UPSC ESE Prelims Answer Key 2026: PDF Download & Analysis
UPSC Prelims
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Key Highlights
Exam Date: The ESE Prelims took place on February 8, 2026.
Official Release: UPSC releases the authorized key only after the final recruitment process concludes.
Negative Marking: One-third of the marks assigned to a question are deducted for errors.
Total Marks: The Prelims stage carries a total weightage of 500 marks.
Table of content
Table of content
Status of UPSC ESE Answer Key 2026
Status of UPSC ESE Answer Key 2026
Status of UPSC ESE Answer Key 2026
Status of UPSC ESE Answer Key 2026
The upsc ese answer key serves as the primary tool for candidates to gauge their performance immediately after the examination.
While the official key from the commission remains pending until the final results, reputable coaching institutions release provisional keys shortly after the exam concludes.
Candidates can cross-reference their responses with these unofficial keys to estimate their chances of qualifying for the Mains. The official answer key will eventually appear on the commission's website, usually months after the exam cycle ends.
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How to Calculate Your Score
How to Calculate Your Score
How to Calculate Your Score
How to Calculate Your Score
Aspirants must follow the specific marking scheme to derive an accurate raw score. Paper 1 (General Studies) and Paper 2 (Engineering Discipline) follow distinct weightages but share the same negative marking penalty.
Calculation Formula:
Correct Answers: Assign marks based on the paper type (Paper 1 carries 200 marks; Paper 2 carries 300 marks).
Incorrect Answers: Deduct one-third of the marks allotted to that specific question.
Unattempted Questions: Assign zero marks.
Formula: Total Score = (Correct Answers × Marks per Question) - (Incorrect Answers × 0.33 × Marks per Question)
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Download Branch-Wise Answer Key PDFs
Download Branch-Wise Answer Key PDFs
Download Branch-Wise Answer Key PDFs
Download Branch-Wise Answer Key PDFs
The upsc ese prelims answer key differs across the four engineering disciplines. The table below organizes the links to unofficial PDF downloads for Set A, B, C, and D as they become available from institutes like MADE EASY and IES Master.
Engineering Branch | Answer Key Status | Download Link |
Civil Engineering | Unofficial Released | [Check PDF] |
Mechanical Engineering | Unofficial Released | [Check PDF] |
Electrical Engineering | Unofficial Released | [Check PDF] |
Electronics & Telecom | Unofficial Released | [Check PDF] |
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Steps to Access the Official Key
Steps to Access the Official Key
Steps to Access the Official Key
Steps to Access the Official Key
Once the recruitment cycle finishes, the commission publishes the verified keys. Candidates should check the upsc previous question paper section on the official site for these archives.
Procedure for Official Download:
Visit the official UPSC website.
Navigate to the "Examination" tab.
Select "Answer Keys" from the dropdown menu.
Locate "Engineering Services (Prelims) Examination, 2026."
Analysis of Previous Trends
Analysis of Previous Trends
Analysis of Previous Trends
Analysis of Previous Trends
Analyzing past data helps aspirants set realistic expectations. For instance, the upsc ese 2022 answer key revealed a specific difficulty trend that influenced the cut-offs for that year.
Candidates should review the upsc answer keys from 2022 and 2024 to understand the shifting focus of the commission, particularly in General Studies.
Typically, the cut-off fluctuates based on the difficulty level of the specific engineering discipline paper. Candidates scoring above 250 (out of 500) generally stand a strong chance of qualifying, though this varies by branch.
What Happens After the Prelims?
What Happens After the Prelims?
What Happens After the Prelims?
What Happens After the Prelims?
Successful candidates proceed to the Mains stage, scheduled for June 21, 2026. The marks secured in the Prelims generally count towards the final merit list, making accuracy in the upsc ESE result critical.
Aspirants should begin Mains preparation immediately if their estimated score crosses the expected threshold.
Frequently asked question (FAQs)
When was the UPSC ESE Prelims 2026 conducted?
When was the UPSC ESE Prelims 2026 conducted?
When was the UPSC ESE Prelims 2026 conducted?
When was the UPSC ESE Prelims 2026 conducted?
Is there negative marking in the ESE Prelims?
Is there negative marking in the ESE Prelims?
Is there negative marking in the ESE Prelims?
Is there negative marking in the ESE Prelims?
When will the official UPSC ESE 2026 answer key be released?
When will the official UPSC ESE 2026 answer key be released?
When will the official UPSC ESE 2026 answer key be released?
When will the official UPSC ESE 2026 answer key be released?
Where can I find the unofficial answer keys?
Where can I find the unofficial answer keys?
Where can I find the unofficial answer keys?
Where can I find the unofficial answer keys?
What are the total marks for the ESE Prelims exam?
What are the total marks for the ESE Prelims exam?
What are the total marks for the ESE Prelims exam?
