The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Main Examination 2026 began on Friday with the Essay Paper. Candidates were required to write two essays, choosing one topic each from Section A and Section B. Each essay carried 125 marks, with candidates asked to write between 1,000 and 1,200 words.

The paper featured eight topics, largely centred on philosophical, ethical, and reflective themes.

In Section A, aspirants were given the following topics: "Oxymorons reflect the ironies of life"; "A grateful mind is very beautiful"; "A thorn is a changed bud"; and "When two elephants fight, it is the grass that gets trampled."

Section B included the topics: "Nature is the symbol of the spirit"; "A well-educated mind will always have more questions than answers"; "Shelving hard decisions is the least ethical course"; and "A good leader is one who follows the followers."

The Essay Paper was held from 9 AM to 12 noon and marked the beginning of this year's Civil Services Main Examination. The paper required candidates to interpret abstract statements and develop well-structured arguments, drawing on philosophical, social, ethical, and contemporary perspectives. The examination paper carried a total of 250 marks, with two essays worth 125 marks each.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Main Examination 2026 began today with the Essay Paper. The exam was held from 9 AM to 12 noon. The remaining papers will be held on August 22, 23, 29, and 30 in two shifts: the first from 9 AM to 12 noon and the second from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Main Examination 2026 began at 9 AM with the Essay Paper and will conclude at 12 noon. Soon after the examination concludes, candidates will share their experiences, including their assessment of the difficulty level, while subject matter experts will provide an analysis of the paper.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Main Examination 2026 began today at 9 AM with the Essay Paper. The examination is being conducted in a single shift today, from 9 AM to 12 noon. However, on August 22, 23, 29, and 30, the examination will be held in two shifts: the first from 9 AM to 12 noon and the second from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM.

Students have arrived at the exam centers. The video is from Shahjahan Road.

#WATCH दिल्ली: UPSC सिविल सेवा (मुख्य) परीक्षा 2026 आज होगी। परीक्षा के सेशन रोज़ाना सुबह 9:00 बजे से दोपहर 12:00 बजे तक और दोपहर 2:30 बजे से शाम 5:30 बजे तक चलेंगे।

छात्र परीक्षा केंद्र पहुंच रहे हैं। वीडियो शाहजहां रोड से है। pic.twitter.com/cvlllIIVIq

— ANI_HindiNews (@AHindinews) August 21, 2026

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released details about raising objections against questions for candidates appearing in the Civil Services Main Examination 2026. Candidates who wish to raise concerns or submit representations regarding any question paper will be able to use the Question Paper Representation Portal (QPReP) after the examination concludes.

According to the official schedule, the UPSC Mains 2026 examination will be conducted on August 21, 22, 23, 29, and 30. The Commission has clarified that the representation window will remain open for five days.

To ensure a secure and smooth examination process, face authentication will be mandatory for all candidates at the examination venue. Candidates are advised to reach the venue well in advance to complete face authentication, identity verification, and frisking procedures.

Candidates should reach the examination venue at least 30 minutes before the commencement of each session to allow sufficient time for face authentication, identity verification, and frisking.

No candidate will be allowed to enter the examination venue after the commencement of the examination under any circumstances.

Time Table for Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026

The use of mobile phones, pagers, electronic equipment, programmable devices, storage media such as pen drives, smartwatches, cameras, Bluetooth devices, or any other equipment or related accessories that can be used as communication devices is strictly prohibited at the examination centre, whether switched on or off.

Candidates are advised to carry two recent passport-sized photographs for each session of the examination.

All candidates appearing for the UPSC examination will be required to undergo face authentication at the examination venue.

The examination will be conducted in a single shift today, from 9 AM to 12 noon. However, on August 22, 23, 29 and 30, there will be two shifts - the first from 9 AM to 12 noon and the second from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Main Examination is scheduled to begin today at 9 AM with Paper-I (Essay).