NEW DELHI — The Union Public Service Commission will conduct the Civil Services Examination Preliminary test on May 24, 2026, with candidates now able to appear at 83 centres nationwide following the recent addition of three new venues, according to reports.
The expansion marks an increase from the previous 80 examination centres spread across the country. The Civil Services Examination remains one of India's most competitive recruitment processes, attracting lakhs of aspirants annually who compete for positions in the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service, and other prestigious Group A and Group B services.
The preliminary examination serves as the first stage of the three-tier selection process, which also includes a main written examination and a personality test. Candidates who clear the objective-type preliminary test become eligible to appear for the descriptive main examination, typically held several months later.
The addition of examination centres is seen as an effort to accommodate the growing number of aspirants and improve accessibility for candidates from various regions. The UPSC typically releases detailed guidelines regarding examination day protocols, including reporting time, prohibited items, and documentation requirements, closer to the test date. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official UPSC portal for updates regarding their allotted examination centres and other relevant instructions.