HPSC Prelims Answer Key 2026: Standard question booklet and answer key uploaded
HPSC Prelims Answer Key 2026 was uploaded by the Haryana Public Service Commission along with the standard question booklet for both papers on 28 April 2026 . Candidates who sat for Paper 1 (General Studies) and Paper 2 (CSAT) can download the files from the commission website and check their responses.
You have a short window to challenge any answers: the objection portal is open from 28 April 2026 until 30 April 2026, 05:00 PM , and each objection costs ₹250 . This article walks you through downloading the keys, filing objections step by step, analysing your provisional performance, and what to keep ready before you submit any challenge.
Quick summary: What’s released and why it matters
HPSC has uploaded two files per paper: the standard question booklet and the standard answer key for Paper 1 (General Studies) and Paper 2 (CSAT). The upload helps you match your question paper booklet code and responses to the official key.
Download the keys immediately so you can estimate your provisional score and identify any answers you want to challenge. The objection window opens the same day the keys are released and remains active for a short three-day period.
Key dates at a glance:
- Answer key release: 28 April 2026
- Objection window: 28 April 2026 to 30 April 2026, 05:00 PM
- Objection fee: ₹250 per objection
Step-by-step: How to download the HPSC Prelims Answer Key 2026
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Open the official HPSC website (hpsc.gov.in). Look for the What’s New section on the homepage. The commission has placed the notice titled "Filing Objections according to the standard question paper and Answer Key uploaded by the Commission for the posts of HCS (Ex.Br.) & Other Allied Services-2025" there.
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Click the notice to open the PDF containing links to the standard question booklet and answer key for both papers. Download the PDF files corresponding to your paper code.
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Keep your exam details (roll number and the question booklet code you received in the exam) handy to cross-check against the downloaded booklet.
Troubleshooting tips while downloading:
- If the website is slow, refresh the What’s New section and try again after a few minutes; high traffic is common on release day.
- Use a desktop browser for easier reading and to download PDFs. Ensure pop-up blockers do not prevent downloads.
- If you cannot find your booklet code inside the downloaded PDF, re-check that you downloaded the correct paper file (Paper 1 vs Paper 2) and the correct booklet code.
Understanding the files you get: standard question booklet vs answer key
The standard question booklet reproduces the questions exactly as the commission has recorded them for a particular booklet code. The standard answer key lists the commission’s official answers to those questions.
Why both matter:
- The question booklet is what you must match with your attempt sheet. If you misread a question or had a different booklet code during the exam, your responses must be compared against the correct booklet.
- The answer key tells you which option the commission considers correct. Use both together: locate the question in the booklet, then check its correct option in the answer key.
Common mismatch examples and what they imply:
- If your answer matches what you marked in the exam but the key shows a different option, you may have grounds to object if you have evidence.
- If the booklet you used during the exam is different from the one you downloaded, ensure you select the exact booklet code before comparing; an incorrect booklet-code match will give false mismatches.
How to raise objections: full walkthrough of the filing process
HPSC has provided a portal for filing objections. Follow these steps exactly to ensure your challenge is accepted for review:
- On hpsc.gov.in, after checking the What’s New notice, go to the Links tab on the homepage.
- On the Links page, find and click "Click Here to File Objections" .
- You will be prompted to log in. Enter your mobile number and the captcha text, then click Login.
- Select the paper (Paper 1 or Paper 2) and the exact question ID(s) you wish to challenge.
- For each objection, provide a clear, concise rationale and attach any supporting reference you rely on.
- Proceed to payment. The portal requires ₹250 per objection . Complete payment and save the receipt or confirmation.
- After submission, save the final acknowledgement number or take a screenshot of the confirmation page.
Tips to avoid login or submission failures:
- Enter the same mobile number you provided during registration or at the exam, if possible.
- Keep a clear, legible copy of your supporting reference before you start to file the objection; uploading large files can cause delays.
- If the payment fails, check the transaction status and do not re-submit the same objection immediately; verify whether you received a confirmation first.
Objection fee, window and rules you must follow
The commission has set a short window and a fixed fee per objection. Know these details before you begin.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Answer key upload date | 28 April 2026 |
| Objection window | 28–30 April 2026 (till 05:00 PM ) |
| Fee per objection | ₹250 |
| Papers covered | Paper 1 (General Studies) and Paper 2 (CSAT) |
How many objections can you file?
The commission has not publicly limited the number of objections a candidate may file in the notice; however, each objection will require the ₹250 fee. Prioritise challenges that have the strongest evidence and the highest potential impact on your provisional score.
Record-keeping is vital:
Save the payment receipts, acknowledgement number, screenshots of the objection submission page and the exact wording you submitted. These records are the only proof you filed within the deadline.
How to prepare a strong objection: evidence and framing
A strong objection is clear, focused and backed by reliable references.
What counts as valid supporting evidence:
- Official notifications, statutes or government circulars (include the exact clause and page).
- Credible standard references used in competitive exam preparation (mention edition and publisher).
How to phrase your objection:
- Start with the exact question ID and booklet code as shown in the standard question booklet.
- State the key claimed correct option from your submission and the option shown in the commission key.
