In a first-of-its-kind move, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the provisional answer key for the Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026 immediately after the exam, marking a major shift in the Commission’s examination process.
The Civil Services Preliminary Examination was conducted on Sunday, and the provisional answer key was made public on Wednesday.
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Major Shift in UPSC’s Long-Standing Practice
Traditionally, UPSC released the answer key only after the declaration of the final examination results, often nearly a year after the prelims were conducted.
The new step is being viewed as a significant move towards greater transparency and quicker grievance redressal for candidates appearing in one of India’s most competitive examinations.
One Question Dropped From Preliminary Examination
The Commission also announced that one out of the 100 questions in the examination has been dropped.
In an official statement, UPSC said candidates can submit representations or objections regarding the provisional answers till 6 pm on May 31, 2026.
Candidates have been asked to provide the correct answer as per their understanding, along with a brief explanation and supporting references from three authentic sources.
Expert Review Before Final Answer Key
UPSC stated that all representations received from candidates will be examined by teams of subject experts through a “comprehensive and meticulous review” process.
However, the Commission clarified that the final answer key will continue to be released only after the declaration of the final results, in line with existing practice.
Over 5.49 Lakh Candidates Appeared
This year, nearly 5.49 lakh candidates appeared for the Civil Services Preliminary Examination.
The examination is being conducted to fill 933 Civil Services vacancies and 90 Indian Forest Service posts.
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