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The UPSC Civil Services Examination application process is entirely online and follows a structured multi-stage format. Since 2024-25, UPSC has transitioned to a new online application portal and replaced the earlier OTR (One-Time Registration) system with a revised four-part structure via upsconline.nic.in. Every aspirant planning to appear for UPSC CSE Prelims must complete this process within the notified window. Errors in the application form, missing document uploads, or fee non-payment result in outright rejection of candidature.
This page provides a complete, step-by-step guide to the UPSC CSE Prelims application process including registration, form filling, document requirements, fee structure, exam centre selection, correction window, and admit card download.
Before applying, verify your eligibility using the UPSC CSE Eligibility Criteria page. For a complete overview of the examination, visit the UPSC CSE Prelims main page.
| Event Typical Timeline | |
| Official Notification Release | First week of February |
| Application Window Opens | Day of notification release |
| Last Date to Apply | Approximately 3 weeks after notification |
| Fee Payment Last Date | Same as application last date |
| Correction Window | 1 to 2 weeks after application close |
| Admit Card Release | 15 to 20 days before Prelims |
| Prelims Examination | Late May or June |
For the 2026 cycle: The notification was released on 4 February 2026, the application window closed on 27 February 2026, and Prelims is scheduled for 24 May 2026.
Always verify current dates from the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in, as dates are announced in the annual examination calendar.
All UPSC CSE applications are submitted exclusively through the official UPSC online portal:
Portal URL: https://upsconline.nic.in
Do not apply through any other website. UPSC does not accept application forms submitted offline, by email, or through any third-party portal. The application portal is functional 24 hours during the application window.
The first step for any new applicant is to create a One-Time Registration profile on the UPSC portal. This profile generates a Universal Registration Number (URN), which is a permanent identification number used for all future UPSC examinations.
Step 1: Visit upsconline.nic.in and click on "New Registration."
Step 2: Enter the following details:
Step 3: Verify your email ID and mobile number using the OTPs sent to each.
Step 4: Upon successful verification, a URN (Universal Registration Number) is generated and displayed on screen. Note this number and save it securely. This is your permanent UPSC identifier.
Step 5: Complete the OTR profile by uploading a recent passport-size photograph (with name and date printed on it, as mandated from 2026) and your signature image.
Important: The OTR captures core identity information such as name, date of birth, and parents' names. These fields cannot be edited after submission. Only limited fields such as mobile number, email ID, gender, and minority status can be modified later with OTP verification.
After OTR creation, candidates proceed to the examination-specific application form for UPSC CSE. The form is structured in two parts.
Log into the portal using your URN and password, or via Email ID/Mobile Number using OTP.
Navigate to "Latest Notifications" and click on the UPSC CSE notification for the current year.
Part 1 collects:
| Field What to Enter | |
| Personal Details | Pre-populated from OTR profile |
| Educational Qualification | Degree name, university, year of passing, percentage |
| Category | General / EWS / OBC / SC / ST |
| PwBD Status | Yes or No (with disability type if Yes) |
| Nationality | Indian or eligible foreign national category |
| Address | Permanent and correspondence address |
| Medium of Exam | English or Hindi (for Mains - selected at Prelims stage) |
Category Certificate: If applying under OBC, SC, ST, EWS, or PwBD, the relevant valid certificate must be ready for upload. OBC certificates must align with the Central List of OBCs as per DOPT norms. Verify the certificate format against the one specified in the official notification.
Part 2 collects examination preferences:
| Field What to Enter | |
| Exam Centre Preference | First and second preferred cities for Prelims |
| Optional Subject | Select from the official list (for Mains - declared at Prelims stage) |
| Indian Language Paper | Select from the approved list |
| Service Preferences | Ranking of preferred services (from 2026, this is done post-Mains) |
Exam Centre Allocation: Centres are allotted on a "First-Apply-First-Allot" basis. Popular centres such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad fill up quickly. Candidates should apply early and select their preferred city without delay.
UPSC requires the following documents to be uploaded in specified formats:
| Document Format Size Specifications | |||
| Passport-size photograph | JPG / JPEG | 20 KB to 300 KB | White or light background; name and date printed on it (mandatory from 2026) |
| Signature | JPG / JPEG | 10 KB to 100 KB | Black ink on white paper |
| Category Certificate | As specified | Valid certificate in prescribed format | |
| PwBD Certificate | As specified | UDID card or disability certificate from competent authority | |
| Any other document | As instructed in notification | As specified | Verify from the current year's notification |
Photograph Rules (2026 onwards): UPSC mandated from 2026 that the candidate's name and the date of the photograph must be printed on the photograph itself. Photographs without this information are rejected. If you already submitted without this and the correction window is open, re-upload immediately.
Do not use photo studio composites or heavily filtered photographs. Plain, clear photographs with the face fully visible are required.
| Category Prelims Application Fee | |
| General / EWS / OBC (Male) | Rs. 100 |
| Female candidates | Exempt (no fee) |
| SC candidates | Exempt (no fee) |
| ST candidates | Exempt (no fee) |
| PwBD candidates | Exempt (no fee) |
The Rs. 100 fee is nominal compared to most competitive examinations. The payment process follows one of two modes:
Online Mode: Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card, or UPI payment through the portal's integrated payment gateway.
Offline Mode: The portal generates a payment challan that can be taken to any branch of the State Bank of India for cash payment. The challan has a validity window after which it expires and a new one must be generated.
After successful payment, a payment confirmation page and reference number are displayed. Save or print this reference for future use.
