The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the UPSC IES/ISS Recruitment 2026 notification for the Indian Economic Service (IES) and Indian Statistical Service (ISS) Examination. This prestigious recruitment drive offers 44 vacancies (tentative) for Group ‘A’ posts in the Junior Time Scale across these specialized services under the Government of India.
If you’re a postgraduate in Economics or Statistics and aspire to a rewarding career in policy-making, economic analysis, data-driven governance, or statistical planning, this is a golden opportunity. The application window is open now—don’t miss it!
What is UPSC IES/ISS Exam?
The UPSC Indian Economic Service (IES) and Indian Statistical Service (ISS) Examination recruits officers for key roles in ministries like Finance, Statistics & Programme Implementation, NITI Aayog, RBI, and other central government departments. IES officers focus on economic policy, planning, and advisory roles, while ISS officers handle statistical data collection, analysis, surveys, and research.
These are highly sought-after positions with excellent pay scales, job security, prestige, and opportunities to influence national economic and statistical frameworks.
UPSC IES/ISS 2026 Vacancy Details
Total Posts: 44 (Tentative)
- Indian Economic Service (IES): 16 Posts
- Indian Statistical Service (ISS): 28 Posts
These vacancies are for Junior Time Scale posts in Group ‘A’ services.
Important Dates for UPSC IES/ISS 2026
- Notification Release Date: February 11, 2026
- Online Application Start Date: February 11, 2026
- Last Date to Apply Online: March 3, 2026 (till 6:00 PM)
- Application Correction Window: March 5–11, 2026 (tentative)
- Written Exam Date: June 19, 2026 (spanning 3 days)
- Admit Card Release: Likely a week before the exam
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification:
- For IES: Master’s degree in Economics/Applied Economics/Business Economics/Econometrics/Statistics from a recognized university.
- For ISS: Master’s degree in Statistics/Mathematical Statistics/Applied Statistics from a recognized university (or equivalent qualifications).
Age Limit (as on the crucial date mentioned in the notification):
- Minimum 21 years and maximum 30 years (relaxations apply for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD/Ex-servicemen as per government rules).
Nationality: Indian citizen (or as specified in the official notification).
Application Fee: ₹200 (exemptions for female/SC/ST/PwBD candidates). Payment via online modes or offline at SBI branches.
How to Apply for UPSC IES/ISS 2026
- Visit the official UPSC website: upsc.gov.in or the application portal upsconline.nic.in.
- Complete Part-I and Part-II registration.
- Upload scanned documents (photo, signature, etc.).
- Pay the fee (if applicable).
- Submit and take a printout of the application for reference.
Direct links and detailed instructions are available in the official notification PDF on the UPSC site.
Selection Process
The recruitment follows a three-stage process:
- Written Examination (Conventional papers, 1000 marks total):
- General English (100 marks)
- General Studies (100 marks)
- Economics/Statistics subjects (papers specific to IES or ISS)
- Interview/Personality Test (200 marks): For candidates who qualify the written exam.
- Final merit list based on written + interview marks.
The exam is descriptive/offline and highly competitive, requiring strong conceptual clarity and answer-writing skills.
Preparation Tips for UPSC IES/ISS 2026
- Focus on core subjects: Micro/Macro Economics, Econometrics, Statistics, Probability for ISS; Indian Economy, Development Economics for IES.
- Practice previous year papers and mock tests.
- Stay updated with current economic affairs and statistical reports (Economic Survey, Budget, NSSO reports).
- Build strong writing skills for descriptive answers.
Why Choose IES/ISS Career?
These services offer prestige comparable to IAS/IPS but with specialized focus on economics and statistics. Officers enjoy Level-10 pay scale initially, promotions, and impactful roles in shaping India’s economic policies and data systems.
The official notification is available on upsc.gov.in (Advt No. 07/2026-IES/ISS). Apply soon before March 3, 2026, and start your preparation if you haven’t already.
Download Official Notification
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