- Cite the reference concisely: author/publisher/edition/page or the official notification clause and page number.
- Conclude with a short sentence: why the commission should accept the alternative option or revise the key.
Sample objection statement template you can adapt:
"Question ID: [insert]. Booklet Code: [insert]. Commission key shows option [X]; I request review of option [Y]. Reference: [Author/Title/Edition/Page] or [Official Notification Name, Clause/Page]. Justification: [one-sentence explanation]."
Keep each objection focused on one clear point. Long essays or unrelated documents reduce clarity and increase the chance of rejection.
Performance analysis: estimate your provisional score from the released keys
You can use the released keys to get a provisional idea of your score, but final results depend on the commission’s finalised key and official marking rules.
How to estimate provisionally:
- Match your answers to the standard question booklet and mark the number of answers that exactly match the commission’s key.
- Subtract the number of answers that do not match.
- Apply the marking scheme specified in the official examination notification (marks per question and negative marking, if any) to calculate your provisional score.
Important notes on scoring:
- The commission’s official notification contains the exact marks per question and any negative marking. Use that notification when converting correct/wrong counts into marks.
- Paper 2 (CSAT) is often qualifying in many state services examinations, but HPSC’s qualifying rules for CSAT must be checked in the official notification; do not assume its weight or qualifying status without verifying.
Limitations of provisional scoring:
- The released key is provisional; successful objections can change the final key and your final score.
- If the commission accepts an alternative option for multiple questions, normalization or mark adjustments could follow.
| Step | What you do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Count questions matching the commission key in each paper |
| 2 | Refer to the official notification for marks per question and negative marks, if any |
| 3 | Calculate provisional marks = (correct answers × marks per question) − (wrong answers × negative marks per wrong answer) |
| 4 | Treat the result as provisional until the commission publishes the final key |
Checklist before submitting objections
Before you click Submit, run through this final checklist to avoid avoidable issues:
- Confirm the exact question ID and booklet code you are challenging.
- Ensure your supporting reference is precise (edition, page number or clause) and uploaded in the required format.
- Prepare a single-line justification that explains precisely why the key is incorrect.
- Ensure you have ₹250 available per objection and that your card/net-banking/UPI works for the portal payment.
- Note down your mobile number used for login; you will receive confirmation on that number.
Common mistakes candidates make and how to avoid them:
- Submitting an objection without the correct booklet code — always double-check.
- Uploading generic references that do not pinpoint the exact support — use page numbers or clause references.
- Failing to save payment receipts and acknowledgement numbers — take screenshots immediately after submission.
After submission, expect an acknowledgement on the portal; the commission has not specified a timeline for resolving objections in the notice, so keep monitoring the What’s New section.
What we don’t know yet and what to watch for next
The HPSC notice and answer-key upload include several concrete items, but some practical details remain unspecified in the same release:
- There is no public date for the release of the final answer key after objections.
- The commission has not provided a resolution timeline for objections.
- The notice does not list helpline or support contact details for technical or payment issues.
- Exact limits on the number of objections a candidate may file were not mentioned.
What you should do now:
- Monitor the HPSC What’s New section on hpsc.gov.in for updates and any follow-up notices.
- Keep the downloaded standard question booklet, key PDF and screenshots of every submission in a dedicated folder.
- Continue or begin preparation for the mains stage in parallel; do not wait entirely on the keys and objections to plan your next steps.
Useful quick-reference table: dates, fees and portal location
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Answer key uploaded on | 28 April 2026 |
| Objection window | 28–30 April 2026, till 05:00 PM |
| Fee per objection | ₹250 |
| Where to download key | HPSC official website — What’s New section (hpsc.gov.in) |
| Where to file objections | HPSC portal — Links tab → Click Here to File Objections |
Final tips: prioritise your time and evidence
You have limited days and a non-trivial fee per objection. Prioritise challenges that are backed by clear, standard references and that affect more than one candidate’s score (for example, questions with clear factual errors or misprinted options).
Keep your mains preparation going. Even if some objections succeed, the commission’s final decision may come after you need to start focused mains study.
FAQs
Q: Where can I download the HPSC Prelims answer key?
A: From the HPSC official website (hpsc.gov.in), check the What’s New section for the notice titled "Filing Objections according to the standard question paper and Answer Key uploaded by the Commission for the posts of HCS (Ex.Br.) & Other Allied Services-2025" .
Q: What is the objection window for HPSC Prelims Answer Key 2026?
A: The objection window is 28 April 2026 to 30 April 2026 until 05:00 PM .
Q: How much is the fee per objection and where do I pay it?
A: The fee is ₹250 per objection , payable through the HPSC objection portal at the time of filing your objection.
Q: How do I file objections on the HPSC portal?
A: On hpsc.gov.in, go to the Links tab and click "Click Here to File Objections" . Login with your mobile number and captcha, select the question IDs, upload evidence, and complete the payment of ₹250 per objection.
Q: Which papers’ keys were released?
A: The commission released keys for Paper 1 (General Studies) and Paper 2 (CSAT).
Q: Can I download the standard question booklet and then file objections?
A: Yes. Download the standard question booklet from the What’s New notice, verify your booklet code, then use the Click Here to File Objections link to raise any challenges.