This year, 13,343 candidates have qualified for the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026, while 1,046 candidates have been shortlisted for the Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination 2026.
The result analysis offers important insights into UPSC’s selection pattern, competition level, and the relationship between vacancies and the number of candidates shortlisted for the Mains examination.
UPSC Prelims Result 2026: Key Highlights
The preliminary examination serves as the first screening stage for selecting candidates for the Mains examination.
Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026
- Total Vacancies: 1,016
- Candidates Qualified for Mains: 13,343
Indian Forest Service (IFoS) Examination 2026
- Total Vacancies: 80
- Candidates Qualified for Mains: 1,046
Candidates who have qualified should now shift their complete focus toward Mains preparation, while those who could not clear this stage may benefit from reviewing preparation strategies and understanding selection trends for future attempts.
UPSC Prelims Result 2026 Analysis: Selection Trend Over the Years
The following comparison highlights how UPSC has shortlisted candidates for the Civil Services Mains examination over recent years.
UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) Prelims Analysis
| Year | No. of Vacancies | Number of Applicants (Prelims) | Candidates Appeared (Prelims) | Candidates Qualified for Mains |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 712 | 11,12,318 | 5,13,192 | 9,156 |
| 2022 | 1,011 | 11,52,566 | 5,79,008 | 13,051 |
| 2023 | 1,105 | 10,27,514 | 5,96,481 | 14,579 |
| 2024 | 1,056 | 9,92,599 | 5,83,213 | 14,627 |
| 2025 | 1,087 | 9,37,876 | 5,76,793 | 14,161 |
| 2026 | 1,016 | Approx. 8.19 lakh | Approx. 5.49 lakh | 13,343 |
What Does the UPSC Selection Trend Reveal?
A review of previous years shows a consistent pattern in UPSC’s screening process.
Despite changes in the number of vacancies and candidates appearing each year, UPSC generally shortlists candidates for the Mains examination at a ratio of approximately 12 to 13 times the total vacancies available.
For 2026:
- CSE Vacancies: 1,016
- Candidates Qualified: 13,343
This indicates a qualification ratio of roughly 13 candidates shortlisted for every available vacancy.
The trend reflects UPSC’s approach of maintaining broad competition during the Mains stage before narrowing selections during later rounds.
UPSC Prelims Result 2026: Number of Candidates Selected for Mains
The official figures indicate:
Civil Services Examination (CSE)
- Vacancies: 1,016
- Qualified for Mains: 13,343
Indian Forest Service Examination (IFoS)
- Vacancies: 80
- Qualified for Mains: 1,046
These candidates will now proceed to the next phase of the examination process.
UPSC IFoS Prelims 2026: Name-Wise List Released
UPSC has also released the name-wise list of candidates shortlisted for the Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination 2026.
Among the names appearing at the top of the released list are:
1. Vadher Pratik Bhikhalal
2. Manvendra Singh Jadaun
3. Shubham Shandilya
4. Deepkumar Sardarsinh Parmar
5. Gehani Kartik Mangaram
Candidates can access the complete list containing candidate names and roll numbers through the official PDF.
Download IFoS Prelims Name-Wise List 2026
UPSC IFoS Prelims 2026 Name-wise List PDF
What Qualified Candidates Should Do Next
✔ Begin dedicated preparation for Mains
examination
✔ Review syllabus and
answer-writing strategy
✔ Organise study schedules and
revision plans
✔ Keep checking official
updates for Mains application procedures
✔ Preserve Prelims
qualification documents and records
For candidates who missed qualification this year, analysing previous-year trends and refining preparation strategies can provide valuable direction for future attempts.
The declaration of the UPSC Prelims Result 2026 marks another significant stage in India’s highly competitive civil services selection process.