UPSC Prelims/Mains Admit Card 2026

The UPSC Admit Card 2026, officially termed as the e-Admission Certificate, is a mandatory document issued by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for every examination it conducts throughout the year. It is a gateway to the examination hall, without which aspirants, regardless of preparation level or eligibility, will not be permitted to enter the exam centre. 

UPSC has come up with latest changes that highlights that the  admit card is not merely an entry pass. It is a verified, official document that carries the identity details, exam centre address, roll number, reporting time, paper-wise shifts, and critical exam-day instructions. Civil Service aspirants need the admit card not just for exam day, but until the final results of each stage are declared.

UPSC doesn’t send hard copies of the admit cards by post. All admit cards must be downloaded online from the official UPSC website:

UPSC 2026 Exams & Admit Card Release Dates

Things to be noted: UPSC releases the admit card approximately 2 to 3 weeks before each examination. For the Civil Services Prelims scheduled on 24 May 2026, the admit card window is expected to open from 9 May to 14 May 2026.

UPSC CSE 2026 – Vacancy Overview

While preparing for the UPSC syllabus (Prelims + Mains), it is important to understand the level of competition, as the Commission is expected to fill approximately 933 posts. The list of post names is provided below for your reference. 

• Indian Administrative Service (IAS)

• Indian Police Service (IPS)

• Indian Foreign Service (IFS)

• Indian Revenue Service (IRS)

• Other Group A and Group B Central Services

• 33 posts reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD)

UPSC CSE Prelims Admit Card 2026—Key Dates To Be Kept In Mind

Students are eagerly waiting for the admit card for the Civil Services Examination, which will allow them to join IAS, IPS, IFS, and other Group A & B Central Services.

• Prelims Exam Date: 24 May 2026 (Sunday)

• Expected UPSC Prelims Admit Card 2026 Release:

• Mains Exam Date:

• Expected UPSC Mains Admit Card 2026 Release:

• Total Vacancies (CSE 2026): Approximately 933 posts

New 2026 Updates For UPSC Admit Card

The UPSC 2026 exam pattern remains a three-stage process (Prelims, Mains, Interview) but with stricter application rules. To make the system more transparent and trustworthy, UPSC has shifted completely to an online admit card system. Major new changes for 2026, you can expect the following:

• Face verification has been introduced at the UPSC examination centre to prevent impersonation. 

• UPSC Admit Card 2026 will be issued one week before the exam through [---website link—], and will include the candidate’s photo, exam centre, shift timing, and instructions.

What are the details mentioned on the UPSC Admit Card 2026?

The admit card for UPSC CSE 2026 will carry the following details, which students must be aware of:

• Candidate’s Full Name

• Father’s/Mother’s Name

• Roll Number

• Registration ID

• Date of Birth

• Passport-sized Photograph of the Candidate

• Candidate's Signature

• Examination Centre Name and Full Address

• Exam Date, Paper-wise Timings, and Reporting Time

• Instructions for Exam Day

Important: The moment you tap on downloading your admit card, be careful with name spelling, DOB, photograph, or exam centre. If you find any discrepancy, it must be immediately reported to the UPSC through the official email: [-----Insert Link—--]

What are the steps to download UPSC admit card 2026?

The process to download your UPSC admit card is the same for all exams—CSE, NDA, CDS, CAPF, etc.

Step 1: Open the official UPSC website

Step 2: On the homepage, click on “e-Admit Card for Various Examinations of UPSC”

Step 3: An instructions page will be displayed. You need to read the instructions carefully and tick the checkbox accordingly

Step 4: You will see two login options:

• Registration Number

• Roll Number

Select whichever applies to your situation.

Step 5: Now you’ll be asked to enter your Registration Number or Roll Number along with your Date of Birth and the security captcha code

Step 6: Visit upsc admit card download link and press the Submit option to get your e-Admit Card 

Step 7: Before downloading, carefully check all printed details–name, photo, centre, date, timings

Step 8: Download the admit card as a PDF and take at least two printouts on A4-size paper

Which Login Credentials Are Required to download the UPSC Admit Card 2026?

To get the UPSC Hall Ticket 2026, you can opt for any one of the following combinations:

Option 1– Registration Number + Date of Birth

Option 2– Roll Number + Date of Birth

What if you forgot your Registration Number? Go to the UPSC’s official website and tap on the “Forgot Registration Number” option, or contact UPSC’s facilitation counter in New Delhi.

Documents Required with UPSC Admit Card 2026

Along with the admit card, aspirants are expected to carry the right documents to the exam centre, whose complete checklist is given below:

Additional Items to Carry 

Along with the above-mentioned documents and acceptable photo ID proofs, there are a few additional items that you need to bring to the exam hall:

• Two passport-size photographs are required if the photos on your admit card are unclear or missing

• A black ballpoint pen is mandatory to carry for filling in the OMR sheet and signing the attendance sheet

Note: To clear the UPSC cut-off, it is necessary to be attentive while going for the exam. It is advisable to carry the same photo ID that you entered during the application process. Entering with a different ID may be troublesome during centre-level verification. 

What NOT to Carry on UPSC Exam Day 2026

Following the UPSC exam day instructions 2026, it is advisable not to carry the following items inside the examination halls. Violation can lead to disqualification:

• Mobile phones (even switched off)

• Smartwatches or regular wristwatches

• Bluetooth devices, earphones, or pagers

• Digital calculators

• Pen drives or any electronic storage device

• Camera of any kind

• Bags or pouches

• Written notes or books of any kind

Must Follow UPSC Exam Day Instructions 2026

To avoid last-minute chaos or disqualification, UPSC has clearly laid down the exam-day guidelines, which you can follow:

• Don’t be late: Reach the examination centre at least 30 minutes before the reporting time mentioned on your admit card.

