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Official Provisional Answer Key — Released
UPSC Prelims 2026 Provisional Answer Key — Released
In a historic first, UPSC has released the official provisional answer key for CSE Prelims 2026. Candidates can raise objections through the QPRep portal until 6:00 PM on 31 May 2026. Compare your answers, calculate your marks, and understand the objection process below.
Download Official UPSC Provisional Answer Key PDFs
Official PDFs from upsc.gov.in for both papers. These are the same keys available on the QPRep portal.
What's New in 2026 — The Provisional Key Reform
A landmark change in UPSC examination transparency.
Before 2026
- ✗UPSC never released official answer keys for Prelims
- ✗Candidates relied entirely on coaching institute keys
- ✗No mechanism to challenge disputed answers
- ✗Disputed questions remained unresolved until the RTI process
From 2026 Onwards
- ✓UPSC releases official provisional answer key after Prelims
- ✓Candidates can compare their answers against the official key
- ✓QPRep portal allows evidence-based objections
- ✓Expert panel reviews objections before final key is published
Background: This reform follows observations by the Supreme Court of India emphasizing transparency in competitive examinations. Similar objection mechanisms are already used by NTA (for NEET and JEE), SSC, and several state public service commissions.
Expected Timeline — Provisional Key to Result
Timeline updated with actual dates. The representation window closed at 6:00 PM on 31 May 2026; UPSC’s expert review and final answer key follow.
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May 24, 2026Done
Prelims Exam
UPSC Prelims GS Paper 1 and CSAT Paper 2 conducted.
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May 24, 2026Done
Coaching Keys Released
Major coaching institutes released unofficial answer keys within hours of the exam.
✓
May 26, 2026Done
UPSC Provisional Key Released
UPSC released the official provisional answer key on the QPRep portal at upsconline.nic.in/login alongside the representation window.
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Closed 6:00 PM, 31 May 2026Done
Representation Window
Candidates could submit representations via the QPRep portal at upsconline.nic.in/login. Each representation had to indicate the correct option, a brief description, and supporting documents from three authentic sources.
5
After Objection Window
Expert Panel Review
UPSC-appointed subject experts review all submitted objections.
6
Before Result
Final Answer Key
Revised final key published after incorporating valid objections. Results based on this key.
Note: The provisional answer key has been released. The objection window closes at 6:00 PM on 31 May 2026 via the QPRep portal. The final answer key will be published before the Prelims result is declared.
How the Provisional Key & Objection Process Works
Step-by-step breakdown of the new process.
1
Provisional Key Published
UPSC uploads the provisional answer key for all sets (A, B, C, D) on upsc.gov.in.
2
Access QPRep Portal
Candidates who appeared for the exam log in to the QPRep portal using their registration details.
3
Select Questions to Challenge
Browse the provisional key and select specific questions where you believe the marked answer is incorrect.
4
Submit Evidence
For each challenged question, provide the correct answer with justification and at least 3 credible references (NCERT, official publications, etc.).
5
Expert Review
UPSC-appointed subject matter experts review all objections and determine if any answer changes are warranted.
6
Final Key & Result
The final answer key is published incorporating valid corrections. Prelims results are declared based on this final key.
What This Means for You — Practical Implications
How to make the best use of this new transparency mechanism.
1. Use Coaching Keys First
Coaching institute answer keys are available on the same day as the exam. Use them to estimate your score immediately. Do not wait for the UPSC provisional key to start planning your next steps.
2. Note Disputed Questions
When comparing different coaching institute keys, note questions where institutes disagree. These are likely candidates for objections when the provisional key is released. Our score calculator highlights such questions automatically.
3. Prepare Evidence from Standard Sources
If you plan to file objections, start gathering evidence from NCERT textbooks, official government publications, and other standard references. Each objection needs at least 3 credible references. Coaching institute answer keys are not considered credible sources by UPSC.
4. Do Not Delay Mains Preparation
The provisional key and objection process may take several weeks to conclude. If your estimated score is above the expected cutoff range, start Mains preparation immediately. Typically, only 2-5 questions see answer changes between provisional and final keys in similar exams.
Tracking the answer key? Make the next attempt count.
Whether you cleared or fell short, the next stage is practice under exam conditions — full-length Prelims tests with Sherlocking analysis, or the Mains programme if you are through.
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Neil Sir goes live on Telegram on exam night — a free meet to walk through the paper, flag controversial questions, and discuss expected cutoffs the moment the dust settles.
Join @UPSCneil to see moreGS Paper 1 Answer Key
Complete answer key with explanations
Objection Filing Guide
Step-by-step guide to filing objections on QPRep
Safe Score Analysis
Category-wise safe score for Prelims 2026
Expected Cutoff 2026
Category-wise cutoff predictions
CSAT Paper 2 Answer Key
Check your CSAT qualifying status
Score Calculator
Evaluate your answers and get your estimated score
Marks Calculator 2026
Calculate your UPSC Prelims 2026 marks with negative marking
Frequently Asked Questions — Provisional Answer Key
What is the UPSC provisional answer key?
The provisional answer key is an official answer key released by UPSC after the Prelims exam, before the final result. It allows candidates to view the answers UPSC has marked as correct and raise objections if they disagree, supported by credible evidence. This is a new reform starting from 2026.
Why is UPSC releasing a provisional answer key for the first time in 2026?
This reform follows observations by the Supreme Court of India regarding transparency in competitive examinations. The Court emphasized that candidates should have the opportunity to challenge answer keys before results are finalized, a practice already followed by many other examination bodies like NTA (for NEET/JEE) and SSC.
How is this different from coaching institute answer keys?
Coaching institute answer keys are unofficial — they are educated guesses by subject experts. The UPSC provisional answer key is the official key that UPSC will use to evaluate your OMR sheet. If a question is disputed, only the UPSC key (after considering objections) determines your score.
When will the UPSC provisional answer key be released?
Per the official PIB Delhi notification dated 18 May 2026 (Release ID 2262441), UPSC has committed to releasing the provisional answer key "soon after Exam" — no specific date or window has been published. The representation/objection window is fixed at 6:00 PM on 31 May 2026, which means the provisional key must reasonably be released well before that. Coaching institute keys remain available on the same day as the exam.
What is the QPRep portal?
QPRep (Question Paper Representation) is the portal UPSC has introduced for candidates to submit objections against the provisional answer key. Candidates who appeared for the exam can login, select questions they wish to challenge, and submit evidence-backed objections.
Can anyone file objections on the QPRep portal?
Only candidates who actually appeared for the UPSC Prelims 2026 exam can file objections. You will need your registration number and other login credentials to access the QPRep portal on the UPSC website.
What happens after objections are reviewed?
An expert panel appointed by UPSC reviews all objections received. If an objection is found valid, the answer key for that question is revised. The final answer key is then published, and results are based on this final key. UPSC does not communicate individual objection outcomes to candidates.
Should I wait for the UPSC provisional key before starting Mains preparation?
No. Use coaching institute keys (available on exam day) to get an estimated score. If your score is comfortably above the expected cutoff range, start Mains preparation immediately. The provisional key typically changes answers for only a few questions, so your estimated score should be reasonably accurate.
Check Your Prelims Score Now
Use our score calculator to evaluate your GS Paper 1 answers against coaching institute keys. Get your estimated score and compare it with the expected cutoff for your category.