As the Haryana Public Service Commission conducted the Preliminary Examination 2026 on 26th April 2026, candidates who appeared for the exam are now waiting for the provisional answer key. The answer key helps the candidates to evaluate performance, calculate scores, and identify strengths and weaknesses in the exam. Before the release of the official answer key, we have shared the unofficial answer key prepared.
HPSC HCS Prelims Answer Key 2026
The HPSC HCS Preliminary Examination 2026 concluded on 26 April 2026 across multiple centres in Haryana. The candidates now wait for the answer key to calculate their scores. Candidates must note that a 01 mark will be awarded for correct answers, and there will be no negative marking for wrong answers. With the help of the answer, key candidates can evaluate their performance in the exam and their qualifying chance so that they start for the next phase of the selection process i.e., the main written exam.
| HPSC HCS Answer Key 2026- Overview | |
| Organization | Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) |
| Posts | Haryana Civil Services (HCS) & Other Allied Services |
| Vacancies | 121 |
| Category | Answer Key |
| Prelims Exam Date | 26th April 2026 |
| Unofficial Answer Key | 26th April 2026 |
| Official Answer Key | within 2-3 days |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks |
| Official Website | www.hpsc.gov.in |
HPSC HCS Answer Key 2026 (Unofficial)
Here we have shared all the answers to 100 questions asked in Paper 1 and 100 questions asked in Paper 2 as solved by the faculty of StudyIQ. Candidates who appeared in the exam and want to calculate how many answers they have marked correctly can download the answer key and check the correct answers.
| HPSC HCS Prelims Paper 1 Answer Key 2026 (SET D) | |
| Q1.- B | Q26. B |
| Q2.- D | Q27. A |
| Q3.- C | Q28. B |
| Q4.- B | Q29. B |
| Q5.- B | Q30. C |
| Q6.- D | Q31. A |
| Q7.- A | Q32. C |
| Q8.- A | Q33. A |
| Q9.- C | Q34. A |
| Q10.- A | Q35. B |
| Q11.- C | Q36. A |
| Q12.- C | Q37. B |
| Q13.- C | Q38. B |
| Q14.- A | Q39. C |
| Q15.- B | Q40. B |
| Q16.- C | Q41. D |
| Q17.- B | Q42. A |
| Q18.- B | Q43. C |
| Q19.- C | Q44. A |
| Q20.- B | Q45. B |
| Q21.- D | Q46. A |
| Q22.- B | Q47. B |
| Q23. A | Q48. B |
| Q24. A | Q49. C |
| Q25. B | Q50. B |
How to Calculate Your HPSC HCS 2026 Score?
This sounds simple but there is a crucial rule that many candidates miss.
The Standard Formula
Score = (Number of Correct Answers × 1) – (Number of Wrong Answers × 0.25)
The ‘E’ Circle Rule — Critical and Often Ignored
The HPSC HCS OMR sheet has five options: A, B, C, D, and E. Option E means “I choose not to attempt this question.” Here is the catch most candidates overlook:
- If you darkened A, B, C, or D — it is marked as attempted, right or wrong.
- If you darkened E — no marks deducted, treated as skipped.
- If you darkened none of the five circles — it is treated as a wrong answer and 0.25 marks are deducted.
HPSC HCS Prelims Exam Pattern
| Parameters | Paper I (GS) | Paper II (CSAT) |
| Total Questions | 100 MCQs | 100 MCQs |
| Total Marks | 100 | 100 |
| Marks per Correct Answer | +1 | +1 |
| Negative Marking | –0.25 per wrong answer | –0.25 per wrong answer |
| Shift | Morning (10 AM – 12 Noon) | Afternoon (3 PM – 5 PM) |
| Nature | Merit-based | Qualifying only (min. 33%) |
| Medium | Bilingual (Hindi + English) | Bilingual (Hindi + English) |
HPSC HCS Prelims Answer Key 2026 (Official)
The Haryana Public Service Commission will release the official provisional answer key on its website. This is the authoritative version and the one used for result computation after the objection review.
Steps to Download HPSC HCS Answer Key 2026 from Official website
The candidates who have appeared in the HPSC HCS Prelims Exam, which was held on 26th April 2026, can download their answer sheet by following the steps below-
- Browse the official website of the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) www.hpsc.gov.in.
- In the notification centre, click on “Answer Key”.
- Then click on “HCS (Ex. Br.) & Other Allied Services Preliminary Examination -2026 Master Answer key, Paper – 1 and Paper -2”.
- HPSC HCS Answer Key and Response Sheet PDF appear on the screen.
- Download the answer key with correct responses and calculate the marks to be scored by you in the exam.


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