UPSC Registration 2025 - How to Apply, Instructions, Exam Fees

UPSC Registration 2026 Dates

Following are the important dates for UPSC Registration 2026.

---

UPSC 2026 Eligibility Criteria

UPSC will release the UPSC Exam Eligibility Criteria in the notification. You need to qualify the below-mentioned parameters in order to apply for the UPSC Civil Services Examination.

UPSC has a fixed eligibility criteria concerning age for the UPSC examination. Following is the age relaxation for various categories.

• There is a 3 year relaxation for candidates belonging to OBC, Defence Services Personnel and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities categories. Candidates from these categories are eligible to appear for this examination till age 35.;
• There is a 5 year age relaxation for candidates from SC/ST. Candidates from these categories are eligible to appear for the examination

---

UPSC Registration 2026- Step-by-Step Registration Process

The step-by-step process for completing the UPSC Online Registration is given below:

• Step 1: Go to the official UPSC Website and click on One Time Registration (OTR) for Examinations.
• Step 2: Register yourself on the OTR (One Time Registration) portal by clicking the ‘New Registration’ button and providing basic details about yourself.
• Step 3: After registration, you will be required to log in using your Email ID, Mobile Number or OTR ID and verify the already registered OTR Application.
• Step 4: Once you log in, you will need to complete your application form with the further details such as your address and educational qualification details.
• Step 5: Then, select your preferred exam center and upload the required documents i.e. your scanned passport sized photograph, signature, and valid ID proof.
• Step 6: Finally, pay the Application Form fee.
• Step 7: Go over the details you’ve filled out and rectify any mistakes. Once done, click submit, and submit the application form.

---

What is OTR and what are its advantages?

OTR or One Time Registration has the following advantages.

• Applicants have to fill out their personal information only once.
• OTR Information will be accessible digitally from anywhere.
• If candidates apply under any Commission’s Notification, OTR Information will get transferred automatically. Candidates should use the same password while applying for other UPSC Examinations as well.

---

UPSC APPLICATION FORM FEE 

Following is the UPSC 2026 Application Form Fee for various categories. 

• Candidates from General Category are required to pay an Application Fee of Rs. 100.
• Female Candidates, Candidates from SC/ST and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities Category are exempted from paying the fee i.e. they have to pay Rs. 0.

---

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

The documents required while filling out the Online Application Form are as follows.

• Scanned Photograph
• Scanned Signature
  3. Scanned Copy of a Government Issued Photo ID Card (Aadhar Card/ Pan Card/ Voter ID/ Driver’s License/ Passport)
• Category/ Disability Certificate (for candidates from OBC/ ST/ SC/ PwBD/ Ex-Servicemen or EWS categories)

---

Important Guidelines for UPSC Online Registration 2026

• Candidates are required to carefully note the registration number for further logging into their account and downloading the admit card.
• Candidates can pay the application fee both online and offline. For online payment, you can use net banking or a debit card (Visa/ Master/ RuPay/ Credit/ Debit Card/ UPI). For offline payment, you must generate a challan slip and submit it to the State Bank of India.
• Female candidates and candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC/PwD are exempted from the fees.
• Candidates seeking reservation/ relaxation benefits for SC/ ST/ OBC/ EWS/ PwBD/ Ex-Servicemen must ensure that they have all the required certificates ready to support their claim. These documents must be submitted before the closing date for the applications, i.e. 3rd February 2026, and not after the prelims like previous years. 
• All other applications without the submission of the application fee will be rejected by the commission.
• Fees once paid will not be refunded under any circumstances. Neither shall the commission reserve the amount of fee for any other examination.
• Candidates selected for the Main Examination will be further required to pay INR 200/- as the fees for Main Examination.
• The scanned copies of passport size photographs, signature and photo should be uploaded in the prescribed format. Read the instructions provided alongside the upload documents section carefully.
• Candidates are requested to read the eligibility criteria beforehand. Their admission to each stage of the examination is provisional and may be canceled at any time if the candidate is unable to furnish proof of the details submitted in the application form. 
• Candidates are requested to submit only ONE application form during UPSC registration. However, under unavoidable circumstances, applications bearing the higher Registration ID will be accepted. Hence, make sure you complete the application form bearing a higher Registration ID in all regards. Furthermore, fees paid against one registration form will not be adjusted against the other.

Read more | UPSC Notification 2026

---

UPSC 2026 Exam Pattern

UPSC Civil Services Exam is a three-stage examination namely Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, and Interview.

---

How to prepare for UPSC Online?

Earlier, students had to move to big cities to prepare for UPSC. However, to let you prepare from the comfort of your home, Career Launcher brought the UPSC classes online and made UPSC Online Preparation possible. You can choose to enroll in a course of your choice to enhance your UPSC preparation. Here are some tips while preparing for UPSC Online:

1. Always keep a copy of the UPSC syllabus with you. It will ensure that you do not divert from studying topics of relevance.
2. Make a proper study plan and try to abide by it. Often, while doing self-preparation, one may lose track of days and lag behind. A flexible study-plan will help in avoiding such lags in your preparation.
3. If you face difficulties in certain areas, it is always a good idea to speak to your mentor to clear your doubts.
4. If you’re just beginning with UPSC preparation, start with NCERT.

These are some of the tricks that might help you in your UPSC Online preparation journey. You can read more such helpful articles here.

Check out our UPSC Online Coaching Programs here: