Q47Current AffairsDisputed
Source
Current Affairs — Grand Slam Tennis Tournaments
Loading...
GS Paper 1CSAT Paper 2
Live — Updated within minutes of exam
UPSC Official Provisional Answer Key 2026 — ReleasedUPSC CSE Prelims 2026 Answer Key with Solutions & Marks Calculator — GS Paper 1 (Set A, B, C, D)
Evaluate your UPSC Civil Services (IAS) Prelims 2026 answers against all major coaching institute answer keys with solutions— Set A, B, C, and D. Free instant marks calculator (score calculator) with negative marking, category-wise cutoff prediction, disputed question analysis, and question-wise community discussion — all in one place.
The most comprehensive UPSC 2026 answer key — updated live as coaching institutes publish their keys.
Last updated:
EXAM DETAILS
UPSC Prelims 2026 — Exam Details
Quick reference for the UPSC Civil Services (IAS) Preliminary Exam 2026 — exam date, timings, marking scheme, and official answer key timeline.
| Exam Name | UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Exam 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Date | May 24, 2026 (Sunday) |
| Paper 1 (GS) | 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM (2 hours, 100 questions) |
| Paper 2 (CSAT) | 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM (2 hours, 80 questions) |
| Marking Scheme | +2 correct, −0.66 wrong (1/3rd negative marking) |
| Total Marks | GS: 200, CSAT: 200 (qualifying — 33% minimum) |
| Result Expected | June-July 2026 |
| Provisional Answer Key | “Soon after Exam” — exact date TBC (first time ever) |
| Objection Window | Until 6:00 PM, May 31, 2026 via QPRep portal |
SET-WISE ANSWER KEY
UPSC Prelims 2026 Answer Key — Set A, B, C, D (GS Paper 1)
UnlockIAS answer key for the UPSC/IAS Prelims 2026 GS Paper 1 is live for Set A, B, C, D. Find your set's column and read down. See disputed questions where coaching institutes disagree, or use the score calculator above for your full evaluation.
| Q. No. | Set A | Set B | Set C | Set D | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | d | b | a | d | Published |
| Q2 | a | b | b | a | Published |
| Q3 | c | d | b | c | Published |
| Q4 | b | d | b | b | Published |
| Q5 | b | c | b | b | Published |
| Q6 | a | c | b | b | Published |
| Q7 | d | a | c | a | Published |
| Q8 | a | d | b | d | Published |
| Q9 | c | c | b | d | Published |
| Q10 | c | b | c | b | Published |
| Q11 | d | a | b | d | Published |
| Q12 | a | b | b | a | Published |
| Q13 | c | b | d | c | Published |
| Q14 | b | b | d | b | Published |
| Q15 | b | b | c | b | Published |
| Q16 | b | b | c | a | Published |
| Q17 | a | c | a | d | Published |
| Q18 | d | b | d | a | Published |
| Q19 | d | b | c | c | Published |
| Q20 | b | c | b | c | Published |
| Q21 | b | d | d | a | Published |
| Q22 | b | a | a | b | Published |
| Q23 | d | c | c | b | Published |
| Q24 | d | b | b | b | Published |
| Q25 | c | b | b | b | Published |
| Q26 | c | a | b | b | Published |
| Q27 | a | d | a | c | Published |
| Q28 | d | a | d | b | Published |
| Q29 | c | c | d | b | Published |
| Q30 | b | c | b | c | Published |
| Q31 | a | d | d | b | Published |
| Q32 | b | a | a | b | Published |
| Q33 | b | c | c | d | Published |
| Q34 | b | b | b | d | Published |
| Q35 | b | b | b | c | Published |
| Q36 | b | b | a | c | Published |
| Q37 | c | a | d | a | Published |
| Q38 | b | d | a | d | Published |
| Q39 | b | d | c | c | Published |
| Q40 | c | b | c | b | Published |
| Q41 | c | c | c | c | Published |
| Q42 | b | a | a | b | Published |
| Q43 | c | b | c | b | Published |
| Q44 | b | d | c | c | Published |
| Q45 | b | b | d | c | Published |
| Q46 | c | b | a | c | Published |
| Q47 | b | a | c | a | Published |
| Q48 | b | c | b | c | Published |
| Q49 | c | d | b | a | Published |
| Q50 | b | a | a | a | Published |
| Q51 | c | d | c | c | Published |
| Q52 | a | d | c | a | Published |
| Q53 | b | a | d | c | Published |
| Q54 | d | x | a | c | Published |
| Q55 | b | d | a | d | Published |
| Q56 | b | a | c | a | Published |
| Q57 | a | b | b | c | Published |
| Q58 | c | a | c | b | Published |
| Q59 | d | c | b | b | Published |
| Q60 | a | a | b | a | Published |
| Q61 | d | b | c | c | Published |
| Q62 | d | c | b | c | Published |
| Q63 | a | d | b | d | Published |
| Q64 | x | b | c | a | Published |
| Q65 | d | c | b | a | Published |
| Q66 | a | c | c | c | Published |
| Q67 | b | b | a | b | Published |
| Q68 | a | b | b | c | Published |
| Q69 | c | c | d | b | Published |
| Q70 | a | c | b | b | Published |
| Q71 | b | c | b | c | Published |
| Q72 | c | a | a | b | Published |
| Q73 | d | c | c | b | Published |
| Q74 | b | a | d | c | Published |
| Q75 | c | a | a | b | Published |
| Q76 | c | c | d | c | Published |
| Q77 | b | a | d | a | Published |
| Q78 | b | c | a | b | Published |
| Q79 | c | c | x | d | Published |
| Q80 | c | d | d | b | Published |
| Q81 | c | a | a | b | Published |
| Q82 | a | c | b | a | Published |
| Q83 | c | b | a | c | Published |
| Q84 | a | b | c | d | Published |
| Q85 | a | a | a | a | Published |
| Q86 | c | c | b | d | Published |
| Q87 | a | c | c | d | Published |
| Q88 | c | d | d | a | Published |
| Q89 | c | a | b | x | Published |
| Q90 | d | a | c | d | Published |
| Q91 | a | c | c | a | Published |
| Q92 | c | b | b | b | Published |
| Q93 | b | c | b | a | Published |
| Q94 | b | b | c | c | Published |
| Q95 | a | b | c | a | Published |
| Q96 | c | c | c | b | Published |
| Q97 | c | b | a | c | Published |
| Q98 | d | b | c | d | Published |
| Q99 | a | c | a | b | Published |
| Q100 | a | b | a | c | Published |
