The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025 Preliminary Answer Keys on May 13, 2026. This release marks the completion of the 2025 examination cycle. In a significant policy shift, this is the final time the Commission is releasing the answer keys after the entire process; starting from the 2026 session, UPSC will release provisional answer keys immediately following the Preliminary exam.
Key Statistics: UPSC CSE 2025 Cycle
The 2025 exam cycle saw high competition, with nearly 10 lakh aspirants fighting for a spot in the final recommendation list.
| Metric | Details |
| Total Applicants | 9,37,876 |
| Total Appeared in Prelims | 5,76,793 |
| Qualified for Mains | 14,161 |
| Qualified for Interview | 2,736 |
| Final Recommendations | 958 Candidates (659 Men, 299 Women) |
Download Guide: How to Get the Official Answer Key
Candidates can now verify their scores for both GS Paper-I and GS Paper-II (CSAT) by downloading the official PDFs from the Commission’s portal.
- Visit the Official Website: Go to upsc.gov.in or upsconline.gov.in.
- Navigate to Examinations: Click on the “Examination” tab on the top menu.
- Select Answer Keys: Click the “Answer Keys” option from the drop-down list.
- Find CSE 2025: Look for the link titled “Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2025”.
- Save the PDF: Separate links are available for General Studies Paper I and Paper II. Download the files to cross-check your responses.
UPSC CSE 2025: Timeline Retrospective
| Milestone | Date |
| Prelims Exam | May 25, 2025 |
| Mains Exam | August 22 – August 31, 2025 |
| Interviews (Personality Tests) | January – April 2026 |
| Final Result Declaration | March 6, 2026 |
| Official Answer Key Release | May 13, 2026 |
Critical Update for 2026 Aspirants
For candidates preparing for the upcoming cycle, the Commission has released several important notices:
- UPSC CSE 2026 Prelims Date: The exam is scheduled for May 24, 2026.
- Admit Cards: Hall tickets for the 2026 Prelims will be released shortly. Aspirants are advised to check the clarity of their photographs on the e-admit card.
- New Policy: Starting with the 2026 session, UPSC will implement a Provisional Answer Key system. Candidates will likely be given a window to raise objections immediately after the Prelims, similar to other major competitive exams in India.
- Vacancies: Over 900 posts are on offer for the 2026 recruitment drive.
Contact Support
For discrepancies in upcoming hall tickets or communication regarding the 2026 exam, candidates should email uscsp-upsc@nic.in mentioning their name, roll number, and registration ID.
