
List of Documents Required for the UPSC Exam 2026 is a core part of the application process. It guides candidates on which documents must be prepared in advance for submission with the UPSC CSE application form. Without submitting the mandatory documents, a candidate’s application may be cancelled. Here, we explain the List of Documents Required for UPSC Exam 2026 in detail.
It includes documents needed at different stages, such as the application form, prelims, mains, interview, and medical examination. Candidates planning to appear for the exam should go through the List of Documents Required for UPSC Exam 2026 carefully to avoid mistakes during form filling and verification.
The UPSC Civil Services Examination is conducted in multiple stages. Each stage serves a specific purpose. Candidates must qualify at one stage to move to the next. The entire examination process takes place over several months, and documentation plays a role at every level of the UPSC Exam 2026.
| UPSC Civil Service Examination 2026 | |||
| Stage of Examination | Exam Name | Nature of Exam | Purpose |
| Stage 1 | Preliminary Examination | Objective type | Screening stage to shortlist candidates for Mains |
| Stage 2 | Main Examination | Descriptive type | Tests in-depth understanding and writing skills |
| Stage 3 | Personality Test (Interview) | Face-to-face assessment | Evaluates personality, attitude, and suitability |
The UPSC application form 2026 will be released only through the official website of the commission. Candidates must apply online as offline applications are not accepted. During the application process, candidates are required to upload documents in the prescribed format.
Knowing the documents required for UPSC exam in advance helps candidates fill the form correctly. It also helps avoid errors and delays during the later stages of the selection process of upsc 2026 documents required.
Candidates applying for the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 must keep certain documents ready before filling out the online application form. These documents are mandatory for completing the registration process and are verified by the Commission at various stages of the examination.
Candidates must upload a recent passport-size photograph in digital format.
The photograph should be recent, preferably not older than ten days from the start of the application process.
The candidate’s name and date of taking the photograph must be clearly mentioned.
The face should occupy approximately three-fourths of the photograph space.
The background should be light, and the image must be clear and identifiable.
A clear and legible scanned signature must be uploaded.
The signature should be done neatly on white paper.
It must be signed using black or blue ink.
The scanned file should be uploaded in JPG/JPEG format as prescribed.
Candidates must upload a valid government-issued photo ID in PDF format. Accepted ID proofs include:
Aadhaar Card
Voter ID (EPIC)
PAN Card
Passport
Driving License
The same photo ID must be carried to the examination centre and used at all stages of the UPSC examination. Any mismatch in details can lead to disqualification.
To verify age eligibility, candidates must upload one of the following documents:
Class 10 / Matriculation Certificate
Secondary School Leaving Certificate
Birth Certificate
Passport
The date of birth mentioned in the application form must exactly match the date in the uploaded document.
Candidates must provide proof of meeting the minimum educational qualification prescribed by UPSC.
A graduation degree certificate from a recognised university is required.
If the final degree certificate is not available, a provisional certificate may be uploaded.
Final-year candidates can upload mark sheets of previous semesters or a university-issued certificate confirming their status.
Candidates claiming reservation or relaxation must upload relevant certificates.
SC/ST candidates: Valid caste certificate issued by a competent authority.
OBC candidates: OBC Non-Creamy Layer certificate issued as per prevailing government norms.
EWS candidates: Income and Asset Certificate in the prescribed format.
PwBD candidates: Disability certificate issued by a recognised government medical board.
All certificates must be valid and in the format specified by the Government of India.
Candidates currently employed in government departments, public sector undertakings, or autonomous bodies may be required to submit an undertaking stating that they have informed their department head about their UPSC application.
The UPSC Prelims exam is the first stage of the UPSC CSE 2026 exam. To be eligible for this stage, candidates of upsc required documents that are essential to the exam center:
Admit Card: The UPSC Prelims Admit Card is a mandatory document. It must be downloaded from the official UPSC website and printed.
Government ID Proof: Carry an original and valid government ID, such as the Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, or Passport, that you mentioned in the UPSC application form.
Passport-Sized Photograph: It is advisable to carry 2 recent passport-sized photos as uploaded in the application form.
These documents ensure smooth entry into the examination hall and form a key part of the List of Documents Required for UPSC Exam 2026.
This year, candidates who qualify in UPSC Prelims and are in their final year can appear for the Mains Examination. After the written results of the Mains exam are declared, candidates who qualify for the Personality Test/Interview will have a limited period to update their educational details and upload proof of their qualifications. Failure to do so will lead to disqualification from the Interview.
Once the admit cards are issued, candidates must carry the following UPSC Mains exam documents to the examination centre:
UPSC Mains Admit Card: A printed copy of the admit card is mandatory to gain entry to the exam hall.
Valid Photo ID: A government-issued photo ID such as Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, PAN Card, Passport, or Driving Licence. The ID must match the one submitted during the application process.
Passport-Sized Photographs: Two recent passport-size photographs may be required for verification purposes.
Disability Certificate (if applicable): Candidates with disabilities seeking special accommodations or additional time must carry a valid disability certificate issued by a recognized medical authority.
Keeping these documents required for UPSC Mains ready will simplify the process and help candidates focus on their exam without last-minute stress.
The UPSC Interview, also known as the Personality Test, is the final stage of the selection process. During this stage, candidates must carry original documents to the UPSC Bhawan for verification. Selected candidates are required to carry the following UPSC interview documents:
Call Letter: The interview call letter issued by UPSC must be carried to gain entry to the interview centre.
Valid ID Proof: An original government-issued photo ID such as Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, PAN Card, Passport, or Driving Licence.
High School Marksheet: Required as proof of age if it was uploaded during the application process.
Three Recent Passport-Sized Photographs: These should be the latest and match the photograph uploaded during the online application.
Degree Certificate: Original degree certificate or provisional certificate uploaded in the UPSC Detailed Application Form (DAF).
Caste/Disability Certificates (if applicable): Original certificates must be submitted to verify category or disability status.
Experience Certificates (if applicable): For government employees, certificates from employers detailing job roles, pay, and service may be required.
TA Bill Form (for outstation candidates): Available on the UPSC website. Outstation candidates can fill this form to claim travel reimbursement.
Attestation Form: This form should be downloaded from the UPSC website, filled out, and carried to the interview for verification purposes.
All UPSC interview documents must be organized and carried in their original form. Carrying them properly ensures smooth verification and prevents delays at the interview stage.
After successfully clearing the UPSC Interview, candidates must appear for a mandatory medical examination. This medical test is usually conducted on the next day. Candidates must carry original documents for verification at the medical examination centre. The following documents are required for the UPSC medical test:
Medical Test Call Letter: This document is provided by the authorities on the interview day. It must be presented at the medical examination centre.
Government-Issued ID Proof: Candidates must carry a valid and original photo identity card, such as an Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, Passport, PAN Card, or Driving Licence.
Previous Medical Reports (if any): Candidates with a history of medical conditions should bring relevant medical reports or prescriptions for reference.
Disability Certificate (if applicable): PwBD candidates must carry their original disability certificate for verification during the medical examination.
Carrying all documents required for the UPSC medical test ensures a smooth medical verification process. Medical fitness plays an important role in the final allocation of services after the documents required for upsc 2026.
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