The UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2025 is an essential resource for candidates who appeared in the Civil Services Preliminary Examination held on May 25, 2025. It helps aspirants assess their performance, estimate scores, and predict their chances of clearing the cutoff to qualify for the Mains examination. While the official answer key for both General Studies Paper I (GS) and CSAT Paper II will be released by UPSC only after the entire examination process concludes, including the Mains, Personality Test (Interview), and Final Result.
As of now, the UPSC GS Answer Key Paper I unofficial has already been released, while the CSAT Answer Key Paper II is expected soon after the completion of the Paper II exam scheduled from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM.
UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2025 Highlights
The UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2025 serves as a vital tool for Civil Services aspirants to assess their performance in the preliminary stage of the examination held on 25th May 2025. The exam consists of two papers – General Studies Paper I (GS) and CSAT Paper II – conducted in two separate sessions on the same day.
While the GS Answer Key Paper I has already been released by some institutes, the CSAT Answer Key Paper II will be released shortly after the exam concludes at 4:30 PM. However, the official answer key by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) 2025 will only be published after the UPSC final results 2025, expected in early 2026.
| Feature | Details |
| Exam Name | UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2025 |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Date | 25th May 2025 |
| Exam Timing (GS Paper I) | 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM |
| Exam Timing (CSAT Paper II) | 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM |
UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2025 – Download PDFs (Unofficial)
After the successful completion of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination on 25th May 2025, various top coaching institutes have begun releasing unofficial, memory-based answer keys for General Studies Paper I (GS Paper 1). These keys are prepared by expert faculty based on feedback from candidates who appeared for the exam.
The CSAT Answer Key Paper II will be released shortly after the conclusion of the second session, which is scheduled from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM. These unofficial UPSC answer keys allow candidates to calculate their probable scores, assess performance, and estimate their chances of clearing the Prelims cut-off.
| Paper | Status |
| UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2025 – GS Paper I | To Be Released |
| UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2025– CSAT Paper II | To Be Released |
How to Download Official UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2025?
To download the official answer key (available after final results), follow the steps:
- Visit the UPSC Official Website.
- Click on the ‘Examinations’ tab.
- Choose ‘Answer Keys’ from the dropdown.
- Locate the Civil Services Preliminary Examination section.
- Click on the PDFs for GS Paper I and CSAT Paper II (Set A/B/C/D).
- Download and match answers to calculate your probable score.
UPSC Prelims Answer Key – Year-Wise PDF (2020 to 2025)
The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination is known for its evolving pattern and high level of unpredictability. Analyzing previous years’ answer keys plays a vital role in helping aspirants understand the changing nature of questions, difficulty levels, and frequently asked topics.
While official answer keys are released by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) only after the final result of the respective year, many reputed coaching institutes provide unofficial, memory-based answer keys within days of the exam. These serve as an excellent reference for post-exam analysis and preparation strategy for future attempts.
| Year | GS Answer Key (Paper 1) | CSAT Answer Key (Paper 2) |
| 2025 | To Be Updated | To Be Updated |
| 2024 | Download GS Paper 1 2024 PDF | Download CSAT Paper 2 2024 PDF |
| 2023 | Download GS Paper 1 2023 PDF | Download CSAT Paper 2 2023 PDF |
| 2022 | Download GS Paper 1 2022 PDF | Download CSAT Paper 2 2022 PDF |
| 2021 | Download GS Paper 1 2021 PDF | Download CSAT Paper 2 2021 PDF |
| 2020 | Download GS Paper 1 2020 PDF | Download CSAT Paper 2 2020 PDF |
Conclusion
The UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2025, whether official or unofficial, is an indispensable tool for Civil Services aspirants to accurately evaluate their performance in the Preliminary Examination. While unofficial UPSC Answer Key 2025 by leading coaching institutes provide quick insights shortly after the exam, the official answer key released by UPSC 2025 after the entire exam cycle offers the final and authoritative reference. Candidates are advised to carefully check the answer key corresponding to their respective question paper set (A, B, C, or D) and calculate their probable scores to gauge their chances of qualifying for the Mains exam.
UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2025 FAQs
Where can I download the UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2025?
You can download the official UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2025 from the UPSC official website under the ‘Examinations → Answer Keys’ section. Unofficial answer keys are available on popular coaching websites shortly after the exam.
Are the UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2025 sets the same for all candidates?
No, the UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2025 is released set-wise for different question paper sets such as Set A, B, C, and D. Candidates should download the answer key matching their question paper set.
How accurate are the unofficial UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2025 PDFs?
Unofficial UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2025 PDFs are prepared by expert faculties based on memory-based questions and feedback. While they are fairly accurate and helpful for initial score estimation, only the official key is final and authoritative.
Can the UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2025 help in predicting the cutoff and qualifying status?
Yes, the UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2025 is a crucial tool for aspirants to estimate their probable scores and assess their chances of clearing the cutoff to qualify for the Mains examination.
