Yes, the UPSC Civil Services Examination is a symbol of fairness, transparency, and constitutional integrity. But the 2024 Prelims Answer Key left lakhs of aspirants across India disheartened due to multiple preventable errors in the question paper. From constitutionally questionable assertions to translation errors, grammatical lapses, and structural inconsistencies, the 2024 paper fell short of the gold standard expected from UPSC.

These are not abstract issues — they are objective, documented errors that directly affected aspirants:

1. Constitutionally Questionable Assertions: A question claimed that the Finance Minister presents the Budget “on behalf of the Prime Minister”, which is untenable as per article 112 of the Indian Constitution.
2. Incorrect Hindi Translation: In the question on syndicated lending, the English version correctly noted that risks are distributed among lenders, but the Hindi translation incorrectly stated that risks among lenders increase, flipping the intended meaning on its head. This question had to be dropped.
3. Structurally Invalid Framing: One history question began with “With reference to revenue collection by Cornwallis…” but ended up asking about the Ryotwari system, which was introduced after Cornwallis and has no link to him, rendering the question internally inconsistent and misleading. Even this question had to be dropped.
4. Grammatical Flaws: A question under the Wildlife Protection Act asked whether the flying fox “is” placed in the vermin category. However, this classification was removed by the 2022 Amendment, making the question factually invalid as it referred to an obsolete provision. Even this question had to be dropped.

Now, even the Prelims 2025 answer key is likely to face the same fate; 

1. The question have two possible answers. It asks, "India is one of the founding members of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal transportation corridor, which will connect".

Option A states, "India to Central Asia to Europe via Iran"

Option D states, "India to Europe through Azerbaijan "

Both answers are equally plausible. Hence the question has the possibility of being cancelled.

2. Another question says, "Consider the following countries :

I. United Kingdom

II. Denmark

Ill. New Zealand

IV. Australia

V. Brazil How many of the above countries have more than four time zones? 

(a) All the five

(b) Only four

(c) Only three 

(d) Only two" 

Here, New Zealand officially has only two time zones. But geographically, several sources suggest that it has more than four time zones, hinting at its territories viz. Tokelau, Cook islands, Niue. Hence the question has the possibility of being cancelled.

3. One question says, "The World Bank warned that India could become one of the first places where wet-bulb temperatures routinely exceed 35 °C. Which of the following statements best reflect(s) the implication of the above-said report?

I. Peninsular India will most likely suffer from flooding, tropical cyclones and droughts.

II. The survival of animals including humans will be affected as shedding of their body heat through perspiration becomes difficult. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) I only

(b) II only

(c) Both I and II

(d) Neither I nor II"

Here, Statement 2 is undoubtedly correct. But Statement 1 has two equally plausible interpretations;

(A). It is incorrect if seen through lens of wet bulb temperature and it's implications, which in this case indicates human body's inability to cool itself beyond a certain wet bulb temperature. It has no direct co-relation with floods, droughts, cyclones.

(B). It is correct if seen strictly through lens of the said report. The report indeed mentions the possible adverse climatic impacts on India. Hence the question has the possibility of being cancelled.

4. One question reads, "Consider the following statements about 'PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana':

I. It targets installation of one crore solar rooftop panels in the residential sector.

II. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy aims to impart training on installation, operation, maintenance and repairs of solar rooftop systems at grassroot levels.

III. It aims to create more than three lakhs skilled manpower through fresh skilling, and upskilling, under scheme component of capacity building. Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) I and II only

(b) I and III only

(c) II-and III only

(d) I, II and III"

Here, statement 1 says that one crore solar rooftop panels in the residential sector have to be installed. However PIB mentions that one crore homes are to be installed with solar panels (not one crore panels as such). Interestingly, the Hindi translation rightly mentions this fact. Hence the question has the possibility of being cancelled.

Such lapses affect real aspirants — many of whom dedicate years of their lives to this exam, often coming from rural and underprivileged backgrounds. In a system where a margin of just one mark decides a candidate’s future, flawed questions can unfairly cost sincere aspirants their dreams.

This is why now is the moment for reflection and reform. We urge UPSC to;

 (A) Institute a transparent, multi-stage vetting process involving constitutional experts, language professionals, and subject matter specialists — especially for objective-type papers like Prelims, where even small mistakes can cause large-scale injustice. 

(B) Provide +2 marks for any questions that get cancelled in Prelims 2025 paper, if the candidates have attempted them.

By signing this petition, you are standing up for fairness, accuracy, and the dignity of India’s most prestigious examination. Your voice will strengthen a growing demand that UPSC adopt robust safeguards — including expert scrutiny and better translation oversight — to make sure that justice is ensured for UPSC CSE 2025 aspirants and future question papers are error-free and constitutionally sound.

Let us come together — not just for ourselves, but for the future of this examination and the millions who will walk this path after us. Let’s demand a positive change — because IAS Aspirants deserve better.