UPSC Prelims Exam Timings 2026
Candidates must report to the UPSC Prelims Exam Centre at least 1 hour before the UPSC Prelims Exam Timings 2026. The gates shall be closed 30 minutes before the start of the exam which will be conducted on 24th May 2026. The morning shift of the exam starts at 9:30 AM. Thus candidates must report to the venue between 8:30-9 AM in order to avoid any last moment confusion.
UPSC strongly advises candidates to report at least 1 hour before to the UPSC Prelims Exam Centre 2026 in order to have adequate time to settle down on the designated seat and complete the check in formalities like document verification and frisking.
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UPSC Prelims Exam Timing 2026 Schedule
The exam is set to be conducted in 2 shifts
- Morning Shift- Starting from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM
- Afternoon Shift - Starting from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM
As per guidelines on UPSC Prelims Admit Card 2026, the gates of the UPSC Prelims 2026 Exam Centre shall be closed 30 Minutes before the commencement of the exam. No entry will be permitted beyond this time in the exam centre.
For comprehensive and result-oriented preparation, aspirants should join the Vajiram and Ravi UPSC Prelims Test Series 2026, designed to strengthen conceptual clarity and exam-oriented practice.
|
Paper |
Gate Closing Time |
Start Time |
End Time |
Duration |
|
Paper 1: General Studies (GS) |
9:00 AM |
9:30 AM |
11:30 AM |
2 Hours |
|
Paper 2: Civil Services Aptitude Exam (CSAT) |
2:00 PM |
2:30 PM |
4:30 PM |
2 Hours |
UPSC Prelims Exam Timing 2026 Essentials
Candidates should ensure that they have once visited the UPSC Prelims Exam Centre 2026 before 24th May in order to plan their travel in advance. To ensure a smooth entry in to the centre adhere to the UPSC Guideline.
- Carry the essential documents mentioned in Admit Card
- Avoid carrying electronic gadgets as safekeeping of the same cannot be ensured by the commission or centre authorities
- Dress in plain and simple attire in order to have smooth frisking
- Due to 3 hour break between the 2 shifts, ensure that you are carrying some light meal with you and adequate water to avoid dehydration
UPSC Prelims Exam Timing 2026 Final words
Reporting on time will enable the candidates to focus better on exam. Last minute hurry and hassles makes one prone to committing errors in exam due to preoccupation of brain with the tension of formalities to be done before the exam. Ensure that you follow the timings on the Admit card and give your undivided attention to the exam.
Last updated on August, 2026
→ UPSC Mains 2026 will be conducted on 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 29th and 30th August 2026.
→ Check out the latest UPSC Syllabus 2026 here.
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→ Go through the UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers to enhance your preparation.
→ Download UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2025, UPSC Mains GS Paper-I 2025, UPSC Mains GS Paper-II 2025, UPSC Mains GS Paper-III 2025, UPSC Mains GS Paper-IV 2025, UPSC Mains English (Compulsory) Paper 2025, UPSC Mains Hindi (Qualifying) Paper 2025 here.
→ UPSC has released UPSC Toppers List 2025 with the Civil Services final result on its official website.
→ UPSC Calendar 2027 has been released.
→ Also check Best UPSC Coaching in India
UPSC Prelims Exam Timings 2026 FAQs
Q1. What is the reporting time for UPSC Prelims 2026?+
Q2. What is the start time for UPSC Prelims 2026?+
Q3. What is the UPSC Prelims Gate Closing time?+
Q4. What happens if a candidate is late to the exam centre?+
Q5. What is the duration of each Session of the exam?+
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