UPSC Recruitment 2026 notification has been released for 538 permanent central government positions across multiple ministries and departments. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is inviting applications for 70 distinct posts ranging from Junior Scientific Officer to Professor-level positions, with pay scales spanning Level 6F to Level 14 under the 7th Central Pay Commission. Posts span critical sectors including defence, home affairs, civil aviation, education, labour, mining, and territorial administrations.
This is one of UPSC’s larger multi-department recruitments, with significant vacancy clusters in Defence (naval and aeronautical), Home Affairs (forensic science, intelligence, enforcement), and the Union Territory of Ladakh (teaching, administrative, technical posts). All positions are permanent in nature with selection to be conducted according to UPSC standards for each post.
UPSC Recruitment 2026 | Quick Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Advertisement Number | 06/2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 538 |
| Application Mode | Online at https://upsconline.nic.in/ora/ |
| Nature of Posts | Permanent, Central Government |
| Pay Range | Level 6F to Level 14 (7th CPC) |
| Selection Method | As per UPSC norms for each post |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 12/06/2026 |
| Application Start Date | As per the official notification |
| Last Date to Apply | As per the official notification |
| Selection Process | As determined by UPSC |
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates applying for UPSC Recruitment 2026 must meet post-specific qualifications and age requirements. The notification specifies distinct educational and experience criteria for each of the 70 posts; there is no single eligibility standard across all positions. Qualifications range from Bachelor’s degrees (for administrative posts in UT Ladakh) to doctoral degrees (Ph.D. for CME Pune Professor and Associate Professor posts). Age limits vary from 30 years (for most scientific, engineering, and mining positions) to 50 years (for Professor, Principal, and senior administrative posts).
Age Limit
| Category | Standard Relaxation |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | As per the individual post (30 to 50 years) |
| SC/ST | 5 years above the UR limit |
| OBC | 3 years above UR limit |
| PwBD (All Categories) | 10 years above UR limit; capped at 56 years for certain senior posts |
Age relaxation is applicable as per the Government of India norms. SC candidates receive 5 years of additional relaxation, OBC candidates receive 3 years, and PwBD candidates across all categories receive 10 years over and above their category-wise limit. For senior positions with a base upper age of 50 years (Regional Director NCONF, Professor Sugar Engineering NSI, Principal A&N, and Consultant Ophthalmologist UT Ladakh), the PwBD maximum is capped at 56 years.
Educational Qualification
This recruitment spans a broad spectrum of qualifications. Core eligibility varies significantly by post:
- Scientific & Research Positions (NCONF Junior Scientific Officer, Naval HQ Junior Scientific Officer, Scientist ‘B’ CFSL/ZSI, Botanist BSI): Master’s degree in specified subjects (Microbiology, Botany, Zoology, Chemistry, Physics, Biology) with 2 to 3 years of research or professional experience.
- Engineering & Technical Posts (Operations Officer DGCA, Assistant Engineer NEC, DGAQA Scientific Assistants, CME Pune Assistant/Associate Professor): Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in relevant engineering disciplines. Senior faculty posts (Professor, Associate Professor) require Ph.D. in the subject. CME Pune posts require first-class Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in the relevant specialisation.
- Legal Positions (Assistant Legal Adviser, Enforcement Directorate, Assistant Public Prosecutor CBI): LLB from a recognised university; Assistant Legal Adviser requires 3 years’ practice in criminal/fiscal law or LLM with 1 year’s practice.
- Teaching Posts (Lecturer-I UT Ladakh, Principal A&N): Master’s degree in the relevant subject (first class or equivalent); Lecturer posts require NET/CSIR-NET for science subjects. Principal posts require a Master’s degree plus B.Ed. from recognised institutions.
- Administrative & Support Posts (Assistant Registrar, Private Secretary UT Ladakh): Bachelor’s degree. Private Secretary additionally requires dictation proficiency (100 wpm for 10 minutes in English) and computer transcription skills (40 minutes).
- Specialised Medical Post (Consultant Ophthalmologist UT Ladakh): MBBS under NMC Act 2019 plus PG Degree or Diploma in Ophthalmology.
For UT Ladakh posts (Posts 60-70) requiring educational grades, ST candidates receive a 5% relaxation in minimum percentage requirements at Bachelor’s and Master’s levels. Grade point conversions for institutions using CGPA systems (6.25 CGPA = 55%, 7.25 CGPA = 65%, etc.) are provided in the official notification.