| Q. No. | Question (Set D) | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Consider the following assertion : In the Pleistocene period either the Yamuna once flowed into the Indus, or the Sutlej flowed into the Yamuna and one major tributary of either had shifted from the Ganga to the Indus or vice versa. Which of the following is/are the basis of the above assertion ?… | d |
| Q2 | What does an empty seat represent in early Buddhist iconography ? | a |
| Q3 | Which of the following pairs of ancient and modern names of rivers is/are correctly matched ? 1. Vitasta : Chenab 2. Asikni : Jhelum 3. Parushni : Ravi 4. Yavyavati : Beas Select the answer using the code given below : | c |
| Q4 | Which of the following statements on the Amaravati Stupa and its relief sculpture is/are correct ? 1. It was located in the lower Krishna valley. 2. In India, it was next only to the Sanchi Stupa in size. 3. The Amaravati school of sculpture made a lasting impact on the later South Indian… | b |
| Q5 | Which of the following pairs of the king and his dynasty in early historical Tamilakam is/are not correctly matched ? 1. Senguttuvan : Chera 2. Udiyanjeral : Chola 3. Nedunjeliyan : Pandya Select the answer using the code given below : | b |
| Q6 | Which of the following factors contributed to the formation of the Forward Bloc by Subhas Chandra Bose in 1939 ? 1. Bose failed to win the confidence of Mahatma Gandhi. 2. The Congress Left was disunited and failed to support Bose. 3. The Communists did not support Bose in his endeavours. 4. The… | b |
| Q7 | Consider the following statements regarding the British policy in Awadh immediately after its annexation in 1856 : 1. The taluqdars were dispossessed of their estates but allowed to retain their arms and forts. 2. A Summary Revenue Settlement was made in 1856 assuming that the taluqdars were… | a |
| Q8 | Consider the following assertion : The genesis of political alliances based on community lay in the very nature of the Montague-Chelmsford Reforms, 1919. Which of the following statements support/supports the above assertion ? 1. Reforms retained and extended the principle of separate electorates.… | d |
| Q9 | Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur, the famous classical singer from Karnataka, represented the : | d |
| Q10 | In which one among the following texts does the term kshetra-patni ('mistress of the field') originate ? | b |
| Q11 | Which one of the following Carnatic music ragas is similar to Raga Bilawal in Hindustani music ? | d |
| Q12 | The artificially fixed rupee-sterling exchange rate prescribed by the Hilton-Young Commission (1926) was adopted by the British Government for which one of the following reasons ? | a |
| Q13 | Consider the following statements : I. Pali texts contain the first definite references to coins, e.g., kahapana, nikkha, kamsa, and kakanika. II. The literary evidence from Pali texts is corroborated by archaeological evidence of punch-marked coins from many sites, most of them made of silver.… | c |
| Q14 | Which of the following temples has/have a Nagara-style shikhara ? 1. Malegitti Shivalaya, Badami 2. Huchimalligudi Temple, Aihole 3. Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh 4. Virupaksha Temple, Pattadakal Select the answer using the code given below : | b |
| Q15 | Among the four main forms of existence of life recognized in Jainism, which one of the following is not included ? | b |
| Q16 | The Hallisalasya painting in the Bagh Caves represents : | a |
| Q17 | Consider the following statements relating to the use of the place-value system in India : 1. The earliest epigraphic use of the place-value system in India is found in the Mankani plates from Gujarat (AD 595 — 596). 2. In the ninth century, place-values become general in inscriptions all over… | d |
| Q18 | Consider the following statements about the archaeological findings in Harappan towns : I. There is wide occurrence of spindle-whorls in the houses but absence of spinning wheels. II. Weights and measurement scales, complete with graduations have been discovered. III. There are houses built in… | a |
| Q19 | Which one of the following statements about the Eka Movement and Bardoli Satyagraha is correct ? | c |
| Q20 | Consider the following statements about the Rigvedic period : I. Irrigation from wells allowed agriculture to expand away from flood plains and strips on river margins into the present Punjab and Haryana plains having underground water levels reasonably close to the surface. II. Draught-animal… | c |
| Q21 | Tungurahua Volcano, which was declared a Global Geopark by UNESCO in 2025, is situated in which one among the following countries ? | a |
| Q22 | With reference to Madhav National Park, which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1. It was declared a Tiger Reserve in India in 2025. 2. Sakhya Sagar, which is designated as a Ramsar Site, is situated within this National Park. 3. Its area is shared between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.… | b |
| Q23 | With reference to the climate of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1. The climate can be defined as a humid, tropical coastal climate. 2. It receives rainfall from both South-west monsoon and North-east monsoon. 3. Maximum precipitation is between… | b |
| Q24 | Which of the following geographical features or phenomena is/are associated with the Peninsular Block of India ? 1. Submergence of parts of the western coast due to tectonic activity 2. Presence of residual mountain ranges such as the Veliconda hills and Mahendragiri hills 3. Deep, V-shaped river… | b |
| Q25 | Consider the following statements with reference to the Sagarmala Programme of the Government of India : I. The Sagarmala Programme seeks to achieve port-led economic growth through cost-effective and sustainable coastal infrastructure. II. The success of the Sagarmala Programme is reflected in… | b |
