UPSC CSE Prelims 2026 Adds New Exam Centres at 3 Cities

UPSC CSE Prelims 2026 Adds New Exam Centres in Kanpur, Meerut and Bhubaneswar as the Union Public Service Commission expands its examination infrastructure ahead of the Civil Services Preliminary Examination scheduled for May 24, 2026. The decision has been taken to ease pressure on existing centres and improve convenience for aspirants appearing in one of India’s largest competitive examinations. With the latest addition, the total number of examination centres for the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination has increased from 80 to 83 across the country.

UPSC CSE Prelims 2026 New Exam Centres Announced

The Union Public Service Commission has introduced new examination centres in Kanpur, Meerut, and Bhubaneswar for the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026. The move is expected to benefit candidates from Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and nearby regions by reducing travel burden and improving accessibility.

According to reports, these centres were added mainly to reduce overcrowding at nearby existing locations. Meerut is expected to support the Delhi-NCR region, while Kanpur may reduce the load on Lucknow and nearby centres. Bhubaneswar has also been added to improve examination access for aspirants from eastern India.

UPSC CSE Prelims 2026 Exam Date and Application Details

Candidates appearing for the Civil Services Examination should note that the UPSC CSE Prelims 2026 is scheduled to be conducted on May 24, 2026. The official notification for the examination was released on February 04, 2026, while the application process concluded on February 27, 2026.

The preliminary examination serves as the first stage of the UPSC selection process and is followed by the Main Examination and Personality Test. The UPSC Main Examination 2026 is expected to begin on August 21, 2026. Candidates were allowed to select their preferred examination city while submitting the application form. UPSC generally allocates centres on a first-apply-first-served basis depending on seat availability.

More Than 23,000 Candidates Selected New UPSC CSE Prelims 2026 Centres

The newly introduced centres have witnessed a strong response from aspirants. Reports indicate that more than 23,000 candidates selected the newly added centres during the application process. The increase in the number of centres is expected to help aspirants avoid long-distance travel and reduce logistical challenges on the examination day. It may also improve crowd management and administrative coordination during the conduct of the examination.

UPSC has been introducing several examination-related reforms in recent months to improve candidate convenience and transparency. The Commission had earlier revised centre allocation policies for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) candidates and introduced accessibility-focused measures for the 2026 cycle.

UPSC CSE Prelims 2026 Total Exam Centres Across India

Before the latest revision, the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026 was scheduled to be conducted in 80 cities. With the inclusion of Kanpur, Meerut and Bhubaneswar, the total number of exam centres has now reached 83 cities nationwide.

The examination centres are spread across major metropolitan cities as well as regional hubs to ensure wider accessibility for candidates from different states and Union Territories. The exact examination venue and reporting details are mentioned on the e-admit card issued by UPSC. Candidates are advised to carefully verify details such as reporting time, exam centre address, shift timing and instructions mentioned in the admit card before appearing for the examination.

UPSC CSE Prelims 2026 Admit Card and Exam Day Guidelines

UPSC had released the Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026 admit cards on May 15, 2026, through its official website. Candidates are required to carry the printed admit card along with a valid photo identity proof to the examination centre.

The Commission has advised candidates to reach the examination venue well before the reporting time to avoid delays during entry verification. Electronic devices, smart watches and prohibited items are not allowed inside the examination hall. Candidates should also ensure that all personal details printed on the admit card are correct and immediately contact UPSC authorities in case of discrepancies.

UPSC CSE Prelims 2026 Exam Centres Expansion Expected to Benefit Aspirants

The addition of new examination cities reflects UPSC’s effort to improve examination accessibility and reduce operational pressure at high-demand centres. Aspirants from western Uttar Pradesh and Odisha are expected to particularly benefit from the inclusion of Meerut, Kanpur and Bhubaneswar in the examination network.

The expansion may also help candidates save travel expenses and reduce last-minute accommodation issues during the examination period. With lakhs of candidates appearing every year, centre availability remains an important factor during the UPSC application process. Candidates can check detailed examination instructions and future notifications through the official UPSC portal.