The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the provisional answer key for the Combined Medical Services (CMS) Examination 2026. Candidates who appeared for the exam on August 2 can now access the answer key on the UPSC’s official website without needing to log in.
Understanding the UPSC CMS Exam and Answer Key
The UPSC CMS exam is held annually to recruit medical officers for various central government departments. The 2026 exam was conducted in a computer-based format on August 2. It consists of two papers, each covering different medical subjects. Paper 1 includes General Medicine and Pediatrics, while Paper 2 covers Surgery, Gynecology and Obstetrics, and Preventive and Social Medicine (PSM).
The provisional answer key is an important resource that allows candidates to check their responses against the official answers provided by UPSC. This helps candidates estimate their scores before the final results are announced.
Details of the Provisional Answer Key for 2026
- The answer key is available for all four series: A, B, C, and D for both Paper 1 and Paper 2.
- It includes information such as paper number, subject name, total number of questions, maximum marks, and the number of questions considered for scoring.
- Notably, UPSC has not dropped any questions from either paper, meaning all questions from the exam are included in the scoring process.
- The answer key PDFs are divided by subject groups: one for General Medicine and Pediatrics (Paper 1) and another for Surgery, Gynecology and Obstetrics, and PSM (Paper 2).
How to Access the UPSC CMS 2026 Provisional Answer Key
Candidates can download the provisional answer key by visiting the UPSC official website and following these steps:
- Navigate to the homepage and locate the link for the Combined Medical Services Examination, 2026.
- Click on the link and then select the Provisional Answer Key option.
- Download the relevant PDF based on your exam subject—either Paper 1 or Paper 2.
After reviewing the provisional answer key, candidates can raise objections if they find discrepancies. The UPSC will consider these before publishing the final answer key and results.
What the Answer Key Release Means for Candidates
The release of the provisional answer key marks a crucial step in the UPSC CMS exam process. Candidates can now gauge their performance and identify areas where they may have made mistakes. This transparency helps reduce anxiety and prepares them for the next stages of recruitment.
Following the final answer key release, successful candidates will be shortlisted for the personal interview round, which is the final stage of selection for medical officer posts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where can I download the UPSC CMS 2026 provisional answer key?
A: The provisional answer key is available on the official UPSC website under the Combined Medical Services Examination, 2026 section.
Q: Are any questions dropped from the UPSC CMS 2026 exam?
A: No, UPSC has not dropped any questions from either Paper 1 or Paper 2 in the 2026 exam.
Q: What should I do if I find an error in the provisional answer key?
A: Candidates can raise objections through the official UPSC portal within the specified timeframe before the final answer key is published.
