Provisional answer key for civil (prelim) to be released soon after exams -Governance Now

Provisional answer key for civil (prelim) to be released soon after exams

UPSC chairman Dr. Ajay Kumar terms the move a ‘new beginning’ towards greater transparency

GN Bureau | May 19, 2026

#Civil Services #UPSC

For the first time, the Union Public Service Commission will release the Provisional Answer Key for the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026, soon after the exam, to enhance transparency and uphold the highest standards of conduct of examination.

Terming it as “a new beginning”, UPSC chairman Dr. Ajay Kumar said, “For the first time, the Union Public Service Commission will release the Provisional Answer Key for the Civil Services Examination. This initiative reflects the Commission’s ongoing endeavour to bring greater transparency, responsiveness, and timely communication with candidates”. He further added, “The policy aims to make the examination process more participative while upholding its sanctity, integrity, and merit-based framework.”

After the release of provisional answer key, candidates of the Civil services examination, can submit their representations, if any, till May 31, 2026, 6PM, through a dedicated online portal i.e. “Online Question Paper Representation Portal (QPRep)” available at https://upsconline.nic.in/login. Candidates will be able to submit their representations by indicating the correct key as per their understanding, along with a brief description and supporting documents from three authentic sources. This will not only enable candidates to make an early and informed assessment of their performance in the examination but also provide them adequate time and opportunity to submit their representations, an official release said Tuesday.

All representations received from candidates will be placed before the team(s) of subject expert(s) for a comprehensive and meticulous review. These experts possess domain knowledge and subject expertise. They will carefully examine each representation, assess the supporting documents, and record their considered views regarding the correctness of the Answer Key for the concerned questions. The Answer Key will thereafter be finalized only after due consideration of all representations received.

This new reform has been introduced to address, the long-standing demand from candidates for publication of Provisional Answer Keys. This was also, in furtherance of the Commission’s commitment towards transparency, accountability, and strengthening the confidence of candidates in the examination system, the Commission has implemented the policy of publishing the Provisional Answer Keys.

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