New Delhi, Oct 4: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has informed the Supreme Court that it will begin publishing the provisional answer key after conducting the Civil Services Preliminary Examination, a move aimed at enhancing transparency in its evaluation process.
In an affidavit filed last month, the Commission stated that the final answer key will be released only after the declaration of the final results. The affidavit was submitted in response to an ongoing petition concerning the Civil Services Examination.
UPSC said the decision followed comprehensive deliberations, including suggestions made by the court-appointed amicus curiae.
“As a consequence of thorough discussions and considering the pious role assigned to the UPSC as a constitutional body, the Commission has decided to publish the provisional answer key after the preliminary examination,” the affidavit filed through advocate Vardhman Kaushik noted.
Candidates will be allowed to submit objections or representations against the provisional key, provided each is supported by at least three authoritative sources. The Commission, however, reserved the right to decide the authenticity of these sources.
The affidavit further stated that all objections and representations would be reviewed by a panel of subject experts, who will undertake an in-depth evaluation before finalizing the answer key. The finalised version will then form the basis for the declaration of preliminary examination results.
The UPSC emphasised that these modalities would be implemented at the earliest, calling the move an “effective redressal of grievances” and a step towards greater transparency and accountability in its functioning.