Special Conditions
UT Ladakh Posts (Posts 60-70) are exclusively open to domiciles of the Union Territory of Ladakh. Candidates must possess a valid Domicile Certificate issued by the Tehsildar under the Ladakh Civil Services Decentralization and Recruitment Rules, 2025 (Gazette of India notification dated 03.06.2025). Two domicile categories exist: Category A (current or eligible Ladakh Resident Certificate holders) and Category B (children of LRC holders or those meeting defined eligibility). Reservation for UT Ladakh posts is governed by the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004, as extended to UT Ladakh and amended by the Ladakh Reservation (Amendment) Regulation, 2025, and further by notification S.O. 77 dated 27.06.2025.
Is This Recruitment Right for You?
- Candidates with Master’s degrees in science subjects (Microbiology, Botany, Zoology, Chemistry, Physics) and 2-3 years of research or laboratory experience meet eligibility for scientific officer and scientist positions across NCONF, Naval HQ, CFSL, and BSI.
- Engineering graduates (B.E./B.Tech or equivalent) with 1-3 years of relevant field experience qualify for technical posts under DGCA, NEC, Naval HQ, and DGAQA, as well as faculty positions at CME Pune.
- LLB graduates with courtroom experience in criminal or fiscal law are eligible for legal advisory roles at the Enforcement Directorate and CBI.
- Bachelor’s degree holders with NET/CSIR-NET qualification in science subjects meet the standard for Lecturer-I posts in UT Ladakh, technical and non-technical streams.
- UT Ladakh domicile status is a mandatory prerequisite for all 11 posts advertised under the Union Territory administration; applicants without a valid domicile certificate from the Ladakh Tehsildar will be ineligible.
- Candidates aged 30 to 35 years (unreserved category) are within the typical age window for most Group B scientific, engineering, and mid-level posts; senior Group A posts allow up to 40-50 years.
UPSC Recruitment 2026 | Vacancy Breakdown
| Post | Department | Vacancies | UR | OBC | SC | ST | EWS | PwBD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Scientific Officer | NCONF, Dept. of Agriculture | 9 | 6 | – | 2 | 1 | – | – |
| Regional Director | NCONF, Dept. of Agriculture | 2 | 1 | 1 | – | – | – | – |
| Operations Officer | DGCA, Ministry of Civil Aviation | 19 | 4 | – | – | 3 | 12 | 1 |
| Air Safety Officer | DGCA, Ministry of Civil Aviation | 15 | 8 | 3 | 2 | – | 2 | 1 |
| Professor (Sugar Engineering) | National Sugar Institute, Kanpur | 1 | 1 | – | – | – | – | – |
| Assistant Engineer (Civil) | NEC Secretariat, Shillong | 1 | 1 | – | – | – | – | – |
| CME Pune (Faculty Posts – Multiple Specialisations) | College of Military Engineering, Ministry of Defence | 35 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Junior Scientific Officer | Naval HQ, Ministry of Defence | 5 | 3 | 2 | – | – | – | – |
| Junior Technical Officer | Naval HQ, Ministry of Defence | 1 | 1 | – | – | – | – | – |
| Sr. Scientific Assistant (Computer Sciences) | DGAQA, Ministry of Defence | 1 | 1 | – | – | – | – | – |
| Sr. Scientific Assistant (Electronics) | DGAQA, Ministry of Defence | 1 | – | – | – | 1 | – | – |
| Sr. Scientific Assistant (Metallurgy) | DGAQA, Ministry of Defence | 1 | 1 | – | – | – | – | – |
| Sr. Scientific Assistant (Mechanical) | DGAQA, Ministry of Defence | 2 | 1 | – | 1 | – | – | – |
| Botanist | Botanical Survey of India | 2 | 1 | – | 1 | – | – | – |
| Scientist ‘B’ | Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata | 4 | 2 | 1 | – | 1 | – | – |
| Assistant Legal Adviser | Directorate of Enforcement, MHA | 12 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Scientist ‘B’ (Biology) | CFSL, Ministry of Home Affairs | 1 | 1 | – | – | – | – | – |
| Scientist ‘B’ (Chemistry) | CFSL, Ministry of Home Affairs | 1 | – | 1 | – | – | – | – |
