UPSC IAS Mains 2026 DAF (Detailed Application Form)
UPSC opened DAF-I for Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026 for candidates who cleared the Prelims held on 24 May 2026. The DAF-I window (19–28 June 2026) is now closed. The Mains examination begins 21 August 2026 with 9 papers over 5 days.
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| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Prelims Examination | 24 May 2026 | Done |
| DAF-I Submission Window | 19–28 June 2026 | Done |
| Mains Admit Card (expected) | Early August 2026 | Tba |
| Mains Examination Begins | 21 August 2026 | Upcoming |
Who Can Fill DAF-I
- Only candidates who qualified the UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026, held on 24 May 2026, are eligible to submit DAF-I.
- Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognised university.
Age & Attempts
- General: 21–32 years with 6 attempts; relaxations for OBC (up to 9 attempts), SC/ST (no attempt limit up to age 37) and PwBD as per rules.
Selection Stages (CSE 2026)
- Prelims — held 24 May 2026 (screening only).
- Mains (Written) — begins 21 August 2026, 9 papers over 5 days.
- Personality Test / Interview — 275 marks.
Mains Exam Pattern
| Paper | Marks | Nature |
|---|---|---|
| Paper A – Indian Language | 300 | Qualifying (25%) |
| Paper B – English | 300 | Qualifying (25%) |
| Essay | 250 | Merit |
| GS Paper I–IV | 250 × 4 = 1,000 | Merit |
| Optional Paper I & II | 250 × 2 = 500 | Merit |
| Written Total | 1,750 | — |
| Interview | 275 | Merit |
| Grand Total | 2,025 | — |
Each written paper is of 3 hours, held in two sessions daily. Optional subject is chosen from a list of 48 subjects.
Note: The DAF-I submission window (19–28 June 2026) is closed. Qualified candidates should now focus on Mains preparation; DAF-II is filled later by candidates who clear the Mains.
What Candidates Should Do Now
- Keep the DAF-I confirmation page and fee receipt safe.
- Prepare your documents (educational, category, DOB proof) for later verification.
- Focus preparation on the 21 August 2026 Mains — Essay, GS I–IV and your Optional.
- Track upsc.gov.in for the Mains admit card (usually 2–3 weeks before the exam).
Application Fee
- ₹200 for the DAF; SC/ST, female and PwBD candidates are exempted.
Full Details
- UPSC CSE 2026 DAF-I closed on 28 June 2026; only candidates who cleared the 24 May Prelims could apply.
- The Mains exam begins 21 August 2026 — 9 papers over 5 days, 1,750 written + 275 interview marks.
- Two papers (Indian Language & English) are qualifying; the other seven count for merit.
- CSE selects into the IAS, IPS, IFS and other central services — starting Pay Level 10.
Career & Salary After Selection
Clearing CSE leads to the country’s top administrative posts. An IAS/IPS officer starts at 7th CPC Pay Level 10 (basic ₹56,100), with an approximate in-hand of ₹1,00,000+ per month (with DA, HRA, TA) plus official residence, staff and facilities.
| Stage | Typical Post (IAS) | Pay Level |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | SDM / Assistant Collector | Level 10 |
| Mid | District Magistrate / Collector | Level 11–13 |
| Senior | Divisional Commissioner / Secretary | Level 14–15 |
| Top | Chief Secretary / Cabinet Secretary | Level 16–18 |
Job Profile
Officers handle district administration, law & order, policy implementation, revenue, development schemes and public grievance redressal — among the most powerful and impactful roles in Indian governance.
Mains Preparation Strategy
- Answer writing daily — the Mains rewards structured, time-bound answers, not just knowledge.
- Master your Optional (500 marks) — it often decides the final rank.
- Essay & Ethics (GS-IV) are high-scoring, frequently under-prepared areas.
- Current affairs + answer linkage — connect static syllabus to recent events.
Verified from UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 notification & calendar. Confirm all details at upsc.gov.in. Last reviewed: 1 July 2026.
Important Links
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The DAF-I submission window closed on 28 June 2026. Only Prelims-qualified candidates could submit it.
The Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026 begins on 21 August 2026 and runs over five days.
Nine papers — two qualifying (Indian Language & English) and seven counted for merit, totalling 1,750 written marks.
An IAS officer starts at 7th CPC Pay Level 10 (basic ₹56,100), with an approximate in-hand of ₹1,00,000+ per month plus allowances and facilities.
₹200, with exemptions for SC/ST, female and PwBD candidates.