Civil Services Preliminary Exam 2026: Key Highlights and Scoring Guide

Overview of the Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026

The Civil Services Preliminary Examination for 2026 took place on May 24 across various designated centers nationwide, divided into two shifts. The first shift featured General Studies (Paper-I) from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM, followed by the Civil Services Aptitude Test (Paper-II) from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM.

Participation Statistics

**5.49 Lakh Candidates Participated**

A total of 5.49 lakh candidates took part in the Civil Services Preliminary Examination, organized by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Sunday, May 24. Out of 8,19,732 registered candidates, this turnout reflects significant interest in the examination.

Innovative Identity Verification

**Introduction of Real-Time Face Authentication**

In a groundbreaking move, the UPSC introduced 'Real-Time Face Authentication' at exam centers for the first time to verify candidates' identities, aiming to eliminate impersonation attempts.

Provisional Answer Key Release

**Anticipated Release of Provisional Answer Key**

The UPSC is expected to release the provisional answer key shortly after the examination concludes. Although it has not yet been published, candidates can expect it within the next couple of days. Once available, candidates will have the chance to verify their answers and raise objections if they find discrepancies.

Scoring Methodology

**Calculating Scores with the Answer Key**

Paper-I consists of 100 questions, awarding 2 marks for each correct answer, while 1/3 mark (0.66) is deducted for incorrect responses. Paper-II includes 80 questions, with 2.5 marks for correct answers and a deduction of 1/3 mark (0.83) for wrong answers. Candidates should tally their correct answers, calculate the total score, and subtract the penalties for incorrect answers to find their final score.