What are the total marks for the ESE Prelims exam?
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UPSC ESE Prelims Answer Key 2026: PDF Download & Analysis
Key Highlights
Exam Date: The ESE Prelims took place on February 8, 2026.
Official Release: UPSC releases the authorized key only after the final recruitment process concludes.
Negative Marking: One-third of the marks assigned to a question are deducted for errors.
Total Marks: The Prelims stage carries a total weightage of 500 marks.
UPSC ESE Prelims Answer Key 2026: PDF Download & Analysis
Key Highlights
Exam Date: The ESE Prelims took place on February 8, 2026.
Official Release: UPSC releases the authorized key only after the final recruitment process concludes.
Negative Marking: One-third of the marks assigned to a question are deducted for errors.
Total Marks: The Prelims stage carries a total weightage of 500 marks.
UPSC Prelims 2022 Official Answer Key: PDF & Analysis
For anyone beginning their journey toward the Civil Services, understanding the evaluation process is the first step. The UPSC Prelims 2022 Answer Key serves as a definitive resource for candidates to verify their performance and understand the Commission's expectations. While many coaching institutes release unofficial keys immediately after the exam, the UPSC Official Answer Key 2022 remains the final authority on correct responses.
This guide breaks down the marking scheme, how to calculate your score using the UPSC CSE 2022 Answer Key, and what the past trends tell us about the competition.
UPSC CSE Prelims 2022 answer key guide covering GS Paper 1 (100 questions, +2/-0.66 marks) and CSAT Paper 2 (80 questions, +2.5/-0.83 marks). CSAT qualifying threshold: 33% (66 marks). Official UPSC answer key essential for accurate score calculation. Year-wise answer keys from 2014-2025 provided for exam preparation strategy.
UPSC Prelims 2022 Official Answer Key: PDF & Analysis
For anyone beginning their journey toward the Civil Services, understanding the evaluation process is the first step. The UPSC Prelims 2022 Answer Key serves as a definitive resource for candidates to verify their performance and understand the Commission's expectations. While many coaching institutes release unofficial keys immediately after the exam, the UPSC Official Answer Key 2022 remains the final authority on correct responses.
This guide breaks down the marking scheme, how to calculate your score using the UPSC CSE 2022 Answer Key, and what the past trends tell us about the competition.
UPSC CSE Prelims 2022 answer key guide covering GS Paper 1 (100 questions, +2/-0.66 marks) and CSAT Paper 2 (80 questions, +2.5/-0.83 marks). CSAT qualifying threshold: 33% (66 marks). Official UPSC answer key essential for accurate score calculation. Year-wise answer keys from 2014-2025 provided for exam preparation strategy.
UPSC Prelims 2023 Answer Key PDF: GS and CSAT
The Union Public Service Commission has officially released the UPSC official answer key 2023. You can now verify your answers directly against the commission's data. This release comes nearly a year after the exam took place, following the declaration of the final results on May 9, 2024.
If you appeared for the exam or are preparing for the next one, analyzing this document is crucial. Here is a detailed breakdown of the UPSC answer key 2023, the controversial dropped question, and how you can calculate your exact score.
UPSC Prelims 2023 Answer Key Pdf Download
Download UPSC Prelims 2023 official answer key PDF for GS Paper 1 & CSAT. Verify answers, calculate scores, and know how to prepare for the 2026 exam with 2023 answer key
UPSC Prelims 2023 Answer Key PDF: GS and CSAT
The Union Public Service Commission has officially released the UPSC official answer key 2023. You can now verify your answers directly against the commission's data. This release comes nearly a year after the exam took place, following the declaration of the final results on May 9, 2024.
If you appeared for the exam or are preparing for the next one, analyzing this document is crucial. Here is a detailed breakdown of the UPSC answer key 2023, the controversial dropped question, and how you can calculate your exact score.
UPSC Prelims 2023 Answer Key Pdf Download
Download UPSC Prelims 2023 official answer key PDF for GS Paper 1 & CSAT. Verify answers, calculate scores, and know how to prepare for the 2026 exam with 2023 answer key
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Gajendra Singh Godara brings authentic UPSC preparation insights from his four-attempt journey, having successfully cleared Prelims and written Mains multiple times. His deep expertise spans Polity, Modern History, International Relations, and Economy. At PadhAI, Gajendra transforms his extensive exam experience into accessible content that simplifies complex concepts for aspirants at every preparation stage. His firsthand understanding of UPSC's demands enables him to create targeted materials that save time while maximizing learning efficiency for current affairs, general studies, and optional subjects.
Gajendra Singh Godara brings authentic UPSC preparation insights from his four-attempt journey, having successfully cleared Prelims and written Mains multiple times. His deep expertise spans Polity, Modern History, International Relations, and Economy. At PadhAI, Gajendra transforms his extensive exam experience into accessible content that simplifies complex concepts for aspirants at every preparation stage. His firsthand understanding of UPSC's demands enables him to create targeted materials that save time while maximizing learning efficiency for current affairs, general studies, and optional subjects.
