The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official notification for the Indian Economic Service (IES) / Indian Statistical Service (ISS) Examination 2026. This examination is conducted for recruitment to prestigious Group ‘A’ posts under the Government of India.
If you are a postgraduate in Economics or a graduate/postgraduate in Statistics, this is one of the most powerful career opportunities available in the government sector.
This detailed guide covers everything you need to know — eligibility, vacancies, age limit, exam pattern, syllabus, selection process, and how to apply online.
UPSC IES/ISS 2026: Important Dates
Notification Release: 11 February 2026
Last Date to Apply Online: 03 March 2026 (Till 6:00 PM)
Exam Date: 19 June 2026
Application Mode: Online only
Candidates must complete the online application before the deadline. No offline forms are accepted.
UPSC IES/ISS 2026 Vacancy Details
As per the official notification:
| Service | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Indian Economic Service (IES) | 16 |
| Indian Statistical Service (ISS) | 28 |
| Total Posts | 44 |
Vacancies are tentative and subject to change. Reservation is applicable for SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD categories as per Government rules.
Educational Qualification
For Indian Economic Service (IES)
Candidates must have a Postgraduate Degree in:
Economics
Applied Economics
Business Economics
Econometrics
From a recognized university.
For Indian Statistical Service (ISS)
Candidates must have:
Bachelor’s Degree with Statistics / Mathematical Statistics / Applied Statistics as a subject in all years
ORMaster’s Degree in Statistics / Mathematical Statistics / Applied Statistics
Note: Statistics studied only for 1–2 semesters will not be considered eligible.
Age Limit (As on 1 August 2026)
Minimum Age: 21 years
Maximum Age: 30 years
Date of Birth must be between 2 August 1996 and 1 August 2005.
Age Relaxation:
SC/ST – 5 years
OBC – 3 years
PwBD – 10 years
Ex-Servicemen – As per rules
Application Fee
General/OBC/EWS: ₹200
SC/ST/Female/PwBD: No fee
Payment modes include Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card, and UPI.
Fee once paid is non-refundable.
How to Apply for UPSC IES/ISS 2026
Applications must be submitted online through the UPSC portal.
The process includes:
Account Creation
Universal Registration Number (URN)
Common Application Form (CAF)
Examination Specific Module
Important points:
Live photo capture is mandatory.
Signature upload must follow prescribed format.
No correction is allowed after submission.
Withdrawal of application is not permitted.
Exam Centres for IES/ISS 2026
The examination will be conducted in major cities including:
Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cuttack, Delhi, Dispur, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jammu, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Patna, Prayagraj, Shillong, Shimla, Thiruvananthapuram.
Centre allotment is based on first-apply-first-allot basis. Early application is recommended.
UPSC IES/ISS 2026 Exam Pattern
The examination consists of:
Written Examination – 1000 Marks
Interview (Viva Voce) – 200 Marks
IES Exam Pattern
| Paper | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| General English | 100 | 3 Hours |
| General Studies | 100 | 3 Hours |
| General Economics I | 200 | 3 Hours |
| General Economics II | 200 | 3 Hours |
| General Economics III | 200 | 3 Hours |
| Indian Economics | 200 | 3 Hours |
All papers are descriptive.
ISS Exam Pattern
| Paper | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| General English | 100 | 3 Hours |
| General Studies | 100 | 3 Hours |
| Statistics I (Objective) | 200 | 2 Hours |
| Statistics II (Objective) | 200 | 2 Hours |
| Statistics III (Descriptive) | 200 | 3 Hours |
| Statistics IV (Descriptive) | 200 | 3 Hours |
Negative marking applies in objective papers.
Interview Stage (200 Marks)
Candidates qualifying the written exam are called for Interview.
The board evaluates:
Intellectual depth
Subject clarity
Analytical ability
Awareness of national and international issues
Personality traits and leadership
Important Exam Rules
Mobile phones and electronic devices are strictly banned.
Face authentication will be conducted at exam centre.
Candidates must report at least 30 minutes before the exam.
OMR sheets must be filled using black ball pen only.
All papers must be answered in English.
Why Choose IES/ISS Career?
✔ Group ‘A’ Gazetted Officer
✔ Central Government Service
✔ Attractive salary and allowances
✔ Policy-making exposure
✔ High job security
✔ Prestige and growth opportunities
Officers in IES work in Ministries like Finance, Commerce, Agriculture, Planning bodies etc. ISS officers work in statistical analysis, policy data evaluation, and government research departments.
UPSC IES/ISS 2026 Preparation Strategy
Master postgraduate-level concepts.
Practice previous year question papers.
Focus on answer writing for descriptive papers.
Improve English essay and précis writing skills.
Stay updated with current economic and statistical developments.
Consistency and conceptual clarity are the keys.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the last date to apply for UPSC IES/ISS 2026?
03 March 2026 till 6:00 PM.
Q2. How many vacancies are announced?
Total 44 vacancies (16 IES + 28 ISS).
Q3. Is there negative marking?
Yes, only in objective papers of ISS.
Q4. Can final-year students apply?
Yes, but proof of qualification must be produced before Interview.
Q5. Is the exam conducted in Hindi?
No. All question papers must be answered in English.
Important Links – UPSC IES/ISS 2026
Official Notification PDF (IES/ISS 2026)
You can download the complete official notification here:
Download UPSC IES/ISS 2026 Official Notification (PDF)
https://upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/Notice-IES-ISS-2026-Engl.pdf
(Replace with exact PDF link from UPSC website if different.)
Apply Online Link
Candidates must apply online through UPSC’s official application portal:
Apply Online for UPSC IES/ISS 2026
https://upsconline.nic.in
Official UPSC Website
For latest updates and announcements:
Visit Official UPSC Website
https://upsc.gov.in