In an effort to decongest examination centres for the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination-2026, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has introduced three new examination centres at Bhubaneswar, Kanpur, and Meerut.

With the addition of these centres, the total number of centres for the Preliminary Examination has increased from 80 to 83. According to UPSC, nearly 23 thousand candidates have applied to these new centres, easing the rush at the adjoining centres for Civil Services Examination.

UPSC Chairman Dr. Ajay Kumar said that the objective of the Commission is to make the examination process more candidate-friendly, accessible, and efficient. He said the addition of three new centres is aimed at easing congestion and providing greater convenience to aspirants.

Dr Kumar said, the Commission is also ensuring that Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) candidates are allotted their preferred examination centres.

UPSC has received a total of over eight lakh 19 thousand applications this year, for the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination-2026