APSC Assistant Engineer Answer Key 2026 – Download Provisional Key & Raise Objection at apsc.nic.in

The APSC Assistant Engineer Answer Key 2026 has been officially released by the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) for the OMR-based Screening Test conducted on 27 September 2026. This guide is for all candidates who appeared in the Civil, Mechanical, and Chemical Engineering papers under Advt. No. 31/2025 for 50 PHE Department vacancies. Here you will find the direct download link, step-by-step process, objection submission details, score calculation method, and full exam overview for the APSC AE Answer Key 2026.

HPSC ADO Result 2026 Out – Check Agricultural Development Officer Screening Test Result PDF

📋 Table of Contents

1. What Is the APSC AE Answer Key 2026?
2. Who Should Read This Guide?
3. Important Dates & Timeline
4. Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
5. How to Download APSC AE Answer Key 2026
6. How to Calculate Your Score
7. How to Raise Objection Against Provisional Key
8. Vacancy & Eligibility Overview
9. APSC AE Salary & Pay Scale 2026
10. Selection Process After Screening Test
11. Provisional vs Final Answer Key
12. Pros and Cons of the Objection System
13. Important Terms Related to APSC AE Recruitment 2026
14. Important Links
15. Conclusion
16. Key Takeaways
17. Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the APSC AE Answer Key 2026?

The APSC Assistant Engineer Answer Key 2026 is the official document released by the Assam Public Service Commission listing correct answers to all questions asked in the OMR-based Screening Test held on 27 September 2026. It covers two papers: Paper-I (General Studies) and Paper-II (Civil / Mechanical / Chemical Engineering). Candidates use this key to estimate their probable score before the official result is declared.

The key released on 28 September 2026 is provisional in nature, which means candidates can challenge any answer they believe is incorrect by submitting an objection with valid supporting documents. Once the objection window closes, APSC reviews all valid claims and publishes the Final Answer Key, which is used for computing the official result. The provisional key was issued under notification number 60PSC/CON/Exam-22/2025-2026.

Ordnance Factory Itarsi Result 2026 Out – 15 Shortlisted Candidates List for Interview

Who Should Read This Guide?

This complete guide is useful for the following candidates:

• 🏗️ Civil Engineering graduates who appeared for the APSC AE Civil screening test on 27 September 2026 under PHE Department.
• ⚙️ Mechanical Engineering graduates who sat for Paper-II (Mechanical) in Session 2 on 27 September 2026.
• 🧪 Chemical Engineering graduates who appeared for the Chemical Engineering paper in the same examination.
• 📊 Score estimators — any candidate who wants to calculate their expected marks before the official result is published.
• ✍️ Objection filers — candidates who believe one or more answers in the provisional key are incorrect and want to raise a formal challenge.
• 📅 Result waiters — candidates tracking what happens after the screening test and when the final result and interview dates are likely.
• 📚 Future aspirants — engineering graduates in Assam targeting APSC AE recruitment in upcoming cycles who want to understand the full process.

Important Dates & Timeline

These are the officially confirmed dates for the APSC AE PHE Recruitment 2026 cycle, as published on apsc.nic.in:

Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme for APSC AE Screening Test 2026

The APSC AE Screening Test 2026 is an OMR-based objective multiple-choice exam divided into two sessions on the same day. Understanding the exam pattern is essential to accurately calculate your score using the answer key.

Session Schedule on 27 September 2026:

• Session 1: Paper-I General Studies (Morning)
• Session 2: Paper-II Engineering — 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM

Marking Scheme: Each correct answer carries +1 mark. There is negative marking of 1 mark for every wrong answer, as per the APSC AE screening test notification. Unattempted questions carry zero marks. Verify exact negative marking in your question paper booklet, as APSC’s official notification is the final authority on marking rules.

