Indian Economic Service/Indian Statistical Service Examination 2026

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will conduct the Indian Economic Service/Indian Statistical Service (IES/ISS) Examination, 2026 for recruitment to the Junior Time Scale of these prestigious services under the Government of India.

Vacancy Details:

A. Indian Economic Service: 16 Posts

• 01 vacancy reserved for PwBD (Multiple disabilities from categories a-c excluding category d)
• Reservation as per Government norms for SC/ST/OBC/EWS

B. Indian Statistical Service: 28 Posts

• 02 vacancies reserved for PwBD:
  • 01 for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/HH) - carried forward
  • 01 for Special Learning Disability/Multiple Disability (SLD/MD) - fresh
• Reservation as per Government norms for SC/ST/OBC/EWS

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Nationality:

• Citizen of India, OR
• Subject of Nepal/Bhutan, OR
• Tibetan refugee (came before 01.01.1962), OR
• Person of Indian origin migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries, or Vietnam

2. Age Limit (as on 01.08.2026):

• Minimum: 21 years (born not earlier than 02.08.1996)
• Maximum: 30 years (born not later than 01.08.2005)

Age Relaxation:

• SC/ST: 5 years
• OBC: 3 years
• PwBD: 10 years
• Ex-Servicemen: 5 years (specific conditions apply)
• Defence Personnel disabled in operations: 3 years

3. Educational Qualification:

For Indian Economic Service:

• Post-Graduate Degree in Economics/Applied Economics/Business Economics/Econometrics from a recognized Indian University or deemed University under UGC Act, 1956, or approved foreign university

For Indian Statistical Service:

• Bachelor's Degree with Statistics/Mathematical Statistics/Applied Statistics as one of the subjects, OR
• Master's Degree in Statistics/Mathematical Statistics/Applied Statistics from a recognized Indian University or deemed University under UGC Act, 1956, or approved foreign university

Note: Statistics must be studied in all years of Bachelor Degree Course

4. Physical Standards: Candidates must meet physical and medical standards as prescribed in Appendix-III of the Rules. Specific functional classification and physical requirements applicable for PwBD candidates.

Examination Scheme:

PART-I: Written Examination (1000 Marks)

A. For Indian Economic Service:

1. General English - 100 marks (3 hours)
2. General Studies - 100 marks (3 hours)
3. General Economics-I - 200 marks (3 hours)
4. General Economics-II - 200 marks (3 hours)
5. General Economics-III - 200 marks (3 hours)
6. Indian Economics - 200 marks (3 hours)

B. For Indian Statistical Service:

1. General English - 100 marks (3 hours)
2. General Studies - 100 marks (3 hours)
3. Statistics-I (Objective) - 200 marks (2 hours)
4. Statistics-II (Objective) - 200 marks (2 hours)
5. Statistics-III (Descriptive) - 200 marks (3 hours)
6. Statistics-IV (Descriptive) - 200 marks (3 hours)

PART-II: Personality Test/Interview (200 Marks) Candidates qualifying in written examination will be called for interview by a Board of competent observers.

Examination Centers (21 Centers): Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cuttack, Delhi, Dispur, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jammu, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Patna, Prayagraj (Allahabad), Shillong, Shimla, Thiruvananthapuram

Note: Centre allotment on "first-apply-first-allot" basis with capacity limits (except Ahmedabad, Chennai, Delhi, Dispur, Kolkata). PwBD candidates can opt for desired center even after capacity is reached.

Special Provisions for PwBD Candidates:

• Scribe facility available (own or Commission-provided)
• Compensatory time: 20 minutes per hour
• Scribe qualification should not exceed candidate's qualification (minimum matriculate)
• Change of scribe allowed up to 7 days before examination
• e-Admit Card issued 3 days prior if scribe changed

Step 1: Online Registration

• Visit UPSC online portal: https://upsconline.nic.in
• Create Universal Registration Number (URN) (one-time registration)
• URN remains constant for all UPSC examinations
• Fill Common Application Form (CAF)
• Live photo capture required during CAF filling

Step 2: Fill Examination Specific Form

• Complete Examination Specific Module
• Upload scanned photograph (JPG format, 20-200 KB)
• Upload scanned signature - sign 3 times on white paper with black ink (JPG format, 20-100 KB)
• Select examination center (carefully - cannot be changed later)
• Provide Photo ID details (Aadhaar/Voter ID/PAN/Passport/Driving License)

Step 3: Fee Payment

• General/OBC/EWS Male Candidates: ₹200
• Female/SC/ST/PwBD Candidates: Exempted

Payment Modes:

• Net Banking
• Credit/Debit Card (Visa/Master/RuPay)
• UPI Payment

Step 4: Submit Application

• Review all details carefully
• Once submitted, no changes allowed
• Take printout/save soft copy for future reference
• Note down URN and Application Number

Important:

• No hard copy required
• Provide valid and active email ID and mobile number
• Commission may use electronic mode for communication
• Applications without prescribed fee (unless exempted) will be rejected

Required Documents (to be uploaded later after written exam result):

• Date of Birth Certificate (Matriculation/HSC Certificate)
• Educational Qualification Certificates
• Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS - if applicable)
• PwBD Certificate (if applicable)
• Other supporting documents as required

For Candidates Already in Government Service:

• Apply directly to UPSC
• Inform Head of Office/Department in writing about application
• NOC from employer required

Critical Instructions:

1. Application Dates:
   • Applications open: 11th February 2026
   • Last date: 3rd March 2026 (till 18:00 hours)
   • Apply early to get center of choice
2. e-Admit Card:
   • Available on last working day of preceding week of examination
   • Download from https://upsconline.nic.in
   • No admit card sent by post/email
   • Mandatory to carry original Photo ID used in application
3. Examination Rules:
   • All papers must be answered in ENGLISH only
   • Negative marking in objective papers (1/3 mark deducted for wrong answer)
   • Use black ball pen only for OMR sheets
   • Scientific non-programmable calculators allowed (not in objective papers)
   • Mobile phones/electronic devices strictly prohibited
4. Category-specific Notes:
   • OBC candidates need certificate based on income for FY 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25, issued after 01.04.2025
   • EWS candidates need certificate based on FY 2024-25 income, issued after 01.04.2025
   • No category change allowed after application submission
   • PwBD candidates meeting specific functional classification only eligible
5. Unfair Means:
   • Strict action including permanent ban from UPSC exams
   • Legal action under Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024
   • Impersonation, copying, mobile phone usage will result in disqualification
6. Post-Written Exam Process:
   • Qualified candidates must login within 15 days of result declaration
   • Update educational qualification status and upload documents
   • Failure to do so will result in disqualification from interview
7. Question Paper Representation:
   • Online portal available from 3rd to 7th day after examination
   • Representations only through online portal (no email/post accepted)
8. Helpdesk:
   • Contact: 011-24041001
   • Email: upscsoap@nic.in
   • Operational: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM on working days during application window
9. Medical Examination:
   • Final selected candidates must meet prescribed medical standards
   • Detailed medical examination conducted before appointment
10. Pratibha Setu Portal:
    • Non-recommended candidates' data shared with registered organizations
    • Opt-in/opt-out choice available during application
    • Choice cannot be changed once submitted

Candidates are advised to:

• Read detailed notification thoroughly
• Keep checking UPSC website for updates
• Retain all application documents
• Follow all instructions carefully to avoid rejection