| Q26 | Consider the following statements about Rhynchostylis retusa (Foxtail orchid) : 1. It is an epiphytic orchid. 2. The species is endemic to North-east India. 3. It is the State flower of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ? | b |
| Q27 | Which one of the following statements with regard to the Moidams, built by the Tai-Ahom kingdom and inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is/are correct ? 1. They acted as army fortresses. 2. They were recreation centres of the Royals and Nobles. 3. They were burial grounds of the Royals… | c |
| Q28 | At the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) held in June, 2025 in France, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations demonstrated its leading voice on marine and ocean issues, especially on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture for resilient livelihood and "Blue… | b |
| Q29 | Which of the following statements with reference to Lake Turkana is/are correct ? 1. It is the largest desert lake in the world. 2. The lake is situated in South Sudan along the eastern fringe of the Sahara desert. 3. The lake is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also referred to as… | b |
| Q30 | Which one of the following is the first Plan Vivo certified Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) project in India ? | c |
| Q31 | Consider the following statements with reference to India's response to climate change : I. India's Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) is a crucial tool for achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. II. India's 4th Biennial Update Report (BUR-4) submitted in December, 2024 recorded… | b |
| Q32 | With respect to the Western Hoolock Gibbons, which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1. A Sanctuary in North-east India is home to this ape species listed as Endangered in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. 2. They have specialized brachiation and can… | b |
| Q33 | Which of the following best explain(s) the rationale for protecting mangrove ecosystems in the context of climate resilience ? 1. Mangroves reduce tidal energy and store freshwater, making them ideal sites for paddy cultivation in saline estuarine belts. 2. Their salt-sensitive roots filter… | d |
| Q34 | In what way(s) does the Vizhinjam International Seaport represent a structural shift in India's maritime trade and logistics policy ? 1. By functioning exclusively as a domestic cargo hub to reduce reliance on coastal shipping and eliminate the need for foreign collaborations. 2. By focusing… | d |
| Q35 | Identify the river of the Indian sub-continent on the basis of the following information : 1. It has an antecedent drainage system. 2. It flows through three countries. 3. It originates in the Tibetan Plateau and is an important river for irrigation. 4. It does not form distributaries. Select the… | c |
| Q36 | Which of the following with reference to Indian States is/are not correct ? 1. Uttar Pradesh shares its boundary with the highest number of other Indian States. 2. Rajasthan shares the longest international border among all Indian States. 3. Sikkim is the only State that shares its boundary with… | c |
| Q37 | Which of the following statements with regard to the arrival of Amur Falcons at Doyang Lake in Nagaland each year from Mongolia is/are correct ? 1. It showcases how sustained local conservation efforts can contribute to the arrival and protection of international migratory birds. 2. It reflects… | a |
| Q38 | Which among the following is/are the objective(s) of the Rainfed Area Development (RAD) initiative under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) ? 1. Encouraging monoculture in rainfed areas 2. Increasing rice cultivation in irrigated regions 3. Enhancing productivity and… | d |
| Q39 | Which of the following is/are the most significant implication(s) of obtaining Oeko-Tex certification for Eri Silk in the global textile industry ? 1. It allows Indian exporters to compete in high-end markets that prioritise chemical-free products. 2. It confirms that Eri Silk meets international… | c |
| Q40 | Ships from which of the following countries have to cross the Strait of Hormuz to reach out to the Indian Ocean ? 1. Bahrain 2. Syria 3. Qatar 4. Egypt Select the answer using the code given below : | b |
| Q41 | Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : List I (INTERPOL Notice) A. Silver Notice B. Blue Notice C. Black Notice D. Green Notice List II (Description) 1. To seek information on unidentified bodies 2. To collect additional information about a person's… | c |
| Q42 | Which of the following statements in relation to NIRANTAR (National Institute for Research and Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build Resilience), a platform of institutions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, is/are correct ? 1. Ecosystem Survey… | b |
| Q43 | The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany visited India in January, 2026. Which of the following is/are not correct in terms of outcomes of this visit ? 1. Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the All India Institute of Ayurveda and the University of Hamburg 2. Signing of a… | b |
| Q44 | Which of the following statements about DHRUV64 is/are correct ? 1. It is the third chip fabricated under the DIR-V Programme with an overall aim to enable the creation of microprocessors for India. 2. It is India's first homegrown 1·0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor. Select the answer using… | c |
| Q45 | The Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) recently introduced a national standard to test and assess bomb disposal system. Which of the following statements with regard to this system is/are correct ? 1. The new standard is known as IS 19445 : 2025. 2. It will improve interoperability of equipment… | c |
