UPSC to release prelims answer keys immediately

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has agreed to publish provisional answer keys immediately after the civil services preliminary examination and allow candidates to file objections before results are finalised, a significant policy shift after years of resistance.

- Utkarsh Anand

In an affidavit filed before a Supreme Court (SC) bench led by justice PS Narasimha, the Commission said it had undertaken a "comprehensive deliberation" and taken a "conscious and well-considered decision" to enhance transparency.

The policy shift addresses years of grievances from civil services aspirants who argued they had no way to challenge mistakes in preliminary exams that determine whether they advance in the selection process. With over 500,000 candidates appearing for the preliminary test annually and only about 12,000-15,000 qualifying, the move toward transparency could reshape how future bureaucrats are selected.

The court is hearing petitions seeking immediate disclosure instead of the current practice of releasing them only after the entire examination cycle concludes.