In this article, we provide the comprehensive UPSC Prelims 2026 answer key and detailed solutions for both GS and CSAT papers. You can currently download the GS Paper 1 answer key; the CSAT solutions will be updated later this evening.
The UPSC Civil Services Prelims Examination was held on 24th May 2026, featuring two shifts for General Studies Paper 1 and CSAT Paper 2. Candidates who appeared for the exam can now access the provisional UPSC Prelims answer key, meticulously curated by the expert faculty at StudyIQ Education.
The UPSC CSE Prelims consists of two papers, each worth 200 marks. In Paper 1, each correct answer carries 2 marks, while Paper 2 awards 2.5 marks per correct response. Please note the negative marking scheme: 1/3rd of the marks assigned to a question (0.66 marks) will be deducted for every incorrect answer.
UPSC General Studies Paper 1 Answer Key 2026
We have provided the answers to all 100 questions from the General Studies Paper 1 (conducted from 9:30 am to 11:30 am) specifically for SET A. Despite the paper being noted for its challenging difficulty level, the StudyIQ faculty has prepared accurate solutions. Download the PDF and verify your responses against our expert answer key.
| UPSC Prelims GS Paper 1 Answers (SET A) | |||
| 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 |
The answers provided above correspond to the SET A question paper, which you can download below:
UPSC CSAT Paper 2 Answer Key 2026
The CSAT paper comprises 80 questions. Our expert faculty will conduct a detailed analysis and provide the complete UPSC CSAT Paper 2 Answer Key shortly after the conclusion of the exam.
Important Note: Only marks from GS Paper 1 are used to determine the Prelims merit list. CSAT (Paper 2) is a qualifying paper; however, a minimum score of 33% is mandatory to ensure your GS Paper 1 is evaluated.
FAQs
Can I get correct answers before official UPSC Answer Key is released?
Yes, this article serves as a comprehensive resource, featuring the UPSC Prelims Answer Key for both papers as solved by our subject matter experts.
What is the negative marking for UPSC CSE Prelims Paper 1 and 2?
Both GS Paper 1 and CSAT Paper 2 adhere to a negative marking policy, where 1/3rd of the allotted marks (0.66 marks per question) are deducted for each incorrect response.
Is CSAT marks counted in the Prelims merit list?
No, CSAT is strictly a qualifying paper. Candidates must achieve at least 33% (66.67 marks out of 200) in CSAT for their GS Paper 1 to be evaluated. Only the marks obtained in GS Paper 1 determine a candidate's eligibility for the UPSC Mains.
What is a safe score in UPSC Prelims 2026 for the General category?
Based on historical trends, a score of 90+ in GS Paper 1 is typically considered a safe threshold for the General category. Please note that the final cutoff fluctuates annually based on the exam difficulty, the number of test-takers, and available vacancies.
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