UPSC Admit Card 2026 Released: Download CSE Prelims Hall Ticket PDF at upsc.gov.in

Current affairs play a very important role in the UPSC Prelims examination. Candidates are advised to revise at least last 1 year current affairs linking them with the static part to maximise their scores.

As there are many aspirants who have just started their preparation journey for the country's most coveted examination conducted by the UPSC. They need much information on the exam recruitment pattern.

The UPSC Civil Service recruitment consists of a three-stage selection process in which the prelims is the first stage. The candidates who qualify the prelims exam will be considered eligible to appear for the CSE Mains.

If you have forgotten your registration number then there is no need to worry as still you can download your   UPSC Admit Card 2026. In this situation, you are required to use the "Forget RID" option on the official website through which you can retrieve your login credentials. 

The candidates who are going to attempt this year Prelims exam are advised to take this last week seriously in terms of studies and health. Here are some tips to follow:

• You must focus on revising the weak areas that must have been identified during the mock test time.
• Keep short notes with you to revise frequently.
• Try and attempt only 1 mock test or you can also practice some random questions from the previous year papers.
• Do not panic, stay calm and relaxed.
• Keep yourself hydarets. Eat good food and avoid outside food as it can impact your health.

There are many government examinations conducted by the subordinate bodies in the different states which also releases the city intimation slip for the respective exam which mentions the details about the examination city allotted to a particular candidate. This makes the candidates plan their travel easily. 

But, UPSC do not follow any such tradition. It only releases the admit card for the UPSC Civil Services exam.

Candidates are advised to reach the examination centre at least one hour before the reporting time mentioned on the admit card. UPSC generally closes entry gates 30 minutes before the commencement of the examination in both shifts.

The Prelims exam will be conducted on 24 May 2026 for two papers- GS and CSAT in two shifts. The first shift will be held for GS from 09:30 am to 11:30 am. The second shift will be conducted for CSAT from 02:30 pm onwards till 04:30 pm.

Candidates should avoid carrying electronic gadgets, calculators, smartwatches, notes, or any prohibited items inside the exam centre. Simple clothing without metallic accessories is recommended to avoid delays during frisking and security verification procedures.

The Prelims exam also involves the provision for negative marking. 1/3rd marks will be deducted for every incorrect response. There will be no deduction for no responses.

Both the papers in UPSC Prelims carries 200 marks totalling to 400 marks, in which the candidates need to obtain 33% marks in the CSAT.

Prelims exam involves two papers- GS and CSAT. The candidates require to qualify the CSAT paper by obtaining only 33% marks. The GS paper includes the cut off marks.

The candidates who are going to appear for the UPSC Prelims exam 2026 must know that the Prelims is just the qualifying stage to get shortlisted for the mains examination. The candidates are required to clear the cut off marks in order to qualify this stage. As per the previous year trends, the prelims cut off remained anywhere between 94-104. Therefore, the candidates must keep this in mind.

The UPSC Prelims consists of MCQs in both the papers- General Studies (GS) and CSAT. GS includes 100 MCQs and CSAT includes 80 MCQs. Each paper carries 200 marks. 

• GS: +2 marks for each correct response
• CSAT: +2.5 for each correct response

The UPSC conducts the Prelims exam across 83 cities in the country. These cities includes all the metropolitan cities of the country like Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and others.

The UPSC CSE includes 3-stage selection process in which prelims is only the qualifying stage which means that the marks obtained in this stage are not included to prepare the final selection list.

If you find any discrepancy in your photograph on the admit card, it is advisable to take 2 passport-size photographs along with you on the exam day. For any other discrepancy, aspirants should contact the UPSC helpline.

The UPSC Prelims General Studies paper includes subjects such as:

• Indian Polity
• Indian History
• Indian & World Geography
• Indian Economy
• Art & Culture
• Current Affairs
• Other Miscellaneous topics

The UPSC Prelims includes two objective type papers- Paper 1 and Paper 2.

• Paper 1 : General Studies
• Paper 2: CSAT

Along with the admit card, candidates should carry valid ID proof such as Aadhaar card, PAN card, passport, voter ID, or driving licence. Passport-size photographs may also be required if the photograph on the admit card appears unclear.

As the much awaited UPSC Prelims admit card has been released by the commission, the aspirants can download their respective hall tickets and check their examination centres to plan their travel (if required) in advance.

The UPSC has announced a total of 933 vacancies for various All India Services, Group A Services, and some other posts for the UPSC CSE Recruitment 2026.

The candidates can either go to upsc.gov.in or upsconline.nic in, both of these are the official websites of UPSC to download the hall ticket.

The Union Public Service Commission has released the UPSC prelims admit card 2026 on 15 May 2026.

The candidates who are going to appear for the UPSC Prelims exam can download their admit card from the link provided below:

Download UPSC CSE Prelims Admit Card 2026

Candidates must carry a printed copy of the UPSC Prelims Admit Card 2026 along with a valid photo ID proof to the examination centre. Without the admit card, entry inside the examination hall will not be permitted under any circumstances.

Candidates appearing for UPSC Prelims 2026 should note that negative marking is applicable in both papers. One-third marks assigned to a question will be deducted for every incorrect answer. No marks are deducted for unanswered questions during the examination.

UPSC has continued the qualifying nature of the CSAT paper for Civil Services Preliminary Examination. Candidates need to secure at least 33 percent marks in Paper 2 to qualify. However, GS Paper 1 scores alone are considered for final Prelims cut-off calculation.

The UPSC Prelims examination consists of two objective-type papers including General Studies Paper 1 and CSAT. GS Paper 1 carries 200 marks and determines merit for Mains qualification, while CSAT is qualifying in nature with minimum required marks.

The UPSC admit card will contain important details such as candidate’s name, roll number, exam centre address, reporting time, photograph, signature, and exam-day instructions. Candidates should carefully verify all details after downloading the hall ticket and report discrepancies immediately.

Candidates will soon get access to the direct UPSC Prelims Admit Card 2026 download link on the official website. Aspirants must ensure stable internet connectivity and keep their registration credentials ready to avoid last-minute issues while downloading the hall ticket.

The UPSC will conduct the Civil Services Preliminary Examination (CSE) 2026 on 24 May 2026. The exam will be conducted in two shifts for General Studies 1 and CSAT papers.

The UPSC will release the prelims admit card 2026 on its official website, upsc.gov.in. The candidates are advised to download the hall ticket pdf and take a printout of it. There will be no entry without the admit card inside the examination hall.

The UPSC will release the UPSC prelims admit card 2026 on its official website anytime in the upcoming days.