| Q46 | 'X', born in the UK, was conferred the Nobel Prize in 2025. He was a professor in an American university when this prize was announced. Identify 'X' : | c |
| Q47 | Which of the following statements with regard to the Grand Slam Tennis Tournaments is/are correct ? 1. The tournaments have a shared governance structure establishing the partnership among the four Grand Slam tournaments. 2. They are open for entry to all internationally ranked tennis players… | a |
| Q48 | Which one of the following pairs of semiconductor plants in India and their locations is not correctly matched ? | c |
| Q49 | Which of the following statements with regard to India's indigenous new high resolution weather model, the 'Bharat Forecast System,' is/are correct ? 1. Its objective is to generate forecasts at the Panchayats cluster level. 2. It was developed by IIT Delhi. Select the answer using the code given… | a |
| Q50 | Consider the following statements with regard to the film 'Boong' : 1. The film has recently won the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Award in the Children's and Family Film category. 2. The film is directed by Lakshmipriya Devi. 3. This is the first Indian film to win a BAFTA… | a |
| Q51 | Which of the following statements regarding the features of blockchain technology are correct ? 1. Records stored in the database may be made visible to relevant stakeholders without risk of alteration. 2. Copies of the entire database are stored on multiple computers on a network, syncing within… | c |
| Q52 | An e-commerce revenue model where the seller has control over pricing but doesn't keep products in stock and instead transfers customer orders and shipment details to a third-party supplier, who then ships the goods directly to the customer, is called : | a |
| Q53 | Which one of the following correctly represents the three key sub-indices of the Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) ? | c |
| Q54 | Which one of the following best describes the key objective of India's 'Open Network for Digital Commerce' (ONDC) initiative ? | c |
| Q55 | Which one of the following statements about Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Central Bank Digital Currency (Digital Rupee) is not correct ? | d |
| Q56 | Which of the following statements about Real-World Assets (RWA) Tokenization are correct ? 1. Tokenization is the process of turning real world assets into digital tokens using blockchain technology. 2. Tokenization of real world assets offers 24 × 7 access, promoting financial inclusion. 3.… | a |
| Q57 | A bond whose proceeds are used only to finance or refinance a combination of both environmental and social projects is called : | c |
| Q58 | Which of the following statements about M1xchange's role in Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) financing is/are correct ? 1. M1xchange provides collateral based loans to MSMEs. 2. M1xchange facilitates discounting of invoices and Bills of Exchange for MSMEs. 3. M1xchange functions as a… | b |
| Q59 | Which one of the following best describes the 'Crowding Out Effect' in the context of fiscal policy ? | b |
| Q60 | Which of the following statements about Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and Critical Minerals is/are correct ? 1. Modern technological innovations including Artificial Intelligence, robotics and space exploration extensively utilise Rare Earth Elements (REEs). 2. China has the highest share in mining… | a |
| Q61 | Which of the following statements about insurance in aviation sector is/are correct ? 1. 'Aviation Hull Insurance' covers the physical aircraft, including the body, engine, and on-board equipment. 2. Under the Montreal Convention, adopted in 1999 by over 130 countries, including India, airlines… | c |
| Q62 | Which of the following statements about Crowdfunding is/are correct ? 1. Crowdfunding is solicitation of funds (small amount) from multiple investors through a web-based platform or social networking site for a specific project. 2. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are able to raise funds at… | c |
| Q63 | With reference to different Committees in India, consider the following details : Sl. No. | Committee | Objective | Organization under which it was formed 1. | R.N. Malhotra Committee | Comprehensive reforms of Insurance sector in India | Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India 2.… | d |
| Q64 | Consider the following statements about the Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) in India : 1. NBFCs cannot accept demand deposits. 2. All the NBFCs operating in India have to be registered with the RBI. 3. NBFCs form part of the payment and settlement system and can issue cheque drawn on… | a |
| Q65 | Consider the following statements about Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) : 1. MPI is calculated using Alkire-Foster methodology. 2. MPI calculated by NITI Aayog has a total of twelve indicators. 3. Maternal Health and Bank Account are common indicators in the MPI of NITI Aayog and MPI of… | a |
| Q66 | Which of the following statements with regard to genetic medicine is/are correct ? 1. Genetic medicines correct/compensate for the faulty genes responsible for disease. 2. Engineered viruses and lipid nanoparticles are used as carriers of the genetic medicine. 3. Genetic medicines alter the entire… | c |
| Q67 | Which of the following statements with regard to Large Language Models (LLMs) used in machine learning is/are correct ? 1. LLMs assign probabilities to the next possible words and then pick the one with the highest probability. 2. LLMs process data through mathematical optimization to minimise… | b |
