📢 UPSC CSE 2026: Website Crashes on Final Day — Candidates Upset, Deadline Extended ⚠️

Kokila Chokkanathan
Thousands of aspirants preparing to apply for the Union Public service Commission (UPSC) Civil services Examination (CSE) 2026 were left frustrated after the Commission’s application website crashed and became inaccessible on the original final day of registration. The disruption forced UPSC to take extraordinary steps to ensure fairness for all candidates.

📆 What Happened on the Final Day?

  • On the original closing day of 24 February 2026, many candidates trying to submit their CSE 2026 applications encountered the UPSC application portal frequently not loading, showing errors, or crashing completely due to extreme traffic and server overload.
  • Reports emerged of applicants being unable to complete One‑Time Registration (OTR), upload documents, or pay fees as the portal repeatedly failed during peak hours.
Social media and online forums showed widespread frustration from aspirants who were unable to access the site even with repeated attempts. Many shared that they were stuck at various stages of the form submission with the site unresponsive.

📌 UPSC’s Response: Extended Deadline

In response to the technical issues and candidate complaints, UPSC officially extended the application deadline by three days, giving aspirants until ~27 February 2026 (6:00 PM IST) to complete their registrations. This extension applies to both CSE and indian Forest service (IFS) 2026 applications.

According to the Commission:

  • The extension was granted due to heavy server traffic and temporary glitches that hampered access on the last scheduled day.
  • The portal is now stabilised so candidates can submit their applications without being penalised for the outage.
🧑‍🎓 Why This Matters to Aspirants

1. Fair Chance for All

Many capable applicants were unable to complete the process due to website failures, not personal delay — so the extension ensures everyone gets a fair opportunity to apply.

2. Less Last‑Minute Rush

UPSC’s extension aims to reduce the panic and save aspirants from repeating last‑minute stress, particularly those who attempted to apply close to the original deadline.

3. Prelims Still on Track

Despite the extension, the **Preliminary Exam for UPSC CSE 2026 is scheduled for 24 May 2026, and applicants should not expect changes to the exam calendar due to this delay.

🛠️ What Candidates Should Do Now

✔️ Use the extended deadline wisely — avoid the final hours again, as the portal may data-face heavy traffic.
✔️ Complete your OTR, upload documents, and make sure payment is processed before the new cutoff.
✔️ Keep your registration confirmation or payment receipt safely for future reference.

🧠 Final Takeaway

The UPSC CSE 2026 application website crashed under heavy load on its original final day, causing distress among aspirants. In a rare but welcome move, UPSC extended the deadline to ~27 February 2026 to ensure no eligible candidate misses the opportunity due to technical issues. Aspirants are advised to complete their applications early within the new window and avoid last‑minute rushes.

 

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organization, employer, or company. All information provided is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information contained herein. Readers are advised to verify facts and seek professional advice where necessary. Any reliance placed on such information is strictly at the reader’s own risk.

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