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UPSC Releases 2026 Civil Services Preliminary Exam Answer Key

The UPSC has made a significant move by releasing the answer key for the Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026 ahead of the final results. This allows candidates to evaluate their performance and raise objections if necessary. With the examination held on May 24, candidates can now access the answer keys for General Studies Paper I and II on the official UPSC website. This initiative aims to enhance transparency and provide timely information to students. Additionally, three new exam centers have been introduced, further accommodating the needs of candidates. Read on to learn more about the download process and how to raise objections.
By Ambika Singh May 28, 2026, 08:30 IST
UPSC Releases 2026 Civil Services Preliminary Exam Answer Key

UPSC Answer Key for Civil Services Preliminary Exam 2026



The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has unveiled the answer key for the Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026. This marks a notable first, as the Commission has made the answer key available prior to the announcement of the final results, allowing candidates to evaluate their performance more effectively. The answer keys for both General Studies Paper I and Paper II can now be accessed on the official UPSC website. Furthermore, candidates are given the option to raise objections concerning specific questions.


This initiative is being recognized as a major advancement in promoting transparency within the examination process and providing timely updates to students. The answer keys for both General Studies Paper-I and Paper-II are available in PDF format for download from the official site.


**Steps to Download the Answer Key:**


1. Visit the official UPSC website.


2. Go to the 'What's New' section on the homepage.


3. Click on the link for 'Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2026'.


4. Open the PDF links for 'General Studies Paper-I' and 'General Studies Paper-II'.


5. The provisional answer key will be displayed on your screen.


6. Download the PDF and print it for future reference.


**Examination Date**


The Civil Services Preliminary Examination took place on May 24, with two sessions held across 2,072 centers in 83 cities. Approximately 8.19 lakh candidates registered for the exam, with around 67% of them actually participating.


**Objection Submission Process**


Candidates have the opportunity to contest the answer key through a dedicated online portal. If there are any concerns regarding specific questions or answers, candidates can submit their arguments along with supporting documents.


**Expert Review Process**


After the objection period concludes, all submissions will be evaluated by subject matter experts. The final answer key will be established following this review.


**Benefits for Candidates**


The early release of the answer key allows candidates to estimate their potential scores, aiding them in assessing their readiness for the Mains examination.


**New Exam Centers Introduced**


This year, the UPSC has introduced three additional examination centers located in Bhubaneswar, Kanpur, and Meerut, with around 23,000 candidates choosing these new locations.


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