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The country’s most prestigious examination ‘UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2026’ is going to be held tomorrow, i.e. on 24th May, at various centers across the country. Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has made many historic changes this year keeping in mind the purity, transparency and convenience of the students in the examination. This year, there are a total of 933 vacancies including IAS, IPS and IFS and 40 vacancies for Indian Forest Service (IFS). If you too are going to appear in this examination tomorrow, then read these 10 very important guidelines and rules issued by the Commission carefully, because a little carelessness can deprive you of the examination.
1. Gate closing time: Entry closed 30 minutes before the exam, no-entry if late.
According to the strict rules of the Commission, the main gate of the examination center will be closed exactly 30 minutes before the commencement of the examination.
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First Shift (AM): The examination will start at 9:30 am, for which entry will in all cases close at 09:00 am.
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Second Shift (Afternoon): The exam will start at 2:30 PM, entry for which will be closed at 02:00 PM. No candidate will be allowed inside after the gate is closed, whatever the reason.
2. AI face authentication will be implemented for the first time: No more dummy candidates
From the year 2026, UPSC has made a major technical change. Now ‘face authentication’ will be done at the examination center for every candidate appearing in all the recruitment examinations of the Commission, including Civil Services. For this, Artificial Intelligence (AI) based face test system has been installed. This system is not only faster than manual checking, but will also immediately detect exam fraud, fake candidates and dummy candidates.
3. Historic change: ‘Answer key’ will be released immediately after Prelims
This is going to be the first time in the history of UPSC that its provisional answer key will be released immediately after the preliminary examination. Earlier, the Commission used to make the answer key public only after the final results were declared, due to which students were confused whether they should prepare for Mains or next year. Now students will be able to accurately assess their performance instantly.
4. ‘3 strong evidences’ have to be given to lodge objection
After the release of the provisional answer key, if any candidate has doubt on the answer to any question, they will be able to raise their objection through the online portal ‘Online Question Paper Representation Portal’ (QPRep) till 6:00 pm on 31st May 2026. For this, candidates will have to go to https://upsconline.nic.in/login. While raising objection, candidates will have to upload evidence from 3 authentic sources/documents along with a brief description in support of their correct answer, which will be examined by a team of subject experts.
5. Use only ‘black ball point pen’
Candidates will have to use only black ball point pen to fill OMR answer sheet and attendance sheet. Answers given with pen or pencil of any color other than black ball pen will not be checked and your OMR sheet will be declared invalid.
6. It is mandatory to bring admit card and ‘original photo ID’
To gain entry into the examination hall, candidates will have to bring a printout of the e-Admit Card along with an original photo ID proof. Keep in mind, this should be the same photo ID whose number you have entered on your e-admit card. It is necessary to keep this admit card safe till the declaration of the final result of Civil Services Examination, 2026.
7. Attention candidates with bad or illegible photographs: Bring two photographs along with you.
Candidates whose photograph on the e-Admit Card is blurry or illegible, or whose name and date of photograph (DO P) is not clear, must also bring with them one valid photo identity card, two passport size photographs (bearing their name and date of photograph) and an undertaking for admission to each session of the examination. A photo is mandatory for each shift.
8. Rules for wearing watches: Only watches with normal hands are allowed.
Candidates will be allowed to wear only ordinary or analog watches inside the examination hall. Smart watches, digital watches, fitness bands or watches of any kind that can be used as a communication device are strictly prohibited.
9. These things are completely banned at the examination center
It is strictly prohibited to bring mobile phones (even if switched off), Bluetooth devices, cameras, pagers, pen drives, calculators or any other electronic gadgets inside the examination hall. Apart from this, candidates will not be allowed to bring any bag, valuables or suitcase inside the examination centre. UPSC has made it clear that there will be no arrangement for keeping the luggage at the examination center and the Commission will not be responsible if any luggage is lost.
10. Strict orders for officers and inspectors also
The Commission has adopted a strict stance to maintain the confidentiality and sanctity of the examination. Not only will disciplinary action be taken against candidates who violate the orders, they will also be permanently debarred from all future examinations. Not only this, the Center Superintendent, Assistant Supervisor, Invigilator and any officer or employee associated with the examination will not be allowed to carry mobile phones or any communication device inside the examination hall.
