UPSC Civil Services Main Examination 2026 Admit Card Released

UPSC Civil Services Main Examination 2026: Admit Card Released

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 submitted the Detailed Application Form (DAF-I) are eligible to download their hall tickets. The Mains examination is scheduled to commence on 20th September 2026 across various designated exam centers in India.

Downloading the hall ticket in advance is crucial to verify exam center details, session timings, and important exam day guidelines. Read on for full information regarding important dates, eligibility, vacancy breakdown, selection stage, and step-by-step instructions to download your UPSC CSE Mains Admit Card 2026.

UPSC CSE Mains 2026: Overview

Parameter	Details
Recruiting Organization	Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Exam Name	Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026
Total Vacancies	1056 Posts
Admit Card Status	Released (10th September 2026)
Mains Exam Date	20th September 2026 Onwards
Official Website	upsc.gov.in / upsconline.nic.in

Important Dates

Event / Activity	Date
Application Begin Date	14th February 2026
Last Date to Apply Online (Prelims / DAF)	05th March 2026
Admit Card Release Date	10th September 2026
Mains Exam Commencement Date	20th September 2026

Vacancy & Eligibility Details

Total Vacancies: 1056

The Civil Services Examination aims to fill 1056 vacancies across various prestigious Group 'A' and Group 'B' administrative services, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Revenue Service (IRS), and other allied central services.

Educational Qualification

• Qualification Requirement: Must have qualified the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026.
• Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized University or equivalent institute established by an Act of Parliament.

Age Limit (as of 01/08/2026)

• Minimum Age: 21 Years
• Maximum Age: 32 Years
• Age Relaxation: Standard upper age relaxation applies as per Government of India rules:
  • OBC Candidates: 3 Years (Up to 35 years)
  • SC / ST Candidates: 5 Years (Up to 37 years)
  • PwBD Candidates: Up to 10 Years

Application Fees

Category	Mains Examination Fee
General / OBC / EWS	₹200/-
SC / ST / PwBD / Female Candidates	Exempted (NIL)

Note: Fee payment for the Mains exam was submitted during the Detailed Application Form (DAF-I) submission.

Selection Process

The UPSC Civil Services Recruitment involves a rigorous three-stage evaluation process:

• Stage 1: Preliminary Examination – Objective type screening test (Completed).
• Stage 2: Main Examination – Written descriptive examination consisting of 9 papers (2 qualifying papers and 7 merit-ranking papers).
• Stage 3: Personality Test (Interview) – Personal interview round conducted by the UPSC Board for candidate evaluation.

How to Download UPSC Civil Services Mains Admit Card 2026

Candidates can follow these steps to download their e-Admit Card successfully:

• Visit the official UPSC portal at upsconline.nic.in or upsc.gov.in.
• Look for the link titled "e - Admit Card: Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2026" on the homepage.
• Click on the link and carefully read the instructions displayed on the screen.
• Choose your option to log in: via Registration ID (RID) or Roll Number.
• Enter your Registration ID / Roll Number, Date of Birth, and the Captcha code shown.
• Click on the Submit button. Your e-Admit Card will appear on the screen.
• Download the admit card PDF and print a clear copy to carry to the examination venue.

Important Guidelines for Exam Day

• Carry a printed copy of the e-Admit Card along with an original Photo Identity Card (Aadhaar Card, Voter Card, PAN Card, Passport, Driving License, etc.) registered with UPSC.
• Ensure the photograph on the e-Admit Card is clear. If not clear, carry two passport-sized photographs for each exam session.
• Mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators, and bluetooth devices are strictly prohibited inside the examination center premises.

Important Links

Link Description	Action
Download Mains Admit Card	Click Here
Official Website	upsc.gov.in