The Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) has announced that a specimen Question Cum Answer Booklet will be made available for candidates appearing in the State Services Main Examination 2026. The Commission issued the official press release on September 22, 2026, to help candidates understand the answer booklet format to be used for the descriptive examination.
The MPSC State Services Main Examination 2026 is scheduled to be conducted across multiple dates in October and November. According to the notice, the examination will be held on October 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 17, 18, and 31, followed by November 1, 2026.
The Commission has clarified that the Main Examination is being conducted in a conventional/descriptive format and that answer booklets will be evaluated through the digital On-Screen Marking system. The specimen booklet is intended to familiarise candidates with the format before they appear for the examination.
Table of Contents
MPSC State Services Main Exam 2026 Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Authority | Maharashtra Public Service Commission |
| Examination | State Services Main Examination 2026 |
| Examination Type | Conventional/Descriptive |
| Notice Date | September 22, 2026 |
| Exam Dates | October 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 17, 18, and 31; November 1, 2026 |
| Answer Booklet | Question Cum Answer Booklet |
| Evaluation System | On-Screen Marking |
| Specimen Booklet | To be made available on the MPSC website |
| Website Section | Candidate Information >> Specimen Answer Booklet |
Candidates should note that this notice is primarily about familiarisation with the answer-writing format. It does not announce any change in the examination dates or convert the MPSC Main Examination into a different examination mode.
The specimen Question Cum Answer Booklet is being provided so that candidates can understand how questions and answer-writing space will appear in the actual examination.
Why MPSC Is Releasing the Specimen Answer Booklet
MPSC stated that the State Services Main Examination 2026 will be conducted in a descriptive format.
The Commission also noted that answer booklets of descriptive examinations are evaluated through a digital On-Screen Marking system.
Some other public service commissions, including the Union Public Service Commission and certain state commissions, use a Question Cum Answer Booklet format for descriptive examinations. In such booklets, the questions and the space provided for writing answers are part of the same booklet.
Candidates had requested that MPSC make a similar specimen booklet available in advance so that they could become familiar with the format before the examination.
The Commission has now agreed to provide the specimen Question Cum Answer Booklet for this purpose.
Main Exam Dates
The State Services Main Examination 2026 will be held over several examination days.
| Month | Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| October 2026 | 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 17, 18, and 31 |
| November 2026 | 1 |
Candidates should continue to follow the examination schedule and instructions issued by MPSC for their respective papers.
The specimen booklet should be treated as a preparation aid for understanding the answer-writing format, rather than as an examination schedule.
What Is a Question Cum Answer Booklet?
A Question Cum Answer Booklet combines the examination questions and the space for writing answers within the same booklet.
Instead of receiving a separate question paper and a completely independent answer book, candidates are provided with a designated space for writing the answer to each question.
According to the MPSC notice, sufficient or appropriate space will be provided for candidates to write answers to individual questions.
This is an important point for candidates preparing for the descriptive Main Examination because answer presentation and space management can become part of their examination strategy.
MPSC Answer Booklets to Be Evaluated Through On-Screen Marking
The Commission has stated that answer booklets of its descriptive examinations are evaluated using the On-Screen Marking system.
Under this process, the evaluation work is carried out digitally.
The September 22 notice primarily explains the answer-booklet format and the availability of the specimen copy. Candidates do not need to alter their examination preparation because of the digital evaluation process, but they should ensure that their written answers are clear and properly presented.
Where Will MPSC Publish the Specimen Answer Booklet?
MPSC will make the specimen Question Cum Answer Booklet available on its official website.
Candidates will be able to find it under:
Candidate Information >> Specimen Answer Booklet
The Commission has specifically stated that the sample booklet will be made available through this section for the information and convenience of candidates.
Once available, candidates should download the specimen and examine its structure carefully before the Main Examination.
What Candidates Should Check in the Specimen Booklet
The specimen answer booklet can help candidates understand several practical aspects of the descriptive examination, including:
- Placement of questions in the booklet
- Space available for individual answers
- Overall layout of the Question Cum Answer Booklet
- Expected answer-writing arrangement
- How responses should be confined to the designated space
Candidates can use the specimen while practicing descriptive answers so that the actual format does not feel unfamiliar on the examination day.
Why the Specimen Booklet Matters for MPSC Aspirants
For a descriptive examination, candidates need to manage not only the content of their answers but also time and available writing space.
The Question Cum Answer Booklet format may require candidates to write each answer within the space provided for that particular question.
Practicing with the specimen format can therefore help candidates understand how much information can reasonably be presented for different questions and how to structure answers efficiently.
The Commission’s notice also reduces uncertainty for candidates who sought clarification on the format to be followed for the State Services Main Examination.
Does the Notice Change the MPSC Main Exam Pattern?
The September 22 press release does not announce any changes to the examination schedule or a new examination pattern.
It states that the State Services Main Examination 2026 is being conducted in the conventional/descriptive format and explains that a specimen Question Cum Answer Booklet will be made available to familiarise candidates with the format.
Candidates should therefore continue preparing according to the officially prescribed syllabus and examination scheme.
