Key Highlights
- Candidate Turnout: A total of 8,19,372 aspirants have registered to take the national screening test this year.
- Historic Reform: For the first time ever, the UPSC will release the provisional answer key immediately after the exam, allowing candidates to file objections through the official portal until May 31, 2026.
- Infrastructure Expansion: The Commission has increased its test centers from 80 to 83, adding Bhubaneswar, Kanpur, and Meerut to ease regional congestion.
- Strict Security: A zero-tolerance policy for electronic devices is in effect, with strict reporting deadlines enforced at all venues.
To manage the massive volume of 8.19 lakh candidates and reduce inter-city travel fatigue, the UPSC expanded its examination network from 80 to 83 cities. Over 23,400 candidates have opted for the three newly added centers, significantly taking the pressure off surrounding hubs:
| New Examination Center | State | Number of Applications | Relieved Existing Center |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bhubaneswar | Odisha | 10,656 | Cuttack |
| Kanpur | Uttar Pradesh | 6,938 | Lucknow |
| Meerut | Uttar Pradesh | 5,902 | Ghaziabad |
UPSC Chairman Dr. Ajay Kumar highlighted that the center expansion, alongside customized seating arrangements ensuring Persons with Benchmark Disabilities are allotted their top-choice locations, is part of a broader drive to make India’s premier exam more candidate-friendly, inclusive, and accessible.
Two-Shift Schedule and Reporting Timelines
The civil services screening process is divided into two mandatory sessions today. Candidates are required to reach their allotted rooms at least 30 minutes before the start of each paper, as entry gates lock permanently 10 minutes prior to the commencement of the exam.
- Morning Session (General Studies Paper-I): 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM (Gates close at 9:20 AM)
- Afternoon Session (Civil Services Aptitude Test – CSAT Paper-II): 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM (Gates close at 2:20 AM)
Major Shift in Transparency: Provisional Answer Keys
In what Dr. Ajay Kumar has termed “a new beginning” for federal recruitment, the UPSC has officially broken away from its long-standing practice of withholding exam answers until the final annual results are declared.
Shortly after the conclusion of today’s papers, the Commission will publish the provisional answer key on its official portal. Candidates will have a dedicated window until 6:00 PM on May 31, 2026, to challenge any answer discrepancies via the Online Question Paper Representation Portal , provided they back their claims with supporting documentation from three authentic academic sources. Subject matter experts will then review the objections to finalize the grading framework before results are declared in June.
Strict Code of Conduct for Candidates
The UPSC has issued an ironclad set of instructions for all test-takers to maintain the sanctity of the examination environment:
- Mandatory Documentation: Entry requires a clear printout of the e-Admit Card downloaded from
upsc.gov.inpaired with the original photo ID proof listed on the hall ticket. - Photograph Backup: If the digital image printed on the admit card is blurry or missing, the candidate must carry two passport-sized photographs (one for each shift) to the center.
- Banned Electronic Items: Mobile phones, smartwatches, fitness trackers, Bluetooth earpieces, programmable calculators, or any communication-capable gadgets are completely banned. Storage facilities at centers are not guaranteed, and possession of these items will lead to immediate disqualification.
- Permissible Items: Candidates are permitted to bring only a black ballpoint pen for filling out the OMR answer sheets, a transparent water bottle, and their necessary identity credentials.