How to Download APSC AE Answer Key 2026 — Step-by-Step

Follow these steps to access and download the provisional answer key from the official APSC website:

1. Visit the Official Website: Open your browser and go to www.apsc.nic.in — the only official portal of the Assam Public Service Commission.
2. Locate the Notifications Section: On the homepage, look for the “Latest Notifications”, “Exam Schedules”, or “Answer Keys” section. APSC updates this section regularly with new notifications.
3. Find the APSC AE Answer Key Link: Search for the notification titled “Provisional Answer Keys for Assistant Engineer (Civil/Mechanical/Chemical), PHE Department, Advt. No. 31/2025” or Notification No. 60PSC/CON/Exam-22/2025-2026 dated 28 September 2026.
4. Download Paper-I Answer Key: Click and open the provisional answer key PDF for Paper-I General Studies.
5. Download Paper-II Answer Key: Next, click and open the provisional answer key PDF for Paper-II Engineering (select your branch — Civil, Mechanical, or Chemical).
6. Compare With Your Responses: Cross-check each answer in the key with your marked OMR responses. Note down correct, incorrect, and unattempted questions separately.
7. Save the PDF: Download and save both PDFs for future reference, especially if you plan to raise objections.

How to Calculate Your Score Using APSC AE Answer Key 2026

Once you have downloaded both the Paper-I and Paper-II answer keys, use the following method to estimate your total score:

1. Count the number of Correct Answers from your OMR responses matching the official key.
2. Count the number of Incorrect Answers (responses that differ from the key).
3. Count the number of Unattempted Questions (left blank).
4. Apply the formula: Total Score = (Correct × 1) − (Incorrect × 1)
5. Add Paper-I and Paper-II scores for your estimated overall total out of 200.

Example Calculation: A candidate attempts 160 questions out of 200, gets 130 correct and 30 wrong. Estimated Score = (130 × 1) − (30 × 1) = 130 − 30 = 100 out of 200. Always verify the exact negative marking from your official question paper booklet, as APSC notification is the final authority.

How to Raise Objection Against APSC AE Provisional Answer Key 2026

If you believe any answer in the provisional key is incorrect, you can formally challenge it by submitting an objection on or before 01 October 2026 through the official APSC portal. Here is the complete process:

1. Identify the Questionable Answer: Note the question number and the answer code (A/B/C/D) you believe is incorrect in the provisional key.
2. Gather Authentic Supporting Documents: Collect reference material from standard textbooks, official government publications, or peer-reviewed sources. APSC explicitly states references to websites or unspecified documents will not be entertained.
3. Visit apsc.nic.in: Go to the official objection submission link available in the Notifications section under the AE Answer Key notice.
4. Submit Online Only: Objections must be submitted through the online link provided on the official APSC website. Petitions sent by email or hard copy will not be accepted.
5. Attach Source Documents: Upload scanned copies of the relevant pages from textbooks or official publications supporting your objection.
6. Submit Before Deadline: Ensure your objection is submitted on or before 01 October 2026. No late submissions are entertained under any circumstances.

Important Rules for Objections:

• No claim for correction of the answer key will be entertained without authentic source documents.
• References to any website or unspecified sources are not accepted.
• Email or hard copy petitions will not be considered.
• Objections can only be raised against the provisional key — not the final key once released.
• APSC’s decision on all objections is final and binding.

APSC AE Vacancy & Eligibility Overview 2026

The APSC Assistant Engineer recruitment under Advt. No. 31/2025 was advertised by the Assam Public Service Commission for the Public Health Engineering Department with 50 total vacancies distributed across three engineering disciplines.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Candidate must be a citizen of India as per Articles 5 to 8 of the Constitution of India.
• Must be a permanent resident of Assam.
• Minimum age: 21 years; Maximum age: 38 years as on 01 January 2025.
• Age relaxation applicable for SC/ST/OBC and other reserved categories as per Assam Government rules.
• Educational qualification: Full-time B.E./B.Tech degree in the relevant engineering discipline from an AICTE-recognised institution, or AMIE (Part A & B) with enrollment on/before 31 May 2013.

