IAS Prelims Admit Card expected mid-May 2026 (~3 weeks before exam). Exam on 25 May 2026 at upsc.gov.in.
? Important Dates
| UPSC CSE 2026 Notification | 05 February 2026 |
| Apply Online Start Date | 05 February 2026 |
| Apply Online Last Date | 25 February 2026 |
| Admit Card Expected | ~05 May 2026 (3 weeks before exam) |
| Prelims Exam Date | 25 May 2026 (Announced) |
| Prelims Result | ~July 2026 |
| Mains Exam | September 2026 |
? Application Fee
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹ 100/- |
| Female Candidates | ₹ 0/- (Exempted) |
| SC / ST / PwBD | ₹ 0/- (Exempted) |
| Payment Mode | SBI Net Banking / Visa / MasterCard / UPI |
? Age Limit (As on 01 August 2026)
| Minimum Age | 21 Years |
| Maximum Age (General) | 32 Years |
| OBC Relaxation | +3 Years (Max 35) |
| SC / ST Relaxation | +5 Years (Max 37) |
| PwBD (Gen) Relaxation | +10 Years |
| Maximum Attempts — General | 6 attempts |
| Maximum Attempts — OBC | 9 attempts |
| Maximum Attempts — SC/ST | Unlimited (till age limit) |
? UPSC CSE 2026 Prelims Exam Pattern
| Paper | Topics Covered | Marks / Duration |
| GS Paper I (Qualifying) | Current Affairs, History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science | 200 marks / 2 hours |
| CSAT Paper II (Qualifying) | Comprehension, Reasoning, Mental Ability, Maths (Class 10) | 200 marks / 2 hours |
| Note | Only GS Paper I score used for shortlisting. Min 33% needed in CSAT. |
? Required Documents at Exam Centre
- Printed UPSC IAS Admit Card (A4 size) from upsc.gov.in
- Valid Original Photo ID (Aadhaar / Passport / Voter ID / PAN)
- One passport-size photograph (recent, same as application)
- Blue/black ball-point pen (pen & paper exam)
- No phone, calculator, watch, or any electronic device
⬇️ How to Download UPSC IAS Prelims Admit Card 2026
1. Visit the official UPSC website: upsc.gov.in
2. Click on the 'e-Admit Cards' tab or 'Examinations' menu.
3. Find 'Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026 e-Admit Card'.
4. Click on the link and enter your Registration ID / Roll Number and Date of Birth.
5. Click Submit — your admit card will load.
6. Verify all details: Name, Photo, Signature, Exam Centre, Roll Number.
7. Download and take a clear printout on A4 paper.
8. Carry the printout + original Photo ID to the exam centre on 25 May 2026.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How many IAS vacancies are there in 2026?
A: UPSC CSE 2026 has 933 vacancies for IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, and other Group A & B Central Services.
Q: What is CSAT and is it qualifying?
A: CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) is Paper-II of Prelims — it is purely qualifying in nature. Candidates must score minimum 33% (66/200) but this score is NOT counted for shortlisting.
Q: When is UPSC IAS Prelims 2026?
A: The exam is scheduled for 25 May 2026 as per the official UPSC calendar.
Q: Can I appear for IAS exam after graduation?
A: Yes. Candidates with a Bachelor's degree in any stream from a recognized university are eligible for UPSC CSE.
Q: What is the official website for UPSC?
A: https://upsc.gov.in/