| Q68 | Which of the following statements with regard to stealth technology is/are correct ? 1. Stealth objects have a very small radar cross-section and are coated with Radar Absorbing Material. 2. Stealth objects can be detected using specific frequencies. 3. Stealth objects are coated with… | c |
| Q69 | Which of the following statements with regard to Black Boxes used in modern aircrafts is/are correct ? 1. They carry a beacon emitting red light pulses to facilitate underwater detection. 2. They record both the cockpit voice and flight data. 3. Their memory units are made using either stainless… | b |
| Q70 | Which of the following statements with regard to Green Hydrogen is/are correct ? 1. It is decarbonized hydrogen obtained from natural gas reforming combined with carbon capture and storage (CCS). 2. It is produced using electrolysis of water with electricity generated by renewable energy. 3.… | b |
| Q71 | Consider the following statements with regard to involvement of private entities in India's space programme : 1. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) is an autonomous agency formed to facilitate participation of private entities. 2. Agnikul Cosmos launched the… | c |
| Q72 | Which of the following statements with regard to drone swarms is/are correct ? 1. They use Terahertz band of frequency to communicate with the command centre. 2. Individual drones in the swarm can communicate with other drones in the swarm. 3. GPS Spoofing is a commonly used technique to counter… | b |
| Q73 | Which of the following statements with regard to GenomeIndia Project is/are correct ? 1. It is a part of the Human Genome Project. 2. The project is funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India. 3. Its primary aim is to build a catalogue of genetic diversity of the Indian… | b |
| Q74 | Which of the following statements with regard to the National Quantum Mission (NQM) is/are correct ? 1. It aims at developing intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50 — 1000 physical qubits. 2. Its implementation includes setting up of four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) in academic and national R&D… | c |
| Q75 | Which of the following statements with regard to India's Deep Ocean Mission is/are correct ? 1. It was launched by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India. 2. Matsya-6000 has been designed to carry 3 people for deep sea exploration. 3. Samudrayaan is a project under this… | b |
| Q76 | Mr. X, a senior officer, was overseeing a critical vaccination programme during a pandemic. He found that a private service provider responsible for vaccine distribution was compromising on quality to make profits. Despite immense pressure to manage the issue due to vested interests, he raised his… | c |
| Q77 | In a multi-ethnic district where both economic competition and historical grievances frequently led to community tensions, a flashpoint has arisen with a Government decision to allocate land for a waste management facility near a tribal hamlet, sparking protests by the tribal community, which… | a |
| Q78 | Ms. X is a mid-level civil service official working in the urban development department of a major city. Recently, she was involved in approving a contract for a public infrastructure project — a new community park. During the approval process, she received a piece of confidential information… | b |
| Q79 | 'X' was addressing a seminar on the meaning of the term 'law' as provided under Article 13, Part III of the Constitution of India. 'X' explained that the meaning of the term 'law' in the Constitution of India was very comprehensive. It included ordinances, orders and even rules and regulations.… | d |
| Q80 | Consider the following statements with reference to the Constitution of India : 1. There is no Article in the Constitution of India that specifies that the Constitution of India will be officially called the 'Constitution of India'. 2. There is no Article in the Constitution of India that… | b |
| Q81 | Which of the following statements with regard to the persons with disabilities in India is/are correct ? 1. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, an Act passed by the Parliament of India in 2018, mandates reservation in education and employment, places a legal duty on Governments to ensure… | b |
| Q82 | Consider the following statements about the provisions pertaining to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in India : 1. Provisions regarding the administration of the Tribal Areas in the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram are given in the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of… | a |
| Q83 | Consider the following statements in respect of questions asked by the Members in the Parliament of India : 1. Unstarred questions are those to which a Member desires an oral answer in the House. 2. Starred questions are those to which a Member desires a written answer. 3. No supplementary… | c |
| Q84 | Consider the following statements about the Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes of the Parliament of India : 1. Although members of this Committee are elected from both Houses of Parliament, the Chairperson of this Committee is appointed by the Chairman of the Rajya… | d |
| Q85 | Consider the following statements about Mission Sudarshan Chakra of India : 1. It aims to enhance India's air defence, ballistic missile defence and aerial offensive capabilities. 2. This Mission is being designed to enhance rapid, precise, and powerful defence responses, reinforcing India's… | a |
