UPSSSC PET Answer Key 2026 has been officially released on November 2, 2026, by the Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission on its official portal at upsssc.gov.in. Candidates who appeared for the Preliminary Eligibility Test (PET 2026) across various examination centers in Uttar Pradesh can now download the shift-wise master answer key PDF. The commission has also activated the online objection window. Candidates can challenge any doubtful question or provisional answer until November 8, 2026, by paying an objection fee of Rs. 100 per question.
Latest Update Date โ Verified on November 2, 2026: The Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission has released the provisional answer key for the Preliminary Eligibility Test (PET 2026). Candidates can download the master question papers and shift-wise key PDF on upsssc.gov.in and submit objections online until November 8, 2026.
The Preliminary Eligibility Test is the most important gateway exam for government jobs in Uttar Pradesh. Lakhs of candidates took the written test to qualify for upcoming Group B and Group C recruitments, including Lekhpal, Junior Assistant, and Village Development Officer (VDO) posts. You can now estimate your probable raw score and check your chances of clearing the expected cutoff with the official UPSSSC PET Answer Key 2026. This comprehensive guide gives you the direct download steps, marking scheme, score calculation formula, objection submission rules, and expected timelines.
UPSSSC PET Answer Key 2026 Key Highlights and Dates
Candidates must keep track of the official dates to ensure they submit their challenges on time. UPSSSC will not accept any offline representations or late submissions after the deadline. Below is the confirmed schedule for the PET 2026 examination and answer key events:
| Exam Event / Stage | Start Date | End Date / Deadline | Important Remarks and Official Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPSSSC PET 2026 Examination Dates | October 25, 2026 | November 1, 2026 | Conducted across two shifts daily in multiple districts of UP (Completed / Historical). |
| Release of Provisional Answer Key | November 2, 2026 | Active Now | Published online at upsssc.gov.in with shift-wise master question paper sets. |
| Online Objection Window | November 2, 2026 | November 8, 2026 (Midnight) | Candidates can challenge answers through the official candidate login link. |
| Objection Fee Per Question | Rs. 100 per question | Online Payment Only | Refundable if the objection raised is verified and accepted by the subject expert panel. |
| Release of Final Answer Key | Expected November 2026 | To be announced officially | Will be prepared after reviewing all candidate representations. |
| UPSSSC PET 2026 Result Declaration | Expected December 2026 | To be announced officially | Scorecard will be valid for one full year from the date of release. |
How to Download UPSSSC PET Answer Key 2026 from upsssc.gov.in
Downloading the answer key PDF from the UPSSSC portal is very simple. Follow these straightforward steps to access the master key for your exam day and shift:
- Open the official website of the commission at upsssc.gov.in.
- Look at the homepage under the Notice Board or Important Announcements section.
- Click on the notification link that reads “Click here to view provisional answer key for Advt. No. 16-Exam/2026 Preliminary Eligibility Test (PET) 2026”.
- A new window will open showing all exam dates and shifts (Shift 1 morning session and Shift 2 afternoon session).
- Select your specific exam date and shift to open the master answer key PDF.
- Download and save the PDF file on your device. Print a copy for easy paper verification.
Make sure you download the exact shift PDF you attended before cross-checking with the UPSSSC PET Answer Key 2026. Master sets arrange questions in a standardized sequence, so match question text and options carefully.
How to Calculate Your Score Using UPSSSC PET Answer Key 2026
The PET examination consists of 100 objective type multiple-choice questions carrying a total of 100 marks. The test duration is 2 hours (120 minutes). UPSSSC follows a strict negative marking rule for every incorrect response. Here is the exact scoring rule:
- Correct Answer: +1 mark for every right answer.
- Incorrect Answer: 0.25 mark (1/4th mark) deducted for every wrong answer.
- Unattempted Questions: 0 marks (no penalty for questions left blank).
