UPSC Mains Exam Centres 2026: Complete City-Wise List

The UPSC Mains Exam Centres 2026 list informs candidates the cities where the Civil Services (Main) Examination will be held. Knowing your centre early helps you plan travel, stay, and your exam-day routine without last-minute stress.

The UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026 is expected to begin around 21st August 2026. As per the official notice, the UPSC Mains Exam Centre List for 2026 has 27 centres spread across different states and union territories of India.

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Latest Update on UPSC Mains Exam 2026

The UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026 is scheduled to begin on 21st August 2026 and conclude on 30th August 2026, held across two consecutive weekends with five exam days in total. 

The Prelims result was declared on 15th June 2026, with 13,343 candidates qualifying, and the Mains application window (to reconfirm cadre preferences and generate the e-Admit Card) was open from 19th to 28th June 2026. Candidates should download their e-Admit Card and confirm their allotted centre without delay. 

UPSC Mains Exam Centres List 2026

Candidates must choose a centre from this list while filling the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination application form. The same choice carries forward for the Mains exam. Below is the complete UPSC Mains Exam Centre List with all 27 cities.

This is the official UPSC Mains Exam Centres List 2026 for the Civil Services (Main) Examination. Candidates can only pick a centre from this list, since UPSC does not allow the Mains exam to be conducted anywhere else.

UPSC Mains Exam Centre Zone Wise

Candidates often want to know their nearest option before applying. Here is a quick UPSC Mains Exam Centre Zone Wise view for the major regions:

• North India: Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Jammu, Shimla, Srinagar, Dehradun

• South India: Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Vijayawada

• East India: Kolkata, Patna, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Prayagraj

• North-East India: Dispur (Guwahati), Imphal, Shillong, Aizawl

• West & Central India: Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Raipur

Some states have more than one nearby option, while candidates from smaller states and union territories may need to travel to the closest available centre.

How UPSC Mains Exam Centres Are Allotted

UPSC follows a "first-apply-first-allot" rule for the Mains exam centre, just like it does for Prelims. This means:

• Applying early gives you a better chance of getting your preferred UPSC Mains Exam Centre 2026.

• Once a centre reaches its seat limit, it is closed for new applicants.

• Cities like Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, and Dispur usually have no fixed seat ceiling.

• Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) can still choose their preferred centre even after it is marked full.

• Once your centre is confirmed, UPSC does not entertain requests to change it later.

Your final, allotted centre will be printed only on your e-Admit Card, along with the exact venue address and reporting time.

Tips to Choose Your UPSC Mains Exam Centre

These tips can help you select a convenient UPSC Mains exam centre and avoid common issues while submitting your application. 

• Apply as early as possible during the Prelims application window to improve your chances.

• Pick a centre you are familiar with, or one that is easy to reach by train or flight.

• Avoid last-minute changes in preference, since requests for a centre change are not accepted after submission.

• Keep a printed copy of your e-Admit Card, since it will confirm your final UPSC Mains Exam Centre Details.

• Double-check your selected city against the official UPSC Mains Exam Centre List before submitting your form.

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Related Resources

• UPSC Civil Services Mains Exam Notification

• UPSC Prelims Exam Centres List

• UPSC Mains Exam Pattern

• UPSC Mains Syllabus

• UPSC Mains Admit Card