BharatNotes After clearing Mains, candidates submit a Detailed Application Form (DAF-II) online and carry originals to Dholpur House on interview day. Core documents include matriculation certificate, degree/provisional certificate, category certificates, photo ID, and the e-Summon Letter.
Document Verification in UPSC CSE — Full Checklist
Document verification in UPSC CSE happens in two stages: the DAF-II online submission after Mains results, and physical verification on Personality Test day at Dholpur House, New Delhi.
Stage 1 — DAF-II Online Submission
After Mains results are declared, UPSC opens an online window (typically 15 days) for qualified candidates to submit DAF-II through upsconline.gov.in. For CSE 2025, the DAF-II window opened on 13 November 2025 and closed on 27 November 2025 at 6:00 PM.
Critical rule: Failure to submit DAF-II = no e-Summon Letter = cannot attend the interview. Even if you have no changes to update, you must log in, verify your data, and click submit.
Documents to upload during DAF-II (scanned PDF, clear and legible):
- Class 10 / Matriculation certificate (date of birth + name)
- Degree or provisional certificate
- Category certificate — OBC-NCL / EWS / SC / ST (as applicable)
- PwBD certificate (if applicable)
- J&K Domicile certificate (if claiming that relaxation)
Stage 2 — Documents to Carry on Interview Day
Venue: Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi – 110069
Verification staff check originals before the interview begins. Originals are examined and returned the same day.
| # | Document | Format | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | e-Summon Letter | Printed copy | Entry pass for the day |
| 2 | Matriculation / Class 10 certificate | Original + self-attested copy | Name and date of birth proof |
| 3 | Degree certificate OR provisional certificate | Original + self-attested copy | Educational qualification |
| 4 | Photo ID (Aadhaar / Passport / Voter ID — same as in application) | Original | Identity verification |
| 5 | Category certificate — SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS (as applicable) | Original + self-attested copy | Reservation claim |
| 6 | PwBD certificate (if applicable) | Original + self-attested copy | Disability reservation |
| 7 | J&K Domicile certificate (if applicable) | Original + self-attested copy | Age-attempt relaxation |
| 8 | TA form + proof of journey (ticket, boarding pass) | Two printed copies | Travel reimbursement |
| 9 | Affidavit (if any name discrepancy exists) | Original on stamp paper | Name reconciliation |
| 10 | Gazette notification of name change (if name changed after Class 10) | Original + self-attested copy | Name reconciliation |
What "Self-Attested" Means in This Context
As per the Government of India's simplified attestation policy (DoPT circular, 2015), self-attestation is acceptable for UPSC document submission. This means you sign the photocopy yourself and write "Self-Attested" with the date. Gazetted Officer attestation is no longer mandatory for most documents — self-attestation suffices.
Exception: Affidavits for name discrepancies must be on stamp paper before a notary or Executive Magistrate.
Category-Specific Additional Documents
| Category | Additional Document Required |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | Caste / Tribe certificate from competent authority (DM/SDM/Tehsildar) in prescribed format |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | OBC-NCL certificate in DoPT format, issued within the current financial year; caste must be in Central OBC list |
| EWS | Income and Asset Certificate in prescribed format from DM/SDM/Tehsildar, valid for current financial year |
| PwBD | Disability certificate from Government hospital CMO/Civil Surgeon, showing ≥ 40% disability |
| J&K Domicile | Domicile certificate from District Magistrate of J&K district |
Key Rules to Remember
- Carry originals and self-attested photocopies of every document — originals are checked and returned the same day.
- Any mismatch in name, date of birth, or category between documents and the application form can lead to cancellation of candidature at any stage — including after the interview.
- From CSE 2025 onwards, UPSC introduced mandatory document upload at the Prelims application stage itself (OTR — One Time Registration). Ensure your OTR details match your actual documents.
- Arrive at Dholpur House at least 60–90 minutes before your scheduled interview slot to allow time for document verification.
Mentor Tip
Maintain a dedicated folder — physical and digital — with all UPSC documents organised in the order of the checklist above. Renew category certificates (OBC-NCL, EWS) every April so they are always valid for the financial year. Do not wait until the DAF-II window opens to start this process; certificate delays from district offices are common.
