The UPSC admit card for the Civil Services Examination is an e-admit card, issued only online. UPSC publishes a notice on upsc.gov.in when it is available, and candidates download it by logging in with their registration ID or roll number along with their date of birth. UPSC does not post admit cards, and you cannot enter the exam hall without a printout and an original photo ID.
A separate e-admit card is issued for Prelims and for Mains. Candidates who reach the final stage get an e-summon letter for the Personality Test instead of an admit card.
When UPSC issues the e-admit card
UPSC usually issues the Civil Services e-admit card shortly before each stage, and announces it through a "What's New" notice on its website. The exam calendar on upsc.gov.in gives the exam dates for the year, but the admit card date is announced separately. Do not trust social media posts that claim an early release.
How to download the UPSC admit card
- Open upsc.gov.in and click the e-admit card link in the What's New section, or go to the application portal, upsconline.nic.in.
- Select the Civil Services (Preliminary) or (Main) examination link.
- Choose to log in by registration ID or roll number.
- Enter the ID, your date of birth and the captcha.
- Download the e-admit card PDF and print it clearly, preferably in colour.
- Check that the photo and signature print clearly. If they do not, see the fixes below.
The same steps apply to other UPSC exams, such as the Combined Medical Services (CMS), CDS or NDA. Only the exam link is different.
Details to check on the e-admit card
| Item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Name, photo and signature | Used to verify you at the venue |
| Roll number | Needed for results; Prelims results are published by roll number |
| Venue address | Your centre city is the one you chose, but the venue is new information |
| Paper timings | Prelims has two papers on the same day, in two sessions |
| Optional subject and medium (Mains) | Must match what you filled in the detailed application form |
| Instructions | Entry closing time, barred items and OMR rules are printed here |
What to carry
- A printout of the e-admit card for each session. Carry it to both Prelims papers.
- The original photo ID whose number is printed on the e-admit card.
- A black ballpoint pen for the OMR sheet in Prelims.
- Two passport-size photos if the photo on your admit card is unclear, as the card instructs.
Mobile phones, smart watches, digital devices and other communication gadgets are banned inside the venue, even switched off. Bags are not allowed and there is usually no safe place to keep them, so travel light.
Entry timing
Entry into the venue closes before the paper starts, at the time printed on the admit card. Plan to reach early, because late candidates are not let in.
A Prelims day plan
- Visit the venue a day before if you can, and note the gate you must use.
- Carry two printouts of the e-admit card, one for each paper, in case one is collected or damaged.
- Pack a simple lunch and water to have outside the venue between the two sessions.
- Fill your roll number and test booklet series on the OMR sheet carefully; errors here cannot be fixed later.
Your centre city is the one you picked while applying. UPSC allots seats in each city on a first-come basis until capacity is full, which is why it pays to apply early. The Mains is held in fewer cities, so your Mains venue may be in a different city from your Prelims one.
Common problems and fixes
Forgot registration ID
Switch to the roll number login option, or use the recovery option on the UPSC portal. Your registration ID is also in the emails UPSC sent when you applied.
Photo is unclear or missing
The e-admit card instructions usually tell you to carry photo ID and two passport-size photos, along with an undertaking, one for each session. Follow exactly what your card says.
Name or other detail is wrong
Write to UPSC at once, from your registered email, quoting your registration ID and roll number. Keep a copy. Carry your ID and the printout anyway; minor spelling issues are usually handled at the venue.
Cannot download
Try again at night or early morning when traffic is lower, and use a desktop browser. Download only from upsc.gov.in or upsconline.nic.in.
Mains e-admit card and interview
Candidates declared qualified in Prelims fill the Detailed Application Form for Mains on the UPSC portal. Only after that does UPSC issue the Mains e-admit card, which lists all papers, including the qualifying language papers and the optional. Those who qualify the Mains are sent an e-summon letter for the Personality Test with the date and time of the interview.
Keep all e-admit cards until the final result. They carry your roll number and are useful for any correspondence with UPSC. When the final result is published, UPSC lists recommended candidates by roll number, so the admit card is the quickest way to find yours.
Related pages
For the full structure of the exam, see the UPSC Civil Services hub, and plan revision with the UPSC syllabus for Prelims and Mains. Many aspirants also sit staff selection exams; the SSC CGL admit card guide covers that process. For a defence path, see the NDA syllabus, and other hall tickets are listed in the admit card section.
HindiScope is not an official site; confirm on upsc.gov.in.