You can calculate your estimated raw score using this simple formula:
Total Estimated Raw Score = (Total Correct Answers ร 1) โ (Total Incorrect Answers ร 0.25)
Real-Life Example: Comparing Two Candidates
Let us see how negative marking impacts real test scores by matching their sheets with the UPSSSC PET Answer Key 2026:
Candidate Amit attempted 90 questions. He got 70 correct and 20 incorrect. His score calculation is: (70 ร 1) โ (20 ร 0.25) = 70 โ 5 = 65 marks.
Candidate Priya was more cautious. She attempted only 75 questions that she knew with confidence. She got 71 correct and only 4 wrong. Her score calculation is: (71 ร 1) โ (4 ร 0.25) = 71 โ 1 = 70 marks.
Even though Priya attempted 15 fewer questions, her high accuracy gave her 5 extra marks over Amit. That difference can decide your selection for Mains exams like Lekhpal or VDO.
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Steps to Raise Objections Against UPSSSC PET Answer Key 2026
If you find that an answer marked by the commission is incorrect according to standard textbooks, you can submit an online objection before November 8, 2026. Follow these steps:
- Go to upsssc.gov.in and click on the online objection link for PET 2026.
- Log in with your PET Registration Number, Roll Number, Date of Birth, and Security Code.
- Select your Question Booklet Set and the Question Number you wish to challenge.
- Enter your proposed correct answer option.
- Upload clear documentary proof, such as a scanned page from an NCERT book or a standard reference textbook.
- Pay the required online objection fee of Rs. 100 per question using debit card, credit card, net banking, or UPI.
- Submit your representation and download the fee acknowledgement slip for your records.
UPSSSC will review all valid objections with a committee of subject experts. If your challenge is accepted, the commission will release a revised final answer key, and all candidates will receive the benefit.
What Happens After the Provisional Answer Key?
After the objection window closes on November 8, 2026, the commission will process all representations. The complete upcoming evaluation cycle involves the following milestones:
- Expert Committee Review: Subject specialists examine every challenged question against standard government publications.
- Release of Final Answer Key: The commission will publish the final answer key. No further objections will be entertained against the final key.
- Percentile Score Calculation: Because PET was conducted across multiple shifts, UPSSSC applies a statistical formula to normalize raw marks into a final percentile score.
- Scorecard Validity: Once the PET 2026 result is declared, your scorecard remains valid for exactly one year. You will use this scorecard to apply for all UP Group B and Group C Mains examinations advertised during that year.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About UPSSSC PET Answer Key 2026
Q1: When was the UPSSSC PET Answer Key 2026 released?
Answer: The provisional answer key was officially released on November 2, 2026, on the official portal at upsssc.gov.in.
Q2: Where can I download the shift-wise answer key PDF?
Answer: You can download the shift-wise master key PDF directly from the official website upsssc.gov.in under the Notice Board section.
Q3: What is the last date to challenge the UPSSSC PET Answer Key 2026?
Answer: Candidates can raise objections online until November 8, 2026, through their candidate login portal.
Q4: How much is the objection fee per question for UPSSSC PET?
Answer: Candidates must pay an online fee of Rs. 100 for each question they challenge. This fee is paid through online payment modes.
Q5: What is the negative marking in the UPSSSC PET 2026 exam?
Answer: There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks (1/4th of the total mark) for every incorrect answer. Correct answers receive 1 mark, while unattempted questions carry zero penalty.
Q6: How long is the UPSSSC PET scorecard valid?
Answer: The PET scorecard is valid for one year from the date of declaration of the final result for applying to UP Group B and Group C recruitment posts.
Sources Checked and Editorial Verification
- UPSSSC Official Portal (upsssc.gov.in)
- UPSSSC PET 2026 Provisional Answer Key and Objection Notice (Advt. No. 16-Exam/2026)
Update Policy: This page will be revised immediately when the counselling authority publishes a new official notification or revised schedule.