The Union Public Service Commission is scheduled to hold the Combined Defence Services (CDS) 1 2026 written examination on April 12, 2026. As per previous trends, UPSC releases the official CDS answer key only after the completion of the entire recruitment process, which includes the SSB interview and final result. Therefore, the official answer key is tentatively released in the month of November or December 2026.
By going through the CDS 2026 answer key, candidates can check the correct answers and match them with their attempted responses to analyse their performance. The Commission releases only the final answer key on its official website, upsc.gov.in and does not provide any provisional answer key.
CDS Answer Key – Key Dates
Interested candidates can check the key dates of Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination 2026 events in the table below:
CDS Answer Key 2026 Schedule
| Events | CDS I Important Dates | CDS II Important Dates |
| CDS entrance exam | April 12, 2026 | September 13, 2026 |
| CDS written exam result | 1st week of May (Tentative) | November (Tentative) |
| CDS final result | To be announced | To be announced |
| CDS Answer Key | To be announced | To be announced |
CDS Answer Key – Steps to Download
Candidates can download the CDS answer key 2026, once released from the official website by following the steps given below:
Step 1: Visit the official website of UPSC at upsc.gov.in
Step 2: Click on the ‘examination’ tab, available on the page.
Step 3: Now, a drop-down menu will appear on the screen, click on the ‘answer keys’ tab.
Step 4: A new page will be displayed on the screen. Click on ‘CDS answer key’ as per the choice of your subject.
Step 5: The link will redirect you to the answer key PDF.
Step 6: Download the answer key and save it for future references.
CDS Answer Key – Previous Years’ Question Paper
The authorities will release the CDS question paper 2026 after the announcement of the final result. In the meanwhile, candidates can check out the previous years’ CDS question papers below.
CDS Question Paper 2025 – CDS I
| Subjects | Answer Key Link |
| English | CLICK HERE |
| General Knowledge | CLICK HERE |
| Elementary Mathematics | CLICK HERE |
CDS Question Paper 2025 – CDS II
| Subjects | Answer Key Link |
| English | CLICK HERE |
| General Knowledge | CLICK HERE |
| Elementary Mathematics | CLICK HERE |
CDS Question Paper 2024 – CDS I
| Subjects | Answer Key Link |
| English | CLICK HERE |
| General Knowledge | CLICK HERE |
| Elementary Mathematics | CLICK HERE |
CDS Question Paper 2024 – CDS II
| Subjects | Answer Key Link |
| English | CLICK HERE |
| General Knowledge | CLICK HERE |
| Elementary Mathematics | CLICK HERE |
CDS Answer Key – Marking Scheme
As per the exam pattern of CDS, candidates are allotted 1 mark for each correct answer. For each incorrect response, one-third mark will be deducted. Check out the formula used for calculating the score here:
| CDS 2026 Score Calculation
Total Marks = Number of Correct Answers – (Number of Wrong Answers × 0.33) |
CDS Answer Key – Question Papers
Candidates preparing for the entrance exam are advised to solve the CDS question papers of previous years to get an idea about the nature of questions, weightage given to different topics and other important aspects of the entrance exam. Candidates can also challenge the CDS question papers by following the steps provided below:
How to raise objections against CDS question papers?
Step 1: Go to the official website – upsc.gov.in
Step 2: Click on question papers through Online Question Paper Representation Portal (QPRep) of UPSC.
Step 3: Enter the required details and submit the same.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) opens the Online Question Paper Representation Portal (QPRep) for a limited time where the candidates cannot raise the objection(s) against the CDS question papers beyond the deadline.
CDS Answer Key – Result
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) declares the result of CDS exam in two stages – written and final result/merit list. CDS results for the written exam will be available in PDF format and will encompass the roll numbers and names of the qualified candidates. Candidates can check their results on the official website of UPSC. All the candidates who qualify the written test will qualify to sit for the SSB Interview. After the interview round, the final result of CDS will be released. The authorities will release the CDS answer key 2026 after the announcement of CDS II final result.
CDS Exam Pattern 2026
Candidates can check the table below to know more about the CDS exam pattern 2026.
Overview of CDS Paper Pattern
| Particulars | Specification |
| Name of the exam | Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE) |
| Exam conducting body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Examination mode | Offline |
| Type of questions | Objective-type |
| Sections | For IMA, INA and AFA – English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics
For OTA – English and General Knowledge |
| Marks allotted to each section | 100 |
| Marking scheme | +1 for each correct answer, -1/3 for each wrong answer |
| Time duration | Two hours for each paper |
CDS Answer Key – FAQs
✔️ Can I raise objections or challenge the answer key of CDS?<br />
No. You cannot challenge the CDS answer key. However, there is a provision to raise objections against CDS question paper in case you find any discrepancies.
✔️ Will any coaching centre release the CDS answer key 2026?
Yes. Soon after the written exam gets over, many coaching institutes release the CDS answer key for the candidates. Some of such coaching institutes are Major Kalshi Classes, SSB Crack, Cavalier, Aims & Achieve, etc.
✔️ What’s the benefit of accessing the unofficial answer key of CDS even when UPSC releases the answer keys officially?
The unofficial answer keys of CDS are released by the coaching institutions soon after the exam while UPSC releases the official and final CDS answer keys after the final result declaration. In such a scenario, only unofficial CDS answer keys help the candidates predict their score well before the CDS final result announcement.
✔️ Can I calculate my score by using the CDS answer key?
Yes, you can calculate your CDS exam score by using the answer key of CDS. As per the marking scheme of the CDS exam, 1 mark is credited for each correct answer whereas the deduction of 1/3rd mark for each incorrect response is applicable.
✔️ What is the Question Paper Representation Portal (QPRep)?
Question Representation Portal is the platform for candidates to raise objections against the CDS question papers within the specified deadline. UPSC charges no fees from the candidates to raise objection(s) against the question(s).
✔️ In what mode the answer key of CDS will be available?
The CDS answer keys will be released online in the form of PDF’s on the official website. Candidates can easily download the answer key by visiting the website of UPSC and following certain steps after logging into their dashboard.
Keep visiting Buddy4Study to gain knowledge about CDS Exam 2020 and other competitive exams.
