UPSC answer key release confusion and official clarification
- October 4, 2025
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The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has become the focus of widespread speculation after an affidavit circulating online claimed that the Commission would release provisional answer keys for the Civil Services Preliminary Examination immediately after the test. The document suggested that candidates would be allowed to raise objections before the final answer key is published. However, UPSC officials have clarified that no such decision has been formally approved or announced.
The affidavit, which gained traction across social media and candidate forums, suggested a major procedural shift in how UPSC handles its preliminary exam evaluation process. Traditionally, the Commission releases the final answer keys only after the entire recruitment cycle concludes. The idea of a provisional release, therefore, generated both excitement and uncertainty among aspirants preparing for one of India’s most competitive examinations.
Addressing the growing speculation, UPSC Chairman Dr Ajay Kumar stated that no official change has been introduced to the existing system. He emphasized that candidates should rely solely on notifications published through UPSC’s official website or communication channels. According to Dr Kumar, any modification to examination procedures must follow due process and formal approval before being implemented.
The matter remains under consideration by the Supreme Court, making it sub-judice. This legal status means that no procedural adjustments can be enforced until a judicial decision is reached. As such, any claims about immediate publication of provisional answer keys remain unverified and unofficial at this stage.
Under existing norms, UPSC releases the final answer keys for the Civil Services Preliminary Examination only after declaring the final results of the entire selection process. This approach ensures transparency while maintaining examination integrity throughout subsequent stages such as the Mains and Personality Test. Any deviation from this established practice would represent a significant procedural change requiring formal notification.
Candidates are strongly advised to disregard unverified information circulating online and instead monitor only official updates from UPSC’s website. Depending on unofficial sources can lead to misinformation about exam schedules, procedures, or result timelines. The Commission continues to caution aspirants against relying on social media posts or documents not issued directly by its office.
In conclusion, while discussions continue regarding potential reforms in how UPSC manages its examination transparency measures, no confirmed policy shift has been announced yet. With legal proceedings still pending before the Supreme Court, candidates should remain patient and attentive to authentic notifications from the Commission itself. Until an official statement is released, all reports suggesting immediate publication of provisional answer keys should be treated as speculative rather than factual.