The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has issued a corrigendum to the notifications of NDA & NA Examination-I 2026 and Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination-I 2026, introducing key changes to the representation process for candidates.
Major Change in Representation Rules
As per the revised guidelines, candidates will now be allowed to challenge both the question papers and provisional answer keys, a significant expansion from the earlier provision that allowed objections only on question papers.
Additionally, the objection window has been revised from a 7-day flexible period to a fixed 5-day window:
- Start Date: April 18, 2026
- End Date: April 22, 2026 (till 6:00 PM)
Answer Keys Release Date
UPSC has also announced that the provisional answer keys will be released on April 16, 2026, giving candidates time to review before submitting objections.
Online Mode Mandatory
Candidates must submit their representations exclusively through the official UPSC portal:
upsconline.nic.in → Examinations → Representations on Question Paper & Provisional Answer Keys
The Commission has reiterated that:
- No objections via email, post, or hand delivery will be accepted
- No correspondence will be entertained after submission
- Late submissions beyond the 5-day window will not be considered under any circumstances
Applies to NDA & CDS Exams
The revised rule applies to both:
- NDA & NA Examination-I 2026
- CDS Examination-I 2026
Boost to Transparency
This move is aimed at enhancing transparency, fairness, and accountability in the examination process by allowing candidates to challenge official answer keys within a structured timeline.
What Candidates Should Do
Aspirants are advised to:
- Check the official UPSC website regularly
- Carefully verify question papers and answer keys
- Submit valid objections within the given deadline
This update is crucial for candidates, as timely and accurate representations can influence the final evaluation and results.
