Final Hours Frenzy as Civil Services Applicants Battle Server Errors Before Registration Closes

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The official Union Public Service Commission website slowed down two hours before the Civil Services Examination 2026 application deadline. This caused thousands of candidates to experience panic and uncertainty. Candidates who tried to complete their applications on upsconline.nic encountered problems with the server, unresponsive pages, and multiple login attempts that failed to work. This created additional stress during the final hours of the application period for one of India's most challenging examinations.

The Civil Services Examination 2026 aims to fill 933 vacancies across key administrative services. The application window closed on 24 February 2026, which caused many candidates to rush their final submissions. This resulted in increased website traffic, which made it impossible to access the site.

Website Down on Final Day of UPSC CSE 2026


The UPSC online portal experienced major slowdowns as a wave of users tried to register and submit their forms at the same time. Multiple candidates reported that their application process was blocked by 404 errors and payment gateway failures in their final application steps.

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Social media complaints about the deadline extension were not followed by an immediate announcement from officials. The technical disruption created uncertainty for candidates trying to submit their applications before the deadline. 

UPSC CSE 2026: How to Apply Through Direct Links


The selection process is based on performance in the Preliminary Examination. Candidates who clear the test appear for the Mains and are then shortlisted for the interview. Clearing these steps is followed by document verification and a final medical examination. 

The mess on the last day of application submission created panic among candidates. The authorities have requested the aspirants multiple times to complete the process beforehand to avoid this situation. Despite the website crash, the application process continues to be through the official websites upsconline.nic.in and upsc.gov.in. portals. 

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After applicants complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) process, they log in using their registered credentials to select the Civil Services Examination 2026 link. Further application requires candidates’ personal information and educational background. They must upload the necessary documents, complete the payment, and download the confirmation page.

A Test of Digital Infrastructure


This deadline-day disruption highlights a recurring issue. Government recruitment portals often slow down with heavy traffic. Despite digital platforms streamlining operations and applications, the infrastructure remains incapable of handling the high traffic and pressure during peak hours. 
On the other hand, applicants also need to remember that waiting for the last minute to apply could lead to not being able to apply at all.