UPSC CAPF — Admit Card & Exam Hall

Admit Card, Exam Hall Entry
& OMR Answer Sheet Instructions

A complete guide to e-Admit Card requirements, articles permitted and prohibited inside the examination hall, negative marking rules, and the correct procedure for filling the OMR Answer Sheet — applicable to Paper I: General Ability and Intelligence.

🪪 e-Admit Card Rules
✅ Permitted Items
🚫 Prohibited Items
➖ Negative Marking
📝 OMR Guidelines
🪪

e-Admit Card is mandatory — no candidate will be allowed entry without a valid e-Admit Card issued in their name.

📵

No mobile phones on premises — electronic devices are banned inside the entire exam centre, not just the exam hall.

🖊️

Black ball pen only — all OMR entries must be made with a black ballpoint pen. No pencil or ink pen permitted.

⏳

No early exit allowed — candidates must remain in the hall for the full prescribed time and submit when instructed.

🪪 Entry to the Examination Hall — e-Admit Card

Possession of the e-Admit Card is the primary requirement for entry into the examination hall. Candidates must verify all details upon receiving it and report discrepancies immediately.

🪪

Valid e-Admit Card Required

Candidates will not be allowed to appear in the examination unless they produce a valid e-Admit Card issued in their name. No alternate document will be accepted as a substitute.

🔍

Verify Details on Receipt

Upon receiving the e-Admit Card, candidates must carefully verify all details — name, roll number, examination centre, date, and subject. Report any discrepancies to the Commission immediately.

📝

Admission Remains Provisional

Possession of the e-Admit Card does not automatically guarantee eligibility or confirmation of candidature. All admissions remain provisional, pending final eligibility verification by UPSC.

🪪

Carry Original Photo ID

Along with the e-Admit Card, candidates must carry the original government-issued Photo ID specified during the application. Both documents are required for entry and identity verification.

⚠️ Name Abbreviations: Candidates may observe that their names might appear in abbreviated forms on the e-Admit Card due to technical formatting limitations. This is normal and does not affect the validity of the admit card.
📋 Appendix III — Items Permitted & Prohibited

These rules apply to Paper I: General Ability and Intelligence (250 Marks). Candidates must comply strictly — violations attract disqualification and debarment.

✅ Permitted Items
  • Clip board or hard board (clean — no writing or printed material on it)
  • Good quality black ballpoint pen
  • Valid e-Admit Card
  • Original government-issued Photo ID
  • Official OMR Answer Sheet (provided by invigilator)
  • Separate rough work sheet (provided by invigilator)
🚫 Prohibited Items
  • Books, notes, loose sheets, or written / printed material
  • Mobile phones — even in switched-off mode
  • Smartwatches or fitness bands
  • Calculators — electronic or manual
  • Pagers, Bluetooth devices, or communication equipment
  • Mathematical / drawing instruments, log tables, slide rules
  • Stencils or printed maps
  • Test Booklets or rough sheets from earlier sessions
🚫 Entire Exam Premises: Mobile phones and electronic gadgets are completely banned within the premises of the exam centre — not just inside the hall. No arrangements will be made by UPSC for safekeeping of any prohibited items. Do not bring them at all.
⚠️ Consequences of Violation: Bringing prohibited items may lead to disqualification from the examination, debarment from future UPSC exams, and disciplinary action as per the Commission's discretion.
➖ Negative Marking — Paper I

Paper I (General Ability and Intelligence) carries negative marking for incorrect answers. Understanding the marking scheme is essential to plan your attempt strategy.

✅
+Full
Correct Answer
Full marks awarded as per question weightage
❌
−⅓
Wrong Answer
One-third of the question's marks deducted as penalty
⬜
0
Not Attempted
No penalty for leaving the question blank
⚠️ Multiple Answers = Wrong Answer: If a candidate marks more than one answer to a question — even if one of them is correct — it will be treated as a wrong answer and will attract negative marking. Mark only one circle per question.
💡 Strategy Tip: Attempt only those questions where you are reasonably confident of the correct answer. Avoid random guessing, as incorrect responses will reduce your final score by one-third of the marks for that question.
📝 OMR Answer Sheet — Step-by-Step Guidelines

The OMR sheet is machine-scanned. Any incorrect handling, stray marks, or improper encoding can invalidate your entire paper. Follow every instruction precisely.

6

Filling Your Details — What to Write

Use only a black ballpoint pen to fill in the following in the boxes at the top of the OMR sheet:

  • Name of Centre
  • Subject
  • Test Booklet Series (A / B / C / D)
  • Subject Code
  • Roll Number
6

Encoding Details — What to Darken

After writing your details in the boxes, darken the corresponding circles below each entry using the black ball pen. For example — if your Roll Number is 1212345, darken the circle for each digit. If your Booklet Series is 'B', darken the circle for 'B'.

