The UPSC Civil Services Prelims for 2025 kick off today, May 25, with exams held in two shifts. If you're one of the candidates, double-check your bag before heading out—you’ll need a printed admit card, photo ID, and a black ballpoint pen (no exceptions). The UPSC isn’t messing around: unclear admit card photos? Bring extra passport pics. Forget your ID or show up late? That could mean disqualification. The guidelines are tight, covering everything from what you can wear to what you can’t bring into the exam hall.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another exam—it’s the first hurdle for lakhs of aspirants dreaming of civil service careers. The strict rules highlight how high-stakes this is, but they’re also a reminder that fairness and transparency matter. For candidates, it’s crunch time; for everyone else, it’s a peek into the rigorous process shaping India’s future bureaucrats.