UPSC Adds Kanpur, Meerut and Bhubaneswar Centres for CSE Prelims 2026 Amid Rising Candidate Numbers

UPSC Adds Kanpur, Meerut and Bhubaneswar Centres for CSE Prelims 2026

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has introduced three new examination centres for the Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026 amid a sharp rise in the number of applicants this year.

The newly added centres are located in Kanpur, Meerut, and Bhubaneswar. With this addition, the total number of UPSC prelims centres across India has increased from 80 to 83.

According to UPSC, the move is mainly aimed at reducing congestion at existing exam centres and helping candidates travel shorter distances for the examination. Reports suggest more than 23,000 candidates have already opted for these newly added centres.

The Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026 is scheduled to be conducted on May 24 across the country. Around 8.19 lakh candidates are expected to appear for the examination this year.

New UPSC Exam Centres Added

The UPSC stated that these additional centres were introduced after seeing increased pressure on nearby cities and examination venues. The Commission believes decentralising exam centres will improve the experience for candidates.

Why This Matters for UPSC Aspirants

Anyone who has prepared for UPSC seriously knows that exam day travel itself becomes stressful. Many candidates travel overnight by train or bus just to reach exam centres located in other cities.

In previous years, candidates from western Uttar Pradesh often had to depend on Delhi, Ghaziabad, or nearby centres. Similarly, several Odisha candidates faced long-distance travel issues.

Adding centres in Meerut, Kanpur, and Bhubaneswar may sound like a small administrative change, but for aspirants, it can actually reduce travel fatigue and last-minute logistical problems.

UPSC Prelims 2026 Candidate Numbers Continue to Rise

The Civil Services Examination continues to remain one of India’s most competitive exams. Reports indicate that nearly 8.19 lakh candidates are expected to appear in the preliminary examination this year.

That number explains why UPSC had to rethink centre allocation. In some cities, available seats reportedly fill within hours after the application window opens.

UPSC Also Introducing Other Reforms

This centre expansion comes at a time when UPSC is introducing several operational changes in the examination process.

Recent reports suggest the Commission is working on improving transparency, accessibility, and candidate management systems for the Civil Services Examination cycle.

There is also increasing focus on reducing overcrowding, improving examination logistics, and making centres more accessible for candidates from smaller cities.

Admit Cards Already Released

UPSC has already released the Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026 admit cards through its official portal. Candidates can download hall tickets from upsc.gov.in and should carefully verify their allotted centre details before the exam day.

Candidates are also advised to visit the examination centre location in advance if possible, especially those travelling to newly added centres for the first time.

Competition Remains Intense

Even though lakhs of candidates appear every year, the final number of selected candidates remains extremely limited. That gap between applicants and final selections is exactly why UPSC preparation becomes emotionally exhausting for many students.

Still, the addition of more centres shows that UPSC is at least acknowledging one practical reality — the number of aspirants keeps increasing every year, and the exam infrastructure has to grow with it.

For now, candidates appearing on May 24 will be hoping the new arrangements make the examination process smoother than previous years.