UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026 Admit Card

Overview: UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026 Admit Card

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially issued the e-Admit Card for the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026. Candidates who successfully cleared the Preliminary Examination and completed the Detailed Application Form (DAF-I) are eligible to download their hall tickets for the Mains stage. A total of 1,056 vacancies will be filled across prestigious administrative services including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Revenue Service (IRS).

The Civil Services Mains Examination is scheduled to commence on 18th September 2026. Candidates must download their e-Admit Card from the official UPSC portal well in advance and verify all details mentioned on the document.

Important Dates

Event / Milestone	Date
Notification & Application Begin	14th February 2026
Last Date to Apply Online (Prelims)	5th March 2026
Admit Card Release Date (Mains)	25th August 2026
Main Examination Start Date	18th September 2026

Vacancy Details & Category Summary

The recruitment drive aims to fill 1,056 vacancies across various All India Services and Central Group 'A' and Group 'B' posts.

Examination Name	Total Posts	Qualification Required
UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026	1,056	Candidates who have qualified the CSE Preliminary Exam 2026 and successfully submitted DAF-I.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

• Must hold a Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized University or Institute established by an Act of Parliament.
• Must have qualified the UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026 to appear for the Main Examination.

Age Limit

Age limits are calculated as per the official notification cutoff rules for CSE 2026:

• Minimum Age: 21 Years
• Maximum Age: 32 Years
• Age Relaxation: Upper age relaxation applies to reserved categories as per Government rules:
  • OBC Candidates: Up to 3 Years
  • SC / ST Candidates: Up to 5 Years
  • PwBD Candidates: Up to 10 Years

Application Fees

Application fee details for the Mains stage (DAF submission):

• General / OBC / EWS Male Candidates: ₹200/-
• SC / ST / PwBD / Female Candidates: Exempted (Nil)
• Payment Mode: Online via Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, UPI, or cash deposit at any State Bank of India branch.

Selection Process

The UPSC Civil Services Selection Procedure comprises three sequential stages:

1. Preliminary Examination: Objective type screening test (GS Paper I & CSAT Paper II).
2. Main Examination (Written): Descriptive written examination consisting of 9 papers (including Essay, General Studies I-IV, and Optional Papers).
3. Personality Test / Interview: Final evaluation stage conducted at the UPSC premises in New Delhi for candidates qualifying the Mains exam.

How to Download UPSC CSE Mains 2026 Admit Card

Follow these step-by-step instructions to download your e-Admit Card:

1. Visit the official portal of UPSC at upsc.gov.in or upsconline.nic.in.
2. Navigate to the "e-Admit Cards for Various Examinations of UPSC" section on the homepage.
3. Click on the link titled "Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026 e-Admit Card".
4. Read the important instructions displayed on the screen carefully and click "Yes/Proceed".
5. Choose to log in using either your Registration ID (RID) or Roll Number along with your Date of Birth.
6. Enter the Captcha code correctly as shown on the screen and click on Submit.
7. Your UPSC CSE Mains 2026 Admit Card will be displayed on the screen.
8. Download the PDF file and print a clear copy on A4 size paper for exam day reference.

Important Instructions for Candidates

• Bring a printed copy of the e-Admit Card along with an original Photo Identity Card (e.g., Aadhaar Card, Passport, PAN Card, Voter ID) specified during application submission.
• Ensure all details printed on the admit card, such as name, photograph, exam centre address, and timetable, are accurate. Contact UPSC immediately in case of discrepancies.
• Only Black Ballpoint Pen is allowed for answering the papers and marking attendance.
• Mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators, and other electronic devices are strictly prohibited inside the examination premises.