The Union Public Service Commission conducted the Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026 at centers nationwide, with lakhs of aspirants appearing for the test.
Many candidates described the exam as difficult, lengthy, and tricky. Several aspirants said the paper was tougher than expected.
Students reported spending extra time understanding questions, leaving less time for revision and answer verification during the exam.
A large number of questions were statement-based, requiring analytical thinking and elimination techniques rather than direct memorization.
Many candidates felt UPSC introduced unexpected topics and question patterns that tested conceptual understanding and decision-making skills.
History, Art & Culture, Geography, Environment, Polity, and Current Affairs appeared in a mixed format, demanding deep subject knowledge.