Filling DAF (Detailed Application Form) for UPSC Civil Service Mains exam is a task that should be done with great care. Around 15000 candidates who qualify in Civil Services Prelims need to apply separately for Civil Services Mains. According to UPSC, any serious mistake in the DAF may result in rejection of your candidature. ClearIAS.com in this post explains the basic DO’s and DON’Ts with DAF.
What is DAF?
DAF corresponds to the Detailed Application Form for UPSC Civil Services Mains exam. The online form is applicable only for those who qualified CS prelims. Fees to be paid by General and OBC candidates is Rs.200/-. There is a total fee exemption for female candidates and SC/ST candidates.
While filling the DAF online…
Please visit the official website of UPSC (upsc.gov.in) to get the link for DAF. DAF has around 10 parts and has to be filled online.
Note: There can be minor differences in the process of filing DAF every year. For example, Before 2016, a print out of the DAF had to be mailed to UPSC through post/courier along with necessary documents. But from 2016 onwards, there is only online submission. Other documents should be scanned and uploaded. ClearIAS always recommend UPSC aspirants to check the UPSC website for the latest official communication.
The DAF summary sheet
After entering all the details, the DAF summary sheet will be generated ( usually the last 2 pages). The summary sheet contains the highlights of your profile will include your hobbies and interests. So be fully aware with yourself and what you have written in DAF, as many questions in UPSC interview will be based on what you have written in the Detailed Application Form (DAF) and Summary Sheet.
Service and Cadre Preference
UPSC may ask you to fill as part of DAF (before Mains) or as Addendum to DAF (after Mains). The procedure can vary, year-to-year.
Take time to think over your service priority as well as cadre preference for IAS and IPS as you will not get a chance to change the same in future. However, don’t miss the UPSC deadline regarding the same.
Things to note
- Candidates are required to submit Detailed Application Form through Online Mode only and also to upload the scanned copies of the requisite documents along with the Detailed Application Form.
- There is no need of sending hard copy of Application /Documents to the Commission.
- NOTE: In case of any problem in filling the ONLINE DETAILED APPLICATION, Please indicate the problem being faced in detail and send it to the following Email:
web-upsc[at]nic[dot]in |
For Technical Query |
csm-upsc[at]nic[dot]in |
For Application Related Query |
Civil Service Mains Application Form (DAF) Checklist:
The candidate should also scan their relevant original documents as listed below in 200 dpi grey scale and convert to a single PDF file up to 3 MB, before filling in the online DAF:-
- Scanned copy of Certificate of age.
- Scanned copy of Certificate(s) of educational qualifications (including a copy of recognition letter/equivalence certificate from AIU / UGC, if applicable).
- Scanned copy of Certificate in support of the claim to belong to Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes/Other Backward Classes (where applicable) Annexure VI and VII may be filled online by OBC candidate.
- Scanned copy of Certificate in support of the claim for age relaxation (where applicable).
- Scanned copy of the certificate in support of the claim to being Physically challenged (along with the certificate of Disability in Dominant (writing) Extremity, wherever applicable).
- Scanned copy of Hailing from Certificate to show that the candidate hails from Arunachal Pradesh/ Manipur/ Meghalaya/ Mizoram/ Nagaland or Sikkim (where applicable).
- Scanned copy of undertaking for the candidate who is in Government service that he /she has intimated in writing the Head of the Office / Department about his/her appearance in the examination.
- Scanned copies of documentary proof in support of service/status/landholding/income from different sources/property held by parents of OBC (non-creamy layer) candidates.
Make sure you comply with these instructions!
- The documents must be scanned in 200 dpi grayscale.
- All documents must be scanned in PDF format only.
- Candidates are advised not to use the cell phone for scanning.
- All the scanned documents should be placed in a single PDF file of not more than 3 MB size for uploading.
- The PDF file must not be password protected.
- You must ensure that the uploaded PDF file is legible.
