| Exam Name | CSE and IFoS Exam |
| Vacancies | 933 (CSE) + 80 (IFoS) |
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission |
| Exam Type | Preliminary Examination |
| Exam Date | 24 May 2026 |
| Admit Card Status | Issued |
| Issue Date | 15 May 2026 |
UPSC CSE & IFoS Admit Card 2026
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) released the e-Admit Card for the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026 on its official website. The same Preliminary Examination acts as the screening test for both the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 and the Indian Forest Service Examination (IFoSE) 2026. Candidates who submitted their online applications for either or both examinations can download their hall tickets from the official website. The Prelims is scheduled for 24 May 2026 and will be held in two sessions across 83 cities in India.
The Commission has issued the e-Admit Card on 15 May 2026. No admit card will be sent by post or email. Candidates must download the e-Admit Card themselves and carry a printed copy to the exam venue along with the original Photo ID mentioned in the application form.
Candidates who applied for both CSE 2026 and IFoSE 2026 through a common online application form will appear in the same Prelims and receive a single e-Admit Card. Separate Main Examination admit cards will be issued later to candidates who qualify the Prelims, based on the cut-off determined for each examination.
UPSC CSE Admit Card Details
Exam Name: Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2026
Organization: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Total Vacancies: 933 posts (Civil Services) and 80 posts (Indian Forest Service)
Exam Date: 24 May 2026 (Sunday)
Exam Mode: Offline (OMR-based)
Admit Card Release: 15 May 2026
Login Credentials: Registration ID or Roll Number along with Date of Birth
Official Website: upsc.gov.in / upsconline.nic.in
UPSC CSE Prelims Exam Pattern
The Preliminary Examination has two compulsory papers of 200 marks each. Both papers are objective type with multiple choice questions. There is a penalty of one-third (0.33) of the marks for every wrong answer. Paper-II (CSAT) is qualifying in nature with minimum qualifying marks of 33%. The same Prelims serves both CSE and IFoSE, after which separate merit lists are prepared for the two Main Examinations.
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | General Studies | 200 | 2 hours |
| Paper-II | CSAT (Qualifying) | 200 | 2 hours |
Paper-I is held in the morning session and Paper-II in the afternoon session. Candidates must appear in both papers, failing which they will be disqualified for both CSE and IFoSE.
How to Download UPSC CSE Admit Card?
Candidates can follow the steps given below to download the UPSC Prelims Admit Card 2026 from the official portal once the link is active. The same admit card is valid for both CSE and IFoSE aspirants.
| Visit the official UPSC website at upsconline.nic.in or upsc.gov.in. |
| Click on the link titled “e-Admit Card: Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2026” under the “What’s New” section. |
| Read the instructions on the page carefully and click on “Yes” to proceed. |
| Choose your preferred login option – by Registration ID or by Roll Number. |
| Enter your credentials along with your Date of Birth and the Captcha code shown on screen. |
| Submit the details and the admit card will appear on the screen as a PDF. |
| Verify all details printed on the admit card, including name, photograph, exam centre, and timing. |
| Download the PDF and take at least two clear printouts on A4 size paper for the exam day. |
Note: If you spot any discrepancy in your name, photograph, or other details on the admit card, contact the UPSC Helpdesk at 011-24041001 or email [email protected] immediately. Do not wait till the last day.
Documents Required at the Exam Centre
Candidates must carry the following items to the examination hall on 24 May 2026. Entry will be denied without these documents.
The list includes a printed copy of the e-Admit Card, the original Photo ID card whose details were submitted in the application form (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, PAN Card, Passport, or Driving Licence), a good-quality black ballpoint pen for marking the OMR sheet, and recent passport-size photographs in case verification is needed. If your admit card photo is unclear, you may also need to bring an attested photograph as per UPSC instructions.
Items Banned Inside the Exam Hall
Mobile phones, smart watches, Bluetooth devices, pen drives, cameras, calculators, log tables, and any programmable electronic device are strictly banned at the exam venue. This applies even if the device is switched off. UPSC will not arrange safekeeping for such items at the centre. Bringing any banned item may invite disciplinary action and a ban from future examinations.
Reporting Time and Face Authentication
Candidates should reach the exam venue at least 30 minutes before the start of each session. UPSC has made face authentication mandatory at all examination centres for the 2026 cycle. Late entry will not be allowed under any circumstances. Frisking and identity verification will be done before candidates are allowed to enter the hall.
Important Dates of UPSC CSE Admit Card 2026
| Notification Date | 4 February 2026 |
| Apply Start Date | 4 February 2026 |
| Apply Last Date | 27 February 2026 |
| Correction Window | 28 February to 3 March 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | 15 May 2026 |
| CSE Prelims Exam | 24 May 2026 |
| CSE Mains Exam | 21 August 2026 |
| IFoS Mains Exam | 22 November 2026 (Tentative) |
Important Links of UPSC CSE Admit Card 2026
| Download Admit Card | Click Here |
| Admit Card Notice | Click Here |
| Application Form | Click Here |
| Official Notification | CSE | IFoS |
| WhatsApp Channel | Click Here |
| Install Android App | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When will UPSC release the CSE and IFoS Prelims Admit Card 2026?
UPSC has issued the e-Admit Card on 15 May 2026. The Prelims is scheduled for 24 May 2026.
Will IFoS aspirants get a separate admit card from CSE aspirants?
No. The Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination serves as the common screening test for both CSE 2026 and IFoSE 2026. A single e-Admit Card is issued for the Prelims, regardless of which examination the candidate has applied for.
What credentials are needed to download the UPSC Admit Card 2026?
Candidates need either their Registration ID or Roll Number along with their Date of Birth to log in and download the e-Admit Card from upsconline.nic.in.
Is a soft copy of the admit card valid at the exam centre?
No. Only a clear printed copy of the e-Admit Card is accepted at the exam venue. Candidates must also carry the original Photo ID mentioned in the application form.
