UPSC prelims 2026 exam analysis: Experts call GS paper unconventional, difficult and highly unpredictable; suggest lower cutoff
TOI Education / May 25, 2026, 12:58 (IST)
UPSC CSE Prelims 2026, conducted on May 24, has been described by experts as one of the most difficult and unconventional papers in recent years. With lengthy comprehension-based questions, analytical framing, and unpredictable current affairs themes, the exam tested conceptual clarity and decision-making skills over rote learning. While several experts predicted a lower cutoff this year, others viewed the paper as a necessary shift towards evaluating aptitude, adaptability, and intellectual curiosity expected from future civil servants.