UPSC CSE Prelims 2026 Answer Key Released

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the provisional answer key for the Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026. Candidates who appeared for the exam on 24th May 2026 can now verify their responses against the official key. This document is crucial for candidates to estimate their performance and determine their eligibility for the Main Examination.

Key Highlights

• Exam Name: Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026
• Authority: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
• Answer Key Status: Provisional Released
• Objection Deadline: 31st May 2026 (6:00 PM)

Important Dates

How to Calculate Your UPSC CSE Score

To estimate your score, refer to the official marking scheme provided by the UPSC:

• General Studies (Paper I): Each correct answer carries +2 marks, while a wrong answer attracts a penalty of -0.66 marks.
• CSAT (Paper II): Each correct answer carries +2.5 marks, with a penalty of -0.83 marks for incorrect responses.

Formula: Total Score = (Number of Correct Answers x Marks per Question) - (Number of Wrong Answers x Negative Marking)

Steps to Raise Objections

If you identify any discrepancies in the provisional answer key, follow these steps to file an objection:

1. Log in to the official UPSC QPRep portal using your registration credentials.
2. Navigate to the 'Challenge/Objection' section.
3. Select the specific question paper and question number you wish to challenge.
4. Upload credible, standard references to support your claim.
5. Submit your challenge before the 31st May 2026, 6:00 PM deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Q: Is the released answer key final?
  A: No, this is the provisional key. A final answer key will be released after reviewing all candidate objections.
• Q: Can I submit objections via email?
  A: No, all objections must be submitted exclusively through the official UPSC online portal.
• Q: What happens if I miss the objection deadline?
  A: The commission will not consider any objections or representations submitted after the prescribed deadline.
• Q: Where can I find the official answer key PDFs?
  A: You can download them directly from the official UPSC website under the 'What's New' section.
• Q: Does the cut-off change after the final answer key?
  A: Yes, the final answer key may lead to minor adjustments in the scoring, which in turn influences the official cut-off marks.