UPSC IES ISS 2026: Complete Overview for Economics & Statistics Graduates
Introduction
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the Indian Economic Service (IES)/Indian Statistical Service (ISS) Examination 2026 notification under Advertisement No. 07/2026-IES/ISS. This prestigious examination is conducted for recruitment to the Junior Time Scale of the Indian Economic Service and Indian Statistical Service. Candidates with strong academic backgrounds in economics and statistics can apply online through the UPSC portal. The online application process commenced on 11 February 2026, and the last date to apply is 03 March 2026.
Table of Contents
Highlights
- Exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
- Recruitment to Group ‘A’ Central Services
- A total of 44 vacancies were notified
- Selection through Written Examination and Personality Test
- Examination begins on 19 June 2026
- Online application mode only
- Fee exemption for women/SC/ST/PwBD
- Jobs offer policy-level roles in the Government of India
Total Vacancies
44 Posts
Advertisement No.
Examination Notice No. 07/2026-IES/ISS
Short Description – UPSC IES ISS Recruitment 2026
The UPSC IES ISS Examination 2026 is a national-level competitive examination for recruitment to the Indian Economic Service (IES) and the Indian Statistical Service (ISS). Selected candidates are appointed in key ministries and departments of the Government of India and are involved in economic policy formulation, statistical analysis, data governance, and national planning.
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has invited applications for Indian Economic Service (IES) / Indian Statistical Service (ISS) Examination 2026. Detailed eligibility, terms of reference, and application instructions are available in the UPSC IES ISS Notification (PDF) .
Important Dates and Application Fee – UPSC IES ISS 2026
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
| Application Begins | 11 February 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 03 March 2026 (till 6:00 PM) |
| Admit Card Release | Last working day of the preceding week of the exam |
| Examination Start Date | 19 June 2026 |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹200 |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Women | Nil |
| Mode of Payment | Online (Net Banking / Card / UPI) |
Posts, Vacancy, Age Limit, Pay Scale & Qualification Details – UPSC IES ISS 2026
Vacancy Details
| Post Name | Total Vacancies |
| Indian Economic Service (IES) | 16 |
| Indian Statistical Service (ISS) | 28 |
| Total | 44 |
Educational Qualification
| Post | Required Qualification |
| IES | Post-Graduate Degree in Economics / Applied Economics / Business Economics / Econometrics |
| ISS | Bachelor’s Degree with Statistics OR Master’s Degree in Statistics / Mathematical Statistics / Applied Statistics |
Age Limit (as on 01 August 2026)
- Minimum Age: 21 years
- Maximum Age: 30 years
- Born between 02 August 1996 and 01 August 2005
Age Relaxation
- SC / ST: 5 years
- OBC: 3 years
- PwBD: Up to 10 years
- Ex-Servicemen: As per UPSC rules
Cut-Off Date for Age Calculation
01 August 2026
How to Apply – UPSC IES ISS Online Form 2026
- Visit upsconline.nic.in
- Complete Universal Registration Number (URN) profile
- Fill out the Common Application Form (CAF)
- Select IES or ISS Examination
- Upload a photograph, a live photo, and a signature
- Pay application fee (if applicable)
- Submit the application and retain the application number.
Documents Required
- Recent photograph (as per UPSC norms)
- Scanned signature
- Photo ID proof (Aadhaar / Voter ID / PAN / Passport)
- Educational qualification certificates
- Category certificate (if applicable)
- PwBD certificate (if applicable)
Selection Process – UPSC IES ISS 2026
- Written Examination (1000 Marks)
- Personality Test / Interview (200 Marks)
Final selection is based on combined merit.
Important Instructions
- Only online applications are accepted
- No correction allowed after final submission
- Mobile phones and electronic devices are strictly prohibited
- The admit card will not be sent by post
- All information provided must be accurate and verifiable
Why This Job Is Perfect For You
UPSC IES and ISS are ideal for candidates who aspire to work at the highest policy-making level of the Government of India. These services offer unmatched exposure to economic planning, national statistics, governance frameworks, and data-driven decision-making, along with job security, prestige, and long-term career growth.
FAQs:
Q1. How many vacancies are announced in UPSC IES ISS 2026?
A total of 44 vacancies have been notified (16 IES and 28 ISS).
Q2. Can final-year students apply for UPSC IES ISS 2026?
Yes, candidates appearing in the final qualifying examination are eligible, subject to proof at the interview stage.
Q3. Is there any application fee exemption?
Yes, women, SC, ST, and PwBD candidates are fully exempt from payment of the application fee.
Q4. Can a candidate apply for both the Indian Economic Service and the Indian Statistical Service in UPSC IES ISS 2026?
No. A candidate is allowed to apply for only one service—either the Indian Economic Service (IES) or the Indian Statistical Service (ISS)—based on their educational qualification and eligibility. Choosing both services in a single application is not permitted by UPSC.
Q5. Is there any negative marking in the UPSC IES ISS Examination 2026?
Yes. Negative marking is applicable only in the objective-type papers, specifically Statistics Paper-I and Statistics Paper-II of the Indian Statistical Service examination. All other papers in both IES and ISS are descriptive in nature and do not carry negative marking.
Important Links
- Apply Online: https://upsconline.nic.in
- Official Notification PDF: Available on the UPSC website
- UPSC Official Website: https://upsc.gov.in
- UPSC Application Portal
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