UPSC Advt No 05/2026 – 194+ Permanent Group A & B Posts Across Ministries

A fresh batch of 194 government seats has been announced by the Union Public Service Commission under Advertisement No. 05/2026 dated 22 May 2026. The vacancies span 32 different posts in ministries such as Civil Aviation, Commerce & Industry, Communications, Earth Sciences, Defence, Culture, Mines, Tribal Affairs, and the Administration of UT of Ladakh. Key positions include Airworthiness Officer (25 vacancies), Deputy Controller of Explosives (44 vacancies), Scientist‑B in Meteorology (30 vacancies), and multiple Assistant Director posts in MSME. The posts are permanent, carry 7th CPC pay levels ranging from Level 06 to Level 13A1, and have all‑India service liability (with Ladakh‑specific domicile conditions for certain posts). Online applications close on 12 June 2026 at 6:00 PM.

Based on official UPSC notification. Verified: May 2026.

Quick Eligibility Check – Are You Eligible for UPSC Advt 05/2026?

Expert note: For posts under UT Ladakh, domicile requirement as per Ladakh Civil Services Decentralization Rules, 2025 is mandatory. Also, PwBD candidates must have disability 40% or more and the post must be identified suitable for their disability type.

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Important Dates – UPSC Advt 05/2026

Since the UPSC portal has a live photo capture and multiple modules (URN, CAF, post‑specific), start at least one week before the deadline. The portal may slow down on the last day.

Vacancy Breakdown – 32 Posts, 194+ Seats (Key Highlights)

Category insights: EWS reservation is prominent in Airworthiness Officer (9 seats) and Scientist-B (11 seats). OBC gets 13 seats in Deputy Controller of Explosives. SC/ST reservations are as per GoI norms. PwBD reservation exists for many posts, but suitability depends on disability type (e.g., locomotor disability with one leg/arm affected often suitable, blindness/low vision usually not suitable for technical posts).

Expected competition ratio: With approximately 194 vacancies and an estimated 2‑3 lakh applicants for UPSC direct recruitment (based on previous years), the overall selection ratio is roughly 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 1,500. However, posts like Scientist‑B (General Meteorology) with 30 seats and low eligibility (Master’s in Physics/Maths) may have better odds (~1:400). Highly specialised posts like Associate Professor (Electrical Engineering) with 1 seat will be extremely competitive.

Salary & Pay Scale – Level 06 to Level 13A1

In-hand calculation (sample – Scientist-B, Level 10, New Delhi): Basic ₹56,100 + DA (50%) ₹28,050 + HRA (27% for X city) ₹15,147 + TA ~₹3,600 = Gross ~₹1,02,897. Deductions: NPS (10% of basic+DA) ~₹8,415, Income Tax (approx) ₹6,000, Professional Tax ₹200. Approximate in-hand: ₹88,000‑90,000 per month. For Associate Professor (Level 13A1, basic ~₹1,31,100), in-hand may exceed ₹1,70,000 per month.

Compared to central government posts at similar levels, UPSC‑recruited officers get additional allowances, training opportunities, and faster promotions. Note: Posts under Ministry of Defence (College of Military Engineering) offer military-like benefits but no uniformed commission.

City‑wise variation: HRA varies: X cities (Delhi, Mumbai, etc.) 27%, Y cities 18%, Z cities 9%. For Ladakh posts, special allowances may apply as per UT rules.

Application Fee – Only ₹25 (Women, SC, ST, PwBD Exempt)

⚠️ Mistake to avoid: Fee exemption is not available to OBC/EWS male candidates – they must pay ₹25. Applications without correct fee are summarily rejected. No refund of fee under any circumstances.

Age Limit (as on 12 June 2026)

Example calculation: For Scientist-B (UR, max 35 years), a candidate born after 12 June 1991 is eligible. OBC candidate born after 12 June 1988 (35+3) can apply. Note that age ceiling cannot exceed 56 years even after relaxation.

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Eligibility Criteria – Qualification & Experience (Selected Posts)

Common mistake: For AMIE candidates applying to Deputy Director of Mines Safety, only those enrolled up to 31.05.2013 are eligible. Enrolment after that date disqualifies you. Also, experience on part‑time/daily wage/guest faculty basis is NOT counted.

