NEW DELHI: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has introduced three new examination centres for the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination-2026 in a move aimed at reducing congestion and improving accessibility for aspirants. The newly added centres are located in: Bhubaneswar Kanpur Meerut With the addition of these centres, the total number of Preliminary Examination centres has increased from 80 to 83. Nearly 23,000 Candidates Apply to New Centres According to UPSC, nearly 23,000 candidates have opted for the newly introduced centres, helping reduce pressure on nearby examination cities. The move is expected to improve logistical convenience for aspirants and ensure smoother conduct of the examination process. Read also: UPSC to Release Provisional Answer Key for Civil Services Prelims 2026 Soon After Exam, Candidates Can Challenge Responses Online UPSC Chairman Highlights Candidate-Friendly Approach Ajay Kumar, Chairman of UPSC, said the Commission is committed to making the examination process more candidate-friendly, accessible and efficient. He stated that the addition of the new centres has been undertaken specifically to decongest heavily crowded examination locations and provide greater convenience to candidates appearing for the prestigious civil services examination. Special Focus on PwBD Candidates The UPSC Chairman also said that the Commission is making efforts to ensure that Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) are allotted their preferred examination centres wherever possible. The initiative forms part of the Commission’s broader effort to improve accessibility and inclusiveness in the examination process. Over 8.19 Lakh Applications Received The UPSC has received more than 8.19 lakh applications for the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination-2026, reflecting the continued high level of interest in India’s premier civil services recruitment examination. The Civil Services Examination is conducted annually for recruitment to prestigious services including the IAS, IPS, IFS and several Central Civil Services. Step Towards Smoother Examination Management The addition of new centres is expected to help the Commission manage the massive scale of the examination more efficiently while improving the overall experience for candidates across the country. The move is particularly significant for aspirants from eastern Uttar Pradesh and Odisha, who are likely to benefit from reduced travel burden and improved centre allocation. Read also: UPSC Announces Recruitment for Multiple Posts; Salaries Up to ₹1.2 Lakh, Applications Open Till May 15 – Check Details
