The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will be conducting the Civil Services Main Exam (CSE Mains) from tomorrow (August 22). As per the official schedule,
the UPSC Civil Services Mains exam will be held between August 22 and August 31 in two shifts. The morning or forenoon shift will be held from 9 am to 12 noon, whereas the afternoon session will begin at 2:30 pm and conclude at 5:30 pm. Candidates should remember to carry their admit cards with them to the examination hall as they will not be allowed to enter the exam hall/ venue without producing the admit card and original photo identity card first. The original photo identity card should be the same as mentioned in the e-admit card. The Commission has also instructed that the e-admit card should be preserved till the declaration of the final result. Aspirants should also ensure that they reach the examination hall at least an hour before the exam timing. Considering that several states are facing heavy rains and/or long traffic jams, candidates should ensure that they leave for the examination hall on time so that they do not face any time delays and are able to report on time, even if they get stuck in a traffic jam.
| Item/Rule | Allowed | Not Allowed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile phones, smartwatches, pagers, electronic gadgets, storage devices, cameras, communication devices | ❌ | ✅ | Even in switched-off mode → disciplinary action + possible debarment |
| Wristwatches | ✅ (only simple wristwatches) | ✅ (smart or special-feature watches) | Simple analog/digital watches without smart features permitted |
| Bags, books, valuables, costly items | ❌ | ✅ | UPSC will not provide safekeeping arrangements |
| Admit card, pen, pencil, identity proof, photographs (if applicable) | ✅ | ❌ | Only these essentials permitted |
| Water bottles | ✅ (only transparent bottles) | ✅ (opaque bottles) | Must be transparent |
| Eatables & beverages | ❌ | ✅ | Not allowed inside the exam hall |
Candidates should also remember that programmable calculators are banned; only non-programmable scientific calculators may be used if required.
Answer booklet rules
Candidates should remember that it is necessary to answer all parts and sub-parts of a question strictly in the Question-cum-Answer (QCA) booklet in the space provided. Any violation in this format may result in deduction of marks or cancellation of candidature.
Aspirants should also remember to cross out all blank spaces or unused pages in the QCA booklet before submission. Candidates will also have to hand over their QCA booklet (after detaching the question paper) to the invigilator at the end of each session.
Candidates should also remember that extra answer sheets or admit cards cannot be used to do rough work, and it should only be done in the designated space provided.
