The Union Public Service Commission is conducting the Civil Services Preliminary Examination (CSE Prelims) 2026 today, Sunday, May 24, at centres across the country. This year, around 8.19 lakh candidates (8,19,372) have registered for nearly 933 vacancies, making it one of the most competitive examinations in the country.
The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination is being held in two shifts in offline OMR-based mode. General Studies (Paper I) is taking place in the morning session, while the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) Paper II is scheduled for the afternoon. Candidates are required to carry a printed copy of their e-admit card along with a valid photo ID to their respective examination centres.
In a major change this year, UPSC is set to release the answer key shortly after the Preliminary Examination. Earlier, candidates had to wait for months as the answer key was released only after the final results. According to the Commission, the move aims to bring greater transparency to the examination process and help candidates assess their performance sooner.
UPSC CSE Prelims 2026 Highlights: Check all the latest updates here.
UPSC Prelims 2026 Live Updates: CSAT concludes
Paper 2 of UPSC Prelims 2026 is over.
UPSC Prelims 2026 Live: “Shift to Digital Finance, ONDC, Digital Rupee”
Dr. SP Jha, Economy Faculty, Drishti IAS says, The 2026 UPSC Prelims economy section marks a clear shift from basic macroeconomic theory toward contemporary digital finance and emerging technologies. It heavily tests niche frameworks like ONDC, and M1xchange, demanding precise distinctions between instruments like UPI and the Digital Rupee. Traditional topics are tested with equal rigor - matching committees like Malegam and L.C. Gupta to their mandates, identifying the RBI FI-Index's three sub-indices, and defining concepts like the Crowding Out Effect and Sustainability Bonds with exactness. The section demands awareness of modern financial ecosystems, regulatory indices, and digital banking platforms.
UPSC Prelims 2026 Live Updates: Polity Demands Constitutional Mastery, Says Drishti Expert
Mr. Abhay Kumar, Polity Faculty, Drishti IAS Shifting from broad concepts to strict legal precision, the polity section now demands profound constitutional and statutory mastery. Candidates are tested on deep textual specifics-including the exact scope of Article 13, explicitly repealed historical acts, intricate parliamentary procedures, and new statutory frameworks like BNSS 2023 "Zero FIR" rules. Crucially, a rigorous new option format entirely eliminates guesswork by forcing candidates to identify exact statement combinations, requiring a good command of the constitution.
UPSC Prelims 2026 Live Updates: History Paper Moderate to Tough
EXPERT SAYS
Dr. SP Shahi, History Faculty, Drishti IAS History this year focused heavily on Ancient India and Art & Culture, especially Raga Bilawal, temple architecture, Harappan sources, the Rigvedic period, and Tamilakam. Questions on the Amaravati Stupa, Buddhism, Jainism, and Hallisalasya paintings tested conceptual clarity over factual recall. Modern History had limited weightage, covering topics like the Forward Bloc, Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, and Bardoli Satyagraha. NCERTs and standard books were sufficient, but superficial reading was not enough. The overall level remained moderate to tough.
UPSC Prelims 2026 Live Updates: CSAT Shift Begins
UPSC CSE Prelims 2026 Paper 2 CSAT begins at 2:30 PM at centres nationwide.
UPSC Prelims 2026 Live Updates: This time, the questions in the Upsc prelims paper Were too difficult.
UPSC Prelims 2026 Live Updates: Candidates says on X
UPSC Prelims 2026 Live Updates: CSAT Shift Begins Soon
UPSC CSE Prelims 2026 Paper 2 CSAT begin soon at 2:30 PM at centres nationwide. Candidates must reach their venues well before the afternoon shift starts.
UPSC Prelims 2026 Live Updates: Exam cities increased this year
UPSC has added Bhubaneswar, Kanpur and Meerut as new centres for Civil Services Prelims 2026. Over 23,000 aspirants chose these cities. Total exam cities now 83, up from 80, to ease load on existing centres and reduce travel for candidates.
UPSC Prelims 2026 Live Updates: UPSC CSE 2025 Topper
Anuj Agnihotri from Rajasthan secured AIR 1 in UPSC CSE 2025
UPSC Prelims 2026 Live: UPSC CSE Paper I Concludes
GS Paper I of UPSC Prelims 2026 is over.
UPSC Prelims 2026 Live: No Early Exit Allowed
Candidates cannot leave the exam hall before the paper ends. Strict rules followed at all centres.
UPSC Prelims 2026 Live: Follow Exam Hall Rules
UPSC has directed candidates to maintain silence and discipline. Unfair means or misconduct may lead to cancellation of candidature.
UPSC Prelims 2026 Live: UPSC Answer Key Soon After Prelims
For the first time, UPSC will release provisional answer keys shortly after Prelims on May 24. Earlier, keys came only after final results, months later.
UPSC Prelims 2026 Live Updates: Negative Marking in Prelims
Negative marking applies in both GS Paper I and CSAT Paper II. Avoid random guessing - wrong answers cost marks.
UPSC Prelims 2026 Live Updates: UPSC Prelims 2026 Underway
GS Paper I begins at 9:30 AM.
UPSC Prelims 2026 Live Updates: UPSC CSE Prelims 2026 shift timings
- GS Paper I: 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM
- CSAT Paper II: 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM
UPSC Prelims 2026 Live Updates: Three Stages of UPSC CSE
UPSC CSE selection involves:
- Preliminary Exam
- Main Exam
- Interview
UPSC Prelims 2026 Live: UPSC Civil Services Exam Recruits for IAS, IPS, IFS
The UPSC Civil Services Examination recruits candidates for prestigious services including IAS, IPS, IFS, and other central services.
UPSC Prelims 2026 Live: Items Not Allowed Inside UPSC Exam Centre
Candidates must not carry the following items to the exam centre. Violation of rules may lead to denial of entry:
- Jewellery or metal accessories: Rings, bracelets, earrings, chains
- Electronic devices: Mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators
- Fancy accessories: Hairbands, clutches, brooches
- Closed footwear: Shoes, sneakers
UPSC Prelims 2026 Live: No Entry After Gate Closes
Candidates were not allowed to enter after gate closing time. UPSC enforced strict entry and verification guidelines.
UPSC Prelims 2026 Live Updates: Admit Card Compulsory for Entry
Candidates must carry a printed copy of the UPSC CSE 2026 admit card. Entry to the exam hall is not permitted without it.
UPSC Prelims 2026 Live Updates: Admit Card Compulsory for Entry
Candidates must carry a printed copy of the UPSC CSE 2026 admit card. Entry to the exam hall is not permitted without it.
UPSC Prelims 2026 LIVE: Follow Dress Code
Candidates should wear simple clothes and avoid jewellery, metallic items, or fancy accessories for hassle-free security checks.
UPSC Prelims 2026 LIVE: Verify Centre Address, Reporting Time Early
Candidates should verify their exam centre address and reporting time in advance to avoid last-minute confusion.
UPSC CSE Prelims 2026 Live: UPSC Prelims Exam Today
The Union Public Service Commission is conducting the Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026 today at centres across India. Lakhs of aspirants are appearing for one of the country's toughest competitive exams.