UPSC CSE Prelims 2026: The Union Public Service Commission will conduct the Civil Services Examination (CSE) Prelims 2026 today in two shifts at examination centers across the country. More than 8.19 lakh candidates are expected to appear in the recruitment exam to be held for services including IAS, IFS and IPS.Candidates are instructed to carry the printed admit card, a valid photo ID proof and a black ball point pen for filling the OMR answer sheet and attendance sheet. The Commission has also directed the candidates to reach their examination centers at least 30 minutes before the commencement of each session while the admission will be closed 10 minutes after the commencement of the examination.Schedule two shifts for preliminary examinationUPSC CSE Prelims 2026 will be conducted in two sessions. General Studies Paper 1 will be held from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM, while CSAT Paper 2 will be held from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM. Candidates can download their admit card from the official website upsc.gov.in.The Commission has prohibited candidates from carrying mobile phones, smart watches, Bluetooth devices, earphones, calculators, tablets, laptops, cameras, books, notes, bags and other electronic or communication devices in the examination halls. Candidates are advised not to bring valuables as no storage arrangements will be made at the centres.
Exam Day Guidelines for UPSC CSE Prelims 2026 Candidates Released by the Commission
• Candidates must have a printed admit card and a valid photo ID proof for admission.• A black ball point pen is required to fill the OMR answer sheet and attendance sheet.• Candidates should report at the examination center at least 30 minutes before the commencement of the examination.• Admission will be closed 10 minutes after the start of each session.Mobile phones, smart watches, Bluetooth devices, earphones, headphones, calculators, tablets and laptops are strictly prohibited.• Books, notes, bags and any other study material or valuables are not allowed inside the examination hall.• There will be no security arrangements for personal belongings at the venue.• Only simple wristwatches are allowed. Smart or communication enabled watches are not allowed.Candidates with indistinct photographs on the admit cards must carry a passport size photograph for each session.• Such candidates should also carry the mandatory undertaking form as prescribed by UPSC.Security and traffic personnel are posted in Gurugram.Gurugram Police has deployed around 1200 police personnel for verification of candidates, crowd management and security arrangements around the exam venues. The preliminary examination will be held at 52 centers across the district, in which more than 20,000 candidates are expected to appear.Traffic police teams have prepared a special traffic management plan to prevent congestion near examination venues. Mounted police teams will also patrol the surrounding areas to monitor security arrangements. Officials have urged candidates and guardians to leave for centers on time and follow traffic rules.New centers and revised response key processesThe commission has added Bhubaneswar, Kanpur and Meerut as new examination cities this year, taking the total number of centers to 83 from 80. More than 23,000 candidates reportedly opted for the newly introduced centres.UPSC has also introduced a revised system to release provisional answer keys immediately after the examination. Candidates can raise objections through the online question paper representation portal at upsconline.nic.in/login till 31st May at 6 PM.
