The UPSC conducts the Civil Services exam every year to recruit officers into the Indian civil service. The Civil Services exam offers youngsters in the country to be civil servants or diplomats in various services like the IAS, IFS, IPS, IRS and so on.
The UPSC exam is considered a tough exam as the success rate is rather abysmal. Nevertheless, lakhs of people apply to take the exam lured by the prospects of a career in the civil services which offers them the chance to serve the country by being part of the system. In this article, you will read about the documents required for the UPSC online exam application and the various stages of the IAS exam.
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The UPSC CSE is held in three stages. Only an online application is permitted by the UPSC. Candidates are required to apply online on the official UPSC website as per the CSE notifications that it releases.
Documents Needed for UPSCÂ IAS Prelims
When you apply online for the IAS Prelims exam, you do not have to send any document to the UPSC. The only documents you need to upload online are:
- A scanned photograph of yourself
- A scanned signature of yourself
- Government-issued Photo-id card
- Aadhaar Card/Voter Card/PAN Card/Passport/Driving Licence/Any other Photo ID Card issued by the State/Central Government.
Regarding the Photo-id card, this is as per the latest UPSC notification, “The details of this Photo ID Card will have to be provided by the candidate while filling up the online application form. The candidates will have to upload a scanned copy of the Photo ID whose details have been provided in the online application by him/her. This Photo ID Card will be used for all future referencing and the candidate is advised to carry this Photo ID Card while appearing for Examination/Personality Test.”
 Documents Needed for UPSC Mains
If you clear the UPSC prelims exam, you will be eligible to take the mains exam that will follow. Your name will figure in the list given out by the UPSC when they release the prelims result. After this, the commission will release the mains notification when you would have to apply online once again, this time for the mains exam. This form is called the Detailed Application Form or DAF in short. This time, you will have to upload scanned copies of certain documents on the UPSC official website, which are given below:
- Proof of age: Only matriculation or secondary school leaving certificate.
- Certificate of educational qualification: Your degree certificate awarded by the university or an equivalent qualification as recognised by the UPSC.
- EWS Certificate – Proof is required to avail the EWS reservation.
- Certificate supporting OBC/SC/ST status (if applicable): Certificate issued by the District Officer/Sub-divisional Officer/any other officer as authorised by the government to issue such certificates of the district in which your parents reside. If parents are deceased, then the district in which the applicant normally lives will apply.
- Disability certificate (if applicable): Certificate issued by a Medical Board constituted by the Central or State government.
- Documents supporting non-creamy layer OBC status (if applicable): Proof in support of service/landholding/status/income from different sources/property held by your parents in support of non-creamy layer OBC claim.
- Certificate for proof of hailing from the north-eastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya or Sikkim (if applicable): Issued by the same authority that issues caste certificate (OBC/SC/ST certificate).
- Undertaking for government servants (if applicable): Undertaking stating that you have intimated in writing to your Head of the Office/Department about you taking the UPSC CSE.
- J&K Domicile (if applicable): Issued by the District Magistrate under whose jurisdiction you had resided in J&K between 1 January 1980 and 31 December 1989. Please check latest data for exact year information.
- Disabled while in defence service (if applicable): Issued by the Director-General Resettlement, Ministry of Defence stating that you were disabled while in service and were discharged from duty on account of it.
- Certificate supporting age relaxation claim (if applicable): This includes the OBC/ST/SC status certificate and/or disability certificate and/or J&K domicile certificate and/or defence personnel certificate.
Documents Needed for UPSC Personality Test
While attending the interview, candidates should carry with them the following certificates in
ORIGINAL:
- Matriculation certificate: for proof of name and DOB. Also, carry a self-attested photocopy of the same.
- Degree certificate: for proof of educational qualification. (In case, the degree certificate has not been issued by the university, then the candidate should carry the provisional certificate or the mark sheet). Also, carry a self-attested photocopy of the same.
- Print-out of the e-Summon Letter.
- Government-issued Photo-id card
- 2 recent passport size photographs, out of which one should be self-attested.
- Certificates in support of age relaxation if applicable.
Additional documents to be carried for SC/ST candidates:
- Caste certificate: original and photocopy.
- PG Degree or higher education certificates and mark-sheets (Original and photocopy).
- TA Form – two copies plus proof of journey (Travelling Allowance for non-Delhi candidates).
- Affidavit in case of minor discrepancies in the name.
Additional documents to be carried by PH category candidates:
- Physically Handicapped Certificate: original and photocopy. For PH-I category, the DWE Certificate also should be brought. DWE is the Dominant Writing Extremity certificate (for candidates who claimed the extra 20 minutes per hour in the mains written exam).
- Age relaxation certificates.
- PG Degree or higher education certificates and mark-sheets (Original and photocopy).
- TA Form – two copies plus proof of journey (Travelling Allowance for non-Delhi candidates).
