UPSC IAS Prelims Answer Key 2026 - Download PDFs

UPSC IAS Prelims Answer Key 2026 - Download PDFs

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Vishnukumar VUpdated on 27 Nov 2025, 03:43 PM IST
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Union Public Service Commission will release the UPSC IAS prelims answer key 2026 on the official website. UPSC IAS prelims answer key will be released at upsc.gov.in. The UPSC prelims answer key consists of all the correct answers to the question asked in the UPSC IAS exam. UPSC releases the final answer key and does not provide an option to raise objections.

UPSC IAS Prelims Answer Key 2026 - Download PDFs
UPSC IAS Prelims Answer Key 2026 - Download PDFs

Candidates can check the UPSC official answer key in the form of a PDF. The commission releases the UPSC IAS answer key 2026 after the final result is declared. Those preparing for the exam can check the UPSC prelims official answer key PDF and match with the question paper. The UPSC prelims question paper of previous years will also be available on the official website. Check the below article to know more details about the UPSC Prelims answer key 2026 -

UPSC IAS Answer Key Dates 2026

As we know, the UPSC answer key will be released after the final result is released. Candidates are required to check the official website often to know the UPSC IAS answer key date. Check the below table to know to know all the UPSC IAS exam dates -

UPSC IAS Dates 2026

Event

UPSC Dates

UPSC IAS Exam date 2026

May 24, 2026

UPSC IAS result date

To be announced

UPSC IAS answer key date 2026

To be announced

Also check -

How to download the UPSC IAS prelims answer key ?

  • Go to the UPSC official website, upsc.gov.in.

  • Click on ‘Examination’ on the homepage.

  • Under that, click on ‘Answer keys’.

  • Search for the UPSC CSE answer key PDF.

  • Click on it.

  • Download the UPSC official answer key for future reference.

UPSC CSE Preparation Strategy and Best Books
UPSC CSE preparation strategy along with best books for prelims as well as mains exam for sure success.
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UPSC IAS Prelims 2026 Answer Key

The UPSC prelims answer key IAS link will be updated right after its release in the below table. All the UPSC IAS previous year answers keys will also be available on the official website.

Paper

Answer key Link

PaperGeneral Studies Paper 1

Click here

PaperGeneral Studies Paper 2

Click here

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: When will the UPSC UPSC prelims official answer key PDF be available?
A:

The unofficial UPSC IAS 2026 prelims answer key can be downloaded on the same day of exam.

Q: How to check the UPSC prelims answer key IAS?
A:

The UPSC IAS answer key 2026 can be checked at upsc.gov.in. 

Q: How will the UPSC prelims answer key be released?
A:

The UPSC prelims answer key will be released in PDF format. 

Q: What is the UPSC IAS exam date 2026?
A:

The UPSC IAS exam 2026 date is May 24, 2026.

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Questions related to UPSC CSE

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to UPSC CSE ?

Hello Aspirant

As your question is not clear, you are asking how to become an IAS, which course or degree you should pursue, and all the related details regarding the IAS. So, I can suggest you choosing the right stream in Intermediate is important.
The Arts/Humanities stream is most helpful because many subjects match the UPSC syllabus.
You will study History, Geography, Political Science, and Economics—core topics for IAS. This stream also gives you more time to build the reading and writing skills needed for UPSC.

For more details and preparation tips, just click here: CLICK HERE

Hello Aspirant

All colleges are the best, and selection mainly depends on you and your consistency. But I can help you regarding this :

After the 10th, you can join PU (11–12th) colleges that offer strong academics and an early IAS foundation.
Some good options are Delhi’s Rajendra Prasad Sarvodaya Vidyalaya (Civil Services Wing), Bangalore’s BASE/Deeksha, Hyderabad’s Sri Chaitanya/Narayana, and Kota’s Allen Pre-Foundation programs.
Choose a college that gives a strong focus on NCERTs, writing skills, and current affairs along with your 11th–12th stream.
The best choice is the one that keeps you disciplined, consistent, and supported with IAS foundation classes.

ALL THE BEST!!!

Hello

If you want to become an IAS officer, you can choose any group CEC, MPC, or BiPC as IAS does not require a specific subject stream.
However, many students prefer CEC (Commerce, Economics, Civics) or MPC (Maths, Physics, Chemistry) because they help build analytical and general knowledge skills useful for the IAS exam.
CEC helps with subjects like economics and polity, which are important for the IAS syllabus.
MPC develops problem-solving skills and logical thinking, also useful for the exam. BiPC (Biology group) is less common for IAS aspirants, but still possible if you prefer life sciences.

Hello, it’s wonderful to see such clarity at such a young age. Becoming an IAS officer requires consistent preparation, strong general knowledge, and excellent analytical skills. Right now, your main focus should be building a strong base in academics, especially in subjects like History, Geography, and Economics. Start reading NCERT textbooks from class 6 to 12 for these subjects. Make it a habit to read a good newspaper like The Hindu or Indian Express daily to improve your current affairs knowledge. Practice writing short essays on important topics it will help you in the Mains stage later. Participate in debates, quizzes, and discussions to improve your speaking and thinking skills. After 12th, choose a graduation subject that you enjoy but also overlaps with UPSC syllabus. Most importantly, stay consistent and avoid distractions. You have plenty of time to prepare, so start slowly and build steadily.

Wishing you success in your IAS dream, and thank you for sharing.


The choice of your graduation path – integrated BSc BEd (Zoology), BTech CS, or integrated BS-MS at IISER Thiruvananthapuram – to pursue the dream of becoming an IAS officer requires careful consideration.

A Bachelor of Arts degree, particularly in subjects like Political Science, History, or Economics, is often considered the most aligned with the CSE syllabus, covering crucial topics relevant to General Studies papers.

However, a science background, especially with a BTech CS degree, develops analytical and logical reasoning skills beneficial for the CSAT paper and could be advantageous for certain optional subjects like Mathematics or potentially Engineering disciplines.

Even if you choose a science or engineering stream, you can still select humanities-based optional subjects that overlap with the General Studies papers like Anthropology, Sociology, or Public Administration, which many engineers have successfully opted for.The integrated BSc BEd (Zoology) offers a strong foundation in science and a backup career in teaching, but the primary focus of the BEd component may not be directly relevant to the UPSC syllabus. The integrated BS-MS at IISER offers a strong research focus and academic excellence, potentially leading to diverse career paths in science, academia, industry, or even government agencies But still it is not connected with your ias dream.

Among all b.tech is best as many successful candidates from engineering backgrounds, have utilized their analytical skills and knowledge to crack the exam.