APSC AE Salary & Pay Scale 2026

The selected Assistant Engineer candidates posted in the Assam PHE Department receive a competitive government salary with full benefits. The pay structure is as follows:

In addition to the base pay, APSC AE officers receive travel allowance, leave encashment, group insurance, and other service benefits. This is a Group B gazetted government post with significant career growth prospects within the Assam Engineering Services.

Selection Process After Screening Test

The APSC AE recruitment under Advt. No. 31/2025 follows a two-stage selection process. Understanding the full pipeline helps candidates plan their preparation beyond the screening stage.

1. Stage 1 — Screening Test (OMR-based MCQ): Conducted on 27 September 2026. This is the current stage. Candidates are shortlisted for the next stage based on merit in this screening test combined with applicable reservation norms.
2. Stage 2 — Viva-Voce / Interview: Shortlisted candidates from the screening test are called for a personality test and technical interview. The board evaluates domain knowledge, communication, and suitability for the post.
3. Document Verification: Candidates recommended after the interview must submit original documents for verification before appointment.
4. Final Merit List & Appointment: APSC publishes the final recommendation list based on screening test merit and interview performance. Selected candidates receive joining letters from the PHE Department, Government of Assam.

APSC AE Provisional vs Final Answer Key — Key Differences

Advantages & Disadvantages of the APSC Objection System

The APSC objection mechanism for the provisional answer key is designed to improve accuracy and fairness. Here is a balanced assessment:

✅ Advantages (Pros):

• Gives candidates an opportunity to challenge incorrect or ambiguous questions before the result is finalised.
• Ensures accuracy — multiple valid objections can lead to answer revision or deletion of a flawed question, boosting scores for all candidates who attempted it.
• Transparent process — published on official government portal with clear deadlines.
• Supports constitutional right to fair opportunity in public service recruitment.
• Document-backed system prevents frivolous or bad-faith challenges.

❌ Disadvantages (Cons):

• Very short objection window — only 3 days (28 Sep to 01 Oct 2026) — insufficient time for thorough review.
• No specific fee mechanism or structured challenge format mentioned, unlike some other PSC systems.
• Strict evidentiary standards mean weak references are automatically rejected without explanation.
• Email or hard-copy submissions are not accepted — disadvantages candidates with poor internet access in rural Assam.

Important Terms Related to APSC AE Recruitment 2026

Understanding these key terms will help candidates navigate the APSC AE recruitment process effectively:

• Provisional Answer Key: The initial, unofficial answer key released immediately after an exam. It is subject to change after the objection review period. Used for self-evaluation only.
• Final Answer Key: The locked, corrected version of the answer key published after reviewing all valid objections. This is used to compute official scores and results.
• OMR-Based Screening Test: An Optical Mark Recognition exam where candidates fill circles on a special sheet. Each answer is machine-read for accuracy and speed.
• Negative Marking: A penalty system where incorrect answers reduce the candidate’s total score. In APSC AE, wrong answers carry a negative mark deduction.
• Advt. No. 31/2025: The official APSC advertisement number for this PHE Department AE recruitment cycle, released on 09 September 2025.
• PHE Department: Public Health Engineering Department of Assam — responsible for safe drinking water supply, sewerage, and sanitation infrastructure across the state.
• Viva-Voce / Interview: The second and final selection stage after the screening test. A panel of experts evaluates the candidate’s technical knowledge, communication, and suitability.
• E-Admission Certificate: The digital hall ticket / admit card for the APSC AE exam, issued on the official website and downloaded by candidates themselves. Not sent by post.
• AMIE: Associate Member of Institution of Engineers — a professional engineering qualification accepted as equivalent to B.E./B.Tech for APSC AE eligibility, provided enrollment was on/before 31 May 2013.
• Merit List: A rank-ordered list of recommended candidates published by APSC after the final selection stages, used for appointment to the AE posts.

Important Links — APSC AE Answer Key 2026

Conclusion

The APSC Assistant Engineer Answer Key 2026 is a critical resource for all candidates who appeared in the PHE Department screening test on 27 September 2026. With the provisional key released the very next day on 28 September 2026, candidates have a narrow but important window of just 3 days — until 01 October 2026 — to verify their answers and raise objections backed by authentic source documents. Download the key from apsc.nic.in, calculate your estimated score, and file any valid objections before the deadline to protect your candidature.

