The Chhattisgarh government has invited online applications for free coaching for the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
The coaching will take place in New Delhi.
A total of 290 candidates will be selected under the Shikhar Part-1 component. This is part of the CG-ACE scheme for 2026.
CG-ACE stands for CG-Assistant for Competitive Examination.
UPSC stands for Union Public Service Commission.
It conducts the Civil Services Examination, which is the test these candidates will prepare for.
Key points
- 290 seats for eligible ST, SC and OBC candidates from Chhattisgarh.
- Online applications open from November 6 to November 30, 2026.
- The selection exam is tentatively set for December 13, 2026.
- Selected candidates get one year of coaching, with fees paid by the department.
So who can apply for this free coaching?
Candidates from Scheduled Tribe, Scheduled Caste and Other Backward Class communities can apply.
These are reserved categories in India, known as ST, SC and OBC.
Each category has its own set of seats. Of the seats in each category, 33 per cent are reserved for women.
The Department of Tribal and Scheduled Caste Development is running the scheme.
What are the key dates to remember?
Applications opened on November 6, 2026. Candidates can apply online until November 30, 2026, at 11:59 pm.
Candidates can correct their submitted forms from December 1 to December 4.
The selection exam is tentatively set for December 13, 2026, which is a Sunday.
- November 6, 2026Online applications for the free UPSC coaching opened.
- November 30, 2026Last date to apply online, until 11:59 pm.
- December 1 to 4, 2026Candidates can correct their submitted application forms.
- December 13, 2026Tentative date for the selection exam, a Sunday.
Graphic: News Anek, from the facts in this report
What happens after selection?
Selected candidates will get one year of coaching. The department will pay the coaching fees under the scheme's rules.
The department has asked candidates to read the detailed notification, eligibility rules and scheme rules before applying.
Exam centres, results and later steps will be shared on the departmental website.
Explainer
What happened before
- The CG-Assistant for Competitive Examination, or CG-ACE, is a Chhattisgarh government scheme that supports candidates preparing for competitive exams.
- Under the Shikhar Part-1 component, selected candidates from Chhattisgarh are enrolled in coaching institutions in New Delhi for UPSC preparation.
Why it matters
The scheme gives candidates from reserved communities a chance at free coaching in Delhi, with the state paying the coaching fees.
What to watch next
- Applications close on November 30, 2026, at 11:59 pm.
- The selection exam is tentatively set for December 13, 2026.