Important: Do not close the browser or refresh during payment processing. Incomplete payment transactions are not automatically completed. If a payment fails but the amount is deducted, contact your bank; do not make a duplicate payment without confirmation.
Before submitting, the portal displays a preview of all entered information. This is the last opportunity to verify every field before locking the application.
Check the following in the preview:
Once satisfied, click "I Agree" to the declaration and submit the form. After final submission, a system-generated Application Slip / Confirmation Number is displayed. Download and save this as a PDF. This is not the admit card but serves as proof of application.
Critical: Once submitted, the application cannot be edited except through the officially announced correction window. Read all fields carefully before clicking submit.
After the application window closes, UPSC opens a limited correction facility for candidates to fix specific errors. The correction window is typically open for 5 to 10 days.
Always use the correction window if you notice any error, even a minor one. An incorrect category entry, for instance, can lead to disqualification at the interview stage even if the candidate performed well throughout the written examination.
To use the correction window, log into upsconline.nic.in with your URN/Email/Mobile and navigate to the correction link under "Latest Notifications."
The UPSC Prelims admit card (also called e-Admit Card or Hall Ticket) is released approximately 15 to 20 days before the examination date.
Step 1: Visit upsc.gov.in or directly go to the e-admit card section at upsconline.nic.in.
Step 2: Click on the link titled "E-Admit Cards for various examinations of UPSC."
Step 3: Select "Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, [Year]."
Step 4: Enter your Registration Number/Roll Number and Date of Birth.
Step 5: The e-Admit Card will be displayed. Verify all details including name, roll number, photograph, examination centre address, date, and timing.
Step 6: Download the PDF and print at least two copies - one for submission at the examination hall and one as personal record.
| Field Detail | |
| Candidate's Name | As registered |
| Roll Number | Unique examination identifier |
| Examination Centre | Full address of assigned centre |
| Date of Examination | Fixed date for both papers |
| Morning Session | GS Paper 1 - 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM |
| Afternoon Session | CSAT (Paper 2) - 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM |
| Reporting Time | Typically 30 minutes before session start |
| Instructions | Important examination day rules |
The admit card must be printed and physically carried to the examination hall. Digital copies on mobile phones or laptops are not accepted. UPSC does not send admit cards by post.
Along with the printed admit card, candidates must carry one original and one photocopy of a valid photo identity document:
| Accepted Documents |
| Aadhaar Card |
| PAN Card |
| Passport |
| Voter ID Card |
| Driving Licence |
| Photo Identity Card issued by employer (for Government employees) |
| College / School photo ID card (for students) |
Do not rely on mobile Aadhaar. Physical, printed, or plastic identity documents are required.
Being aware of common errors can save aspirants from avoidable disqualification:
1. Name mismatch: The name entered in the application must exactly match the name in Class 10 certificate, including middle name and surname. Even spelling variations can cause issues at verification stages.
2. Incorrect category: Applying in the wrong category (for example, General instead of OBC) cannot be corrected after the correction window. Always cross-check category eligibility before selecting.
3. Expired certificates: OBC and EWS certificates have an annual validity. Ensure the certificate is valid at the time of application.
4. Wrong photograph format: In 2026, UPSC introduced the requirement that the candidate's name and date must be printed on the photograph. Candidates who miss this requirement face the risk of application rejection.
5. Late payment: The payment gateway closes exactly at the application deadline. Attempting payment in the last hour carries the risk of technical failure. Complete fee payment at least 2 days before the deadline.
6. Selecting wrong exam centre: Centre allotment is on a first-come-first-served basis. Preferred centres fill up quickly. Apply in the first week of the application window to improve chances of getting the preferred centre.
7. Not downloading the confirmation slip: After final submission, always download the application confirmation slip. This serves as a reference document and proof that the form was submitted successfully.
UPSC introduced an application withdrawal facility from 2020. If a candidate decides not to appear for the examination after applying, they can withdraw the application within the officially notified withdrawal window. This does not count as an attempt, provided the candidate does not appear in the examination. The withdrawal facility is announced in the notification and operates through the same portal.
Once the application is submitted, the focus must shift entirely to preparation. The time between the application window and the Prelims examination (typically 3 to 4 months) is the most crucial preparation period.
Key resources on Aspirant Mitraa for structured preparation:
Can I apply for UPSC CSE 2026 if I have not completed graduation yet? Yes. Final-year students can apply for the Prelims. However, they must submit proof of degree completion before applying for the Mains if they qualify.
What happens if I make a mistake in my application and the correction window is closed? Errors that cannot be corrected after the window may result in disqualification at later stages if they affect eligibility verification. Always verify all fields during the correction window.
Can I change my optional subject after submitting the Prelims application? Optional subject selection made at the Prelims stage is generally fixed for that cycle. Verify from the current year's notification whether changes are permitted.
Is there a separate application for IAS and IPS? No. The UPSC CSE application is a single form. The specific service allocation (IAS, IPS, IFS, etc.) is based on rank and preference submitted at the interview stage.
Can I submit more than one application for the same examination cycle? No. Multiple applications for the same UPSC CSE cycle lead to cancellation of candidature. Submit only one application.
I paid the application fee but my form was not submitted. What should I do? Contact UPSC through the helpdesk facility on the application portal. Do not submit a duplicate application. Preserve the payment reference number as proof of attempted payment.
What if my photograph does not have the date and name printed (as required from 2026)? If the correction window is open, re-upload the photograph with the required details. If the window is closed, contact UPSC through the official channel for guidance.
Completing the application process accurately and on time is the starting point of every successful UPSC CSE journey. Treat the application form with the same seriousness as the examination itself - errors at this stage can negate months of preparation effort.