UPSC Prelims Centre List 2026: Exam Cities and Centre Selection Rules

UPSC prelims centre list 2026 is a crucial component of the Civil Services Examination application process, as the choice of examination centre directly affects a candidate’s exam-day logistics and preparedness. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination across multiple cities in India to ensure nationwide accessibility. Understanding the UPSC prelims exam centres 2026, centre availability, allotment rules, and selection process helps candidates make informed decisions while filling out the application form. 

UPSC Prelims Exam Centres

UPSC prelims centres are officially notified cities where the Union Public Service Commission conducts the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination. These centres serve as designated examination locations where candidates appear for the first stage of the UPSC Civil Services Examination.

The UPSC prelims exam centre cities 2026 are distributed across states and Union Territories to ensure regional balance and administrative feasibility. Candidates must select their preferred centre during the online registration process, subject to availability and UPSC’s allotment policy.

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UPSC Prelims Centre List 2026

The following cities constitute the officially notified UPSC prelims exam venue list 2026 for the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination. These centres collectively form the UPSC prelims exam location list 2026, allowing candidates to choose the most suitable city based on proximity and accessibility.

The above list also functions as the UPSC prelims centre city wise list 2026 and can be grouped to create a UPSC prelims centre state wise list 2026 for state-specific analysis.

UPSC Prelims Centre List PDF 2026

The UPSC prelims centre list PDF for 2026 has been released along with the official examination notification. The PDF provides a consolidated view of all examination cities and serves as a reference while filling the application form. Candidates are advised to cross-check city names carefully, as centre selection is final once submitted. The UPSC Prelims Center List 2026 PDF also helps aspirants identify their UPSC Prelims nearest exam centre 2026 in advance.

UPSC Prelims Exam Centre Allotment Policy 2026

The UPSC prelims exam centre allocation 2026 follows a clearly defined policy issued by the Commission. Most centres operate under a fixed capacity, and allotment is done on a first-apply-first-allot basis. Early submission of the application significantly increases the chances of securing the preferred centre.

Chennai, Dispur, Kolkata, and Nagpur are exceptions, where no fixed ceiling applies. Once a centre reaches full capacity, it becomes unavailable for non-PwBD candidates. However, UPSC prelims centre availability 2026 remains open for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) at all notified centres.

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Centre Preference Selection and Change Rules

During the online registration process, candidates must select their preferred city under UPSC prelims centre preference selection 2026. UPSC strongly advises applicants to choose centres carefully, considering travel distance and exam-day convenience.

Requests related to UPSC prelims centre change request 2026 are not entertained after final submission of the application. Similarly, there is no separate UPSC prelims centre correction window 2026 for modifying exam centre choices. This makes early and accurate selection essential.

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