New Delhi: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has informed the Supreme Court that it will now publish the provisional answer key soon after conducting the preliminary examination.
The UPSC, which conducts the prestigious Civil Services Examination, stated this in an affidavit filed in the apex court last month in connection with a pending petition related to the exam. The Commission clarified that the final answer key will be released only after the declaration of final results.
According to the affidavit filed through advocate Vardhman Kaushik, the Commission took the decision after extensive deliberations, taking into account the suggestions of the court-appointed amicus curiae.
“As a consequence of comprehensive deliberation and considering the constitutional role of the UPSC, the Commission has consciously decided to publish the provisional answer key after the preliminary examination,” the affidavit stated.
The UPSC said that candidates who appeared for the exam would be invited to submit representations or objections, each supported by at least three authoritative sources. Any objection lacking such backing will be rejected at the threshold, the affidavit noted, adding that the Commission will determine the credibility of the cited sources.
The document further mentioned that all representations and objections, along with the provisional answer key, would be reviewed by a panel of subject experts. The experts will conduct an in-depth assessment and finalise the answer key, which will form the basis for declaring the preliminary examination results.
The UPSC said it aims to implement these modalities at the earliest, describing the move as a step to enhance transparency and address the concerns raised in the petition.
“The decision taken by the UPSC is an effective and adequate redressal of the grievances raised and will further the cause of public interest,” the affidavit concluded.
