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Exam Date: May 24, 2026
UPSC Prelims 2026 Question Paper PDFDownload All Sets (A, B, C, D)
Download UPSC CSE Preliminary Exam 2026 question papers for both GS Paper I and CSAT Paper II. All four sets will be available here shortly after the exam.
Download Question Papers
GS Paper I Set D is available to read online now (transcribed from the actual paper). The remaining sets and the official PDF will be added once UPSC publishes them.
GS Paper I
Set A
Pending official UPSC release
GS Paper I
Set B
Pending official UPSC release
GS Paper I
Set C
Pending official UPSC release
CSAT Paper II
Set A
Pending official UPSC release
CSAT Paper II
Set B
Pending official UPSC release
CSAT Paper II
Set C
Pending official UPSC release
CSAT Paper II
Set D
Pending official UPSC release
About UPSC Prelims 2026 Question Paper
GS Paper I (General Studies)
- 100 multiple-choice questions
- 4 options per question (single correct)
- 2 hours duration, 200 marks total
- Negative marking: -0.66 for each wrong answer
- No sectional time limit
CSAT Paper II (Aptitude)
- 80 multiple-choice questions
- 4 options per question (single correct)
- 2 hours duration, 200 marks total
- Negative marking: -0.83 for each wrong answer
- Qualifying only — 33% minimum required
Previous Year Papers
While the 2026 papers are pending, practice with previous year questions to strengthen your preparation.
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UPSC Official Provisional Answer Key 2026
Download the official UPSC provisional answer key for GS & CSAT — now released
UPSC Prelims 2026 Answer Key with Solutions
Set A, B, C, D answer keys with detailed solutions from multiple coaching institutes
Score Calculator
Calculate your estimated Prelims score
Subject-Wise Analysis
Detailed subject-wise breakdown of the 2026 paper
CSAT Answer Key
Answer key for CSAT Paper II
Previous Year Questions
Practice with UPSC PYQs from past years
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the UPSC Prelims 2026 question papers be available for download?
The question papers will be uploaded within hours of the UPSC Prelims 2026 exam, which is scheduled for May 24, 2026. We aim to make all sets (A, B, C, D) for both GS Paper I and CSAT Paper II available on the same day.
Are all sets (A, B, C, D) the same questions?
Yes, all four sets contain the same 100 questions. The only difference is the order in which the questions and options are arranged. UPSC shuffles the sequence to prevent copying during the examination.
What is the difference between Set A, B, C, and D?
The sets differ only in the sequence of questions and the order of answer options within each question. The actual content and difficulty level is identical across all sets. Your answer key must match the specific set you received during the exam.
Can I get the official UPSC question papers?
UPSC does not officially release question papers on its website. The papers available here are sourced from candidates and verified against multiple copies for accuracy. For the official answer key, UPSC releases it separately on upsc.gov.in a few days after the exam.
Is CSAT Paper II qualifying only?
Yes, CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) Paper II is qualifying in nature. You need to score a minimum of 33% (approximately 66 out of 200 marks) to qualify. The marks from CSAT are not counted towards the final merit ranking — only GS Paper I marks determine your Prelims score.
How many questions are there in total across both papers?
GS Paper I has 100 questions worth 2 marks each (200 marks total), and CSAT Paper II has 80 questions worth 2.5 marks each (200 marks total). Both papers have a duration of 2 hours each, with negative marking of one-third of the marks allotted for each wrong answer.
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