theIAShub | 27 May, 2026 | 65 | 0 |
The wait is finally over. UPSC has officially released the Provisional Answer Key for the Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026. Students who appeared for the exam on 24th May 2026 can now download the answer key from the official website — upsc.gov.in — and check their answers.
Click the links below to directly download the official answer key PDFs:
| Paper | Download Link |
|---|---|
| GS Paper 1 (General Studies) | Download PDF |
| GS Paper 2 (CSAT) | Download PDF |
Note: If the direct link does not open, visit upsc.gov.in → Click “Examinations” → Select “Answer Keys” → Download your Set (A, B, C or D).
In previous years, UPSC never released the answer key until the entire exam process — Prelims, Mains, and Interviews — was completed. That process used to take over a year, leaving students completely in the dark.
This year, UPSC has broken that tradition. For the very first time, the provisional answer key has been released just days after the Prelims. This is a major reform and a huge relief for lakhs of aspirants.
Paper 1 — General Studies (GS) 100 questions, 200 marks. This is the key paper. Your score here decides whether you make it to the Mains exam.
Paper 2 — CSAT 80 questions, 200 marks. This is only a qualifying paper. You need at least 33% (66 marks) to pass. CSAT marks are not added to your final score.
Use this simple formula to estimate your Prelims score:
Score = (Correct Answers × 2) − (Wrong Answers × 0.66)
Questions you did not attempt carry no marks and no penalty.
Along with the answer key, UPSC has also opened the QPRep Portal — a platform where you can raise objections if you think any answer in the key is incorrect. You need to submit proof from a reliable source to support your objection.
Last date to raise objections: 31st May 2026 at 6:00 PM.
After this deadline, a team of experts will review all objections. If any answer is found to be wrong, it will be corrected in the final answer key before results are announced.
Students who clear the Prelims cutoff will move on to the Mains Examination, beginning 21st August 2026. The Mains has 9 papers in total, out of which 7 carry merit marks worth 1,750 marks.
After Mains, shortlisted candidates are called for the Personality Test (Interview), which carries 275 marks.
The final selection is based on a combined total of 2,025 marks (Mains + Interview).
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Exam Date | 24th May 2026 |
| Answer Key Status | Released (Provisional) |
| Last Date for Objections | 31st May 2026, 6:00 PM |
| Mains Exam Date | 21st August 2026 |
| Total Final Merit Marks | 2,025 (Mains + Interview) |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
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