| Q86 | Consider the following statements about river bridges connecting India with neighbouring countries : 1. 'Maitri Setu', built over Feni river, connects Ramgarh in India with Sabroom in Bangladesh. 2. Jhulaghat suspension bridge connects India with Myanmar. 3. Mechi bridge and its approaches connect… | d |
| Q87 | Which of the following statements about a Zero First Information Report (Zero FIR) under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 is/are correct ? 1. A Zero FIR can be lodged at a police station, even though the place of commission of a cognizable/non-cognizable offence is outside the… | d |
| Q88 | With reference to the organisations under the Government of India, consider the following details : Sl. No. | Organisation | Function | Controlling Union Ministry 1. | Central Economic Intelligence Bureau (CEIB) | To coordinate between various law enforcement agencies | Ministry of Home Affairs 2.… | a |
| Q89 | Which of the following international conventions have not been ratified by India ? 1. Employment Policy Convention 2. Abolition of Forced Labour Convention 3. International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families 4. Geneva Convention Relative… | x |
| Q90 | Consider the following statements with respect to the AI Impact Summit, 2026 held in New Delhi : 1. The Summit's intellectual framework was based on three foundational Sutras : People, Planning, and Progress. 2. The Preamble of the Summit stresses Democratising AI Resources, which acknowledges the… | d |
| Q91 | Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries ? 1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project 2. IMT Trilateral Highway 3. Agartala-Akhaura Rail Line Select the answer using the code given below : | a |
| Q92 | Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : List I (Project Supported by India) A. Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project B. Restoration of Stor Palace C. District Hospital at Dickoya D. Institute of Security and Law Enforcement Studies List II (Country) 1.… | b |
| Q93 | Which of the following items of defence hardware is/are manufactured in India ? 1. Su-30 MKI Fighter Jets 2. T-90 MK-III Tanks 3. Akula Class Submarine Select the answer using the code given below : | a |
| Q94 | Consider the following statements about platforms for multilateral co-operation : 1. The 'Colombo Process' is a regional consultative process in which member states take binding decisions by consensus. 2. The 'Abu Dhabi Dialogue' is a voluntary non-binding consultative process among Asian… | c |
| Q95 | Consider the following UN organisations/agencies : 1. World Food Programme 2. United Nations Children's Fund 3. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees 4. International Labour Organisation How many of the above has/have been awarded the Nobel Prize twice ? | a |
| Q96 | Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : List I (UN Peacekeeping Operation) A. UNMIL B. MINURCAT C. MINUSTAH D. UNMISET List II (Period of Operation) 1. 2007 — 2010 2. 2002 — 2005 3. 2003 — 2018 4. 2004 — 2017 Code : A B C D | b |
| Q97 | Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : List I (BIMSTEC Centre / Establishment) A. BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Observatory B. BIMSTEC Energy Centre C. BIMSTEC Centre for Weather and Climate D. BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility List II (Location) 1.… | c |
| Q98 | Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched ? (Indian Army Corps) (Headquarters) | d |
| Q99 | Which of the following statements with respect to the Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) is/are correct ? 1. The period of its implementation is 1st April, 2021 to 31st March, 2026. 2. The key objective of the Revamped RGSA is to develop the governance capabilities of the Panchayati Raj… | b |
| Q100 | Which of the following countries are members of the European Union ? 1. Belarus 2. Poland 3. Germany 4. Switzerland Select the answer using the code given below : | c |
Compare all sets lists every set's answer side by side — Sets A, B, C, D are the same questions in a different order, so read down your own set's column. Set D — questions & answers shows each Set D question beside its own answer. View full question paper →
Note: This is the UnlockIAS answer key for Sets A, B, C, D. Other sets and coaching-institute keys are added as they are released. The official UPSC provisional key is expected on the QPRep portal — see our provisional answer key guide.
Open a single set's answer key
LIVE PERFORMANCE DATA
Real-Time Performance Dashboard
See how aspirants are performing across the country. Data updates in real-time as more evaluations come in.
--
Total Evaluations
Updating live
Neil Siron Telegram
Got a different answer than the coaching keys? Join @UPSCneil on Telegram and Neil Sir personally weighs in on disputed questions — no marketing spin, just analysis.
Join @UPSCneil to see moreCUTOFF ANALYSIS
UPSC Prelims 2026 — Expected Cutoff
Category-wise expected cutoff based on paper difficulty analysis, historical trends, and community performance data.
| Category | Expected 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | … | 92.66 | 87.98 | 75.41 |
| OBC | … | 92.00 | 87.28 | 74.75 |
| EWS | … | 89.34 | 85.92 | 68.02 |
| SC | … | 84.00 | 79.03 | 59.25 |
| ST | … | 82.66 | 74.23 | 47.82 |
Check Your Clearing Probability
Move the slider to your estimated GS Paper 1 score. The probability combines the admin's expected range, the last few years' cutoffs, and how the community is performing this year.
Your estimated score87/ 200
50130
GS Paper 1Borderline
39%
vs expected cutoff
CSAT—
—
enter CSAT score above
Prelims overall—
—
GS × CSAT
Based on historical trend (admin range for General not yet published), the last 7 years' declared cutoffs. Probabilities are capped at 1% and 99% — no model can promise certainty.
