UPSC CSE Prelims 2026 tomorrow; exam day guidelines, things not to carry

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will begin the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) Prelims 2026 exam tomorrow, May 24. Candidates who applied for the competitive national-level exam can download their UPSC Prelims 2026 admit card from the official website, upsc.gov.in.

This year, around 8.19 lakh candidates are expected to appear for the UPSC CSE Prelims examination 2026. The commission has also released the UPSC exam day guidelines along with the UPSC CSE admit card 2026.

The UPSC Prelims exam 2026 will be held in two sessions. General Studies Paper 1 will be conducted in the forenoon session from 9:30 am to 11:30 am, while CSAT Paper 2 will be held in the afternoon session from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm.

Also read No second chance: UPSC bars serving IAS, IFS, IPS officers from CSE 2026

According to a recent report, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) said that more than 23,000 UPSC CSE 2026 aspirants have selected the three newly added exam centres to reduce crowding at exam venues. UPSC has added three new centres — Bhubaneshwar, Kanpur, and Meerut — increasing the total number of exam centres from 80 to 83.

This year, the Union Public Service Commission will release the UPSC CSE prelims 2026 provisional answer key soon after the exam for the first time.

UPSC CSE Prelims Exam 2026: Things not to carry

Candidates appearing for the UPSC CSE Prelims exam 2026 are not allowed to carry prohibited items to the examination centre. The commission has strictly banned electronic and communication devices inside the UPSC IAS exam hall.

Items not allowed at the UPSC exam centre include:

• Mobile phones
• Smart watches
• Bluetooth devices
• Earphones or headphones
• Calculators
• Tablets or laptops
• Cameras
• Notes, books, or study material
• Bags and valuable items

Also read NEHU teachers’ body writes to Pradhan, President; seeks new VC, raises concerns over rankings, projects, NEP

UPSC CSE Prelims 2026 exam day guidelines

Candidates must carry a printed copy of the UPSC CSE Prelims 2026 admit card along with an original photo ID proof to enter the exam hall. They should avoid bringing valuable or expensive items to the exam centre.

Students are advised to reach the exam hall at least 30 minutes before the UPSC CSE Prelims exam starts in every session. Entry will not be allowed 10 minutes after the exam begins.

Mobile phones and all electronic or communication devices are strictly banned inside the UPSC CSE examination centre, even if they are switched off.

Candidates whose photographs are unclear on the e-admit card must carry a passport-size photograph for each session along with an undertaking form.