UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Conducted on May 25: Key Guidelines, Admit Card & Permitted Items

UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 exam has started from 25th May, 2025 by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), in two shifts across various exam centres nationwide. The first shift began at 9:30 AM, and the second shift started at 2:30 PM. Candidates were instructed to strictly follow all exam day guidelines to avoid any last-minute issues or the risk of disqualification.

UPSC had emphasized the importance of punctuality, carrying valid documents, and adhering to the prescribed dress code and other regulations. Entry to the examination hall closed 30 minutes prior to the start of each session. Candidates were advised to arrive well in advance at their respective centres, as no entry was permitted after gate closure.

Steps to Download UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Admit Card

1. Go to the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in.
2. On the homepage, click on the ‘Admit Cards’ section.
3. Select the link titled ‘e-Admit Card for Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2025’.
4. Carefully read the instructions displayed on the screen, then click ‘Yes’ to continue.
5. Enter the Registration ID or Roll Number, along with the Date of Birth, to access and download the admit card.
6. After downloading, print a copy of the admit card for exam day use.

UPSC CSE Prelims 2025: Mandatory Documents

Candidates appearing for the UPSC CSE Preliminary Examination 2025 are required to carry a printed copy of their e-admit card, a valid photo ID matching the ID number mentioned on the admit card, and a black ballpoint pen. The admit cards were released by UPSC on 13th May, 2025, and can be downloaded from the official website, upsc.gov.in.

In cases where the photograph on the admit card is unclear or if the name and date are missing, candidates must bring two recent passport-sized photographs for each session. These photos must include the candidate's name and the date the photograph was taken. Failure to meet these requirements may result in candidates being denied entry to the examination hall.

Permitted Items and Dress Code Followed

On exam day, candidates were permitted to wear simple (non-digital) wristwatches. Only black ballpoint pens were allowed for marking answers on the OMR sheets, and any responses written with other types of pens were not evaluated. Alongside the admit card and valid photo ID, only essential stationery items such as pencils and required passport-sized photographs (where applicable) were permitted inside the exam hall.