UPSC Prelims 2026 Student Reactions: Answer Key Out, One Question Dropped

The verdict

"The Commission has released the provisional answer key and dropped one question from the Civil Services Prelims Exam 2026. Aspirants are now scrutinizing the keys and preparing objections as they await cutoff predictions." – Based on official UPSC announcements and student discussions

The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026 answer key is finally here. On May 27, 2026, the Union Public Service Commission released provisional answer keys for the exam, with one notable development: a question has been dropped entirely. This move, while offering marginal relief to some candidates, has sparked intense debate among aspirants about how it will affect final cutoffs and merit calculations.

The provisional keys are now available on the official portal at upsconline.gov.in, and the objection window has opened for candidates who wish to challenge the marked answers. With no official cutoff announced yet, aspirants are relying on coaching institute predictions and peer discussions to gauge their chances of clearing the first hurdle.

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What happened with the dropped question?

UPSC's decision to drop one question from the Prelims 2026 paper is significant. While the Commission has not publicly clarified which question was removed or the reason behind the decision, such moves typically occur when a question is found to be ambiguous, factually incorrect, or when multiple answers could be considered correct.

For candidates: If you attempted the dropped question correctly (according to your selected option), you will neither gain nor lose marks. If you left it unattempted or answered it incorrectly, you're back on level ground with everyone else. The total weightage of the paper effectively reduces by the marks allotted to that question, which will slightly alter percentile and cutoff calculations.

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Answer-key trackers

UPSC has published the provisional answer key on its official website. Candidates can:

• Download the answer key from upsconline.gov.in
• Submit objections during the window (dates as per UPSC notification)
• Pay the requisite fee per objection (typically ₹100 per question challenged)

Coaching institute answer keys typically release within 24 hours of the exam. While those are useful for immediate self-assessment, the official provisional key is the authoritative source. If you noticed discrepancies between coaching keys and the UPSC provisional key, now is the time to raise objections with proper supporting documentation (textbooks, government reports, or academic papers).

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Expected cutoff

As of now, no official cutoff has been released by UPSC. The final cutoff will be declared only after the evaluation is complete and the Mains-qualified list is published—typically 4–6 weeks after Prelims.

Category	Aspirant predicted	2026 official
General / EWS	Data not available	Awaited
OBC	Data not available	Awaited
SC	Data not available	Awaited
ST	Data not available	Awaited

Note: Cutoff predictions from online forums and coaching institutes will emerge over the next few days as more candidates share their scores and responses. Keep an eye on trusted coaching platforms and aspirant communities for crowd-sourced estimates, but remember: these are predictions, not guarantees.

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What to do this week

The period between Prelims and the Mains notification is critical. Here's how to use it wisely:

1. Review the answer key and file objections (if valid)

If you genuinely believe an answer is incorrect and have documentary proof, file an objection before the deadline. Be strategic—frivolous objections won't be entertained, and you'll lose the fee.

2. Start light Mains preparation

Even if you're unsure about clearing the cutoff, begin revising answer writing basics. Read a few model answers, revisit your notes on core GS topics (Polity, Economics, Environment), and start skimming through current affairs from the past year. If you do clear, you'll be ahead; if you don't, the effort still strengthens your next attempt.

3. Don't obsess over score comparisons

Telegram groups and Reddit threads will be full of people claiming high scores. Remember: self-reported scores are often inflated, and cutoffs vary year to year based on paper difficulty and the number of vacancies. Focus on what you can control.

4. Stay updated on Mains notifications

UPSC will release the Mains admit card and schedule once Prelims results are out. Keep checking the official website and your registered email.

5. Take care of your mental health

The waiting period is stressful. Engage in hobbies, exercise, and avoid doomscrolling through aspirant forums. If you're confident you've cleared, start preparing in earnest. If you're on the borderline, prepare a Plan B while staying ready for Mains.

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Looking ahead

The UPSC Prelims 2026 cycle is now in the evaluation phase. With the provisional answer key out and one question dropped, aspirants are left to wait—and prepare. The next big milestone is the declaration of the Prelims result, expected in late June or early July 2026, followed by the Mains examination likely scheduled for September–October 2026.

For those who believe they've crossed the line: congratulations on the first step. For those on the edge: hope for the best, prepare regardless. And for those planning another attempt: every Prelims teaches you something—use it.

Official UPSC portal: upsconline.gov.in
Key action: File objections (if any) before the deadline
Next step: Await Prelims result and begin Mains revision

The journey is long, but every cleared stage brings you closer. Stay focused, stay hopeful, and keep preparing.