- Affidavit in case of minor discrepancies in the name.
Documents required for medical examination:
- 8-10 Passport size photographs.
- Prescriptions or medical certificates if any that may be helpful for an eye check-up.
General Queries Related to UPSC CSE
- How can I apply for UPSC Prelims 2024?
- Check the registration process with the UPSC Online Application Form 2024 mentioned in the linked article. UPSC notification 2024 is released on 14th February 2024, and the last date to submit your application is 05th March 2024.Â
- How many candidates appeared in UPSC Prelims 2020?
- As per the news data, around 10.58 lakh candidates registered for the UPSC Prelims 2020. In 2019, about 8 lakh candidates applied for UPSC Civil Services Exam (Preliminary) 2019, out of which around 11,845 candidates qualified for IAS Mains.
- How can I check my marks in UPSC Prelims?
- The Union Public Service Commission will release the marks for Prelims after the entire exam process for the exam year gets over.
    To understand how you can check your UPSC Prelims marks, refer to the article.
- When is UPSC Prelims 2024?
- 26th May 2024. One can download the UPSC Notification and get al the required information to sit for the exam.Â
- How can I clear UPSC Prelims?
- To clear UPSC IAS Prelims, a candidate has to score above the cutoff in GS Paper I and score at least 33% marks in GS Paper II (CSAT).
- Which magazine is best for UPSC 2024 preparation?
- For UPSC preparation, Yojana magazine is one of the key resources. It has credible facts and data which can also be quoted in the IAS Mains exam as it is published by the Government of India ( I&B Ministry). However, you have to read the Yojana magazine as per the requirements of the IAS exam.
- What is the syllabus of UPSC Prelims?
- The UPSC Prelims syllabus can be divided into:
- General Studies (GS) Paper I – History, Geography, Economics, Current Affairs
- CSAT/ GS Paper II – Analytical and Comprehension questions ( Class X level)
     Download the latest UPSC syllabus pdf from the linked article.
IAS aspirants can also refer to the UPSC toppers list and take inspiration from their success stories.
UPSC Preparation
Hi,
when I apply for UPSC prelims, I entered wrong community certificate issue date (Actually I entered the date of issue of community certificate issued in my state, not the OBC certificate, which need to be taken every year). In this case what should I follow ? shall I leave the application as it is ? Do this subject to rejection ?
Hi Rajan
You have to submit a fresh application giving the right information this time. Check UPSC Application form 2020 page to get directions on how to fill the form.
My course completed on 2019 June, but I have a back paper in 6th semester. I written the exam and waiting for result, so is that possible to apply for the exam.
Hi David
You can sit for UPSC Prelims 2020, however, as per the UPSC notification, “All such candidates who are declared as eligible for the UPSC mains by the board (i.e., those who clear the UPSC prelims) should produce the proof of their passing the required university examination along with their mains application.”
Check the UPSC Eligibility Criteria page for more information.
hii sir upsc ka form bharne me difficulty arhi he obc caste hu aur non creamy layer me athi hu to community layer date konsi hongi certificate issue wali ya last validity wali
Hi Parnika
With respect to UPSC Prelims 2020, the OBC certificate should be dated before 3rd March 2020.
Hi,
Do any Information regarding EWS required in prelims application form like certification or any other details?
Hi Shruti
Scanned copy of EWS Certificate will have to be produced while filling UPSC Mains application form 2020. Candidates clearing CSE Prelims will have to fill DAF form and attach EWS certificate. Check the EWS Eligibility Condition page for more information on EWS Eligibility Criteria.
Sir I have completed my graduation by open university I have 10+degree am I eligible
Hi Sumanth
Yes you can sit for UPSC exam, given you have a graduate degree from a government recognized Indian university. You can check for other UPSC eligibility Criteria in the linked article.
1 -I had changed my name after hsc . like it was a change in my surname . So in that case my hsc name and graduation name differs. I have gadget copy on the basis of which i changed it from maharasthra.
2 – I live at mumbai and studying. My native place is jharkhand. I applied for obc certificate from jharkhand and got it as i had to change my address from aadhar card to get the obc from jharkhand as it was demanded by officials .
in both cases above mentioned. Will i face any issue or difficulty further for appearing for upsc exam ? Thank you.
Hi Suraj
Considering the fact that you have official documents for both – ‘Change of Name’ and ‘OBC Certificate;’ you can sit for UPSC examination without any difficulty. You will have to present the same documents at the time of submission of Detailed Application Form for UPSC Mains (if and when you clear the UPSC Prelims examination.)
What happens if my final semester results do not come in time for the mains application? What document should I upload instead of the degree certificate/ mark list?
Hi Rahul
As UPSC mentions that the Graduation Degree is a must educational qualification to sit for UPSC, in case your final results are not out till Mains, you will be deemed ineligible to sit for Mains Exam.
