Finance
The UPSC Civil Services Main Exam (CSE Mains) will be conducted by the Union Public Service Commission starting tomorrow. The test will be administered in two shifts from August 22 to August 31. The afternoon session will start at 2:30 pm and last until 5:30 pm, while the morning or forenoon shift will run from 9 am to 12 pm.
The UPSC CSE Mains 2025 admit cards were previously made public by the commission. Under the “e-Admit Cards” section of the official website, upsconline.gov.in, candidates can get their hall passes.
This year, in the UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 results, 14,161 candidates have qualified and are eligible to appear for the UPSC Civil Services Main examination. The exam is the written stage of the selection process. The Mains will be followed by the personality test/ interview round for those who qualify.
UPSC CSE Mains 2025: Important exam-day instructions
Ahead of the examination, the Commission has issued a detailed set of instructions that every candidate must follow strictly. The key guidelines, as highlighted in the UPSC notice, are given below:
UPSC CSE: Admit card and entry guidelines
–Candidates must carry a printout of their e-Admit card along with the original photo identity card (as mentioned in the e-admit card) for each session.
–The Commission has instructed that the e-admit card should be preserved till the declaration of the final result.
–Entry into the examination venue will be closed 30 minutes before the commencement of each session (08:30 AM for forenoon, 2 PM for afternoon). No entry will be permitted after the gate closure.
–Candidates must report well in time for identity verification and frisking.
Note that candidates will only be allowed to appear at the exam venue mentioned in the e-Admit Card.
Prohibited items and security instructions
Mobile phones, smart watches, pagers, electronic devices, storage devices, cameras, and any other communication equipment are totally forbidden, according to UPSC’s unambiguous statement. Even having it turned off will result in disciplinary action, which may include being disqualified from taking the test in the future.
–Only simple wristwatches are permitted. Smart or special-feature watches are banned.
–Candidates should not bring bags, books, valuables, or costly items to the venue. The Commission will not make arrangements for safekeeping.
–Candidates are allowed to carry only the admit card, pen, pencil, identity proof, and photographs (if applicable) as specified.
–Carrying water bottles is allowed only if they are transparent. No eatables or beverages are permitted inside the exam hall.
UPSC CSE Mains answer booklet and examination rules
In the Question-cum-Answer (QCA) booklet, candidates must precisely respond to each question’s components and subparts in the designated space. A violation could lead to a mark deduction or the termination of your candidature.
–Programmable calculators are banned; only non-programmable scientific calculators may be used if required.
–Blank spaces or unused pages in the QCA booklet must be crossed out before submission.
–Candidates are required to hand over their QCA booklet (after detaching the question paper) to the invigilator at the end of each session.
–Rough work must be done only in the designated space provided; admit cards or extra sheets must not be used.
Special cases and candidate responsibility
If the photograph on the admit card is unclear, candidates must bring a valid photo ID along with two recent passport-sized photographs carrying their name and date.
–Candidates must ensure that the name, photograph, and QR code on the e-Admit card are correct. Any discrepancies must be reported to the Commission.
–Candidates who have opted for their own scribe must note that the scribe can enter only with a separate e-Admit card issued by UPSC.
–Those who have changed their name must carry a government-issued photo ID with the updated name.
A sample QCA booklet has been made available for reference on the Commission’s official website, which candidates can also visit.
Source: IE