Gajendra Singh Godara brings authentic UPSC preparation insights from his four-attempt journey, having successfully cleared Prelims and written Mains multiple times. His deep expertise spans Polity, Modern History, International Relations, and Economy. At PadhAI, Gajendra transforms his extensive exam experience into accessible content that simplifies complex concepts for aspirants at every preparation stage. His firsthand understanding of UPSC's demands enables him to create targeted materials that save time while maximizing learning efficiency for current affairs, general studies, and optional subjects.
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UPSC Calendar 2026 is released on 15th May, 2025.
UPSC Mains Result 2025 is now released.
Check out the updated and latest UPSC Syllabus 2026 here.
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UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2025 and Unofficial Prelims Answer Key 2025 are available now.
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The UPSC Prelims 2026 is scheduled for May 24, 2026, while the UPSC Mains 2026 will be conducted from August 21, 2026.
The UPSC Selection Process is of 3 stages-Prelims, Mains and Interview.
UPSC Result 2024 is released with latest UPSC Marksheet 2024. Check Now!
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UPSC Calendar 2026 is released on 15th May, 2025.
UPSC Mains Result 2025 is now released.
Check out the updated and latest UPSC Syllabus 2026 here.
UPSC Notification 2025 was released on 22nd January 2025.
UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2025 and Unofficial Prelims Answer Key 2025 are available now.
UPSC Prelims 2026 will be conducted on 24th May, 2026 & UPSC Mains 2026 will be conducted on 21st August 2026.
The UPSC Prelims 2026 is scheduled for May 24, 2026, while the UPSC Mains 2026 will be conducted from August 21, 2026.
The UPSC Selection Process is of 3 stages-Prelims, Mains and Interview.
UPSC Result 2024 is released with latest UPSC Marksheet 2024. Check Now!
Latest UPSC Exam 2026 Updates
UPSC Calendar 2026 is released on 15th May, 2025.
UPSC Mains Result 2025 is now released.
Check out the updated and latest UPSC Syllabus 2026 here.
UPSC Notification 2025 was released on 22nd January 2025.
UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2025 and Unofficial Prelims Answer Key 2025 are available now.
UPSC Prelims 2026 will be conducted on 24th May, 2026 & UPSC Mains 2026 will be conducted on 21st August 2026.
The UPSC Prelims 2026 is scheduled for May 24, 2026, while the UPSC Mains 2026 will be conducted from August 21, 2026.
The UPSC Selection Process is of 3 stages-Prelims, Mains and Interview.
UPSC Result 2024 is released with latest UPSC Marksheet 2024. Check Now!
Latest UPSC Exam 2026 Updates
UPSC Calendar 2026 is released on 15th May, 2025.
UPSC Mains Result 2025 is now released.
Check out the updated and latest UPSC Syllabus 2026 here.
UPSC Notification 2025 was released on 22nd January 2025.
UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2025 and Unofficial Prelims Answer Key 2025 are available now.
UPSC Prelims 2026 will be conducted on 24th May, 2026 & UPSC Mains 2026 will be conducted on 21st August 2026.
The UPSC Prelims 2026 is scheduled for May 24, 2026, while the UPSC Mains 2026 will be conducted from August 21, 2026.
The UPSC Selection Process is of 3 stages-Prelims, Mains and Interview.
UPSC Result 2024 is released with latest UPSC Marksheet 2024. Check Now!
Why choose PadhAI?
Read daily top news (TH & IE) & Solve Current Affairs MCQs
Topic-wise search of 30+ yrs PYQs
24×7 AI tutor for doubt resolution
Practice 30k+ MCQs & full GS + CSAT mocks
Play Duel UPSC quizzes with fellow aspirants
PadhAI UPSC App
We're PadhAI - a free UPSC prep app built by IITians, AI PhDs & top UPSC experts.
Why choose PadhAI?
Read daily top news (TH & IE) & Solve Current Affairs MCQs
Topic-wise search of 30+ yrs PYQs
24×7 AI tutor for doubt resolution
Practice 30k+ MCQs & full GS + CSAT mocks
Play Duel UPSC quizzes with fellow aspirants
PadhAI UPSC App
We're PadhAI - a free UPSC prep app built by IITians, AI PhDs & top UPSC experts.
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Download UPSC Prelims 2023 official answer key PDF for GS Paper 1 & CSAT. Verify answers, calculate scores, and know how to prepare for the 2026 exam with 2023 answer key
Official UPSC Prelims 2024 Answer Key for GS & CSAT papers. Download PDF, learn about 3 dropped questions, and calculate your final score.
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