I was promoted in subsidiary part 1 BSc. I have completed my graduation with 76% Mathematics (Hons) .Am I eligible for appearing at the UPSC examination ?Or any problem will be created with me?
you can sit for UPSC IAS Exam. For any further detail on UPSC Eligibility Criteria, check the linked article.
Suppose I have qualified upsc prelims but was unable to crack mains, do I have to appear again for the prelims ?
Yes, you again have to sit for UPSC CSE Exam. Please check the number of attempts based you have in UPSC Eligibility Criteria page.
Is 12 th certificate essentially required for upsc cse document varification.
Matriculation certificate is needed to verify the age during the personality test, while degree certificate is required in UPSC mains application process.
Hi, I graduated from a US University. Can I appear for the Civil Services Exam? Is there any document required to show that the graduate degree of that university is equal to a graduate degree from Indian University?
Hi
Yes, your degree is valid, but you need to get an equivalent certificate from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
Hello,
In my OBC certificate my initial is not mentioned but my fathers name and DOB are there. In all other documents my initial is mentioned will i face any issues regarding this?
Hi
There shouldn’t be any issue. But we request you to reach out to UPSC query portal once for the clarification.
If my degree certificate not issued by university so in that case can I upload marksheet of my college in upsc mains form?
Yes, final year marksheet can be uploaded.
If university is not issue my degree or provincial certificate then is it OK I m using my marksheet at time upsc mains form?
Final year marksheet or provisional certificate have to be compulsorily uploaded along with UPSC Mains DAF.
Is cast validity certificate for obc students are required during pre. Main and interview stag ?
Hi, The OBC certificate will have to be uploaded while filling the application in the Mains Stage; and the same will be verified during the interview stage.
Sir in my all educational documents father’s name is Moti Lal Dangi but in my birth certificate his name is Motilal Dangi. Will it create problem in UPSC or any other
No, it will not create any problem.
In the Document column I have filled Aadhar Card No and now I have to upload the pdf of the same but we all know that Aadhar Card is available in various forms like online copy, hard copy etc. In case of Online copy it is showing that signature is not valid so will it be safe to upload the same? or it would be better if I scan the both sides of hard copy in a single page and then upload it? Do I have to self attest it
For filling up the UPSC application form, you can choose any – Aadhaar Card/Voter Card/PAN Card/Passport/Driving Licence/Any other Photo ID Card issued by the State/Central Government. If you have chosen Aadhar Card, just try uploading any of it – front of the ID or both front/back in one page. Make sure you upload a clear scanned copy. You will have to carry it along and it won’t be a problem if you have the original ID with you.
I have completed Bsc and now pursuing LLB HONS (final year) . which degree should i mention in the application form
Hi,
You can mention BSc. in your application form.
Um presently under graduation, actually in 2nd year. For the sort of practice, can i apply for UPSC prelims examination?
Hi,
One can only apply if:
1. He/she is a minimum of 21 years old.
2. He/she is either a graduate from a govt-recognized university or is in the final year of the course.
Get detailed UPSC eligibility criteria in the linked article.
I am currently in the 4th year of my 5 year integrated MSc chemistry programme. Am I eligible to write upsc cse?
Only final year students can sit for UPSC given their final result gets declared before UPSC Main application process.
Is applying for CSAT exam externally a thing or is only applying for UPSC-CSE and then giving the internal CSAT enough? I saw a separate application form for CSAT which has confused me.
Hi,
One has to fill only one application – UPSC CSE.
sir My 10th and degree certificate have name as S K Prashanth Naik and 12th is like Prashanth Naik S K . in 10th and graduation my initial is at starting of name and in 12th it was in end of my name . should I change my 12th certificate as other or it was okay for writing upsc cse exam . plz let me know sir
Hi,
Though UPSC has not clarified such doubts, a general view is that it should not pose any issues.
Hi sir,
I need a clarification regarding OBC Non Creamy Layer Certificate .
I have a Non Creamy Layer Certificate dated 01/03/2021
Kindly let me know , Do I have to obtain a new certificate to apply for UPSC CSE 2022 or this existing certificate itself is valid ?
Kindly please advise and reply
Thanks in advance
Dear aspirant,
As per UPSC for 2021 exam, “In case an OBC category candidate applying for Civil Services Examination and closing date of application for the Preliminary is 31.03.2021 the candidate should be in possession of OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) certificate in the prescribed format dated on/before 30.03.2021, based on income for the Financial Year (FY) 2019-2020, 2018-19 and 2017-18 in support of their claims for availing reservation.”
If you are applying for 2022, the Non-Creamy Layer Certificate should be dated on/before the closing date of the UPSC application 2022. It should be based on income for FY 2021-20, 2019-20, and 2019-18.
Hope it helps!