The UPSC ESE Prelims Answer Key 2026 is anticipated to be made available on the Union Public Service Commission’s (UPSC) official website, upsc.gov.in. In order to assess their performance, candidates who took the Engineering Services Examination (ESE) Prelims 2026 are anxiously awaiting the official answer key. The solution key, which will include the right answers to every question posed in the preliminary exam, will be extremely helpful to applicants in estimating their scores prior to the results being announced.
One of the most competitive engineering tests in India is the ESE, sometimes called the Indian Engineering Services (IES) Examination. It is held yearly by UPSC to choose engineers for esteemed technical services under the Indian government.
Table of Contents
The Value of the 2026 ESE Prelim Answer Key
There are several uses for the answer key:
aids applicants in evaluating their performance
makes it possible to estimate the expected rank and score.
aids in identifying areas that are strong and weak.
minimises doubt while awaiting the outcome
Candidates can organise their ESE Mains preparation if they hope to qualify by using the answer key efficiently.
How to Get the 2026 UPSC ESE Prelim Answer Key
When the official answer key is made available, candidates can download it by doing the following:
Go to upsc.gov.in, the official website.
Select the “Examinations” area.
Choose “Evaluation of Engineering Services.”
Select the “ESE Prelims Answer Key 2026” option.
For Paper II, select Paper I or the appropriate engineering discipline.
Save the PDF for future use after downloading it.
How to Use the ESE Answer Key to Determine Your Score
Candidates can use the official grading method to determine their predicted score:
Labelling System
Paper I: each right response receives two marks, whereas each wrong response receives 0.66 marks.
Paper II: each right response receives two marks, whereas each wrong response receives 0.66 marks.
How to Determine Your Score
Determine how many of the responses are right.
Multiply the right responses by two.
Determine how many of the responses were wrong.
Multiply the wrong responses by 0.66.
Deduct the negative scores from the sum of the positive scores.
Questions that are not attempted are not graded.
Cutoff Date for UPSC ESE Prelims in 2026
Every year, the ESE Prelim cut-off scores change depending on:
Exam difficulty level
The quantity of applicants that showed up
The quantity of open positions
Competition by discipline
Those who score near or over the anticipated cut-off can immediately begin studying for the ESE Mains Exam.
What Takes Place Following the Answer Key?
UPSC will publish the ESE Prelims Result 2026, which will include the applicants who qualified for the Mains exam, following the evaluation of the preliminary papers. The ESE Mains and the Personality Test (Interview) will be the next steps for the shortlisted candidates.
Important Things for Candidates
Only upsc.gov.in releases the official answer key.
Make use of the appropriate discipline-specific response key.
Carefully calculate scores while taking negative grading into account.
Continue to keep an eye on official notifications for updates on results.
In conclusion
Candidates can assess their performance and make plans for the next stage of their preparation with the help of the UPSC ESE Prelims Answer Key 2026. Aspirants can gain a realistic sense of their chances of passing the Mains exam by comprehending the marking scheme and accurately calculating marks. It is recommended that candidates frequently check upsc.gov.in for the most recent information on answer keys, results, and upcoming Engineering Services Examination phases.
