The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026 has come under legal scrutiny after the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) issued notice to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) over a petition challenging eight questions from the exam. The candidates claim the disputed questions could affect more than 16 marks, including negative marking, potentially influencing who qualifies for the Civil Services Main Examination.The case was heard on Monday, August 17, with advocate Shantanu Jugtawat, an alumnus of NLIU Bhopal, appearing for the applicants. The petition challenges the provisional answer key and raises questions over the accuracy of certain questions in General Studies Paper-I.
Which UPSC Prelims questions are under challenge?
The applicants appeared for the Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026. After the exam, UPSC released its provisional answer key on May 27 and invited candidates to submit objections.The candidates say they compared the provisional answers with government records, statutory provisions, official publications and other reliable sources before raising their objections.The questions under challenge are 7, 11, 45, 60, 62, 82, 86 and 96 from General Studies Paper-I, Set A.According to the petition, some questions contain factual errors, while certain answers marked by UPSC allegedly do not match authoritative source material. The candidates have also claimed that some questions do not have a sustainable correct answer among the options provided.
Why could more than 16 marks matter?
The possible impact on candidates’ scores is one of the key issues raised before the tribunal.The applicants estimate that the disputed questions, along with the effect of negative marking, could affect more than 16 marks.That could be significant in UPSC Prelims, where candidates must clear the cutoff to move to the Civil Services Main Examination. A difference of even a few marks can determine whether an aspirant reaches the next stage.The candidates have therefore argued that the way these questions are treated in the final answer key could directly affect their results.
Why did candidates approach CAT?
The candidates say they submitted objections to the provisional answer key within the prescribed period. However, they claim they were not given a satisfactory response on the outcome of their representations.With the final answer key expected to determine their scores, they approached CAT seeking directions to UPSC to consider their objections and make corrections wherever required.The matter has been filed under Section 19 of the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985.
What is the argument over fairness?
During the hearing, the applicants argued that an examination used to determine eligibility for public employment must meet basic standards of fairness and accuracy.Their counsel submitted that if several questions are factually incorrect, incorrect answers are treated as correct, and the resulting marks make up a significant portion of the qualifying threshold, the examination could become unfair and arbitrary.The petition also raises concerns under Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law.These remain the applicants’ arguments. The tribunal has not yet given a final finding on whether the disputed questions or the provisional answer key are incorrect.
What are the candidates seeking?
The applicants have asked the tribunal to direct UPSC to examine their objections and correct the provisional answer key if the disputed answers are found to be wrong.They have also sought appropriate relief regarding questions that they claim contain factual errors or lack a valid answer option.The petition does not seek to reopen the entire examination. The challenge is limited to the eight questions identified by the candidates.
What happens next?
The CAT has issued notice to UPSC and directed the Commission to file its response.The matter is registered as OA No. 3110/2026, with the next hearing scheduled for October 8, 2026.For now, the tribunal has not ruled that the disputed questions or UPSC’s provisional answer key are incorrect. The Commission will have an opportunity to respond before the CAT considers the matter further.
