The UPSC Prelims Exam Centres List for 2026 includes many cities across India. These centres are used to conduct the UPSC Examination 2026. The UPSC Prelims Exam Centres 2026 are strategically located to ensure the smooth and efficient conduct of the examination. This wide distribution promotes accessibility for candidates from diverse regions. It encourages greater participation in the exam.
The UPSC Prelims 2026 is the first stage of the selection process and sees high participation. To manage this, exam centres are set up in both urban and semi-urban areas. This reduces travel difficulties for aspirants.
In this article, we will look at the UPSC Prelims exam centres list 2026, along with the city-wise center list.
UPSC Prelims Exam Centres 2026: Overview
Students are required to select their preferred exam center during the application process. UPSC Prelims Exam Centres 2026 are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. This means students have a chance of securing their preferred location. The aim is to make these centers accessible all over India, overcoming geographical barriers.
| Feature | Details |
| Exam Name | UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Total Exam Centers | 72+ Cities Across India |
| Choice of Centers | First-Apply-First Allot Basis (Based on availability at the time of registration) |
| Official Website | www.upsc.gov.in |
UPSC 2026 City-Wise Center List
The UPSC ensures the availability of exam centres across various regions of India. This provides equal opportunities to all applicants. For the 2026 cycle, UPSC will continue to conduct both the Prelims and Mains examinations. These will take place in a wide network of cities, including major urban centres and key regional hubs.
Below outlines the UPSC 2026 city-wise center list. It largely aligns with previous years, covering major cities to ensure accessibility for candidates nationwide.
| Centre | Centre | Centre | |||
| 1 | Agartala | 29 | Gurgaon | 57 | Portblair |
| 2 | Agra | 30 | Gwalior | 58 | Prayagraj (Allahabad) |
| 3 | Ahmedabad | 31 | Hyderabad | 59 | Puducherry |
| 4 | Aizawl | 32 | Imphal | 60 | Pune |
| 5 | Ajmer | 33 | Indore | 61 | Raipur |
| 6 | Aligarh | 34 | Itanagar | 62 | Rajkot |
| 7 | Almora (Uttarakhand) | 35 | Jabalpur | 63 | Ranchi |
| 8 | Ananthapur | 36 | Jaipur | 64 | Sambalpur |
| 9 | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) | 37 | Jammu | 65 | Shillong |
| 10 | Bareilly | 38 | Jodhpur | 66 | Shimla |
| 11 | Bengaluru | 39 | Jorhat | 67 | Siliguri |
| 12 | Bhopal | 40 | Kargil | 68 | Srinagar |
| 13 | Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh) | 41 | Kochi | 69 | Srinagar (Uttarakhand) |
| 14 | Chandigarh | 42 | Kohima | 70 | Surat |
| 15 | Chennai | 43 | Kolkata | 71 | Thane |
| 16 | Coimbatore | 44 | Kozhikode (Calicut) | 72 | Thiruvananthapuram |
| 17 | Cuttack | 45 | Leh | 73 | Tiruchirappalli |
| 18 | Dehradun | 46 | Lucknow | 74 | Tirupati |
| 19 | Delhi | 47 | Ludhiana | 75 | Udaipur |
| 20 | Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh) | 48 | Madurai | 76 | Varanasi |
| 21 | Dharwar | 49 | Mandi (Himachal Pradesh) | 77 | Vellore |
| 22 | Dispur | 50 | Mumbai | 78 | Vijayawada |
| 23 | Faridabad | 51 | Mysuru | 79 | Vishakhapatnam |
| 24 | Gangtok | 52 | Nagpur | 80 | Warangal |
| 25 | Gautam Buddh Nagar | 53 | Nasik | ||
| 26 | Gaya | 54 | Navi Mumbai | ||
| 27 | Ghaziabad | 55 | Panaji (Goa) | ||
| 28 | Gorakhpur | 56 | Patna |
How to Check UPSC Prelims Exam Centre 2026?
To ensure a stress-free exam experience, students must know how to check their exam centre location. This is particularly important for the UPSC exam. Students can easily find this information through the official UPSC portal.
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Steps to check your exam centre:
Log in to the UPSC portal using your registration ID and password.
- Navigate to the “Admit Card” section to view your centre details.
- Note the complete address and any specific instructions for your Prelims or Mains centre.
- Plan your travel in advance to avoid delays on exam day.
- Additionally, refer to the centre lists provided for both Prelims and Mains. These are listed separately to help you identify your test locations for each stage of the examination.Â
- Reviewing both lists thoroughly will help you stay prepared and avoid last-minute confusion.
UPSC Prelims 2026 Exam Centre Selecting Factors
Key factors to consider while choosing UPSC Prelims exam centres 2026 are:
1. Nearby Location: Select a nearby center to minimize travel time and stress, aiding time management on exam day.
2. Easy Accessibility: Pick a central location with good transport links.
3. Familiar Environment: Choose a familiar centre outside your city to avoid last-minute confusion.
4. Seat Availability: Popular centers like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru fill up quickly. Apply early to secure your spot.
5. Weather Comfort: Consider the city’s climate for the Mains exam, lasting several days. Choose a location with favorable weather.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the UPSC Prelims Exam Centres 2026 offer wide accessibility for candidates. Choose a convenient center to minimize stress. This will help you focus on your preparation. Stay organized and informed about your exam details. This way, you can approach the test confidently. Best of luck to all aspirants!
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Frequently Asked Questions
UPSC Prelims 2026 will be conducted across more than 80 exam centres in India.
You can find your UPSC exam centre details on the admit card available at the official UPSC website.
No, once allotted, the UPSC exam centre cannot be changed.
The UPSC Prelims exam centres are allotted based on the first-come, first-served rule and candidates’ preferences.
You choose your preferred exam centres while filling out the UPSC application form.
The UPSC allows candidates to change the UPSC Prelims exam centre under certain special circumstances through a dedicated portal.