| Scientist ‘B’ (Documents) | CFSL, Ministry of Home Affairs | 3 | – | – | 1 | 1 | 1 | – |
| Scientist ‘B’ (Physics) | CFSL, Ministry of Home Affairs | 2 | 2 | – | – | – | – | – |
| Assistant Director (IT) | ORGI, Ministry of Home Affairs | 15 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Research Officer (Map) | ORGI, Ministry of Home Affairs | 3 | 3 | – | – | – | – | – |
| Deputy Central Intelligence Officer (Technical) | Intelligence Bureau, MHA | 6 | 3 | 1 | – | – | 2 | – |
| Deputy Director (Staff Training/Productivity) | DGFASLI, Ministry of Labour | 1 | 1 | – | – | – | – | – |
| Asst. Director Grade-II (Economic Investigation) | O/o Dev. Commissioner, MSME | 50 | 19 | 5 | 12 | 6 | 8 | 2 |
| Chemist | Indian Bureau of Mines, Nagpur | 1 | 1 | – | – | – | – | – |
| Assistant Mining Geologist | Indian Bureau of Mines, Nagpur | 5 | 3 | 2 | – | – | – | – |
| Mineral Officer (Intelligence) | Indian Bureau of Mines, Nagpur | 3 | 2 | – | – | 1 | – | 1 |
| Assistant Public Prosecutor | CBI, Ministry of Personnel | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | – | – | 1 |
| Principal (Senior Secondary School) | Dept. of Education, A&N Administration | 7 | 4 | 2 | – | – | 1 | – |
| Lecturer-I (English) | Technical Education Dept., UT Ladakh | 1 | – | – | – | 1 | – | – |
| Lecturer-I (Mathematics) | Technical Education Dept., UT Ladakh | 1 | – | – | – | 1 | – | – |
| Lecturer-I (Physics) | Technical Education Dept., UT Ladakh | 1 | – | – | – | 1 | – | – |
| Lecturer-I (Computer Engineering) | Technical Education Dept., UT Ladakh | 1 | – | – | – | 1 | – | – |
| Lecturer-I (Chemistry) | Technical Education Dept., UT Ladakh | 1 | – | – | – | 1 | – | – |
| Lecturer-I (Civil Engineering) | Technical Education Dept., UT Ladakh | 1 | – | – | – | 1 | – | – |
| Superintendent ITI/Vice Principal | Technical Education Dept., UT Ladakh | 1 | – | – | – | 1 | – | – |
| Scientific Officer/Programmer | IT Dept., UT Ladakh | 2 | – | – | – | 2 | – | – |
| Assistant Registrar (Cooperative Dept.) | UT Ladakh | 11 | – | – | – | 10 | 1 | – |
| Private Secretary | General Administration Dept., UT Ladakh | 12 | – | – | – | 11 | 1 | 1 |
| Consultant Ophthalmologist | Health & Medical Education, UT Ladakh | 2 | – | – | – | 2 | – | – |
The largest vacancy concentration in this recruitment is the 50-post Assistant Director Grade-II (Economic Investigation) block under the Ministry of MSME’s Development Commissioner office. Two PwBD reserved vacancies under this post are backlog vacancies from previous cycles. Across the full 538-vacancy pool, dedicated PwBD-reserved positions exist in eight different ministries and departments. CME Pune faculty posts (35 vacancies total) span 18 distinct specialisations in civil, mechanical, electrical, electronics, computer, and science disciplines.
About the UPSC Selection Process
UPSC conducts recruitment through its established selection methodology tailored to each post’s requirements. For scientific and technical positions, the selection typically comprises a written examination (where prescribed), followed by an interview and document verification. For senior academic posts at CME Pune and teaching roles in UT Ladakh, UPSC may conduct interviews and research/pedagogical assessment. For administrative and legal positions, written tests focused on subject-matter expertise are commonly followed by a personality assessment.
The notification does not prescribe specific examination dates, result announcement timelines, or detailed stage-wise breakdowns in advance; UPSC publishes these details separately for each advertisement as the process progresses. The selection is merit-based and conducted entirely by the Commission according to its established protocols, ensuring transparency and equal opportunity across all reserved and unreserved categories.
