UPSC to Release Provisional Answer Keys After Prelims in Major Policy Shift
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has informed the Supreme Court of its decision to publish provisional answer keys immediately after the Civil Services preliminary examination. This marks a significant departure from its long-standing practice of releasing keys only after the final results are declared. The move, aimed at increasing transparency, will allow candidates to raise objections supported by authoritative sources before the prelims results are finalized, addressing a key grievance of millions of aspirants.
Unpacked:
UPSC withheld answer keys to maintain exam integrity and avoid influencing subsequent stages. However, critics argued this practice created opacity and disadvantaged aspirants, as it prevented timely challenges to evaluation errors and deprived candidates of feedback for future attempts.
Candidates must submit objections to the provisional answer key supported by at least three authoritative sources. A panel of subject experts will review these objections before finalizing the official answer keys, ensuring only substantiated challenges are considered.
Persistent legal challenges and petitions from aspirants, as well as recommendations from Parliamentary Committees and tribunals, pressured UPSC to increase transparency. The Supreme Court's involvement and advocacy from candidates led to this policy reversal.
Other major exam bodies, such as state public service commissions, IITs, and IIMs, already publish answer keys and cut-off marks promptly. UPSC’s shift aligns its practices with these institutions and addresses long-standing demands for transparency and accountability.