ₹200/-
• SC / ST / PwBD Candidates: Exempted (Nil)
• Female Candidates (All Categories): Exempted (Nil)
• Mode of Payment: Online via Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, UPI, or Cash Branch deposit at SBI.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must satisfy the following qualification criteria to successfully submit the DAF-I:

• Educational Qualification: Must hold a Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized University or possess an equivalent qualification recognized by the Government of India.
• Exam Qualification: Candidates must have qualified in the UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026.

Age Limits

The age calculation remains aligned with the initial criteria determined for the Civil Services Examination 2026:

• Minimum Age: 21 Years
• Maximum Age: 32 Years
• Age Relaxation: Relaxations in the upper age limit are applicable per standard Government of India norms:
  • OBC Candidates: 3 Years
  • SC / ST Candidates: 5 Years
  • PwBD Candidates: Up to 10 Years

Selection Process

The recruitment process for the UPSC Civil Services Examination comprises three sequential stages:

• Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (Objective Type) - Shortlisting stage for Mains.
• Stage 2: Mains Examination (Written Descriptive Test) - Consisting of 9 papers assessing academic and analytical depth.
• Stage 3: Personality Test / Interview - Final evaluation stage by the UPSC interview panel.

Step-by-Step How to Apply (Filling UPSC DAF-I Online Form)

Follow these instructions to complete your DAF-I submission on the official portal:

• Visit the official UPSC online portal at upsconline.nic.in.
• Log in using your registered One Time Registration (OTR) credentials (Email ID / Mobile Number / OTR ID and Password).
• Click on the link for "DAF-I: Civil Services (Mains) Examination 2026".
• Fill out the detailed application form sections carefully, including personal information, educational background, and relevant documents.
• Upload scanned copies of required documents (Proof of Age, Degree Certificates, Category Certificate, etc.) in the prescribed format.
• Pay the required application fee of ₹200/- if applicable.
• Thoroughly review all entered details prior to final submission as no corrections are permitted after final lock.
• Submit the form and take a printout of the submitted DAF-I for future records.