My center stage option is not showing in my settings despite having the latest iPad OS updates. Is my unit defective?

I just opened FaceTime and it’s homepage talks about center stage. Now it shows in settings under FaceTime. I guess you have to open the app that uses it. Messenger too I imagine.

If you have just received your iPad, ensure that it has been updated to the current version of iPadOS. The shipping version will not be the most recently released version; at the time of writing, the current version is iPadOS 14.6.

If the problem persists, a forced-restart of the iPad will often resolve an isolated software issue:

• On an iPad with a Home button: Press and hold the top button and the Home button at the same time. When the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.
• On other iPad models: Press and quickly release the volume up button, press and quickly release the volume down button, then press and hold the top button. When the Apple logo appears, release the button.

Just to check that you are checking the correct location in Settings:

Settings > FaceTime > Centre Stage - set to ON

This section of the iPad User Guide for iPadOS refers:

Change FaceTime audio and video settings on iPad - Apple Support

I tried all the above steps and also did a normal restart of my iPad 12.9. Software is also updated to latest but still no option for center stage in settings

I also do not have an option for center stage on my iPad I just received today??

That worked! After updating my iPad the option in the settings! Thanks a lot!

Idem for my iPad.

I have the same issue. Even after update to 14.6 and reboot.