The next step for the 2,526 candidates who cleared the UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026 begins today. The Union Public Service Commission has opened the Detailed Application Form-II, or DAF-II, window on Wednesday, November 11, and every qualified candidate must complete it online before 6 pm on November 25, 2026. The form is available on the UPSC online portal, upsconline.nic.in.
The DAF-II is not optional paperwork. UPSC has made it clear that candidates who do not submit the form will not receive an e-summon letter for the Personality Test, the interview stage that decides the final merit list. Even candidates whose details have not changed since the prelims must log in, verify their information and submit the form.
What DAF-II is and why it cannot wait
The Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026 was held from August 21 to August 30, and the written result was declared on November 5. A total of 2,526 candidates qualified for the Personality Test, which leads to appointments in the Indian Administrative Service, the Indian Foreign Service, the Indian Police Service and other Group A and Group B central services.
DAF-II is the form in which qualified candidates confirm and update the details they gave at the prelim stage. It covers personal information, educational qualifications, service preferences and other particulars the Commission needs before the interviews. Candidates who had marked their educational qualification as appearing at the prelim stage must now update that status and upload proof of having passed.
The Commission has said the selection of candidates for the interview is provisional, and the DAF-II submission is part of that verification. Missing the November 25 deadline means the candidature will not move forward to the interview stage, however well a candidate scored in the written examination.
Key dates at a glance
- DAF-II window opens: November 11, 2026
- DAF-II last date: November 25, 2026, till 6:00 pm
- Portal: upsconline.nic.in
- Written result declared: November 5, 2026
- Candidates qualified: 2,526
- Interview venue: Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi
- Interview schedule: To be announced
What happens after DAF-II
Once the DAF-II window closes, UPSC will announce the Personality Test schedule on its official website. The interviews will be held at the Commission’s office at Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi. The e-summon letters for the interviews will be made available for download on upsc.gov.in and upsconline.nic.in. No paper summon letters will be sent, so candidates must keep checking the portals.
UPSC has also said that requests to change the date or time of an interview will ordinarily not be entertained. Candidates should therefore plan their travel and preparation around the schedule once it is published.
Separately, the Department of Personnel and Training’s online attestation form, hosted on cseplus.dopt.gov.in, will open from the first day of the Personality Tests and remain available till the last day. Candidates should watch that portal as the interview dates approach.
How to submit DAF-II
- Visit upsconline.nic.in and log in with your credentials.
- Open the DAF-II link for the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026.
- Check every field carefully and update anything that has changed, including educational qualification status and supporting documents.
- Review the form once before final submission, as corrections after submission are not assured.
- Submit before 6 pm on November 25 and keep a copy of the acknowledgement for your records.
Candidates are advised to complete the form well before the last day. The portal typically sees heavy traffic in the final hours, and a last-minute technical glitch is the last thing a qualified candidate needs after clearing one of the toughest written examinations in the country.
FAQs
Who has to fill DAF-II?
All 2,526 candidates who qualified the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026 and have been shortlisted for the Personality Test, even if none of their details have changed.
What is the last date to submit DAF-II?
November 25, 2026, till 6:00 pm, on upsconline.nic.in. The window opened on November 11, 2026.
What happens if I miss the DAF-II deadline?
UPSC will not issue an e-summon letter for the Personality Test, which means the candidate cannot appear for the interview.
Where will the interviews be held?
At UPSC’s office, Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi. The exact schedule will be announced later on upsc.gov.in.
Will I get a paper summon letter?
No. The e-summon letters will be available for download only on upsc.gov.in and upsconline.nic.in.
The DAF-II window is open for two weeks, but for the 2,526 candidates on the list, the safest move is to treat today as the deadline and get it done early.