Selection Process – Recruitment Test (if held) + Interview

Stage 1: Shortlisting

UPSC may shortlist based on desirable qualifications, higher education, more experience, or by holding a Recruitment Test (RT). The Commission decides the method.

Stage 2: Recruitment Test (if applicable)

For many posts, an objective/descriptive RT may be conducted. Marks from RT are combined with interview marks. Minimum qualifying marks in RT are decided by UPSC on case‑to‑case basis.

Stage 3: Interview (Personality Test)

Shortlisted candidates appear for an interview (100 marks). Minimum qualifying marks in interview: UR‑50, OBC‑45, SC/ST/PwBD‑40. Final merit list based on RT+Interview or only Interview.

Your first 7 days after applying: (1) Save your URN and Application Number. (2) Print the finally submitted application. (3) Note down the live photo capture details – ensure it matches your uploaded photo. (4) Gather original certificates: educational, experience, caste, disability, etc. (5) If claiming age relaxation (ex‑serviceman/Central Govt employee), get certificate from employer. (6) Check your email daily for RT call letter. (7) Prepare a scan of all documents in PDF as per UPSC size limits.

Recruitment Test – Syllabus & Pattern

How to Apply for UPSC Advt No 05/2026 – Step‑by‑Step

1. Go to https://upsconline.nic.in/ora/ – the One Time Registration (ORA) portal.
2. Create an account (Account creation) if new, or login with existing URN.
3. Complete “Universal Registration” (URN) – fill personal details, photo, signature, Aadhaar (recommended). Live photo capture is mandatory.
4. Fill “Common Application Form” (CAF) – provide educational, experience, and category details. Upload required documents (PDFs).
5. Go to the “Post/Vacancy specific module” – search for Advt No. 05/2026 and select the post(s) you are eligible for. You can apply for multiple posts.
6. Fill the post‑specific details, including any additional eligibility criteria.
7. Pay application fee of ₹25 (unless exempted) using Debit/Credit Card, UPI, or Net Banking.
8. Submit the application. An Application Number will be generated – note it down. Take a printout of the final submitted application.

Frequently Asked Questions – UPSC Advt No 05/2026

Q1. What is the application fee for General male candidates?

₹25 only. Women, SC, ST, and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) are exempted from fee payment. OBC/EWS male candidates must pay ₹25 – no exemption.

Q2. What is the last date to apply for UPSC Advt 05/2026?

12 June 2026 up to 6:00 PM IST. The online portal will close exactly at that time. No offline applications are accepted.

Q3. How many total vacancies are there in this advertisement?

Approximately 194+ vacancies across 32 post categories. Major ones: Airworthiness Officer (25), Deputy Controller of Explosives (44), Scientist-B (30), and various Assistant Director posts in MSME (over 20).

Q4. Is AMIE degree valid for all engineering posts?

For Deputy Director of Mines Safety, only candidates enrolled in AMIE up to 31 May 2013 are eligible. For other posts, AMIE may be considered equivalent if recognized by UPSC – but must provide equivalence certificate.

Q5. What is the age relaxation for OBC candidates?

3 years relaxation over the UR age limit. For example, if UR max age is 35 years, OBC max is 38 years. Additionally, OBC PwBD candidates get total 13 years (3+10).

Q6. Can I apply for multiple posts in the same advertisement?

Yes. You must submit a separate post‑specific module for each vacancy number. The Common Application Form (CAF) and URN remain the same, but you pay fee for each application (if applicable).

Q7. What are the physical standards for PwBD candidates?

Disability must be 40% or more and the post must be identified “suitable” for that disability type. For example, locomotor disability with one leg/arm affected is suitable for many posts, but blindness/low vision is generally not suitable for technical/scientific posts.

Q8. Is there any interview travel allowance?

Yes. UPSC pays second‑class mail railway fare (shortest route) to the interview location and back, or actual fare whichever is less. TA is paid on the spot in Delhi or by money order for other centres.