Overview: UPSC Recruitment 2026
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released Advertisement No. 02/2026, inviting Online Recruitment Applications for direct recruitment by selection to 16 posts across multiple central government ministries and departments. Posts include Assistant Keeper in the Anthropological Survey of India, Senior Store Officer Grade-II in DRDO, and Livestock Officer in the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying. This is a golden opportunity for eligible candidates to secure a central government job with job security, pay matrix benefits under the 7th CPC, and All India Service Liability. Applications are open from 11 April 2026 and close on 01 May 2026 at 6:00 PM.
Table of Contents
Key Highlights: UPSC Recruitment 2026
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Advertisement No. | 02/2026 |
| Posts | Assistant Keeper, Senior Store Officer Grade-II, Livestock Officer |
| Total Vacancies | 16 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 11 April 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 01 May 2026 (by 1800 Hrs) |
| Selection Process | Interview / Recruitment Test + Interview |
| Official Website | upsconline.nic.in |
Why Apply: UPSC Recruitment 2026
Prestigious Central Government Organization: UPSC is India’s premier constitutional recruitment body. A selection through UPSC carries exceptional prestige and career credibility in the public sector.
Gazetted Officer Status: All three posts — Assistant Keeper (Group B Gazetted), Senior Store Officer Grade-II (Group A Gazetted), and Livestock Officer (Group A Gazetted) — offer Gazetted Officer status, a significant professional distinction.
7th CPC Pay Matrix Benefits: Posts are placed at Level 7 and Level 10 of the Pay Matrix, ensuring competitive salaries, allowances, and retirement benefits under the New Pension Scheme.
Permanent Government Employment: All posts are permanent in nature, offering unmatched job stability compared to private sector roles.
All India Exposure: Postings carry All India Service Liability, offering candidates experience across diverse regions and departments of the Government of India.
Inclusive Recruitment: The notification encourages women candidates to apply and provides significant relaxations and reservations for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwBD categories — making this an accessible opportunity for candidates from all backgrounds seeking a central government job.
Important Dates: UPSC Recruitment 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | 11 April 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 01 May 2026 (by 1800 Hrs) |
| Interview Date | To be notified separately |
| Age Reckoned as on | 01 May 2026 (Closing Date) |
Vacancy Details: UPSC Recruitment 2026
| Post | Vacancy No. | Total Vacancies | Category-wise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant Keeper (Anthropological Survey of India) | 26040201411 | 01 | UR-01 |
| Senior Store Officer Grade-II (DRDO) | 26040202411 | 07 | UR-05, OBC-01, SC-01, PwBD-01 |
| Livestock Officer (Dept. of Animal Husbandry & Dairying) | 26040203111 | 08 | EWS-04, OBC-01, SC-02, ST-01 |
| Total | 16 |
Eligibility: UPSC Recruitment 2026
Post 1: Assistant Keeper (Anthropological Survey of India)
Essential Qualifications: (i) Master’s Degree in Anthropology from a recognized University or Institute. (ii) Diploma in Museology from a recognized University or Institute.
Desirable Qualification: At least one year of experience in handling, maintaining, and preserving specimens in a recognized museum.
Post 2: Senior Store Officer Grade-II (DRDO)
Essential Qualifications:
Educational: (i) Master’s Degree with Economics or Commerce or Statistics or Business Studies or Public Administration from a recognized University or Institute; OR (ii) Bachelor’s Degree in Economics or Commerce or Statistics or Business Studies or Public Administration from a recognized University or Institute; AND (iii) Diploma in Materials Management or Warehousing Management or Purchasing or Logistics or Public Procurement from a recognized University or Institute.
Experience: (i) Two years’ experience (for Master’s Degree holders) in store keeping and maintaining stores accounts in Central/State Government, statutory/autonomous organisation, PSU, University, recognized institution, Banks, or a private sector organisation listed on Stock Exchanges of India. (ii) Four years’ experience (for Bachelor’s Degree/Diploma holders) in the above-mentioned fields.
Post 3: Livestock Officer (Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying)
Essential Qualifications:
Educational: (i) Bachelor’s Degree in Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry as listed in the First and Second Schedule of the Indian Veterinary Council Act, 1984 from a recognized university or institution. (ii) Registration in the Veterinary Council of India or Veterinary Council of States.
Experience: Three years’ experience in Cattle and Livestock Development, Animal Health, Poultry, or Meat and Meat Products from Central/State Government, UT Administration, statutory organisation, or autonomous bodies/institutes recognized by the Government.
Desirable Qualification: (i) Master’s Degree in Veterinary Science from a recognized university or institute; OR (ii) Two years’ additional experience in the relevant field as mentioned above.