Historical Cutoff Trend
General Category
Cutoff marks per year, Prelims GS Paper 1
2026 result will appear once UPSC declares the official cutoff
Check Your Chances
Enter your estimated score and see where you stand against the expected cutoff.
Calculate My ScoreSUBJECT-WISE DISTRIBUTION
UPSC Prelims 2026 — Subject-Wise Question Distribution
Actual subject-wise breakdown of all 100 questions in the UPSC CSE / IAS Prelims 2026 GS Paper 1 (Set D), counted from the question paper.
| Subject | Questions | Share of Paper |
|---|---|---|
| History & Culture | 21 | 21% |
| Economy | 19 | 19% |
| Science & Technology | 14 | 14% |
| Polity & Governance | 12 | 12% |
| International Relations | 10 | 10% |
| Environment & Ecology | 9 | 9% |
| Geography | 8 | 8% |
| Current Affairs | 4 | 4% |
| Defence & Security | 3 | 3% |
| Total | 100 |
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE
How to Use the UPSC Prelims 2026 Answer Key
Six steps to evaluate your UPSC Civil Services (IAS) Prelims 2026 performance accurately.
- 1
Note your answers during the exam
Mark your responses on the question paper itself (not just the OMR sheet). This is your only record once you leave the exam hall.
- 2
Identify your booklet set
Check Set A, B, C, or D printed on the front page of your question paper. Each set has the same questions in a different order.
- 3
Match your answers
Use the set-wise answer key table above to check each answer against multiple coaching institute keys for cross-verification.
- 4
Calculate your marks
Use the UPSC Prelims 2026 marks calculator: Score = (+2 × Correct) − (0.66 × Wrong). Or use our free marks calculator linked below for instant results with category-wise cutoff comparison.
- 5
Check cutoff probability
Use the clearing probability slider in the cutoff section to see where you stand for your category — General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, or PwBD.
- 6
Don't panic — start Mains prep
Coaching institute keys differ by 2-5 questions. Wait for UPSC's official provisional answer key. If you are in the ballpark, start Mains preparation immediately.
OFFLINE DOWNLOAD
Download UPSC Prelims 2026 Answer Key PDF
Download the complete UPSC/IAS Prelims 2026 GS Paper 1 answer key as a PDF for offline reference and easy sharing — set-wise answers with subject classification.
Question paper PDFs
The set-wise answer-key PDF will be available here once the answer key is published on May 24, 2026.
HISTORIC FIRST · UPSC 2026 REFORM
UPSC Prelims 2026 Provisional Answer Key — Official Release
In a historic first — confirmed by PIB Delhi release 2262441 dated 18 May 2026 — UPSC has released the official provisional answer key for CSE Prelims 2026. Candidates can submit representations through the QPRep portal at upsconline.nic.in/login until 6:00 PM on May 31, 2026. Each representation must indicate the correct option per the candidate's understanding along with a brief description and supporting documents from three authentic sources (e.g. NCERTs, India Year Book, Ministry publications).
The official provisional answer key is now available. Compare your answers against both the official UPSC key and our multi-institute coaching answer keys above. The disputed-question analysis has been updated to reflect official vs coaching key mismatches.
WHERE INSTITUTES DISAGREE
⚠ 8 Disputed Questions Found
These are questions where coaching institute answer keys don't agree. They affect your final cutoff prediction and are the most valuable to objection-file via the QPRep portal. Each one below has our assessed answer plus the supporting source.
Q52PolityDisputed
Source
Polity — Zero FIR under BNSS, 2023
Q62PolityDisputed
Source
Polity — Zero FIR under BNSS, 2023
Q72Current AffairsDisputed
Source
Current Affairs — Grand Slam Tennis Tournaments
Q77PolityDisputed
Source
Polity — Zero FIR under BNSS, 2023
Q82Current AffairsDisputed
Source
Current Affairs — Grand Slam Tennis Tournaments
Q87PolityDisputed
Source
Polity — Zero FIR under BNSS, 2023
Q97Current AffairsDisputed
Source
Current Affairs — Grand Slam Tennis Tournaments
EXPLORE MORE
Related Resources
Everything you need to evaluate your UPSC Prelims 2026 performance.
Marks Calculator
NEWFree UPSC Prelims 2026 marks calculator with negative marking, cutoff comparison, and clearing probability.
Read more
Official Provisional Answer Key
RELEASEDUPSC official provisional answer key 2026 is now released — download PDFs and compare with coaching keys.
Read more
PIB Official Notification (18 May 2026)
OFFICIALThe verifiable facts from PIB Delhi Release 2262441 — Chairman Dr. Ajay Kumar's announcement, exact dates, and what UPSC has and has not committed to.
Read more
How to File Objections
NEWStep-by-step guide to filing objections via the QPRep portal.
Read more
Safe Score Analysis
NEWCategory-wise safe score based on 10+ years of historical cutoff data.
Read more
Expected Cutoff 2026
Category-wise cutoff predictions with historical comparisons.
Read more
CSAT Paper 2 Answer Key
CSAT answer key with qualifying score calculator.
Read more
Paper Analysis 2026
Subject-wise question distribution and difficulty analysis.
