The UPSC IES ISS 2026 Notification has been officially released by the Union Public Service Commission on 11 February 2026. A total of 44 vacancies have been announced for the Indian Economic Service (IES) and Indian Statistical Service (ISS). Eligible candidates from Economics and Statistics background can apply online. The last date to submit the application form is 3 March 2026, and the written examination will be conducted from 19 June 2026.
The IES and ISS examinations are specialized UPSC recruitments that lead to Group-A Gazetted Officer posts in Government of India ministries and policy departments.
Below you can check complete details including eligibility, qualification, age limit, syllabus, exam pattern, salary, career opportunities and the application process to help you decide whether you should apply.
Table of Contents
UPSC IES ISS 2026 Quick Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | UPSC IES/ISS Examination 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Last Date | 3 March 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Exam Date | 19 June 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 44 |
| Age Limit | 21–30 Years |
| Selection Process | Written Exam + Interview |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
Application deadline and exam schedule as per official notification.
UPSC IES ISS 2026 Important Dates & Schedule
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 11 February 2026 |
| Application Start | 11 February 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 3 March 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Admit Card | June 2026 |
| Written Examination | 19 June 2026 |
Candidates must complete the online application before the closing time.
UPSC IES ISS 2026 Apply Online
Candidates can submit the online application form through the UPSC online application portal.
- Apply Online: UPSC Online Application Portal
- Official Website: UPSC Official Website
- Notification PDF: UPSC IES ISS 2026 Official Notification
Read the official notification carefully before applying.
How to Apply for UPSC IES ISS 2026
- Visit the UPSC online application portal.
- Complete the One-Time Registration (Universal Registration Number – URN).
- Fill the Common Application Form with personal and educational details.
- Upload scanned photograph and signature as per specifications.
- Choose either Indian Economic Service (IES) or Indian Statistical Service (ISS).
- Pay the application fee (if applicable).
- Submit the application form and download the confirmation page for future reference.
- Candidates should keep a printout or soft copy of the submitted application form for future reference.
Applications are processed through online mode only and no offline applications are accepted.
Candidates are advised to apply before the last date to avoid last-minute server issues.
UPSC IES ISS 2026 Vacancy (44 Posts)
| Service | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Indian Economic Service (IES) | 16 |
| Indian Statistical Service (ISS) | 28 |
| Total | 44 Posts |
The number of vacancies is tentative and may be changed by the Union Public Service Commission.
UPSC IES ISS 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹200 |
| SC / ST / Female / PwBD | No Fee |
Female candidates and candidates belonging to SC, ST and PwBD categories are exempted from payment of examination fee.
UPSC IES ISS 2026 Eligibility (Who Can Apply)
Only candidates with specific Economics or Statistics qualifications can apply for the UPSC IES/ISS 2026 examination. The exam is not open to all graduates, so applicants should carefully check the educational qualification criteria before submitting the application.
Educational Qualification
Indian Economic Service (IES)
Candidates must have a Post-Graduate (Master’s) Degree in any of the following:
- Economics
- Applied Economics
- Business Economics
- Econometrics
Indian Statistical Service (ISS)
Candidates must have either:
Option 1:
Bachelor’s Degree with Statistics / Mathematical Statistics / Applied Statistics as a subject in all years
OR
Option 2:
Master’s Degree in Statistics / Mathematical Statistics / Applied Statistics
Note: Studying Statistics only for one or two semesters is not considered eligible.
Age Limit (as on 1 August 2026)
| Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|
| 21 Years | 30 Years |
Candidates must be born between 2 Aug 1996 and 1 Aug 2005.
Age Relaxation
- OBC – 3 years
- SC/ST – 5 years
- PwBD – 10 years
- Ex-Servicemen – As per Government rules
Age relaxation is applicable as per Government of India rules.
UPSC IES ISS 2026 Selection Process
The selection of candidates for the UPSC Indian Economic Service (IES) and Indian Statistical Service (ISS) Examination 2026 is conducted in two stages:
Stage 1: Written Examination
Candidates must first appear for a written examination consisting of subject papers carrying a total of 1000 marks.
Stage 2: Interview / Personality Test
Candidates who qualify in the written examination are called for a Personality Test (Interview) carrying 200 marks.
Final selection is based on the combined marks obtained in the written examination and the interview
UPSC IES ISS 2026 Exam Pattern
The IES and ISS examinations have different subject papers, but both carry a total of 1000 marks in the written stage followed by a 200-mark interview.
IES Exam Pattern
| Paper | Marks |
|---|---|
| General English | 100 |
| General Studies | 100 |
| General Economics-I | 200 |
| General Economics-II | 200 |
| General Economics-III | 200 |
| Indian Economics | 200 |
ISS Exam Pattern
| Paper | Marks |
|---|---|
| General English | 100 |
| General Studies | 100 |
| Statistics-I (Objective) | 200 |
| Statistics-II (Objective) | 200 |
| Statistics-III (Descriptive) | 200 |
| Statistics-IV (Descriptive) | 200 |
The written examination carries 1000 marks and qualified candidates are called for the interview stage.
UPSC IES ISS 2026 Syllabus & Subjects
The syllabus of the Indian Economic Service and Indian Statistical Service examination is based on postgraduate-level Economics and Statistics subjects.
IES Syllabus
- Microeconomics
- Macroeconomics
- Econometrics
- International Economics
- Growth and Development
- Indian Economy
ISS Syllabus
- Probability
- Statistical Inference
- Linear Models
- Sampling Theory
- Operations Research
- Numerical Analysis
The standard of the examination is approximately equivalent to a Master’s degree level in the relevant discipline.