⚠️ Misprinted Booklet Series? If the Booklet Series code is missing or misprinted on your Test Booklet, report it immediately and request a replacement before the exam begins. Mistakes in Roll Number or Booklet Series encoding can render your OMR invalid and unscannable.
7

Condition of Test Booklet — Check Immediately

As soon as you receive the Test Booklet, check for the following before the exam starts:

  • Missing pages, printing errors, or torn sheets
  • Presence and correctness of the Booklet Code and Serial Number
✅ If Defective: Ask for a replacement immediately before the examination begins. No replacement will be provided once the examination has started.
8

What NOT to Do on the Answer Sheet

  • Do not write your name or any identification mark anywhere on the sheet
  • Do not fold, tear, or mutilate the sheet in any way
  • Do not write anything on the reverse side of the sheet
  • Do not use pencil or ink pen — only black ball pen is permitted
  • Avoid stray marks or smudges — the sheet is processed by scanning machines
❌ Machine Scanning Alert: The OMR sheet is scanned by machines. Any damage, smudge, stray mark, or improper handling can lead to complete invalidation of your paper.
9

Correct Method of Marking Answers

Each question has four options: (a), (b), (c), and (d). Select the best correct answer and darken the corresponding circle completely and neatly using a black ball pen.

Example — Correct answer is option (b):

 (a)  Option A
 (b)  Option B  ← Correct (fully darkened)
 (c)  Option C
 (d)  Option D
❌ Strictly Avoid: Do not tick, cross, underline, half-shade, or circle multiple options. Only fully darkened single circles are accepted by the scanning machine.
10

Scannable Attendance Sheet — Required Entries

During the examination, candidates must fill in the Scannable Attendance List. These entries help match your attendance record with the OMR sheet for verification purposes.

Entry Action Required
Presence Darken the circle P for Present
Test Booklet Series Darken the appropriate circle — A B C D
Test Booklet Serial Number Write and darken the serial number digits in the boxes provided
Answer Sheet Serial Number Fill in and darken the relevant digit circles
Signature Sign in the space provided in black ball pen
11

Read the Test Booklet Cover Page First

Before you begin answering, carefully read all instructions printed on the cover page of your Test Booklet. These include rules regarding time limits, answer marking, booklet series identification, and any other examination-specific directions.

⚠️ Non-Compliance Risk: Failure to follow the instructions printed on the Test Booklet cover page may result in disqualification.
12

Leaving the Examination Hall

Candidates are not permitted to leave the examination hall before the completion of the full prescribed time for the paper — even if they finish early.

  • Stay seated quietly until instructed by the invigilator
  • Submit your OMR Answer Sheet and Test Booklet only when told to do so
  • Do not hand over your OMR to any unauthorised person
❌ Early Departure: Leaving the examination hall before the prescribed time without permission can result in cancellation of candidature.
👮 Conduct, Discipline & Unfair Means Policy

UPSC follows a zero-tolerance policy toward malpractice. All candidates must maintain discipline throughout the examination. Violations attract immediate and lasting consequences.

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Zero Tolerance for Copying

Do not copy from another candidate's paper or allow yours to be copied. Do not seek or offer help from/to any candidate in any form — during or between sessions.

📵

No Unauthorized Materials

Do not use unauthorized notes or material during the exam or even during breaks. Any material not officially permitted is grounds for immediate disqualification.

🤐

Maintain Decorum

All candidates must maintain discipline in the hall. Do not argue or misbehave with invigilators or staff. Avoid creating disturbances or any disorderly behaviour.

⚖️

Consequences of Misbehaviour

Serious misbehaviour can lead to disqualification from the current exam, banning from all future UPSC exams, and legal consequences where required by the Commission.

🛡️ Advisory: Approach the examination with integrity and focus. Any attempt to cheat, copy, or compromise the sanctity of the examination will jeopardize your current attempt and future eligibility across all UPSC examinations and Central Government employment.

Exam Hall & OMR Compliance Checklist

Review each point before and during your UPSC CAPF examination day.

Carry a valid e-Admit Card and original Photo ID
Leave all electronic devices at home — not just switched off
Bring only a black ballpoint pen and clean clip board
Check Test Booklet for defects before exam begins
Fill OMR details — Centre, Subject, Booklet Series, Roll No.
Darken one circle per question — fully and neatly
Do not write name or fold / mutilate the OMR sheet
Avoid guessing — 1/3rd negative marking per wrong answer
Fill Scannable Attendance Sheet accurately and sign it
Stay in hall until instructed — submit OMR only when told
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