Age & Relaxation: UPSC Recruitment 2026
Post 1: Assistant Keeper
| Category | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| UR | 30 years |
Post 2: Senior Store Officer Grade-II
| Category | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| UR | 35 years |
| OBC | 38 years |
| SC | 40 years |
| PwBD | 45 years |
Post 3: Livestock Officer
| Category | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| EWS | 35 years |
| OBC | 38 years |
| SC/ST | 40 years |
Age Relaxation:
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| PwBD (General) | 10 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 years (cumulative) |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 years (cumulative) |
| Ex-Servicemen / ECOs/SSCOs | 5 years |
| Central/UT Government Servants | Up to 5 years (10 years for SC/ST, 8 years for OBC in reserved posts) |
Age Reckoned as on: 01 May 2026 (Closing Date)
Pay Scale: UPSC Recruitment 2026
| Post | Pay Level (7th CPC) |
|---|---|
| Assistant Keeper | Level 7 in Pay Matrix |
| Senior Store Officer Grade-II | Level 10 in Pay Matrix |
| Livestock Officer | Level 10 + NPA in Pay Matrix |
Selection Process
Mode of Selection: Selection is made by direct recruitment by selection (interview-based). In cases where the number of applications is large, UPSC may conduct a Recruitment Test (RT) or Combined Recruitment Test (CRT) prior to the interview.
Shortlisting Criteria: If the number of applications received is large, UPSC may shortlist candidates based on:
- Desirable Qualifications (DQ)
- Higher educational qualifications than the minimum prescribed
- Higher experience in the relevant field
- Performance in a Recruitment Test (RT), if held
Minimum Qualifying Marks: The category-wise minimum level of suitability in interviews is as follows:
- UR: 50 marks out of 100
- OBC: 45 marks out of 100
- SC/ST/PH: 40 marks out of 100
In cases where a Recruitment Test is held, candidates must achieve the minimum qualifying marks at both the RT and Interview stages.
Recruitment Test Centres (if applicable): Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Chennai, Delhi, Dispur (Guwahati), Jaipur, Jammu, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Port Blair, Ranchi, and Visakhapatnam.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS (Male) | Rs. 25/- |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Women (all categories) | Nil |
Mode of Payment: Online via Visa/Master/RuPay Credit/Debit Card, UPI, or Internet Banking.
Fee once paid is non-refundable and cannot be held in reserve for any other examination or selection.
How to Apply
- Visit the official UPSC Online Recruitment Application portal at https://upsconline.nic.in/ora/
- Complete Account Creation, Universal Registration (URN generation), and the Common Application Form (CAF).
- Fill in the post/vacancy-specific module for the post(s) you wish to apply for.
- Upload a live photograph, signature (three times on plain white paper using black ink), and all required documents including educational certificates, experience certificates, caste/disability certificates, and date of birth proof.
- Pay the application fee online (if applicable).
- Submit the application before 01 May 2026 at 1800 Hrs.
- Take a printout of the final submitted Online Recruitment Application for future reference.
Note: Applications once submitted cannot be withdrawn or modified. Candidates are strongly advised to use their Aadhaar Card for seamless ID verification.
Candidates seeking more central government job opportunities can explore the latest openings on our website.
Important Instructions
- Candidates must ensure they fulfill all eligibility conditions before applying. Candidature is purely provisional at all stages.
- Date of birth mentioned in the Online Recruitment Application is final. No subsequent request for change will be considered.
- Experience rendered on a part-time basis, daily wages, visiting/guest faculty basis will not be counted for shortlisting.
- Candidates in regular Government service must submit a declaration that they have informed their Head of Office/Department of their application.
- Mobile phones, pagers, smartwatches, pen drives, Bluetooth devices, or any electronic/communication equipment are strictly banned at the examination/interview venue.
- All candidates will undergo face authentication at the examination venue/interview hall.
- Aadhaar Card is strongly recommended as the ID document for verification.
- UPSC Helpdesk: 011-24041001 / 011-40303444 | Email: upscsoap@nic.in (available 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM on all working days during the application window).
- If any document/certificate is in a language other than Hindi or English, a transcript duly attested by a Gazetted Officer or notary must be uploaded/submitted.
- Canvassing in any form will lead to disqualification.
FAQ
Q1. What is the last date to apply for UPSC Recruitment 2026 (Advertisement No. 02/2026)? The last date to submit the online application is 01 May 2026 by 1800 Hrs.
Q2. How many total vacancies are notified under UPSC Advertisement No. 02/2026? A total of 16 vacancies are notified across three posts.
Q3. Is there any application fee for SC/ST/PwBD/Women candidates? No. SC/ST/PwBD, and Women candidates of all categories are exempted from payment of the application fee.
Q4. What is the selection process for UPSC Recruitment 2026? Selection is through Interview, or Recruitment Test (RT) followed by Interview, depending on the number of applications received.
Q5. What is the pay scale for the Livestock Officer post? The Livestock Officer post is placed at Level 10 plus NPA in the Pay Matrix as per the 7th CPC.
Q6. Can PwBD candidates apply even if the post is not reserved for them? Yes. PwBD candidates can apply to posts identified as suitable for them, even if not reserved, and will be considered on the basis of general merit.
Q7. Where can I find the official notification and apply online? Visit https://upsconline.nic.in/ora/ to access the official notification and apply online.
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification | Download now |
| Apply Online | Apply Now |
| UPSC Official Website | Visit here |
| WhatsApp Channel | Join now |
| Telegram Channel | Join now |