Documents Required for UPSC Prelims & Mains Exam 2025

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Examination (CSE) every year to select officers for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other central services. The exam is conducted in three stages: Preliminary, Mains, and Interview. At each stage, candidates need to submit and carry specific documents for verification.

If you are planning to apply for the UPSC CSE 2025, it is essential to know which documents are required at different stages of the exam. This will help you understand the UPSC documents required for registration, Prelims, Mains, and Interview.

UPSC Documents Required for Application Form

Before appearing for the exam, candidates need to register online on the official UPSC website. During this process, they must upload several documents to confirm their eligibility. Below is a list of documents required for the UPSC exam at the time of application.

1. Scanned Photograph

The photo should be recent (not older than 10 days) from the start of the application process.

The candidate’s name and the date when the photo was taken must be mentioned on it.

• Format: JPG/JPEG

• Size: 20 KB to 300 KB

• The face should occupy 3/4th of the photo space with a clear background.

2. Scanned Signature

• Format: JPG/JPEG

• Size: 20 KB to 300 KB

The signature must be in black or blue ink on white paper.

3. Government-Issued ID Proof

Candidates need to upload a valid ID proof in PDF format. The following documents are accepted:

• Aadhaar Card

• Voter ID

• PAN Card

• Passport

• Driving License

4. Proof of Age

Candidates must provide proof of their date of birth. Acceptable documents include:

• Matriculation Certificate (10th Class Certificate)

• Secondary School Leaving Certificate

5. Educational Qualification Certificates

Eligibility proof to appear in the UPSC exam,   candidates must upload:

• Graduation Degree Certificate or Provisional Certificate

• Mark Sheets from a recognized university or equivalent qualification

6. Category Certificate (If Applicable)

Candidates applying under reserved categories must upload the relevant certificate:

• SC/ST Candidates: Valid caste certificate issued by a competent authority.

• OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) Certificate: Must be based on income for the past three financial years (2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24).

• EWS Candidates: An Income and Asset Certificate issued for FY 2023-24.

7. PwD Certificate (If Applicable)

Candidates applying under the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) category must upload a valid disability certificate issued by a recognized medical authority.

8. Undertaking for Government Servants (If Applicable)

If the candidate is a government employee or works in a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU), they must provide an undertaking stating that they have informed their department head about applying for UPSC.

9. State-Specific Language Exemption (If Applicable)

Candidates from Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya, or Sikkim can claim exemption from the Language Paper (Paper A) in the Mains exam by providing a certificate confirming their eligibility.

10. Defense Service Personnel/Ex-Servicemen Certificate (If Applicable)

Candidates claiming the Ex-Servicemen quota must submit relevant service documents.

Check Out: UPSC Previous Year Papers

Documents Required for UPSC Prelims Exam 2025

The UPSC Prelims exam is the first stage of the Civil Services Examination. Candidates must carry the following documents required for UPSC exam Prelims to the exam center:

1. UPSC Prelims Admit Card

The admit card is mandatory to enter the exam hall.

It must be downloaded from the official UPSC website and printed.

2. Government ID Proof

Candidates must carry the same ID proof used during registration (Aadhaar, Voter ID, Passport, PAN Card, or Driving License).

3. Passport-Sized Photographs

Carry two recent passport-sized photographs in case needed for verification.

These UPSC required documents are essential to appear in the exam. Without them, candidates will not be allowed to enter the examination hall.

Documents Required for UPSC Mains Exam 2025

Candidates who qualify in the Prelims must submit additional documents while filling out the Detailed Application Form (DAF) for the Mains exam.

1. UPSC Mains Admit Card

A printed copy of the UPSC Mains Admit Card is necessary to enter the exam hall.

2. Valid Government-Issued ID Proof

The same ID proof submitted in the application must be carried to the exam hall.

3. Passport-Sized Photographs

Carry two recent passport-sized photographs for verification.

4. Graduation Certificate and Mark Sheet

Candidates must submit their final graduation degree certificate if they were in their final year during Prelims.

5. Disability Certificate (If Applicable)

Candidates with disabilities must submit a valid medical certificate for special accommodations.

Documents Required for UPSC Interview (Personality Test) 2025

The UPSC Interview (Personality Test) is the final stage of the selection process. Candidates must carry the following documents required for UPSC exam interview to the UPSC Bhawan:

1. UPSC Interview Call Letter

This will be issued by UPSC for candidates who qualify for the Mains exam.

2. Original Government ID Proof

Candidates must carry the same ID proof used in previous stages.

3. High School (Class 10) Marksheet

Required for date of birth verification.

4. Graduation Degree Certificate

The original degree or provisional certificate must be presented.

5. Caste/Disability Certificates (If Applicable)

Candidates must submit original caste or disability certificates for verification.

6. Experience Certificates (If Applicable)

Government employees must submit a certificate from their employer detailing their job role and salary.

7. TA Bill Form (For Outstation Candidates)

Candidates traveling for the UPSC Interview can apply for travel reimbursement by submitting the TA Bill Form available on the UPSC website.

8. Attestation Form

This form is available on the UPSC website and must be filled and carried to the interview.

Check Out: UPSC Question Banks

Documents Required for UPSC Medical Test

After clearing the interview, candidates undergo a mandatory medical examination before final selection.

1. Medical Test Call Letter

Provided by UPSC after the interview round.

2. Government-Issued ID Proof

Required for identity verification.

3. Previous Medical Reports (If Any)

If the candidate has a history of medical conditions, relevant reports should be carried.

4. Disability Certificates (If Applicable)

PwD candidates must bring their original disability certificate.

Being aware of the UPSC documents required at every stage helps candidates avoid last-minute hassles. Keep both soft copies and hard copies of essential documents ready before the exam. Understanding which documents are required for the UPSC na exam will help you apply without errors and appear stress-free for the UPSC CSE 2025.

If you're preparing for the UPSC 2025, make sure to check all document requirements carefully before applying.

Read More: Which NCERT Books are Required for UPSC Exam Preparation?

Documents Required for UPSC FAQs

1. Which ID proof is accepted for the UPSC exam?

The UPSC accepts Aadhaar Cards, Voter IDs, PAN Cards, Passports, and Driving Licenses as valid ID proofs for registration and verification during the exam.

2. Do I need an income certificate for UPSC?

Yes, an income certificate is required to prove eligibility for reservation benefits only for candidates applying under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category.

3. What happens if I forget my admit card on the UPSC exam day?

Candidates are not allowed to enter the examination hall without an admit card. You should print multiple copies and keep them with you in different places so that you don’t forget them.

4. Can final-year students apply for UPSC?

Yes, final-year students can apply for UPSC prelims. But, they must submit their graduation certificate before the Main exam or they will be disqualified.