The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has, for the first time, published the provisional answer key for the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026.
According to a press release, candidates who took the examination may submit their representations until 6 PM on May 31 through the dedicated Online Question Paper Representation Portal (QPRep), available at upsconline.nic.in. Representations must specify the correct answer key according to the candidate’s understanding, accompanied by a brief explanation and supporting documents from three authentic sources.
All representations received will be reviewed thoroughly by teams of subject experts with domain knowledge, who will examine each submission, assess the supporting evidence, and record their considered views regarding the accuracy of the provisional answer key for the respective questions. The final answer key will be released only after the declaration of the final results, in line with established Commission procedures.
The press release also stated that the question papers for UPSC examinations are prepared by subject matter experts from across the country, aligning with examination objectives and requirements to ensure fairness for candidates from varied academic, social, and regional backgrounds. For the 2026 Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, questions were based on authentic and credible sources such as standard textbooks, journals, government websites, government press releases, and reputable newspapers.
Approximately 549,000 candidates appeared for the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, which included 933 vacancies in Civil Services and 80 posts in the Indian Forest Service (IFoS). The examination took place on May 24, comprising two mandatory sessions: General Studies (Paper-I) from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM and the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) [Paper-II] from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM, conducted under strict adherence to institutional guidelines and examination protocols.
The release of the provisional answer key demonstrates UPSC’s dedication to transparency, fairness, and integrity in its examination process and provides candidates with the opportunity for informed and constructive participation.
