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- By Sarju Saran Tiwari
- Sun, 26 Apr 2026 05:32 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
MPPSC Prelims 2026 GS Paper 1 Exam: The Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC) Prelims 2026 General Studies Paper 1 was held on Sunday, April 26, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM in offline OMR-based mode across examination centres in the state. As candidates walked out of centres at noon, the initial mood reflected a mix of relief and concern, the paper was neither straightforward nor excessively tough, but those who had underestimated MP GK found themselves struggling
The 200-mark paper carried 100 questions spread across History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science and Technology, Current Affairs, and Madhya Pradesh General Knowledge. As anticipated by experts, MP GK emerged as the dominant section once again, contributing the highest number of questions. Candidates who had prepared state-specific topics thoroughly appeared more confident compared to those who focused primarily on national-level general studies content.
Expert and Student Reactions: "Lengthy Paper, MP GK Was Unpredictable"
Early reactions from students and coaching experts paint a consistent picture: the paper leaned towards the moderate-to-difficult side, primarily because of the nature of questions in MP GK and Current Affairs.
One candidate, Gaurav Yadav, who appeared from the Bhopal centre, said the paper felt lengthy and time-consuming, adding that many MP GK questions required specific state-level knowledge that went beyond standard textbooks. Another aspirant noted that while History and Polity sections were manageable, the Economy and Science portions had a few tricky questions that required conceptual clarity rather than rote recall.
Abhay Singh Sir, GS Faculty, MPPSC Special:
The difficulty level of today's GS Paper 1 was slightly higher compared to the 2019 pattern. Rather than merely testing the recall of straightforward facts, the questions were designed to assess your practical understanding, a trend we are increasingly observing in State PSC examinations. Candidates who focused on clarifying their concepts would have found this paper easier than those who relied entirely on rote learning.
Akshay Jaiswal Sir, Faculty, Mahatma Gandhi Institute, Bhopal (6 Years Experience)
"GS Paper 1 was moderately tough compared to previous year papers. Unlike traditional patterns, this year's paper was not merely fact-oriented but heavily current affairs-driven. The question paper also incorporated factual economic data from the last four to five years, making it more dynamic and analytical in nature."
Overall, the consensus among those who appeared is that the paper was doable for well-prepared candidates but would separate serious aspirants from casual ones, particularly in the MP GK section, which alone contributed over 25 questions.
MPPSC Prelims Examination 2026 Good Attempts & Expected Cut Off Analysis
The MPPSC Prelims 2026 good attempts indicate the safe number of questions candidates should attempt with accuracy. This helps estimate the chances of clearing the preliminary stage. Since each question carries 2 marks, the total marks of each paper are 200.
This year, negative marking has been introduced, which may reduce overall attempts compared to previous years. Candidates focused more on accuracy rather than guesswork, so the cutoff may remain slightly moderate despite good attempts.
MPPSC Prelims 2026 Good Attempts
| Paper | Good Attempts |
|---|---|
| General Studies (Paper 1) | 70–80 |
| CSAT (Paper 2) | 75–85 |
| Overall Attempts | 145–160 |
Note: CSAT is qualifying in nature, but candidates must score at least 33% (66 marks) to qualify.
Expected Category-Wise Cut Off (GS Paper – 200 Marks)
| Category | Expected Cut Off (Marks) | Expected Correct Questions |
|---|---|---|
| General | 150 – 158 | 75 – 79 |
| OBC | 145 – 152 | 73 – 76 |
| EWS | 146 – 154 | 73 – 77 |
| SC | 132 – 140 | 66 – 70 |
| ST | 122 – 130 | 61 – 65 |
| PwD | 110 – 120 | 55 – 60 |
CSAT Paper 2 Currently Underway: Qualifying Nature Keeps Pressure Low
As GS Paper 1 analysis continues, the General Aptitude Test CSAT Paper 2 is currently being conducted from 2:15 PM to 4:15 PM. Since CSAT is qualifying in nature, the pressure on candidates is significantly lower compared to the morning session.
The CSAT paper tests Reading Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and Decision Making. Candidates only need to clear the minimum qualifying marks; the scores from CSAT are not counted in the final merit list. Experts advise candidates to attempt it carefully and not leave it underserved, as failing to qualify CSAT despite a strong GS score would result in disqualification from the Mains stage.
A detailed CSAT Paper 2 analysis will be published once the afternoon session concludes at 4:15 PM. Stay tuned to The Daily Jagran.
