The Kerala Public Service Commission (Kerala PSC) has released the official Kerala PSC Provisional Answer Key 2026 for the statewide OMR examination conducted on 26 September 2026 under Question Paper Code 88-26. This common recruitment examination was administered for multiple cadre positions, including Clerk, Amenities Assistant, Security Guard, Sales Assistant, and Attender across government departments, boards, and public sector undertakings in Kerala.
Because the examination was conducted across three distinct linguistic mediums in the state, Kerala PSC has published individual provisional key sets for Malayalam (Code 88-26 M), Tamil (Code 88-26 T), and Kannada (Code 88-26 K). Candidates who sat for the written test can now cross-reference their marked responses against the official key according to their question booklet alpha code: A, B, C, or D.
| Overview Field | Official Detail |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Body | Kerala Public Service Commission (Kerala PSC) |
| Posts Included | Clerk, Amenities Assistant, Security Guard, Sales Assistant, Attender |
| Category Numbers | 427/2025, 436/2025, 466/2025, 504/2025, 572/2025, 574/2025, 673/2025, 674/2025 |
| Question Paper Code | 88-26 (M / T / K) |
| Mediums Published | Malayalam (88-26 M), Tamil (88-26 T), Kannada (88-26 K) |
| Date of Written Examination | 26 September 2026 |
| Total Questions | 100 Questions per Medium |
| Question Booklet Versions | Alpha Codes A, B, C, D |
| Key Status | Provisional Answer Key (Open for Objections) |
| Official Portal | keralapsc.gov.in |
Kerala PSC Code 88-26 Exam: Important Dates
The Commission conducted the objective written exam in a single shift on 26 September 2026, followed by the immediate release of the provisional answer keys to ensure administrative transparency.
| Recruitment Milestone | Scheduled Date |
|---|---|
| OMR Written Examination Date | 26 September 2026 |
| Provisional Answer Key Release Date | 28 September 2026 |
| Objection Submission Period | Within 5 days from publication on candidate profile |
| Final Answer Key and Shortlist Publication | To be announced on keralapsc.gov.in |
Category Codes Covered Under Question Paper Code 88-26
Kerala PSC utilizes a combined objective testing model where applicants for several posts with identical minimum qualifications and syllabus standards appear for a single common paper. Candidates must check their individual admission tickets to verify their registered category code:
- Category 427/2025: Clerk / Office Assistant Cadres
- Category 436/2025: Amenities Assistant
- Category 466/2025: Security Guard
- Category 504/2025: Sales Assistant
- Category 572/2025: Attender Services
- Category 574/2025: Allied Departmental Postings
- Category 673/2025: Specialized Clerical Vacancies
- Category 674/2025: Field / Counter Assistants
Each candidate's rank list and shortlisting will be prepared separately by the Commission for each specific category code based on the normalized marks scored in this common paper.
Understanding the Answer Key Structure (88-26 M / T / K)
Each of the three language medium answer keys features 100 questions organized across four columns corresponding to Question Booklet Alpha Codes A, B, C, and D:
- Questions 1 to 90 (Common Core): Questions 1 through 90 are shared across all three language versions (Malayalam, Tamil, and Kannada), covering general knowledge, current affairs, numerical ability, reasoning, and basic science. The correct options for these 90 questions are identical across the three mediums.
- Questions 91 to 100 (Language-Specific Section): Questions 91 to 100 test language proficiency and vocabulary in the respective chosen medium (Malayalam grammar for 88-26 M, Tamil grammar for 88-26 T, and Kannada grammar for 88-26 K). Candidates must check their specific medium PDF for questions 91 to 100.
How to Check and Download Kerala PSC Provisional Answer Key 2026
Candidates should complete the following steps to download the official PDF keys:
- Open your web browser and navigate to the Kerala PSC official website: keralapsc.gov.in.
- Locate the navigation bar at the top or side menu and click on the Answer Key section under the Downloads or Examinations menu.
- Look for the entry titled Question Paper Code 88-26 - Clerk, Security Guard & Other Posts.
- Select the specific medium you appeared in:
- Click 88-26 M for the Malayalam medium paper.
- Click 88-26 T for the Tamil medium paper.
- Click 88-26 K for the Kannada medium paper.
- The selected answer key PDF will open in your browser window.
- Identify your Question Booklet Alpha Code (A, B, C, or D) as marked on your original OMR sheet carbon copy.
- Match your question numbers against the corresponding booklet column to calculate your provisional score.
- Save the PDF to your device for reference.
Scoring Methodology and Objections Process
- Marking Scheme: Each correct answer carries 1 mark. Each incorrect answer attracts a negative marking deduction of 1/3 (0.33) mark. Unattempted questions carry zero penalty.
- Filing Objections: Because this is a provisional answer key, candidates have the statutory right to raise objections against any published answer key answers they believe are factually erroneous.
- How to Submit Objections: Objections must be filed strictly online through the candidate's personal Kerala PSC Thulasi Profile (
thulasi.psc.kerala.gov.in/thulasi/). Login with your User ID and Password, navigate to the "Answer Key Complaints" link for the relevant exam, attach authentic academic documentary evidence (such as SCERT, NCERT, or standard reference textbooks), and submit within the prescribed time window. - Final Key: Objections submitted through email, postal mail, or handwritten letters are summarily rejected. An expert committee reviews all submitted online grievances before releasing the Final Answer Key.
Direct Official Links for Kerala PSC Answer Key 2026
| Answer Key / Resource | Official Link | Document Format |
|---|---|---|
| Provisional Answer Key 88-26 M (Malayalam) | Download Malayalam Key PDF | Official PDF |
| Provisional Answer Key 88-26 T (Tamil) | Download Tamil Key PDF | Official PDF |
| Provisional Answer Key 88-26 K (Kannada) | Download Kannada Key PDF | Official PDF |
| Kerala PSC Candidate Login (Thulasi) | Kerala PSC Thulasi Portal | Objection Portal |
| Kerala PSC Official Website | keralapsc.gov.in | Official Portal |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which exam does Kerala PSC Question Paper Code 88-26 refer to?
Code 88-26 refers to the common OMR written examination conducted on 26 September 2026 for posts including Clerk, Amenities Assistant, Security Guard, Sales Assistant, and Attender across multiple category codes (427/2025 to 674/2025).
2. Why are there three separate answer keys for Code 88-26?
The exam was conducted in three linguistic mediums: Malayalam (88-26 M), Tamil (88-26 T), and Kannada (88-26 K). Questions 1 to 90 are common, while questions 91 to 100 test language-specific components, requiring separate answer keys.
3. What is the negative marking for this Kerala PSC exam?
The exam follows the standard Kerala PSC marking scheme: 1 mark for each correct answer and a deduction of 1/3 (0.33) mark for each wrong answer.
4. How can candidates submit objections against the provisional answer key?
Objections must be submitted online only through the candidate's personal Kerala PSC Thulasi profile (thulasi.psc.kerala.gov.in/thulasi/) along with supporting documentary evidence from authoritative reference texts.
5. Can a candidate send objections via post or email?
No. Kerala PSC does not accept objections through post, email, or hand delivery. Only complaints registered online through the Thulasi candidate portal within the specified deadline are examined.