Quick update (as of 17 October 2026)
- UPPSC PCS (Prelims) 2026: Sunday, 6 December 2026, as per the official UPPSC Exam Calendar 2026 (entry 76).
- Admit card: not yet released. UPPSC issues it on its website before the exam; this page will be updated when the link goes live.
- PCS 2025: interviews for candidates who cleared the Mains are running from 28 September to 24 October 2026 in Prayagraj.
- Time left for Prelims 2026: 50 days from 17 October 2026.
UPPSC PCS Prelims 2026: official exam date
The Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) has scheduled the Combined State/Upper Subordinate Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026 for Sunday, 6 December 2026. The date appears at entry 76 of the Commission’s Exam Calendar 2026 (letter no. 2920/14/मिस/ई-1/2000-01 टी.सी., dated 30 January 2026). The recruitment was notified under Advertisement No. A-1/E-1/2026.
| Event | Date / status |
|---|---|
| Notification (Advt. No. A-1/E-1/2026) | 25 June 2026 |
| Prelims exam | 6 December 2026 (Sunday) |
| Exam district slip / admit card | To be released on uppsc.up.nic.in before the exam |
| Mains 2026 | To be announced by UPPSC |
A copy of the official calendar is available on GSMitra: UPPSC Exam Calendar 2026 (PDF).
UPPSC PCS 2026 admit card: how to download
For full details, see UPPSC PCS Admit Card 2026: download steps and status. The admit card has not been released as of 17 October 2026. UPPSC usually publishes an exam district information slip first and the admit card closer to the exam. When it is released, the steps are:
- Open the official website, uppsc.up.nic.in.
- Use the admit card link under the Candidate’s Corner / notice board for Advt. No. A-1/E-1/2026.
- Log in with your OTR number and password or OTP.
- Download the admit card, check your name, photo, roll number and centre, and print two copies.
Carry the printed admit card and an original photo identity card to the exam centre. Candidates without an admit card are not allowed into the hall.
Prelims 2026 exam pattern at a glance
| Paper | Questions | Marks | Duration | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Studies Paper I | 150 | 200 | 2 hours | Counted for Mains shortlisting |
| General Studies Paper II (CSAT) | 100 | 200 | 2 hours | Qualifying: 33% (66 marks) |
Detailed paper-wise topics are in the UPPSC PCS Syllabus 2026 and the UPPSC exam pattern guide.
PCS 2025 update: interviews from 28 September to 24 October 2026
The PCS (Mains) 2025 examination was held from 29 March 2026. Candidates declared successful in the Mains are being interviewed as per UPPSC notice no. 260/01/ई-3/2025-26, dated 18 September 2026.
| Detail | As per the official notice |
|---|---|
| Interview dates | 28 September to 24 October 2026 (19 working days) |
| Sessions | First session 9:30 AM; second session 2:00 PM |
| Reporting time | 8:00 AM (first session); 12:30 PM (second session) |
| Venue | Saraswati Bhawan, UPPSC campus, Prayagraj |
| Interview letter | Available from 22 September 2026 through the OTR login on uppsc.up.nic.in |
Candidates must bring the online preference form and other documents downloaded from the dashboard, original mark sheets and certificates, five photographs, and, where applicable, a reservation certificate in the prescribed format, a no-objection certificate from the employer, and an EWS certificate. UPPSC has also published the details of posts and the format of the preference sheet for this recruitment on its website.
What PCS 2026 aspirants should do now
- Revise, do not start new sources. With about seven weeks left, consolidate the standard books and your own notes.
- Practise with PYQs and mock tests. Download the official UPPSC previous year papers, check the UPPSC PCS cut-off (2018–2024), and build timed, subject-wise tests in the MCQ Test Builder.
- Do not ignore CSAT. It is qualifying, but a score below 66 makes the GS score irrelevant.
- Cover UP-specific GK. Questions on Uttar Pradesh’s history, geography, economy and schemes appear every year.
- Keep current affairs daily. Use the daily current affairs and the daily quiz.
For a structured revision schedule, see How to Prepare for UPPSC PCS 2026 and the UPPSC PCS 2026 Complete Guide.
Need a revision plan and daily accountability for the last 50 days? GSMitra offers strictly 1:1 mentorship for UPPSC PCS, with a daily session with your own mentor.
Frequently asked questions
When is UPPSC PCS Prelims 2026?
UPPSC PCS (Prelims) 2026 is scheduled for Sunday, 6 December 2026, as per the official UPPSC Exam Calendar 2026.
Has the UPPSC PCS 2026 admit card been released?
No. As of 17 October 2026 the admit card has not been released. It will be available on uppsc.up.nic.in before the exam and can be downloaded with the OTR number.
How many papers are there in UPPSC PCS Prelims?
Two: General Studies Paper I (150 questions, 200 marks) and General Studies Paper II or CSAT (100 questions, 200 marks). CSAT is qualifying with 33% marks.
Is there negative marking in UPPSC PCS Prelims?
Yes. One-third of the marks for a question is deducted for every wrong answer in both papers.
When are the UPPSC PCS 2025 interviews?
From 28 September to 24 October 2026 at Saraswati Bhawan, UPPSC campus, Prayagraj, in two sessions starting at 9:30 AM and 2:00 PM.
Sources: UPPSC Exam Calendar 2026 (letter no. 2920/14/मिस/ई-1/2000-01 टी.सी., 30 January 2026); UPPSC notice no. 260/01/ई-3/2025-26 (18 September 2026); notices on the UPPSC home page, uppsc.up.nic.in. The official advertisement and notices are the final authority.
Prepared by the GSMitra Editorial Team. Last updated 17 October 2026.