Note: Candidates must note that they should upload only the scanned copies of the Original documents and no document is required to be sent by Post or by Hand.
You will get an email acknowledgement from UPSC
The online submission of the DAF and the duly filled in OBC proforma (applicable for OBC non-creamy layer candidates) along with the uploaded documents will be acknowledged electronically by sending an email by the Commission.
Incomplete Detailed Online application or DAF and the online OBC
What will happen if the application is incomplete/late/wrong?
Incomplete Detailed Online application or DAF and the online OBC proforma which have not been submitted within the prescribed time limit or is incorrectly filled in or gives wrong code numbers in any of the columns is liable to be rejected.
The candidates must ensure that they upload all the requisite documents before finally
submitting the DAF and the OBC proforma online.
Need assistance while filing DAF? Call UPSC
The candidate should contact the Commission, through email [email protected] or 011-23385271 in case of any assistance regarding filling up the Detailed Application Form.
E-admit Cards
The e-admit cards will be issued electronically on the Commission’s website.
The candidates should download the same and check it carefully to ensure that the particulars on the e-Admit Card are correct.
In case, there is any mistake in the e-Admit Card, it should be brought to the notice of the Commission with a request to issue the correct e-Admit Card. Candidates may note that they will not be allowed to take the examination on the strength of e- Admit Card issued in respect of another candidate.
To the exam hall (As per instructions)
- No candidate will be allowed to take the examination without the e-admit card.
- A candidate appearing in the examination should also bring with him/ her to the examination hall extra copies of the photograph similar to the one in the DAF.
During the UPSC Interview…
Originals of the above Certificates are required to be produced along with self-certified copies of all the documents at the time of Interview, which would be intimated in the Commission’s website in due course, failing which candidature is liable to be cancelled.
Thanks Man..
dear sir,
I have made a mistake in filling up DAF. I have given the nswer for column 23 as NO. will my candidature be rejected?
Dear Anjali,
We don’t see any reason for rejection. The column number 25 seems more important, as that gives the CSP details. Anyway, you can drop a mail to UPSC explaining the matter. If it is significant UPSC will definitely give an opportunity to re-submit at a later stage. Don’t worry. Work hard for mains. All the best!:-)
Hi Anjali
I have made exactly the same mistake this year. Can you please tell me from your experience that what is the best way to resolve this issue? Really worried. Thanks
Hello Tushar,
Column 23 – Whether you have been selected or applied for U.P.S.C. Examination/Recruitment.
This means its asking if you ‘have’ applied or ‘have been’ selected for…
And when Yes is selected from the drop-down the table says “Details of OTHER examination”.
So you are fine there.
Please answer mine: I left the Column No.1 blank. As I belong to disadvantaged category, I am exempted from fee submission. I think I should have written ‘0’ in tha column and NIL in other two.
Can we send(post) the application more than one time.
Thanks.
Hi Tushar,
Me too made the same mistake!!! anything you did to regularize it? like calling upsc or writing a letter to them? Do share what their response was. i am planing to call them tomo.
Hi… Do you uploaded marksheet of class 12 also in daf
Or just calss 10 and graduation marksheets are enough
Sir, I have not printed DAF back to back. Also my summary sheet runs into two pages(papers). Will it be a problem?
Dear Shantan,
That probably won’t be a problem. Don’t worry. All the best for mains!:-)
If I select medium of interview as Hindi, do they ask everything in shuddh Hindi? I want to write my exams in Hindi but also want my interview to be in Hindi….I will take biology as optional! Please help…..
Sorry ! That was a mistake ….I want to write my exams in english but get interviewed in hindi…how can I answer botany questions if they ask in shuddh Hindi?
I belong to OBC non creamy layer. In the OBC annexure to be submitted along with DAF for CSM2014 it asks for father’s incom tax returns for last 3 years. is it mandatory? what if i dont have one? pls reply.. very important!
Please help,
I belong to SC category so I dont have to submit any fee for CSM.While completing online submission the total value(fee) column does not autopopulate with value zero. The column is blank.
