NEW DELHI, May 21: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has introduced three new examination centres, with over 23,000 civil services aspirants choosing these venues for the upcoming preliminary examination. This initiative aims to ease congestion at existing centres and enhance the accessibility of the examination process.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the addition of centres in Bhubaneshwar, Kanpur, and Meerut has increased the total number of examination venues for the civil services (preliminary) examination from 80 to 83. The UPSC stated that these new centres have effectively distributed the candidate load, providing greater convenience to those appearing for the exam.
The civil services examination, a multi-stage recruitment process comprising preliminary, mains, and interview rounds, is conducted annually for entry into prestigious services such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS). This year’s preliminary examination is scheduled for Sunday.
The Commission reported receiving a total of 8,19,372 applications for the preliminary examination. UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar highlighted that the expansion of examination centres is a step towards a more candidate-friendly, accessible, and efficient examination system. He emphasized that the aim is to alleviate pressure on established centres and offer more logistical ease to aspirants.
In a move to support candidates with benchmark disabilities, the UPSC has also ensured that Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) candidates are allocated their preferred examination centres, even if it requires exceeding the usual capacity. Additional seats have been created where necessary to accommodate these preferences. The Commission noted that approximately 805 PwBD candidates in the Delhi area alone were able to secure their centre of choice due to these arrangements.
The newly established Bhubaneshwar centre saw a significant uptake, with 10,656 applications, thereby reducing the pressure on the Cuttack centre. Similarly, the Kanpur centre attracted 6,938 applications, easing the burden on the Lucknow centre. The Meerut centre received 5,902 applications, benefiting candidates in western Uttar Pradesh by decreasing their reliance on the Ghaziabad centre, according to the UPSC.
To further improve the examination infrastructure, the UPSC incorporated a dropdown option in the Civil Services Preliminary Examination-2026 application form. This feature allows candidates to indicate nearby cities they would prefer for their examination centres. The data gathered from this exercise is expected to aid in identifying suitable locations for future additional examination centres.
These developments reflect the UPSC’s ongoing commitment to modernizing its examination processes to meet contemporary requirements. The Commission continues to uphold the highest standards of fairness, transparency, and integrity in its operations. The introduction of these new centres and the enhanced candidate-centric approach are part of the Commission’s continuous efforts to refine its administrative procedures.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