• Carry only the permitted items: Printed admit card, original photo ID, black ballpoint pen, and passport photographs if needed.

• Keep your admit card safe for all stages: You need to carry the same admit card throughout the Prelims, Mains, and Interview stages until the final UPSC result is declared.

• Use a black ballpoint pen only: It is advisable to mark answers on the OMR sheet with the black ballpoint, else your answers will be unevaluable.

• Scribe users: If you’re availing the scribe facility, ensure you have a separate admit card issued for the scribe by UPSC.

• Don’t fall for unfair means: If you’re caught with any form of malpractice, then you might be disqualified from all future UPSC examinations.

• Name change: Candidates who have changed their name officially must carry a government-issued ID reflecting the updated name.

Errors in UPSC Admit Card 2026–What to Do?

Finding an error on your admit card is stressful, but it can be resolved if you act swiftly. Here is what to do based on the type of error:

Note:

UPSC Facilitation Counter (Delhi)

Address–Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi–110069

Email– web-upsc@nic.in

Working Hours– 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Monday to Friday, except public holidays)

UPSC Admit Card Correction Process 2026

Finding an error on your UPSC admit card can be stressful, but knowing the exact correction process helps you act fast and avoid getting barred at the exam gate. Alongside focusing on UPSC subject-wise weightage for your preparation, you must also ensure that your admit card details are accurate. There are two distinct correction processes candidates must understand — the Application Form Correction Window and the Post-Release Admit Card Error Reporting process. Both are different, and confusing them is one of the most common mistakes aspirants make.

Stage 1 — Application Form Correction Window (Before Admit Card Release)

UPSC introduced a Correction Window facility to help candidates make necessary changes after submitting their application forms, ensuring transparency and providing candidates with an opportunity to correct errors that might otherwise lead to rejection.

The UPSC Correction Window is a limited-time facility provided by the Union Public Service Commission that allows candidates to edit or rectify errors in their submitted application forms. 

What can be corrected during this window?

Candidates are generally able to make changes to personal details such as name spelling, date of birth, and gender. The portal also accepts updates for postal address, higher education, employment, and marital status. Not all fields may be editable, candidates should carefully review the instructions on the official portal before making any changes.

What cannot be corrected here?

The Universal Registration Number (URN) profile update is a distinct and separate process. Changes made to the URN profile will not retroactively update applications you already submitted, the updated information only applies to future applications submitted after you re-lock the profile. You must use the designated correction window to edit your current exam form.

Service Preference Changes — a Separate Window Entirely

The Service Preference Update Window will open only after the declaration of UPSC CSE Mains 2026 results. Candidates who clear the Mains examination will be allowed to rearrange or modify their preferred list of services at that stage.

Mains e-Admit Card Generation — Mandatory Update Window

Candidates who qualify for the Civil Services (Main) Examination receive a 10-day window. During this period, they must log into the portal, update or reconfirm their details, and submit a new application form. This step is mandatory to generate the e-Admit Card for the Mains.

Stage 2 — Errors on the Admit Card After It Is Released

Once the UPSC admit card is live on the portal, candidates cannot edit it themselves. However, errors can and must be reported directly to UPSC.

Step-by-step process to report admit card errors:

1. Download and verify immediately — as soon as the admit card is released, check every field: name, photograph, roll number, exam centre, date, shift, and category.

2. Do not wait — contact UPSC immediately on the day you discover the error. Email UPSC at the address provided on the official website at upsc.gov.in and carry a printout of your application form as supporting evidence.

3. Use official channels only — if students find any mistake in their name, photograph, or other personal details on the admit card, they should report it to the commission right away using the official email ID provided by UPSC for quick support.

4. Attach proof — include your registration number, a scanned copy of the erroneous admit card, and supporting identity documents.

5. Photo or signature issues — if your admit card photo is not clear or missing details, carry a valid ID and two passport-size photos with your name and date, along with an undertaking, to the examination centre.

Critical warning: Errors in name, photograph, or exam centre must be reported before exam day; they cannot be corrected at the gate.

Final Words

The UPSC Admit Card 2026 is the single most important document of your examination journey — more important than any book or test series. Missing it, losing it, or finding unresolved errors on it can cost you an entire attempt. Download it the moment it is released, verify every detail, take multiple printouts, and carry it safely on exam day along with your original ID proof. It is mandatory at all three stages — Prelims, Mains, and Interview — and there are no exceptions.

Once your admit card is secured, your next priority is preparation. And when it comes to UPSC preparation, nothing builds exam confidence faster than practising with actual past papers. Oswaal UPSC PYQs (Prelims + Mains) give you exactly that — real questions from real exams, with detailed answer explanations that help you understand not just what was asked, but why a particular answer is correct. For a high-stakes exam like the Civil Services Examination 2026, where approximately 933 posts are at stake, knowing the pattern is as critical as knowing the content.

Whether you are a first-time aspirant mapping the syllabus or a repeat candidate sharpening your accuracy, Oswaal PYQs help you benchmark your preparation against the actual standard UPSC sets every year.

Stay subscribed to upsc.gov.in for real-time updates on admit card release dates across all UPSC 2026 examinations — and pair every study session with Oswaal PYQs to make sure your preparation is always exam-standard, not just syllabus-deep.

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