UPSC CSE Prelims 2026 Provisional Answer Key Released

In a major reform, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the Provisional Answer Key for the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026. This is the first time UPSC has released the key so early in the process.

• UPSC CSE Prelims 2026 was conducted on May 24, 2026
• Provisional Answer Key for both GS Paper 1 and CSAT Paper 2 has been released
• Candidates can raise objections through the dedicated QPRep portal till May 31, 2026 (6:00 PM)
• This early release allows candidates to evaluate their performance well in advance
• Objections will be reviewed by subject experts before finalizing the key
• Final answer key will be released only after the entire examination process is completed
• Candidates can download the answer key PDFs from the official UPSC website
• The move has been appreciated as a step towards greater transparency
• Score calculation using the provisional key will help candidates plan for Mains preparation
• UPSC has clarified that the final result will be based on the final answer key only
• Candidates are advised to submit objections with proper justification and supporting documents