UPSC Mains 2026: Candidates get 5 days to challenge questions after exam ends

With UPSC Civil Services Mains 2026 beginning on August 21, the Commission has issued a new notice announcing a five-day portal window for candidates to raise question paper objections. The portal will open after the examination and candidates must follow the specified online process and deadline.With UPSC Civil Services Mains 2026 beginning on August 21, the Commission has issued a new notice announcing a five-day portal window for candidates to raise question paper objections. (Photo: PTI)With the UPSC Civil Services Main Examination 2026 set to begin tomorrow, August 21, the Union Public Service Commission has issued a fresh notice that candidates should keep for later.The Commission has announced the dates for its Question Paper Representation Portal (QPReP), which candidates can use to submit representations regarding the question paper or papers of the Civil Services Mains examination.The portal will open after the examination concludes, giving candidates a five-day window to submit their representations.QUESTION PAPER REPRESENTATION PORTAL DATESAccording to the UPSC notice dated August 19, the QPReP portal will be available from August 31 to September 4, 2026. Candidates will have to submit any representation regarding the question paper or papers through the designated portal during these five days.The Commission has made one point particularly clear: no representation will be accepted through any other means or mode, or after the due date. The portal can be accessed through the UPSC online website at upsconline.nic.in/login.Candidates therefore do not need to send question paper-related representations by email, post or any other route. They will have to use the portal within the specified window.UPSC CSE Mains 2026 Live UpdatesUPSC MAINS 2026 EXAM DATESThe Civil Services Main Examination 2026 will be held in two phases:August 21 to 23August 29 to 30With the first papers beginning tomorrow, candidates should focus on the examination itself for now. The QPReP facility becomes relevant only after the examination.LAST-MINUTE DOS AND DON'TSWith less than a day left, aspirants should avoid making major changes to their preparation.Do:Check your admit card and examination centre details.Keep all required documents and stationery ready.Reach the centre well ahead of time.Revise important facts, examples and answer-writing frameworks.Get adequate sleep tonight.Don't:Do not start completely new topics at the last minute.Do not stay awake all night trying to revise everything.Do not panic if a question appears unfamiliar.Do not spend too much time on one question.Do not forget to follow all instructions given at the examination centre.For candidates who later feel a question or paper requires representation, the key date to remember is August 31, when the five-day QPReP window opens.- EndsPublished On: Aug 20, 2026 19:08 IST