Pay Scale and Benefits
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay Levels | Level 6F to Level 14 under the 7th Central Pay Commission |
| Entry-Level Posts | Level 6F (Assistant Registrar UT Ladakh), Level 7 (Scientific Assistants, Mining positions, Junior Scientific Officers, Assistant Engineer) |
| Mid-Career Posts | Level 10 (Operations/Air Safety Officers DGCA, Scientist ‘B’, Assistant Director IT), Level 11 (Regional Director, Assistant Legal Adviser, Deputy Director, Consultant Ophthalmologist) |
| Senior Posts | Level 12 (Principal A&N), Level 13 (Professor Sugar Engineering), Level 13A1 (CME Pune Associate Professors), Level 14 (CME Pune Professor Civil Engg Structural) |
| Probation Period | 2 years for Group B; 1 year for Group A posts |
| Pension Scheme | NPS applicable from 01.01.2004; UPS applicable from 01.04.2025 for eligible candidates at ORGI |
Entry-level posts under Level 7 (Pay Matrix 2023) carry a basic salary of approximately ₹9,300 per month, with gross compensation typically ranging from ₹25,000 to ₹35,000 per month after allowances and before location-based HRA. Senior positions at Level 14 (CME Pune Professor, Structural) start at ₹1,82,400 basic salary with significantly higher gross compensation. All posts carry standard central government benefits, including health insurance (CGHS), provident fund contributions, and leave entitlements as per 7th CPC norms.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | As per the UPSC notification |
| SC / ST / PwBD | No fee |
| Female candidates (all categories) | No fee |
Detailed fee payment instructions, including accepted payment gateways (SBI Collect, net banking, or other prescribed modes), are available on the UPSC ORA portal. Candidates are advised to retain payment confirmation receipts for their records.
How to Apply for UPSC Recruitment 2026
- Open the UPSC Online Recruitment Application (ORA) portal at https://upsconline.nic.in/ora/.
- Register as a new user by providing your email address and mobile number, or log in with existing credentials if already registered on the UPSC ORA system.
- Navigate to Advertisement No. 06/2026 and select your desired post from the available list.
- Fill in all mandatory fields: personal details (name, date of birth, gender, category), educational qualifications (degree, university, year of passing, percentage/CGPA), and professional experience if applicable to the post.
- Upload a photograph (JPG/PNG format, recent colour, white background, size as specified by the portal), signature, and any required supporting documents (certificates, degrees, caste/EWS proof for reserved categories).
- Review all entered information for accuracy before final submission.
- Submit the application form and note your system-generated registration number and password. Save the confirmation receipt.
Desktop browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge) on laptops or computers provide the most stable experience on the UPSC ORA portal. Uploading documents well before the last date ensures you have time to troubleshoot any technical issues; the portal typically experiences heavy traffic in the final 24 hours.
Common Mistakes to Avoid While Applying
- Incorrect photograph or signature specifications: Uploading files that exceed the size limit or use an incorrect format (GIF, BMP, TIFF) results in rejection at document verification. Always verify the exact dimensions and file size required on the portal before uploading.
- Duplicate payments: If a payment transaction fails, wait for official confirmation of the failure before retrying. Submitting payment twice can trigger system locks requiring manual resolution, delaying your application.
- Category selection errors: Selecting the wrong caste category (UR instead of SC, or vice versa) at form submission cannot be corrected post-submission on most UPSC cycles. Review your category eligibility against your domicile certificate or caste certificate before finalizing.
- Last-minute submission during peak traffic: Applying in the final hours of the deadline exposes you to portal timeout and session disconnection risks. Submit your application at least 2-3 days before the closing date to avoid losing unsaved form data.
- Missing experience documentation: Positions requiring prior work experience (R&D, aerodrome operations, teaching, litigation) demand certified proof (appointment letters, relieving letters, experience certificates from employers). Incomplete or uncertified documents trigger rejection at verification.
Documents Required
- Photograph (colour, recent, white background, in JPG/PNG format as per UPSC specifications)
- Signature (in JPG/PNG format as per UPSC specifications)
- Educational certificates (Bachelor’s and Master’s degree certificates, marksheets)
- Caste/EWS certificate (for candidates claiming SC/ST/OBC/EWS reservation)
- PwBD certificate (if applicable, issued by the medical authority as per norms)
- Experience certificates / Appointment letters / Service records (for posts requiring prior experience)
- Domicile Certificate from Tehsildar (mandatory for all UT Ladakh posts, issued under Ladakh Civil Services Decentralization and Recruitment Rules, 2025)
- Valid AADHAR, Voter ID, PAN, or other government-issued identity proof
What Happens After You Apply
- Application window closes on the date specified in the official notification.
- UPSC shortlists candidates based on eligibility verification and merit criteria specific to each post.
- Written Examination (where prescribed for the post) is conducted as per the UPSC schedule; admit cards are released on the official portal.
- Interview / Personality Test conducted for shortlisted candidates; schedule released separately.
- Document Verification of selected candidates; original certificates and identity proof verified against submitted documents.
- Medical Examination (if applicable to the post) is conducted for candidates cleared after the interview.
- Final Merit List published on the UPSC website; candidates ranked post-medical clearance.
