The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducted the Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026 and the Indian Forest Service Examination 2026 on May 24, held across two shifts. The first shift of the examination took place from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM, while Paper 2 was conducted from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM.

**Provisional Answer Key Expected Soon**
According to new regulations, the UPSC will make the provisional answer key available for download immediately after the conclusion of the examination. The answer key will be released online via the official website of the Union Public Service Commission: upsc.gov.in. As soon as the answer key is released, you will be able to download it from this page to cross-check your answers and estimate your potential result.

**Window to Raise Objections Against Answer Key Open Until May 31**
While cross-checking answers against the key, if any candidate is dissatisfied with a specific answer provided therein, they may raise an objection against it until May 31. If the claim you have submitted is found to be valid, marks will be awarded for that specific answer.

**Download the Provisional Answer Key Here**
A direct link to the UPSC CSE answer key will be made available here as soon as it is released. This will allow you to download the answer key and also register any objections you may have regarding it. The steps are as follows:

To download the UPSC Prelims answer key, you must first visit the official website: upsc.gov.in.
Next, click on the PDF link for the answer key located in the 'What's New' section.
The answer key will then open on your screen.
You can now download it and use it to cross-check your answers.

**Marking Scheme**
In Paper-1 of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination, 100 questions are asked. Two marks are awarded for every correct answer. For every incorrect answer, a deduction of 1/3rd of a mark (0.66 marks) is applied. Additionally, Paper-2 consists of 80 questions, with 2.5 marks awarded for each correct answer. In Paper 2 as well, 1/3 (0.83) marks will be deducted for each incorrect answer. No marks will be calculated for unanswered questions.

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