The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially announced the release of admit cards for the Civil Services Mains Examination 2026. Aspirants who successfully cleared the preliminary stage of the competitive examination can now access and print their hall tickets from the commission's official portal at upsc.gov.in.
The Mains examination serves as the second and most critical stage of the three-tier Civil Services recruitment process. Only candidates who secure marks above the qualifying cutoff in the Prelims are eligible to appear for the Mains written tests. The admit card contains essential details including the candidate's name, examination centre allocation, date and time of the papers, and important instructions that must be followed during the examination.
Candidates are advised to carry a printed copy of the admit card along with one original and one photocopied identity proof at the examination centre. The UPSC has reiterated that no candidate will be permitted entry into the examination hall without producing the admit card and a valid photo identity document. Several candidates have reported receiving SMS and email notifications prompting them to download their admit cards.
The Civil Services Mains examination typically consists of nine papers, including language papers and descriptive answer-type papers that test candidates across subjects such as essay writing, general studies, and optional subjects. The written marks from Mains, combined with the interview performance, determine the final merit list for allocation of services like the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service, and Indian Foreign Service.
Examination centres for the Mains are spread across major cities in India, and candidates are encouraged to verify their allocated centre well in advance to make necessary travel and accommodation arrangements.