Bookmark this page — we update it as soon as the Final Answer Key and official Screening Test Result are published on the APSC portal.

Frequently Asked Questions About APSC Assistant Engineer Answer Key 2026

When was the APSC AE Answer Key 2026 released?

The Assam Public Service Commission released the APSC Assistant Engineer Answer Key 2026 on 28 September 2026, one day after the OMR-based Screening Test held on 27 September 2026. The notification number is 60PSC/CON/Exam-22/2025-2026. Candidates can download it from apsc.nic.in.

What is the last date to raise objections against the APSC AE provisional key?

The last date to submit objections against the APSC AE Provisional Answer Key 2026 is 01 October 2026. Objections must be submitted online through the official APSC website. Hard copy or email submissions will not be accepted. Objections must be supported by authentic documents such as standard textbooks or government publications.

How many vacancies are there in the APSC AE PHE recruitment 2026?

There are a total of 50 vacancies under Advt. No. 31/2025 — 40 for Civil Engineering, 5 for Mechanical Engineering, and 5 for Chemical Engineering posts in the Public Health Engineering Department of Assam. All these candidates appeared in the screening test on 27 September 2026.

What papers are covered in the APSC AE Answer Key 2026?

The APSC AE Answer Key 2026 covers two papers: Paper-I (General Studies) with 100 questions worth 100 marks, and Paper-II (Engineering) covering Civil, Mechanical, or Chemical subjects with 100 questions worth 100 marks. The total exam is for 200 marks. Candidates must download the correct Paper-II key matching their engineering branch.

Is there negative marking in the APSC AE Screening Test 2026?

Yes, there is negative marking in the APSC AE Screening Test 2026. Wrong answers carry a mark deduction as per the official APSC notification. Candidates should verify the exact negative marking rule from their question paper booklet since APSC’s official notification is the final authority. Unattempted questions carry zero marks.

What is the salary of APSC Assistant Engineer 2026?

The pay scale for the APSC Assistant Engineer post under PHE Department is Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 1,10,000 per month, along with Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, medical benefits, pension, and other government service perks as applicable under Assam Government service rules. The approximate in-hand salary ranges from Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 55,000 per month.

What is the next step after the APSC AE Screening Test result?

After the APSC AE Screening Test result is declared, shortlisted candidates will be called for a Viva-Voce/Interview. Based on APSC’s past recruitment timeline (e.g., Advt. 13/2025 Civil AE result in June 2026, interviews in June 2026), the interview stage for Advt. 31/2025 is expected within 3–6 months of the screening result. Final merit list and appointment letters follow after document verification.

Can I submit objections by email for the APSC AE Answer Key 2026?

No. APSC has explicitly stated that petitions sent by email or hard copy will not be considered. All objections must be submitted through the official online objection link available on apsc.nic.in. Any objection not backed by authentic, specified source documents will also be rejected automatically.

Where can I download the APSC AE Answer Key 2026 PDF?

The official APSC AE Provisional Answer Key 2026 PDF can be downloaded from www.apsc.nic.in under the Notifications or Answer Keys section. The direct PDF link is also available as: apsc.nic.in/misc_2026/AE_PHE_Answerkey_Notifi_31_2025.pdf. Always use the official APSC website — third-party keys may contain errors.

What documents are needed to challenge the APSC AE answer key?

To challenge any answer in the APSC AE Provisional Answer Key 2026, candidates must provide authentic, specific source documents such as relevant pages from standard engineering textbooks, official government publications, IS codes, or peer-reviewed academic references. APSC will not consider references to websites, general internet sources, or unspecified documents of any kind.

RPSC Deputy Jailor Result 2026 Out – Download Final Merit List PDF

AP Vidyut Result 2026 Out – AEE Score PDFs Released for All 5 Streams