Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) is offering a free Civil Services Coaching Programme for the 2026-27 cycle. Applications for the Residential Coaching Academy (RCA) open on April 1, 2026 . Interested candidates must apply online via the official portal atadmission.jmi.ac.in.
The entrance test is scheduled for June 6, 2026 . This exam will be administered in 13 cities across India, including Delhi, Jaipur, Srinagar, Jammu, Hyderabad, Guwahati, Mumbai, Patna, Kolkata, Lucknow, Bengaluru, Calicut, and Ranchi. The program aims to prepare students for the Preliminary and Main Civil Services Examinations in 2027.
Application and Exam Schedule
Key dates for the JMI Free UPSC Coaching 2026 application process are as follows:
| Event | Date |
| Online application begins | April 1, 2026 |
| Last date to apply | May 26, 2026 |
| Application correction window | May 29–30, 2026 |
| Entrance test date | June 6, 2026 |
| Result of written test (tentative) | July 10, 2026 |
| Interview (tentative) | July 16–31, 2026 |
| Final result (tentative) | August 7, 2026 |
| Last date for admission | August 18, 2026 |
| Waiting list registration | August 21, 2026 |
| Admission for the waiting list | August 25, 2026 |
| Orientation/classes begin (tentative) | September 1, 2026 |
Entrance Exam Pattern
The entrance test mirrors the UPSC exam structure. It consists of two papers:
- General Studies (Objective): This paper has 60 objective questions, each worth one mark. A one-third negative marking applies for incorrect answers. It includes CSAT-type questions.
- Essay Writing (Descriptive): Candidates will write two essays, totaling 60 marks.
Both papers can be attempted in English, Hindi, or Urdu. The three-hour exam assesses general awareness, reasoning, comprehension, and writing skills. Only the top 900 candidates, based on Paper I scores, will have their Paper II graded. Those who pass the written test proceed to an offline personality test worth 30 marks.
Program Details
The coaching program offers structured guidance and preparation for the civil services exam. It covers general studies, CSAT, and optional subjects. Services include test series, answer-writing practice, essay assistance, and mock interviews for the Mains exam. Preliminary tests run from January to May 2027. Mains tests are scheduled from June to August 2027.
The program has 100 available seats through the entrance test. Selected candidates must opt for hostel accommodation if available. The academy provides a 24/7 air-conditioned library.
The coaching, including hostel facilities, is free for candidates from minority communities, SC, ST, and women categories. More details can be found in the official notice.