Read more
Disputed Questions
NEWTrack questions where coaching institutes disagree on the correct answer.
Read more
QPRep Portal Guide
NEWComplete walkthrough of UPSC's new digital portal for viewing responses and filing objections.
Read more
Subject-Wise Analysis
NEWHow questions were distributed across Polity, Economy, Geography, and other subjects.
Read more
Question Paper PDF
NEWDownload UPSC Prelims 2026 question papers for all sets (A/B/C/D).
Read more
All 100 Questions (Set D)
LIVERead every question from the UPSC 2026 GS Paper, grouped by subject. Each question links to a dedicated page with discussion.
Read more
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common Questions About UPSC Prelims 2026 Answer Key
Q.How to calculate UPSC Prelims 2026 marks?
Use our free UPSC Prelims 2026 marks calculator above. Enter your answers question-by-question or simply input the number of correct, incorrect, and skipped questions. The marks calculator applies the exact UPSC marking scheme: +2 marks for each correct answer, −0.66 marks (1/3rd negative marking) for each incorrect answer, and 0 for unanswered questions. Your total marks = (Correct × 2) − (Incorrect × 0.66). The marks calculator also shows your clearing probability against the expected cutoff for your category.
Q.How to calculate UPSC Prelims score?
Each correct answer in UPSC Prelims GS Paper 1 carries +2 marks and each incorrect answer carries -0.66 marks (1/3rd negative marking). Your total score = (Number of correct answers x 2) - (Number of incorrect answers x 0.66). Questions left unanswered carry no penalty. Use our free score calculator to get your estimated score instantly.
Q.Which coaching institute's answer key is most accurate?
No single institute is 100% accurate for all questions. Historically, the consensus answer (where most institutes agree) has been the most reliable predictor. Our comparison tool shows you where institutes agree and disagree, so you can identify disputed questions. Wait for the official UPSC answer key for final confirmation.
Q.Has UPSC released the official answer key for Prelims 2026?
Yes. In a historic first, UPSC has released the official provisional answer key for CSE Prelims 2026. Candidates can now compare their answers with the official key and submit representations via the QPRep portal (https://upsconline.nic.in/login) until 6:00 PM on May 31, 2026, indicating the correct option per their understanding along with a brief description and supporting documents from three authentic sources. The final answer key will be published before results are declared. Use our marks calculator above to estimate your score against the official key.
Q.How does negative marking work in UPSC Prelims?
UPSC Prelims follows a 1/3rd negative marking scheme. For every wrong answer, 1/3rd of the marks assigned to that question are deducted. Since each question carries 2 marks, the penalty per wrong answer is 0.66 marks. Unanswered questions carry zero penalty. This means you should only attempt questions where you can eliminate at least one option.
Q.What is the UPSC Prelims 2026 expected cutoff for General category?
The expected cutoff for UPSC Prelims 2026 General category is around 76-80 marks (most likely ~78), revised down on a harder-than-expected GS Paper 1 alongside just 933 vacancies. For context, the General cutoff was 92.66 in 2025, 87.98 in 2024, and 75.41 in 2023. The actual cutoff depends on paper difficulty, the number of candidates who appeared, and vacancies advertised. See our detailed category-wise cutoff analysis above.
Q.Has UPSC released a provisional answer key for Prelims 2026?
Yes. As confirmed in PIB Delhi release 2262441 dated 18 May 2026, UPSC Chairman Dr. Ajay Kumar announced that — for the first time in UPSC history — a provisional answer key would be released for CSE Prelims 2026, terming it "a new beginning" towards greater transparency. The official provisional answer key has now been published. Candidates can submit representations with supporting documents from three authentic sources via the QPRep portal (https://upsconline.nic.in/login) until 6:00 PM on May 31, 2026. Each representation will be reviewed by a team of subject experts, and the final answer key will incorporate the outcomes before results are declared.
Q.Where can I download the UPSC Prelims 2026 question paper PDF?
The UPSC Prelims 2026 question paper PDF for GS Paper 1 (Set A, B, C, D) and CSAT Paper 2 is available for download on our dedicated page at /upsc-prelims-2026-question-paper-pdf. UPSC also publishes previous-year question papers on upsc.gov.in. For 2026, per the PIB notification of 18 May 2026, the QPRep portal at https://upsconline.nic.in/login will host the provisional answer key (release date announced as "soon after Exam") and the representation window for candidates.
Q.How do I file an objection against the UPSC Prelims 2026 answer key?
For the first time, UPSC is allowing candidates to submit representations against the provisional answer key through the QPRep (Online Question Paper Representation) portal at https://upsconline.nic.in/login. Per the PIB notification of 18 May 2026, the representation window is open until 6:00 PM on May 31, 2026. Each representation must indicate the correct option per your understanding, include a brief description, and be supported by documents from three authentic sources (e.g., NCERT textbooks, India Year Book, Ministry publications). UPSC has stated all representations will be placed before subject experts for "comprehensive and meticulous review" — unsupported challenges are unlikely to be accepted.
Share With Friends
Help your fellow aspirants — share this answer key page with your study group.