The mistake I committed is that I forgot to fill that column with zero value. Is that gonna lead to cancellation.
Can I send application again with correct entries?
Thanks,
Ajeet Singh.
Can we staple the print out of DAF to be sent to UPSC? And do we have to staple the certificates required along with the DAF or do we have to put them separately?
My father passed away 5 years ago. What should I write in Father’s present profession? Should I mention Not Aplicable?
I have signed the summary sheet and submitted the same to UPSC. Whether it will cause rejection of the application? Whether I should send a new application printout?
i entered wrong date of my job profile by mistake….i mean instead of 2011 i wrote 2012 ….. what should i do…
By mistake I filled NO in column 6(a) (edu. qualification) what should I do???
What should i fill in column 23.As i appeared for civil services for the first time.And i didnot appear for any other u.p.s.c exams…..
I wrongly signed summary sheets and submitted. Will it be a problem? Please give a kind reply. Thank you
I have not received any mail after online submission of daf..
Any one got??
My father passed away 2 years ago. What should I write in Father’s present profession? Should I mention Not Aplicable or what?
I made mistake as I have made entry in col. 23 No , whether will it the reason of cancellation of my candidature I have appeared other exam also.
Hi Clearias
I forgot to strike off
* I have informed my Head of the Office/Department in writing that I have applied for this examination.
this line in the declaration in daf. It was starred and it was written that strike off
this line if not applicable. I am not a gvt employee so I should have striked it off. But it somehow skipped my mind.
Is it a serious problem? Please respond.
Hi,my surname has changed but I was not able to change it in my 10certificate nor my graduation certificate as in the online form we are supposed to fill the name mentioned in 10th certificate what can I do about that please help I want clear my doubt so I won’t have a problem in future.thank you
Was the problem solved ??
If yes, then how ?
I am also facing the same issue ..plz help
Hi mam ..i hve to give exam on 2018 and will complete my graduation itself on 2018 so do i eligible fr writing mains bcoz i dont think sol provide d degree bfore mains xam ..so in case of dat wat sud i attach in daf plz answr dis
Sakshi, did you get any answer for this.
Same problem will be creat with me but i dont think.
You get any answer of this than tell me
I am a student of school of open learning delhi university which declares its graduation result in november.can i apply for cse exam while in last year of my graduation?
Sir,I have done my higher secondary education in vocational group and have a marksheet issued by the state government.Should i fill that in my educational details in the form..Will there be any problem after i send it to UPSC. Kindly help me sir.
HI,
Instead of format for gov employee to submit undertaking about intimation to the department , i submitted my own undertaking letter mentioning the same, although format is different but it says the same thing, could it affect my candidature.
Thanks
where did u find the format for gov employee??
If you find the format, share it with me too.
I donot have my original documents.can i scan photocopy and upload?
Please help,
I have submitted the DAF four days ago and it mailed me that I have successfully submitted the application and messaged me on mobile that I have filled all modules of the DAF.
But today I got message on my mobile that “we have observed that you have not submitted the daf yet”.
Please help me
After completing daf, there is an additional page for ‘declaration to be signed by the canditate’, am i supposed to sign the declaration and send it to upsc? because it was included only after daf submission, so cant be scanned along with previous documents. Kindly help. thank you.
Hi were you able find an answer for this??
sir,
do we need to upload semester marks sheets in daf ??
Sir I have filled wrong name of my father nappala Naidu instead of appala naidu how to rectify it sir
Hi I had question regarding the declaration on the final page of the DAF.. there was no apparent way to sign it and it was not part of any required uploads. Is it a problem as that declaration shows up unsigned on the last but one page of my application
Hi,
I had submitted DAF on October 13th and have a screenshot that transaction was successful. I got the fee money back in my account two days later. Still the DAF status is shown as complete.
