New Delhi: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will begin the Civil Services Examination (CSE) Mains 2026 on August 21, with candidates required to follow strict examination-day procedures, including identity verification and face authentication. The commission has also reiterated instructions regarding passport-size photographs for candidates whose admit-card photograph is unclear.
The CSE Mains is the second stage of the UPSC Civil Services Examination and is followed by the personality test for candidates who qualify.
UPSC CSE Mains 2026 Exam Schedule
The Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026 is scheduled to begin on August 21. The UPSC’s annual calendar lists August 21 as the commencement date for the examination.
Candidates appearing for different papers will need to carefully check the date and session mentioned on their e-admit cards and reach their allotted centres well before the reporting time.
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Candidates Must Carry Required Documents
Candidates should carry their e-admit card and valid photo identity proof to the examination centre.
UPSC instructions for its examinations also specify that candidates whose photograph on the e-admit card is not clear may be required to bring two passport-size photographs, along with the prescribed undertaking and original photo identity proof.
Candidates should therefore check their e-admit card before leaving for the examination and keep the required documents and photographs ready.
Face Authentication to Verify Identity
Face authentication has become an important part of UPSC’s examination security system.
Candidates are required to undergo face authentication at the examination venue, along with identity verification and frisking. UPSC has advised candidates to reach the venue sufficiently early so these procedures can be completed before the examination begins.
The system is intended to strengthen identity verification and reduce the possibility of impersonation during the examination.
Question Papers to Be Available Online
UPSC has also announced a system for making CSE Mains question papers available online after the examination.
According to the latest information, the 2026 CSE Mains question papers will be available from August 31 to September 4. Candidates will also be able to submit representations regarding the question papers through the Question Paper Representation Portal (QPReP) during the prescribed period.
This gives candidates an opportunity to review the papers after the examination and raise representations through the commission’s designated online mechanism.
Candidates Advised to Follow Exam-Day Rules
With the examination approaching, candidates should avoid carrying prohibited items or unnecessary belongings to the centre. UPSC examination instructions restrict items such as mobile phones and other electronic devices inside examination venues.
The commission’s identity-verification measures also mean that candidates should ensure their appearance and identification documents are consistent with the details provided during the application process.
For thousands of civil services aspirants, the Mains examination marks a crucial stage in the selection process. While preparation remains the primary focus, following the commission’s instructions on documentation, reporting, authentication and prohibited items will be equally important on examination day.
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