UPSC IES ISS Salary, Job Profile & Career Growth
Selected candidates are appointed as Group-A Gazetted Officers under various ministries and departments of the Government of India.
Starting Posts
- Assistant Director
- Research Officer
- Statistical Officer
- Economic Officer
Salary Structure
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay | ₹56,100 (Level-10 Pay Matrix) |
| In-hand (Approx) | ₹80,000 – ₹1.10 lakh per month (including allowances) |
Work Departments
IES and ISS officers are generally posted in central government organizations such as:
- Economic advisory and statistical departments
- Ministry of Finance
- NITI Aayog
- National Sample Survey Office (NSO)
Nature of Work
The job mainly involves:
- economic policy analysis
- data analysis and statistics
- preparation of reports for government schemes
- research and forecasting
Unlike administrative services, the work is research and policy-oriented with relatively stable postings.
IES/ISS vs IAS – Difference, Service Type & Career
| Feature | IES/ISS | IAS |
|---|---|---|
| Service Type | Central Civil Service (Group-A) | All India Service |
| Cadre | No State Cadre | State Cadre |
| Posting | Mostly Central Government Ministries | State + Central postings |
| Work Nature | Economic policy, research & data analysis | Administration & governance |
| Educational Requirement | Economics/Statistics background | Any graduation |
| Competition Level | Lower | Extremely high |
| Transfers | Minimal | Frequent |
| Selection Probability | Higher (limited applicants) | Very low (very high competition) |
The Indian Economic Service and Indian Statistical Service are Central Civil Services, whereas IAS is an All India Service. IES/ISS officers mainly work in policy analysis and statistical departments of the Central Government, while IAS officers handle district administration and governance responsibilities.
Conclusion: If you have the required Economics or Statistics qualification, IES/ISS generally offers a higher selection probability compared to the Civil Services Examination.
Is IES/ISS an All India Service?
The Indian Economic Service and Indian Statistical Service are Central Civil Services (Group-A) and not All India Services. Unlike IAS officers, IES/ISS officers work directly under Central Government ministries and do not have a state cadre.
Important Instructions for Candidates
- Mobile phones, smart watches and electronic devices are strictly prohibited inside the examination hall.
- Negative marking is applicable in objective type papers.
- Candidates will undergo face authentication at the examination centre.
- No correction or modification is allowed after submission of the application form.
- Candidates must reach the examination venue at least 30 minutes before the reporting time.
- Candidates must carry the same photo ID card used during registration to the examination centre.
UPSC IES ISS 2026 Exam Centres
The written examination will be conducted at multiple centres across India including:
Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cuttack, Delhi, Dispur, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jammu, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Patna, Prayagraj, Shillong, Shimla and Thiruvananthapuram.
Allotment of centre is on a first-apply-first-allot basis, so candidates are advised to apply early.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the age limit for UPSC IES ISS 2026?
Candidates must be between 21 and 30 years as on 1 August 2026. Age relaxation is applicable: OBC – 3 years, SC/ST – 5 years, PwBD – 10 years and Ex-servicemen as per Government rules.
Q2. What is the last date to apply for UPSC IES ISS 2026?
The last date to submit the online application form is 3 March 2026 up to 6:00 PM.
Q3. What is the application fee for UPSC IES ISS 2026?
The application fee is ₹200 for General, OBC and EWS candidates. Female, SC, ST and PwBD candidates are exempted from paying the fee.
Q4. How many vacancies are released in UPSC IES ISS 2026?
A total of 44 vacancies have been announced, including 16 posts in Indian Economic Service (IES) and 28 posts in Indian Statistical Service (ISS).
Q5. What is the educational qualification for Indian Economic Service?
Candidates must have a Post-Graduate degree in Economics, Applied Economics, Business Economics or Econometrics from a recognized university.
Q6. What is the qualification required for Indian Statistical Service?
Candidates must have either a Bachelor’s degree with Statistics in all years or a Master’s degree in Statistics/Mathematical Statistics/Applied Statistics.
Q7. What is the selection process for UPSC IES ISS exam?
The selection process consists of a Written Examination (1000 marks) followed by a Personality Test/Interview (200 marks).
Q8. Is there negative marking in the exam?
Yes. Negative marking applies in objective-type papers.
Q9. Is IES/ISS an All India Service?
No. IES and ISS are Central Civil Services (Group-A) and officers work under Central Government ministries.
Q10. Can BA Economics students apply?
Yes, only if the candidate also has a Master’s degree in Economics or related subjects.
Q11. Can engineering or B.Com graduates apply?
No, unless they possess the required postgraduate qualification in Economics or Statistics.
Q12. Is calculator allowed in UPSC IES ISS exam?
Scientific non-programmable calculators are allowed only in descriptive papers.
📢Looking for more government job updates? Check our Latest Government Job Notifications page where all new UPSC, SSC, Banking and State Government recruitments are updated regularly.
Final Advice
If your academic qualification matches the eligibility criteria, you should seriously consider applying for this examination. Compared to many UPSC examinations, the number of applicants is relatively lower due to specific eligibility criteria.
This examination offers:
- Central Government Group-A officer post
- Policy-making and research-oriented career
- Stable postings
- Good salary and career growth
Apply before the deadline and start preparation early to secure an advantage.
Candidates are advised to regularly visit the UPSC website for updates regarding admit card and interview schedule.