Patna: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026 will be conducted in Patna on Sunday, with 39,147 candidates expected to appear across 79 examination centres.
The examination will be held in two shifts under heightened administrative supervision and security arrangements, officials said.
Administrative review conducted
Divisional Commissioner and Coordinating Supervisor Mayank Varvade on Friday reviewed preparations at Srikrishna Memorial Hall, directing officials to ensure a fair, peaceful and malpractice-free examination environment.
Officials said the 79 examination sub-centres have been divided into 30 zones considering the scale and sensitivity of the all-India examination.
Security and monitoring measures
The administration has deployed 79 inspection officers and 79 assistant supervisors-cum-static magistrates for centre-level monitoring. In addition, 30 zonal magistrates and 16 reserve magistrates and police officers have been appointed.
Authorities said local inspection officers would be responsible for ensuring full compliance with UPSC guidelines and examination protocols.
Senior officials present at the review meeting included District Magistrate Thiyagarajan SM, Senior Superintendent of Police Kartikeya K Sharma, observers deputed by the UPSC, Traffic Superintendent of Police and other administrative officers.
Focus on traffic and crowd management
Special emphasis has been placed on traffic regulation and crowd control on examination day.
The Divisional Commissioner directed traffic police officials to ensure smooth movement of candidates and examination personnel near centres.
Officials also clarified that centre superintendents, invigilators and examination staff would not be permitted to carry mobile phones inside examination halls.
Entry restrictions for candidates
According to the administration, no candidate will be allowed entry after 9 am in the first shift and after 2 pm in the second shift.
Candidates will also not be permitted to leave the examination hall before the conclusion of the test.
City Magistrate Shailendra Kumar has been appointed as the nodal officer for coordination. Local inspection officers have been instructed to submit attendance data for each shift to the control room within 30 minutes of commencement of the examination.
UPSC appoints observers
The UPSC has deputed four senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers as observers to monitor the conduct of the examination in Patna.