I do not know what the present status is ? How can I resolve this issue? They asked me to mail to US(CSM) in UPSC. I am not getting any replies. Does anyone know his name or phone number? I am trying to pay again before the fictitious payment list since there are 3 days left for deadline. Would this be put in the fictitious payment list? Kindly share any info.
will the system accept if I send jpg images instead of pdf format?? plz clarify
they specifically mention pdf format
what all documents have to be uploaded for a general category student
10th,12th and graduation .but what about the certificate of age
10th certificate has age proof
By mistake i ve nt converted then to grey scale? Will that harm me?
Forgot to put ZERO before service prefrenece. Will it make any difference.
Like upsc says 01. 02. Instead of that i put 1 2 and so on.
Anyone has any clue
Respected sir,
I have inadvertently entered wrong subject entry in Higher secondary( XIITH) information and ommitted to enter one of subject in High school information in DAF , i have enclosed certificate of 12 th marksheet.i mailed them and they replied asking for my roll no details, as per rule they may disqualify or debarr from appearing in mains. what should i do, whether there is any option after mains exam to correct the wrong entry. Kindly please guide.
Aspirant appearing in civil service mains
What will happen if any one fail to submit DAF final submission.. ???
Is there is anyway now ??
PEOPLE WHO COULD NOT SUBMIT CSM-2016 DAF
Hi…we could not submit our CSM DAF due to some reasons. we have approached upsc. If there are more aspirants who could not submit their DAF, upsc might reopen the daf link. If you or any of your friends could not submit daf, please contact on the following phone no. We would be very grateful if you spread this message to fellow upsc aspirants as this would save 2-3 years of our hardwork. PLEASE DO HELP US.
Contact no 9509540866, 9850863070
Can I change my mobile number while filling upsc mains form?instead of the number which I gave in prelims form ,can I give new number In mains form??a hypothetical question..I m appearing for prelims 2017 but want to give updated number in mains form if I clear prelims..because that number is very old and I m planning to update it..so can I?
my final submission of daf form for iss 2017 is not happening please help
Hi ! Somebody help me…As I belong to OBC community my father is a state govt employee in Telangana..I cleared my Civils prelims 2017 exams and waiting to apply for Mains…for application I need to submit 3yrs income tax returns of my father …as the two year income tax returns are below the limit and last year income tax returns are above the limit by 2000 Rupees…I don’t know that it would become a problem or not for my application…so please help me that I am eligible to apply for Mains are not…this is my third attempt and every time I cleared prelims..and went to write mains by submitting income tax returns of my father below limit. But this time as he got incentives his income tax is above limit of 2000rs for the last year…please help me out as this would become problem or not…
Better contact UPSC
I remember 2 years ago some of the candidates were declared ineligible at the time of appointment after their income was found to be above limit
I have done dual degree a 5 year integrated course( Btech + Mtech)
But in the form there are two separate columns. How should I fill in the daf?
should the documents that need to be uploaded be self attested?
No but the Xerox which u need to submit at the time of interview should be
hii, i belong to obc category but my income is more than 8 lakhs( experience 2 yrs ) ,and my mother is retired govt employee ..now as per new change in status of obc reservations ,am i eligible to avail it??
I am from IGNOU. My final graduation result will be declared just after ‘mains filling up’ form. So i would have not any document regarding my certification of graduation. How would i manage this problem so that i write my mains? Anyone , please help.
I surface same issue tell me solutions of this issues.
Same here pzlz resolved it
I am passed 12 from private candidade and in the marksheet the school name is written private candidate but i have to write my school name what would be the step from upsc
Is 12 marks card necessary to appear UPSC exam? Because my father name is different in10th marks card. In 10th marks card name is given as Sidhegouda M Shivananda and in 12th M is missing . Please someone help me.
I don’t think class 12 marks are necessary to be uploaded
Dear sir,
My name is G.G. When i am applying for UPSC, i could not apply because of having my name as only one letter. In this case what should i do for making my application to accept? Please give me some suggestions in this regard sir. Thank you sir.
