UPSC IES/ISS Examination 2026: The UPSC IES/ISS Exam 2026: The Indian Economic Service (IES) and Indian Statistical Service (ISS) Examination 2026 has an official notice from the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) about hiring for 44 positions. Candidates who are interested and meet the requirements can apply online at the official UPSC website. You must turn in your application by March 3, 2026.
This article has all the information you need about the UPSC Indian Economic Service/Indian Statistical Service Examination 2026. It includes information about who can take the test, the age limit, the number of open positions, the application fee, the selection process, the exam pattern, important dates, and direct links to the official notification and online application form.
Overview of UPSC IES/ISS Examination 2026
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Indian Economic Service (IES) / Indian Statistical Service (ISS) Examination 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Notification No. | 07/2026-IES/ISS |
| Notification Date | 11 February 2026 |
| Exam Date | 19 June 2026 (onwards) |
| Last Date to Apply | 03 March 2026 (till 6:00 PM) |
| Mode of Application | Online only |
| Official Website | https://upsconline.nic.in |
| Total Vacancies | 44 (Tentative) |
Vacancy Details
| Service | Number of Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Indian Economic Service (IES) | 16 |
| Indian Statistical Service (ISS) | 28 |
| Total | 44 |
Note:
- Vacancies are tentative and subject to change.
- Reservation is applicable for SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD categories as per government rules.
- PwBD reservations are included within the total vacancies.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must carefully ensure that they meet all eligibility conditions before applying.
1. Nationality
A candidate must be:
- A citizen of India, OR
- A subject of Nepal or Bhutan, OR
- A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962, OR
- A person of Indian origin migrated from specified countries (as mentioned in the notification).
2. Age Limit (as on 1 August 2026)
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 21 Years |
| Maximum Age | 30 Years |
| Date of Birth Range | Born between 2 August 1996 and 1 August 2005 |
Age Relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 Years |
| OBC | 3 Years |
| Defence Personnel Disabled in Operations | 3 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 5 Years |
| PwBD | 10 Years |
3. Educational Qualifications
For Indian Economic Service (IES)
Candidates must possess a postgraduate degree in one of the following fields:
- Economics
- Applied Economics
- Business Economics
- Econometrics
From a recognised university.
For Indian Statistical Service (ISS)
Candidates must have:
- A Bachelor’s Degree with Statistics/Mathematical Statistics/Applied Statistics as one of the subjects in all years
OR - A Master’s Degree in Statistics/Mathematical Statistics/Applied Statistics
From a recognised university.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹200 |
| SC/ST | Exempted |
| Female Candidates | Exempted |
| PwBD | Exempted |
Fees can be paid via:
- Net Banking
- Debit/Credit Card
- UPI
Fee once paid will not be refunded.
Examination Centres
The examination will be conducted at various centres, including:
Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cuttack, Delhi, Dispur, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jammu, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Patna, Prayagraj, Shillong, Shimla, and Thiruvananthapuram.
Centre allotment is done on a first-apply-first-allot basis.
Selection Procedure
The selection process consists of two stages:
1. Written Examination (Total 1000 Marks)
For IES
| Paper | Marks |
|---|---|
| General English | 100 |
| General Studies | 100 |
| General Economics I | 200 |
| General Economics II | 200 |
| General Economics III | 200 |
| Indian Economics | 200 |
For ISS
| Paper | Marks |
|---|---|
| General English | 100 |
| General Studies | 100 |
| Statistics I (Objective) | 200 |
| Statistics II (Objective) | 200 |
| Statistics III (Descriptive) | 200 |
| Statistics IV (Descriptive) | 200 |
2. Interview / Personality Test (200 Marks)
Candidates who qualify in the written examination will be called for an interview. The interview assesses:
- Subject knowledge
- Intellectual ability
- Critical thinking
- Leadership qualities
- Awareness of current events
Final merit is prepared based on written and interview marks.
How to Apply
Follow these steps carefully:
- Visit the official website: https://upsconline.nic.in
- Complete account creation and Universal Registration Number (URN) generation.
- Fill the Common Application Form (CAF).
- Upload required documents, including photo and signature.
- Fill the examination-specific module.
- Pay the application fee (if applicable).
- Submit the form before 03 March 2026 (6:00 PM).
Keep a printout of the application for future reference.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 11 February 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 03 March 2026 |
| Exam Start Date | 19 June 2026 |
FAQs
1. What is the last date to apply for UPSC IES/ISS 2026?
The last date is March 3, 2026 (6:00 p.m.).
2. How many vacancies are available?
There are a total of 44 vacancies available, comprising 16 IES and 28 ISS positions.
3. What is the application fee?
₹200 for General/OBC/EWS candidates. SC/ST/Female/PwBD candidates are exempted.
4. What is the age limit?
21 to 30 years as of 1 August 2026, with relaxation for reserved categories.
5. Is there negative marking?
