Agencies | New Delhi:

The Union Public Service Commission on Sunday successfully conducted the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination and the Indian Forest Service (Preliminary) Examination 2026 at more than 2,000 centres across 83 cities nationwide.

According to provisional data released by the commission, nearly 5.49 lakh candidates appeared for the examinations out of over eight lakh registered applicants.

The examinations were held simultaneously under elaborate arrangements made by the commission to ensure smooth and fair conduct at centres across the country.

The Civil Services Examination is conducted annually for recruitment to various prestigious central government services, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS).

The Indian Forest Service Examination is held for recruitment to forestry and environmental administration-related posts under the central government.

Officials said the examinations were conducted peacefully, with security and logistical measures put in place to manage large-scale candidate participation nationwide.