. When will the UPSC Answer Key 2026 be released?

The unofficial answer key will be released shortly after the exam, while the official answer key will be published later by UPSC

Will the UPSC Answer Key 2026 be released shift-wise?

Yes, unofficial answer keys for GS Paper 1 and CSAT will be provided shift-wise and set-wise.

Can I calculate my expected marks using the answer key?

Yes, candidates can compare their responses with the answer key to estimate their expected prelims score.

What details are mentioned in the UPSC Answer Key PDF?

The PDF contains question numbers, correct answers, paper/set code, and exam details.

Download UPSC Answer Key 2026: Direct Link

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has successfully conducted the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026 on 24th May 2026 across multiple exam centres nationwide. After the completion of the GS Paper 1 exam, candidates are now eagerly waiting for the UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2026 to evaluate their performance and estimate their expected scores. While the official UPSC Answer Key 2026 will be released later on the official website, the unofficial UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2026 prepared by Study IQ has been provided in the article for candidates’ reference.

UPSC Answer Key 2026

The unofficial UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2026 for GS Paper 1 has been released by the expert faculty team after the completion of the exam. Candidates can use the answer key to cross-check their responses, analyse the difficulty level, and calculate their probable marks before the official result declaration. The official UPSC Prelims Answer Key will be released by UPSC after the completion of the recruitment process.

UPSC Response Sheet 2026 Overview
Exam Name	UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026
Conducting Authority	Union Public Service Commission
Exam Date	24 May 2026
Answer Key	Available
Papers	GS Paper 1 and CSAT Paper 2
Official Website	upsc.gov.in

Download UPSC Answer Key 2026: Direct Link

Candidates can now download the unofficial UPSC Prelims GS Paper 1 Answer Key 2026 from the table provided below.

UPSC Prelims Paper I GS (Set A) Answer Key 2026
Q1-Q25	Ans	Q26-Q50	Ans	Q51-Q75	Ans	Q76-Q100	Ans
Q1	D	Q26	C	Q51	C	Q76	C
Q2	A	Q27	A	Q52	A	Q77	B
Q3	C	Q28	D	Q53	C	Q78	A
Q4	B	Q29	C	Q54	D	Q79	C
Q5	B	Q30	B	Q55	B	Q80	C
Q6	A	Q31	A	Q56	B	Q81	C
Q7	D	Q32	B	Q57	A	Q82	C
Q8	A	Q33	B	Q58	C	Q83	C
Q9	C	Q34	B	Q59	D	Q84	A
Q10	C	Q35	B	Q60	A	Q85	A
Q11	D	Q36	B	Q61	D	Q86	C
Q12	C	Q37	B	Q62	C	Q87	A
Q13	C	Q38	A	Q63	A	Q88	C
Q14	B	Q39	B	Q64	D	Q89	C
Q15	B	Q40	C	Q65	C	Q90	D
Q16	B	Q41	C	Q66	A	Q91	A
Q17	A	Q42	B	Q67	B	Q92	C
Q18	D	Q43	C	Q68	C	Q93	B
Q19	D	Q44	B	Q69	C	Q94	B
Q20	B	Q45	B	Q70	A	Q95	A
Q21	B	Q46	C	Q71	B	Q96	C
Q22	B	Q47	B	Q72	D	Q97	C
Q23	D	Q48	B	Q73	D	Q98	D
Q24	D	Q49	C	Q74	A	Q99	A
Q25	B	Q50	B	Q75	C	Q100	A

UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2026 – Click Here

The CSAT Answer Key will also be updated after the completion of the second shift examination. These answer keys help aspirants analyse their performance, identify mistakes, and understand the latest question trends asked in the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination.

UPSC Prelims Paper II GS CSAT Answer Key 2026 – Coming Soon
Q1-Q20	Ans	Q21-Q40	Ans	Q41-Q60	Ans	Q61-Q80	Ans

Steps to Download UPSC Answer Key 2026

Candidates can follow the steps given below to download the UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2026 PDF from the official website:

Visit the official UPSC website @upsc.gov.in
Go to the “Examinations” section on the homepage
Click on the “Answer Keys” link
Find and open the “UPSC Civil Services Prelims Answer Key 2026” PDF
Select the required paper (GS Paper 1 or CSAT)
Check the set-wise answers carefully
Download and save the PDF for future reference

If candidates find any discrepancy in the UPSC Answer Key 2026, they may be allowed to raise objections through the official UPSC portal within the given time period after the provisional answer key is released.

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Raise an Objection on UPSC Answer Key 2026

After receiving all objections, the Commission evaluates each challenge carefully with expert review and supporting evidence. Based on this evaluation, UPSC may accept or reject the objections and then release the final answer key, which is considered the last and most authentic version. No further objections are accepted after the release of the final answer key. The final result and cut-off are prepared strictly based on this final answer key, and it plays a crucial role in the declaration of the UPSC Prelims result.

How to Raise an Objection on UPSC Answer Key 2026?

Candidates must carefully follow the official procedure and submit valid proof while raising any challenge against the answer key.

Visit the official UPSC website
Go to the “Answer Key / Examination” section
Click on the “UPSC Civil Services Prelims Answer Key 2026” link
Select the “Raise Objection / Challenge Answer Key” option (if activated)
Log in using your Registration ID / Roll Number and Password
Choose the paper (GS Paper 1 or CSAT Paper 2)
Select the specific question number you want to challenge
Enter your correct answer with a proper explanation
Upload valid supporting proof (standard books, official sources, or references)
Pay the required fee per objection (if applicable)
Submit the objection form within the given deadline

Candidates should ensure that objections are submitted with strong and valid proof, as only properly justified challenges are considered by UPSC for review before the final answer key is released.

Why Is the UPSC Answer Key 2026 Important?

The UPSC Answer Key 2026 helps candidates analyse their performance in the Preliminary Examination before the official result is declared. By comparing their marked responses with the correct answers, candidates can calculate their expected scores and estimate their chances of qualifying for the Mains examination. It also helps aspirants identify mistakes, understand the exam difficulty level, and improve their preparation strategy for future stages of the selection process.