The Union Public Service Commission is preparing to conduct the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination for candidates who have successfully registered for the 933 vacancies. The UPSC Prelims Admit Card 2026, containing important exam-related details, will soon be released on the official website, UPSC Official Website. Candidates are advised to download and print their admit card, as it is a mandatory document required for entry into the examination centre. Without the admit card, candidates will not be permitted to appear for the examination.
UPSC Admit Card 2026 Release Date
The Union Public Service Commission will conduct the UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026 on 24th May 2026 (Sunday). The admit cards for the examination are expected to be released by 13th May 2026 on the official website, UPSC Official Website. Candidates appearing for the exam will be able to download their UPSC Admit Card 2026 by logging in with their Registration ID or Roll Number along with their Date of Birth.
| Events | Dates |
| Admit Card Release Date | by 13th May 2026 |
| Last Date to Download Admit Card | 24th May 2026 |
| Exam Date | 24th May 2026 |
UPSC Prelims Admit Card 2026 Overview
The UPSC Admit Card 2026 will be released online only on the official websites of the Union Public Service Commission, and no hard copy will be sent to candidates through post or mail. Candidates can download their admit cards from the official portals: UPSC Official Website and UPSC Online Portal.
| UPSC Prelims Exam 2026- Overview | |
| Organisation | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2026 |
| Exam Level | National |
| Vacancy | 933 |
| Mode of Admit Card | Online |
| Login Credentials Required |
|
| Exam Stages | Prelims, Main Exam, Interview |
| Exam Frequency | Once a year |
| Official Website | www.upsc.gov.in |
UPSC CSE Prelims Exam Schedule 2026
The Union Public Service Commission will conduct the UPSC CSE Prelims Exam 2026 on 24th May 2026 in two shifts on the same day. The General Studies paper will be held in the morning session from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM, while the CSAT paper will take place in the afternoon session from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM.
| Papers | Exam Starts | Exam Ends |
| Paper 1 | 9:30 am | 11:30 am |
| Paper 2 | 2:30 pm | 4:30 pm |
UPSC Prelims Admit Card 2026 Download Link
The Union Public Service Commission is expected to activate the UPSC Admit Card 2026 download link for the Prelims examination by 13th May 2026 on its official website, UPSC Official Website. For the convenience of candidates, a direct download link for the admit card will also be provided once it is officially released.
How to Download UPSC Prelims Admit Card 2026?
Candidates appearing for the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026 can download their admit card by using the following login credentials:
- Registration ID
- Roll Number
Step by Step Guide to Download UPSC CSE Admit Card
The process to download the UPSC Admit Card 2026 is simple and can be completed online. Follow the step-by-step instructions given below:
- Visit the official website of UPSC, i.e., www.upsc.gov.in.
- Open the “E-Admit Cards” section.
- Click on the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026 admit card link.
- Read all the instructions carefully and click on “Yes” to continue.
- Select any one login option:
(i) Registration ID
(ii) Roll Number
- Enter your Date of Birth and captcha code correctly.
- Click on the “Submit” button.
- Download the admit card PDF and save it for future reference.
- Take a clear printout of the admit card on A4-size paper for the examination day.
What to Do If There Is an Error in the Admit Card
After downloading the admit card, candidates must carefully verify all the details mentioned on it. Any discrepancy or incorrect information may cause issues during the examination or document verification process.
- If your name is misspelt
- If your PwD/DA status is incorrect
- If a different test city is assigned than the one you selected during IAS Registration
- If your photograph is not visible
- If you encounter difficulties in downloading the admit card despite successful registration.
In case of discrepancy, contact the UPSC helpline from the contacts below.
- Phone number- 011-23385271/011-23381125/011-23098543
- Email- [email protected]
Details Mentioned on UPSC Prelims Admit Card 2026
The Union Public Service Commission will mention important personal and exam-related details on the UPSC Admit Card 2026. It is the responsibility of candidates to carefully verify all the information printed on it. In case of any errors or discrepancies, candidates must immediately contact the concerned authorities for correction.
- Name of the Candidate
- Gender
- Email ID
- Examination Date, Time
- Signature of the Candidate
- Application Number
- Date Of Birth
- Category
- Name of the Father
- Name of the Mother
- Examination Name
- Signature of the Examination Counsellor
- Instructions to be followed for the Examination
Prohibited Items at UPSC Exam Centres
Any violation of examination rules may result in cancellation of candidature or disciplinary action by the Union Public Service Commission. Candidates are strictly prohibited from carrying the following items into the examination centre:
- Mobile phones
- Smartwatches
- Bluetooth devices
- Calculators
- Notes or books
- Electronic gadgets
- Storage devices
UPSC CSE Prelims Exam Pattern 2026
- For the blank answers, no marks are deducted.
- In General Studies (Paper I), each question is of 2 marks, and there is a negative marking of 0.66 marks
- In CSAT (Paper-II), each question is of 2.5 marks and a negative marking of 0.833 marks for each wrong answer marked.
- The prelims marks will not be included in the final result (merit list).
- Paper II of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination is a qualifying paper with a minimum qualifying mark fixed at 33%.
- For every incorrect answer, 1/3rd marks of the total mark is deducted.
| Papers | Subjects | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
| Paper 1 | General Studies | 100 | 200 | 2 hours |
| Paper 2 | CSAT | 80 | 200 | 2 hours |