Overview

• The examination will run from August 22 to 31 across five days, opening with the essay paper and concluding with Optional Subject Paper 2.
• Sessions are scheduled from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm, with gates closing 30 minutes before each session and candidates advised to arrive early.
• E‑admit cards are live on upsc.gov.in and upsconline.gov.in, and candidates must carry a printed hall ticket along with an original photo ID and retain the admit card until final results.
• UPSC bans mobile phones, smartwatches and other electronic or communication devices even if switched off, allows only simple wristwatches and transparent water bottles, provides no safekeeping for valuables, and permits only non‑programmable calculators where applicable.
• Only those who cleared the Prelims may appear; 14,161 qualified per the published results, though one report cites about 9,000 expected candidates, and media reports note 979 vacancies including 38 for PwBD.