The Union Public Service Commission has officially added Bhubaneswar as a new examination centre for the Civil Services Examination Preliminary Examination 2026.
May 23, 2026
The Union Public Service Commission has officially added Bhubaneswar as a new examination centre for the Civil Services Examination Preliminary Examination 2026.
Key Highlights
* Bhubaneswar was introduced to reduce pressure on existing examination centres and improve accessibility for aspirants in eastern India.
* Among the three newly added centres — Bhubaneswar, Kanpur, and Meerut — Bhubaneswar emerged as the most preferred choice.
* A total of **10,656 applications** were received for the Bhubaneswar centre alone.
* With these additions, the total number of UPSC preliminary examination centres has increased from **80 to 83**.
* Nearly **23,000 candidates** collectively selected the newly introduced centres.
* The commission also strengthened accessibility measures for **Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD)** by prioritizing allotment of their preferred examination centres.
Why This Matters
The inclusion of Bhubaneswar is a significant development for UPSC aspirants from Odisha and nearby regions. It is expected to:
* Reduce travel burden and accommodation costs.
* Improve convenience and accessibility for candidates.
* Encourage greater participation from eastern India.
* Support inclusive examination practices for differently-abled candidates.
This move reflects the growing importance of Bhubaneswar as an educational and administrative hub in eastern India.