Is it necessary to submit my transfer certificate and conduct certificate while applying for MAINS and also for further verifications ?
Sir my dob is24/04/2000 and i am a student of BA 1st year can i sit in upsc exam 2020???
Please Sir guide me
Permanent address and current address are different.how to fill the address column in both primary application and daf ?
Hello sir my dob 20.081984…belongs to obc category,…can i apply for 2019. IAS exam…
Thank u…
Hello sir my dob 20.09.1984…belongs to obc category,…can i apply for 2019. IAS exam…
Thank u…
I have a Mistake in my SSC Tc certificate
In place of reddy ….the kapu Has been placed….Is there any problem occur while iam appyling for UPSC….y bcz iam belongs to Reddy(oc) but in my SSC they have printed In place of reddy to Kapu……plzzz any 1 rply mee
Do the interview panel have our graduation marksheet or just summary provided by us?
Same thing
Please help
I belong to OBC creamy layer. What all the documebts should I submit along with DAF form? Is it the same as genral category ??
suppose if a candidate clear cse prelims,then when should he/she fill daf,immediately after prelims exam or when asked by the commission. also tell me if candidate is an average student and has received not even a single prize or scholarship,what shouldhe/she then fill in place of prizes ans achievements in daf?
sir can i give mains 2020 because i am student of ignou and my last year is in 2020 but problem is that their practical starts from august andd final degree will be available after september so can i fill mains form of 2020
is it required for the people belonging to obc creamy layer to attest a copy of their caste in DAF ??
Hello sir/mam I belong to PwBD category… My question is do I have to upload pH certificate as per the format of Upsc or just state govt hospital has provided me with ministry of social justice format certificate will that be a valid format? …. Do I have to make other certificate as per upsc format?
Why they haven’t asked scanned copy of Aadhar Card or PAN Card
sir i am appearing for 2020 cse. but my b.tech is not cleared and my back paper exam will be held in may 2020 before cse prelims. suppose if i clears cse prelims but i am sure that results of my b.tech exam will not be available till the submission of daf 1.
In this case will i be permited for cse mains 2020?? Need advice.
sir i am appearing for 2020 cse. but my b.tech is not cleared and my back paper exam will be held in may 2020 before cse prelims. suppose if i clears cse prelims but i am sure that results of my b.tech exam will not be available till the submission of daf 1.
In this case will i be permited for cse mains 2020?? Need advice.
I had lost my previous registration number as asked in DAF
What should I have to do?
hi, i did job in private sector BPO for just a month after my PG.
should i mention to it in DAF. please answer me because i dont want to mention.
Sir , I lost my original degree certificate and unfortunately I dont have scanned copy of it too but I do have my provisional passing certificate of engineering degree ..so is it fine if i fill my daf with provisional ? Or will I be rejected ?
Dear sir, do we have to upload degree certificates or would the marksheet suffice?
We don’t have our degrees yet.
I born in UP and brought to Mumbai for my educational purposes and did my whole studies there only. currently I am going to give upsc cse examination with my SC cast certificate which i got from UP but my studies were done in Mumbai. Is my SC cast certificate is valid for this exam?
hii..!!
while filling prelims application form,for the area of filling my graduation percentage
i have filled 65% instead of 63.04%.
will that lead to any kind of problems for me in future.
Respected sir/madam,
I’ve to submit DAF 1 till 11/11/2020 but my final sem result is still not declared due to Pandemic. What should I do now?
Nmaste sir, I choose English medium for my prelims and mains but I thought to give my interview in Hindi because I can’t speak English fluently…. And I am comfortable with Hindi conversation… So pls help me what to do
Andi Mandi Sandi!
Tehsildar didn’t wrote certificate number in my ST certificate (of central govt format) so i wrote certificate number of state govt certificate as central format is issued to me on state govt’s certificate basis.
will that be a problem???
sir can A caste certificate be considered a hailing certificate??.? sir from where to apply it and what is the format? plz help sir