The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced a major change in its civil services examination process. For the first time, the Commission will release provisional answer keys immediately after the preliminary exams. Candidates can raise objections before results are finalised. This decision comes after years of demands from aspirants seeking transparency.
Provisional Answer Keys and Objections
In an affidavit filed before the Supreme Court, the UPSC said it had taken a “conscious and well-considered decision” to improve transparency. Aspirants can now view the provisional answer keys right after the prelims. They may submit objections with at least three authoritative references.
A panel of subject experts will review these objections. The final answer keys will form the basis for the prelims results. The ultimate answer key will still be published after the final results are declared.
From now onwards, UPSC will publish key answers right after Prelims.
A big win for the UPSC aspirant community. pic.twitter.com/RZQaXafRCQ
— Environment and Ecology for UPSC 🇮🇳 (@Ecology4UPSC) October 3, 2025
“The decision taken by the UPSC is considered to be an effective and adequate redressal of the grievances raised in the petition and to enhance the level of transparency in the functioning of the UPSC,” the affidavit said.
Background and Judicial Push
Civil services aspirants have long criticised UPSC for releasing answer keys months after prelims. Over 500,000 candidates appear for the preliminary test each year, and only about 12,000-15,000 qualify for the mains. The delay left aspirants uncertain about preparing for the mains or next year’s prelims.
The Supreme Court is hearing petitions seeking immediate disclosure. The Commission has now placed its decision before the court and requested disposal of the petitions, citing a balance of fairness, transparency, and practicality. The matter is expected to be discussed on October 14.
Senior advocate Jaideep Gupta, appointed as amicus curiae, suggested releasing the provisional answer key a day after the exam. Candidates would then have a week to file objections. Gupta highlighted past Supreme Court rulings supporting intervention in cases of demonstrable evaluation errors.
In 2024, 583,213 candidates appeared for prelims out of 992,599 applicants. Of these, 14,627 qualified for mains, 2,845 advanced to the personality test, and 1,009 candidates—725 men and 284 women—were ultimately recommended for appointments.
A Step Toward Greater Transparency
The move aligns UPSC with other top educational bodies, such as state public service commissions, IITs, and IIMs, which promptly release answer keys and cut-offs. Experts say the policy will help maintain fairness and strengthen public trust in India’s civil services selection process.
