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 released the e-Admit Card for the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026. Candidates who qualified in the Preliminary Examination and completed the Detailed Application Form (DAF-I) can now download their hall tickets from the official UPSC portal. The Mains Examination is set to commence on September 20, 2026. Candidates are advised to download their admit cards early to avoid last-minute technical glitches and verify all details printed on the document.

Overview: UPSC CSE Mains 2026

The Civil Services Examination is conducted nationwide by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit suitable candidates for prestigious administrative posts including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and various Central Services (Group 'A' and Group 'B').

Parameter	Details
Recruiting Authority	Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Exam Name	Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026
Total Vacancies	1056 Posts
Document Type	Admit Card / Hall Ticket
Admit Card Release Date	10th September 2026
Mains Exam Commencement Date	20th September 2026
Official Website	upsc.gov.in / upsconline.nic.in

Important Dates

Candidates must track the timeline for the UPSC Civil Services 2026 recruitment process:

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

Eligibility Criteria

To appear for the UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026, applicants must satisfy the following conditions:

• Educational Qualification: Must possess a Graduate Degree in any discipline from a recognized University or equivalent qualification recognized by the Government of India.
• Stage Qualification: Must have successfully qualified the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026 and submitted the Detailed Application Form (DAF-I) within the stipulated timeframe.

Age Limits

The age limit for candidates applying for the UPSC Civil Services Examination is determined according to official guidelines:

• Minimum Age: 21 years
• Maximum Age: 32 years

Upper Age Relaxation

• OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 years (Up to 35 years)
• SC / ST: 5 years (Up to 37 years)
• Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): 10 years
• Ex-Servicemen: As per prevailing Government rules

Application Fees

Details regarding the Mains exam fee structure paid during DAF submission:

Category	Fee Amount
General / OBC / EWS (Male Candidates)	₹200/-
SC / ST / PwBD / Female Candidates	Exempted (Nil)

Selection Process

The recruitment for the UPSC Civil Services is conducted in three sequential stages:

• Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (Objective Type) – Consists of GS Paper-I and CSAT (Qualifying/Screening stage).
• Stage 2: Main Examination (Descriptive Type) – Consists of 9 written papers (2 qualifying papers and 7 merit-ranking papers totaling 1750 marks).
• Stage 3: Personality Test / Interview – Conducted for candidates qualifying the Mains exam (275 marks).

Note: The final merit list is prepared on the basis of marks obtained in the Main Examination and the Personality Test (Total: 2025 Marks).

Step-by-Step: How to Download UPSC CSE Mains 2026 Admit Card

Follow the steps outlined below to download your e-Admit Card:

• Visit the official UPSC online portal at upsconline.nic.in or upsc.gov.in.
• Click on the "e-Admit Cards for Various Examinations of UPSC" section on the homepage.
• Select the link for "Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2026".
• Read the important instructions displayed on the screen and proceed.
• Choose your preferred login method: By Registration ID or By Roll Number.
• Enter your Registration ID / Roll Number, Date of Birth, and the Captcha code shown.
• Click on the Submit button to generate your Admit Card.
• Download the e-Admit Card PDF and print out a clear copy for presentation at the examination center.