The Union Public Service Commission has officially structured the Indian Economic Service and Indian Statistical Service Examination 2026 into a two-stage competitive process. The primary stage consists of a written examination totaling 1000 marks, featuring a combination of conventional essay-type papers for the Economic Service and a mix of objective and descriptive papers for the Statistical Service. Candidates should note that the Statistics I and II papers in the ISS category utilize an objective format with a negative marking penalty of 0.33 for incorrect responses. The second stage involves a Viva Voce or Personality Test carrying 200 marks to evaluate the mental qualities and leadership potential of qualified applicants. All examination papers are conducted strictly in English, and the selection framework is designed to assess both specialized academic knowledge and general awareness. This comprehensive exam scheme ensures a rigorous evaluation of candidates for Junior Time Scale positions.
Location
All India
Total Vacancy
44 Posts
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08/2026-CAPF
UPSC Indian Economic Service Statistical Service Exam Pattern
(UPSC) Union Public Service Commission
Important Dates
| Event | Dates |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 11 Feb, 2026 |
| Application Start Date | 11 Feb, 2026 |
| Last Date | 03 Mar, 2026 |
| Admit Card Release Date | Will Be Notified |
| Exam Date | 19 Jun, 2026 |
| Result Declaration | Will Be Notified |
Exam Details
| Exam Stages | Exam Details |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Written Examination |
| Stage 2 | Viva Voce |
| Recruitment Stages |
| Selection Process: The recruitment consists of a Written Examination followed by an Interview. |
| Stage Structure: The written part carries a maximum of 1000 marks across six papers. |
| Final Stage: Qualified candidates appear for the Viva Voce carrying 200 marks. |
| Evaluation Method: Final merit is prepared by combining marks from both stages. |
IES Written Exam
| Conventional (Descriptive) |
| Subject | Questions | Max Marks | Time Allowed | Subjective |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General English | - | 100 | 3 hrs | Subjective |
| General Studies | - | 100 | 3 hrs | Subjective |
| General Economics I | - | 200 | 3 hrs | Subjective |
| General Economics II | - | 200 | 3 hrs | Subjective |
| General Economics III | - | 200 | 3 hrs | Subjective |
| Indian Economics | - | 200 | 3 hrs | Subjective |
| TOTAL | - | 1000 | 18 Hours Total | - |
| IES Examination Structure |
| Stage Structure: Consists of six subjective papers totaling 1000 marks. |
| Exam Mode: All papers must be answered in English only. |
| Evaluation: Each paper carries specific weightage ranging from 100 to 200 marks. |
ISS Written Exam
| Objective and Descriptive |
| Subject | Questions | Max Marks | Time Allowed | Subjective |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General English | - | 100 | 3 hrs | Subjective |
| General Studies | - | 100 | 3 hrs | Subjective |
| Statistics I | 80 | 200 | 2 hrs | Objective Type |
| Statistics II | 80 | 200 | 2 hrs | Objective Type |
| Statistics III | - | 200 | 3 hrs | Descriptive |
| Statistics IV | - | 200 | 3 hrs | Descriptive |
| TOTAL | 160 | 1000 | 16 Hours Total | - |
| ISS Examination Structure |
| Stage Structure: Combination of two objective and four descriptive papers. |
| Penalty: Negative marking of 0.33 applies to objective Statistics papers. |
| Choice: Statistics IV allows candidates to choose two sections out of seven. |
Important Instructions for Job Seekers
- Never pay any money, fee, or donation for a job.
- Verify details only from the official website/notification.
- Do not trust job offers received via random emails, messages, or calls.
- Never share bank details, OTP, or passwords with anyone.
- If in doubt, contact the official recruiting authority directly.
Important Links
Exam Preparation Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
The selection process consists of two main stages: a written examination carrying 1000 marks followed by a Viva Voce or Personality Test which is allotted 200 marks.
Yes, a penalty of 1/3 (0.33) marks is deducted for every wrong answer specifically in the objective type papers, which are Statistics I and II for the ISS stream.
According to the official UPSC guidelines, all question papers must be answered strictly in English, and the questions themselves will also be set in English only.
Candidates are allowed a time duration of 3 hours for each descriptive/conventional type paper, while the objective type Statistics papers are conducted for 2 hours.
Candidates can use scientific non-programmable calculators during descriptive papers; however, no calculators are permitted for use during the objective type exam papers.
The Personality Test or Viva Voce carries a maximum of 200 marks and is conducted for candidates who qualify in the written part to assess their overall suitability.