The Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UPSSSC) released the provisional answer key for the Preliminary Eligibility Test (PET) 2026 on 2 November 2026. Candidates who took the offline OMR-based examination can now download the shift-wise master-set PDFs to verify their answers and calculate their estimated marks. The answer key remains available until 8 November 2026.
Overview
The UPSSSC PET 2026 (Advertisement 16-Exam/2026) was conducted as an offline OMR-based examination across three dates in October and early November 2026. The test consisted of 100 objective-type questions for a total of 100 marks, with a duration of 2 hours. Six shifts were organised—two shifts each on 25 October, 30 October, and 1 November 2026. The provisional answer key has been published as per the official schedule and serves as a preliminary reference for candidates to assess their performance before the final key is released.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Started | 3 August 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 7 September 2026 |
| Exam City Information Released | 12 October 2026 |
| Admit Card Released | Phase-Wise from 17 October 2026 |
| Examination Dates | 25, 30 October and 1 November 2026 |
| Provisional Answer Key Released | 2 November 2026 |
| Answer Key Available Until | 8 November 2026 |
Examination Pattern & Marking Scheme
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Maximum Marks | 100 |
| Exam Duration | 2 Hours |
| Exam Mode | Offline OMR-Based |
| Marks for Correct Answer | +1 |
| Negative Marking | −0.25 per Incorrect Answer |
| Unattempted Questions | 0 Marks |
Exam Dates & Shift-Wise Answer Key Status
| Exam Date | Shift | Examination Timing | Answer Key Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 October 2026 | Shift 1 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon | Released |
| 25 October 2026 | Shift 2 | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Released |
| 30 October 2026 | Shift 1 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon | Released |
| 30 October 2026 | Shift 2 | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Released |
| 1 November 2026 | Shift 1 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon | Released |
| 1 November 2026 | Shift 2 | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Released |
How to Download the Answer Key
- Go to the official UPSSSC website at upsssc.gov.in.
- Look for the Answer Key or Notification section on the homepage.
- Identify and click on the link for the shift-wise master-set answer key PDF.
- Download the PDF corresponding to your examination date and shift.
- Print or save the answer key for reference.
- Match your marked answers with the official key and calculate your estimated score using the marking scheme.
How to Calculate Your Score
Use this formula to estimate your marks: (Number of Correct Answers × 1) − (Number of Incorrect Answers × 0.25) = Your Score
For example, if you answered 75 questions correctly and 15 incorrectly with 10 unattempted, your estimated score would be: (75 × 1) − (15 × 0.25) = 75 − 3.75 = 71.25 marks.
Important Links
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When was the UPSSSC PET Answer Key 2026 released?
A: The provisional answer key was released on 2 November 2026, one day after the final examination shift concluded.
Q: Until when can I download the answer key?
A: The answer key will remain available for download until 8 November 2026. Candidates are advised to download it within this period.
Q: What is the format of the answer key?
A: The answer key is provided as shift-wise master-set PDFs, allowing candidates to locate their specific shift and exam date and cross-check their responses.
Q: How many shifts were conducted for this examination?
A: A total of 6 shifts were conducted—2 shifts each on 25 October, 30 October, and 1 November 2026. Morning shift was from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon and afternoon shift from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Q: What is the negative marking in this exam?
A: Each incorrect answer results in a deduction of 0.25 marks. Unattempted questions carry zero marks.
Q: Will there be a final answer key after the provisional one?
A: The provisional answer key may be updated after considering objections from candidates. Check the official website for updates regarding the final answer key release date.
Candidates must verify all details on the official UPSSSC website before relying on this information for any important decisions.