Careers360 Logo
ask-icon
share
    UPSC Exam Timing 2026 - Know CSE Prelims Exam Day Guidelines

    UPSC Exam Timing 2026 - Know CSE Prelims Exam Day Guidelines

    Meghana Mohana KrishnanUpdated on 25 May 2026, 10:33 AM IST

    Union Public Service Commission has commenced the UPSC IAS prelims exam 2026 today, May 24, 2026. The UPSC IAS 2026 exam is conducted in two shifts, morning and afternoon. Candidates must make sure they reach the exam centre well before the UPSC exam timings today.

    UPSC Exam Timing 2026 - Know CSE Prelims Exam Day Guidelines
    UPSC Exam Timing 2026 - Know CSE Prelims Exam Day Guidelines

    The commission also releases the UPSC exam time table on the official website and the guidelines to follow. Candidates must strictly follow the UPSC pre exam time and guidelines for a smooth exam experience. The UPSC admit card 2026 must be carried to the exam hall along with a Photo ID. Go through the article below to know the UPSC prelims 2026 timings and guidelines.

    UPSC CSE exam date 2026 and Time

    The UPSC pre timing and exam date is determined by the commission. Candidates must reach the UPSC IAS exam centre 2026 30 to 45 minutes before the gate closes to undergo biometric verification. In the table below, candidates can view UPSC prelims timings clearly.

    UPSC Exam Timings Today

    Date

    Subject

    Timings

    Gate closing time

    May 24, 2026

    GS Paper I

    9:30 AM to 11:30 AM

    9:00 AM

    May 24, 2026

    GS Paper II

    2:30 PM to 4: 30 PM

    2:00 PM

    It is mandatory for candidates to clear both the papers. They must also make sure they score at least 33 % in the GS Paper II.

    Also check -

    UPSC Prelims Exam Day Guidelines

    Candidates can view the detailed UPSC Prelims exam day guidelines on the official website or while downloading the admit card. The UPSC IAS guidelines are as follows -

    • Candidates must take a printout of the downloaded UPSC IAS prelims 2026 admit card. No physical copy will be sent.

    • Candidates must carry a Photo ID to the UPSC IAS exam centre whose number is printed in the admit card.

    • If the candidate’s photo is not clear in the UPSC 2026 admit card, they have to take a 2 passport size photograph for verification.

    • No digital gadgets are allowed in the examination.

    • The candidate is responsible for his/her belongings.

    • A black ball point pen must be carried to the exam centre.

    Also check -

    UPSC CSE Preparation Strategy and Best Books
    UPSC CSE preparation strategy along with best books for prelims as well as mains exam for sure success.
    Download EBook

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Q: How many hours is the UPSC exam conducted?
    A:

    The UPSC prelims time duration is 2 hours for each paper.

    Q: Is the UPSC IAS admit card required after the examination?
    A:

    Yes, the UPSC prelims admit card 2026 must be preserved until the selection process is complete.

    Q: Will there be a locker in the UPSC IAS 2026 exam centre?
    A:

    No, every venue does not provide any lockers to keep the candidate’s belongings. 

    Articles
    |
    Certifications By Top Providers
    Intellectual Property
    Via National Law University, New Delhi
    Indian Philosophy
    Via Indian Institute of Technology Madras
    Access to Justice
    Via National Law University, New Delhi
    Introduction to Econometrics
    Via Indian Institute of Technology Madras
    Online BA Political Science
    Via Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh
    Swayam
     234 courses
    Edx
     201 courses
    LawSikho
     127 courses
    NPTEL
     104 courses
    Futurelearn
     89 courses
    Coursera
     76 courses
    Explore Top Universities Across Globe

    Questions related to UPSC CSE

    On Question asked by student community

    Have a question related to UPSC CSE ?

    Hey there,

    Copy-paste answer:

    Choosing between becoming an IAS officer or a doctor depends on your interests, skills, and career goals. If you are passionate about public administration, policymaking, and serving society through governance, IAS can be a great choice. If you enjoy science, helping patients, and working in the

    Hello Dear Student,

    Since you are in the first year of your bachelor's degree , this is an excellent time to begin preparing for the Civil Services Examination. You cannot apply yet because a recognized bachelor's degree is the minimum educational qualification, but you can use the next few years

    Hi Akshay,
    Coming from an MPC background is a hidden advantage if you're planning to prepare for the IAS exam. Here are a few tips to follow to be consistent with your goal.

    • Stay updated with current affairs
    • Analyze previous years' question papers
    • Refer NCERT books to enhance the Fundamentals

    Hi Aspirant,

    Candidates who want to become an IAS officer need to appear for the UPSC CSE exam consisting of prelims, mains, and then an interview.  To know complete information about IAS officers, read the article below.

    UPSC CSE 2026

    Hello Prativa

    You can refer to the link given below for knowing all the details about an IAS Officer or how to become an IAS Officer

    https://www.careers360.com/careers/ias-officer

    Hope It Helps.