HPSC HCS Prelims Answer Key 2026 Out – Download Response Sheet PDF & Raise Objection

📌 HPSC HCS Prelims Answer Key 2026 – Overview

The Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) has officially released the HPSC HCS Prelims Answer Key 2026 on its website hpsc.gov.in on 28 April 2026[6†L4-L5]. Candidates can now download the answer key along with their Response Sheet^[3†L4-L7] for both the General Studies (Paper 1) and CSAT (Paper 2)^{[5†L14-L15]} papers. The online objection window against the provisional answer key is open from 28 April to 30 April 2026 (5:00 PM)^{[7†L17-L19]}. After this, no further objections will be considered.

🗓️ HPSC HCS Prelims 2026: Important Dates

💻 How to Download HPSC HCS Prelims Answer Key 2026?

1. Visit the official HPSC website: hpsc.gov.in^{[5†L16-L17][8†L21]}.
2. On the homepage, click on the HPSC HCS Prelims Answer Key 2026 link in the notifications or "Important Links" section^{[5†L17-L18][8†L21-L22]}.
3. You will be redirected to a login page^{[0†L29-L30]}.
4. Enter your login credentials: Mobile Number and Captcha Code^{[1†L7-L8][7†L21-L22][8†L23]} (Application ID and Roll Number may also be used^{[10†L24-L25]}).
5. After logging in, the screen will display the answer key and your recorded response sheet for both papers^{[8†L24-L25]}.
6. Download and save your answer key as a PDF for future reference^[8†L25].

🔗 Direct Link to Download HPSC HCS Answer Key & Response Sheet

Candidates can use the link below to directly download the official answer key. Note that the link might require login credentials.

Users can also download the answer key directly via HPSC's official login portal^{[0†L29-L30]}.

📝 How to Raise Objections Against HPSC HCS Answer Key?

1. Log in to the Candidate Portal via hpsc.gov.in^[8†L28] (Direct login link: regn.hpsc.gov.in/hcs26/site/login^[0†L29]).
2. Navigate to the "Objection / Challenge" section^[8†L29].
3. Select the question(s) you wish to challenge^{[8†L29-L30]}.
4. Upload supporting documents or references to justify your objection^{[8†L30][9†L45-L46]}.
5. Pay the prescribed fee: ₹250 per objection (Non-refundable)^{[6†L14-L15][7†L14][8†L31]}.
6. Submit the objection before the deadline: 30 April 2026, 5:00 PM^{[7†L18-L19][8†L32]}. The objection portal will be deactivated after this time^{[7†L18-L20]}.

Important: Only objections submitted through the official online portal will be considered^{[7†L19-L20][9†L40-L41]}. No offline requests will be entertained.

✅ What is the Marking Scheme for HPSC HCS Prelims 2026?

The HPSC HCS Prelims paper is designed to test both general aptitude and subject knowledge. The marking scheme is as follows:

• Total Questions: 200 (100 each in Paper 1 & Paper 2)
• Total Marks: 200 (1 mark per question)^{[8†L39-L40]}
• Negative Marking: Yes. 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer^{[8†L40-L41][9†L48]}.
• Unattempted Questions: 0 marks^[8†L41].

Based on the official answer key, you can calculate your probable score using the formula: Total Score = (Number of Correct Answers × 1) – (Number of Wrong Answers × 0.25).

📊 Expected Cut-Off Marks for HPSC HCS Prelims 2026

Based on the exam's difficulty level and candidate reactions, the expected cut-off marks for different categories are:

📢 What’s Next After HPSC HCS Prelims Answer Key?

After the objection window closes on 30 April, HPSC will review all challenges.^{[5†L22-L23]} The final answer key will be released in May 2026^[8†L36], followed by the declaration of the Prelims Result^[2†L5-L6]. Candidates who qualify will be called for the HCS Mains Examination, scheduled for 27-29 June 2026^{[2†L20-L21]}.

To ensure you don't miss any updates, keep the following bookmarked:

• Final Answer Key Status: hpsc.gov.in → Notifications
• Prelims Result Status: hpsc.gov.in → Results
• Mains Admit Card & Schedule: Expected by June 2026

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – HPSC HCS Prelims Answer Key 2026