Archive · 20 Aug 2026
UPSC Civil Services Main 2026 Begins With New Instructions
The UPSC is holding its Civil Services Main examination on five dates in August 2026.
Students must bring two recent passport-sized photographs to every exam session.
The photographs may be needed if there is a problem checking their identity.
Face authentication will be required for everyone.
Officials will also check candidates’ identity documents and conduct frisking.
Candidates should arrive early so these checks can be completed.
The UPSC will later open an online portal for comments about the question papers.
This portal will be available from August 31 to September 4, 2026.
The UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026 will be held on August 21, 22, 23, 29 and 30.
Candidates must carry two recent passport-sized photographs for each examination session.
Photographs may be required if face authentication fails, identity documents are unavailable, or other issues arise.
Face authentication, identity verification and frisking are mandatory before candidates enter the examination hall.
The Question Paper Representation Portal will accept submissions from August 31 to September 4, 2026.
- Who
- The Union Public Service Commission and candidates appearing for the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026.
- What
- UPSC has issued examination-day instructions covering photographs, face authentication, identity verification, frisking and question-paper representations.
- When
- The examination will be held on August 21, 22, 23, 29 and 30, 2026; the Question Paper Representation Portal will be open from August 31 to September 4, 2026.
- Where
- At the designated examination venues and on the UPSC website for question-paper representations.
- Why
- To support candidate identification, address unforeseen examination-centre issues and allow representations on question papers.
- Examination
- Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026
- Examination dates
- August 21, 22, 23, 29 and 30, 2026
- Photographs required
- Two recent passport-sized photographs for each examination session
- Mandatory checks
- Face authentication, identity verification and frisking
- Portal
- Question Paper Representation Portal (QPReP)
- Portal dates
- August 31 to September 4, 2026
- Portal purpose
- Submitting representations on Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026 question papers