- Appointment Orders issued; candidates report for joining and complete probation period (1-2 years depending on post group).
The entire selection cycle typically spans 6-9 months from application close to appointment orders, though timelines vary by post complexity and UPSC’s workload.
Important Links
| Particulars | Link |
|---|---|
| Official UPSC ORA Portal | Visit Portal |
| Download Official Notification PDF | Download Notification |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the UPSC Recruitment 2026 notification about, and how many posts are available?
Ans. UPSC Recruitment 2026 (Advertisement 06/2026) is a multi-department central government recruitment covering 538 permanent positions across 70 distinct posts. Posts range from Junior Scientific Officer (Level 7) to Professor (Level 14) and span ministries including Defence, Home Affairs, Civil Aviation, Labour, Education, and the Union Territory of Ladakh. The notification was released on 12/06/2026.
Q2. Are there any age relaxations for SC, ST, OBC, and PwBD candidates?
Ans. Yes. SC candidates receive 5 years’ relaxation above the unreserved age limit, OBC candidates receive 3 years, and PwBD candidates across all categories receive 10 years. For senior posts with a base upper age of 50 years, the PwBD maximum is capped at 56 years. For UT Ladakh posts, ST candidates additionally receive 5% relaxation in minimum percentage requirements at Bachelor’s and Master’s levels.
Q3. Do all 538 vacancies have the same eligibility criteria?
Ans. No. Each of the 70 posts has its own distinct educational qualification and experience requirement. For example, Junior Scientific Officer posts require M.Sc. in specified subjects, while CME Pune faculty positions require B.E./B. Tech plus M.E./M.Tech plus Ph.D. in relevant disciplines. Review the eligibility table carefully for your specific post of interest.
Q4. Are UT Ladakh posts open to candidates from all states?
Ans. No. All 11 posts advertised under the Union Territory of Ladakh administration (Lecturer-I, Scientific Officer/Programmer, Assistant Registrar, Private Secretary, Consultant Ophthalmologist) are exclusively open to domiciles of UT Ladakh. A valid Domicile Certificate issued by the Ladakh Tehsildar under the Ladakh Civil Services Decentralization and Recruitment Rules, 2025, is mandatory.
Q5. What is the selection process for UPSC Recruitment 2026, and when are exams scheduled?
Ans. UPSC conducts selection as per its established methodology tailored to each post. Scientific and technical posts typically involve a written examination, an interview, and document verification. Academic posts at CME Pune may include research or pedagogical assessment. The notification does not specify fixed examination dates; UPSC publishes exam schedules separately as the process progresses. Candidates can monitor the official UPSC website for updates.
Q6. What pay level and basic salary can I expect for a junior position in this recruitment?
Ans. Entry-level posts (Level 7), such as Junior Scientific Officer, Assistant Engineer, and Mining positions, carry a basic salary of approximately ₹9,300 per month under the 7th CPC. Gross monthly compensation, including allowances and HRA, typically ranges from ₹25,000 to ₹35,000, depending on posting location and eligibility for allowances. Senior positions (Level 13-14) carry substantially higher salaries, starting at ₹1,82,400 basic for the CME Pune Professor role.
Q7. What are the most common reasons for application rejection in UPSC recruitment?
Ans. Common rejection causes include: incorrect photograph/signature format or size, missing required documents or certifications (caste/EWS/PwBD certificates, experience proofs), category selection errors that cannot be corrected post-submission, missing domicile certificate for UT Ladakh posts, and failure to meet the age limit or educational qualification for the chosen post. Always verify your eligibility fully before applying.
Q8. Can I apply for multiple posts in a single application, or do I need separate applications for each post?
Ans. The UPSC ORA portal allows candidates to select and apply for multiple posts within the same advertisement by submitting separate applications for each post. However, you must pay the applicable fee for each post separately (unless fee-exempt under SC/ST/PwBD/Female category). Ensure you meet the distinct eligibility criteria for each post before applying.
Your Next Step
Eligible candidates should register on the UPSC ORA portal and review their specific post’s detailed qualification and experience requirements before starting the application. With 538 vacancies spread across critical government sectors and a mix of entry-level (Level 6F-7) and senior positions (Level 13-14), this recruitment offers diverse career pathways for science, engineering, law, education, and administrative professionals. Visit the official portal at https://upsconline.nic.in/ora/ to submit your application and download the complete notification PDF. Monitor our free job alert service at MyNaukriAlert.com for UPSC result announcements, admit card releases, and other government recruitment updates across all major agencies.
