Attention all UPSC Civil Services aspirants! Your interview date has changed, and it’s not just a minor shift—it’s a whole month later! The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially rescheduled the Personality Test (Interview) for the Civil Services Main Examination (CSME) 2025. Originally set for the afternoon of January 22, 2026, the interview has been postponed to February 27, 2026, during the forenoon session. But here’s the reason behind this unexpected change: the early closure of offices for the full dress rehearsal of the Republic Day Parade 2026. Yes, even the UPSC can’t compete with national celebrations! The official notification reads: 'The Personality Test of the candidates of CSME-2025 scheduled on 22.01.2026 (Afternoon Session) has now been rescheduled to Friday, 27.02.2026 (Forenoon Session) due to the early closure of the office on 22.01.2026 for the full dress rehearsal of the Republic Day Parade, 2026.' So, mark your calendars and stay prepared!
Now, let’s break this down further. The UPSC had already conducted Phase 1 of the interviews, covering 649 candidates between December 8 and December 19, 2025. But here’s where it gets interesting: the remaining 2,107 candidates are part of Phase 2, which is spread across January 5 to February 27, 2026. And this is the part most people miss—the reporting times are crucial! Forenoon sessions start at 9 AM, while afternoon sessions begin at 1 PM. Don’t be late, or you might miss your chance!
Controversial point alert: While UPSC does reimburse travel expenses, it’s only for second-class and sleeper-class train fares. If you’re thinking of traveling in style, think again—you’ll be footing that bill yourself. Candidates must submit hard copies of their tickets, fare details, and the Travelling Allowance (TA) claim form in duplicate. These forms are available on the official UPSC website, so make sure you’re prepared.
Looking ahead, the UPSC is gearing up to release the notification for the Civil Services Examination 2026. And this is the part that sparks debate: the notification, originally scheduled for January 14, was postponed due to administrative reasons. Once released, online registrations will begin at upsc.gov.in. According to the UPSC calendar, the Preliminary Examination is set for May 24, 2026. This notification will also clarify the number of attempts allowed for General, OBC, SC, ST, and PwBD candidates—a detail many aspirants are eagerly waiting for.
So, here’s a thought-provoking question for you: Do you think the UPSC’s rescheduling and reimbursement policies are fair, or is there room for improvement? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
