UPSC CDS II 2026 Provisional Answer Key: Official Paper Links

UPSC CDS II 2026 provisional answer key English GK Mathematics banner
Combined Defence Services Examination (II) 2026 - Provisional Answer Key

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

Official paper-wise provisional answer keys for English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics.

Sarkari Chatra Editorial Desk — Verified Status: 20 September 2026

Official Listing: The Union Public Service Commission has listed the provisional answer key documents for the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026. Candidates who appeared for IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA courses can verify official paper keys for English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics.

CDS II 2026 Examination Overview

ParameterOfficial Specification
Exam Conducting BodyUnion Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Examination NameCombined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026
Papers IncludedEnglish, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics
Key TypeOfficial Provisional Answer Key
Official Commission Portalupsc.gov.in

Paper Structure & Marking Breakdown

  • For IMA, INA & AFA Aspirants: Total 300 marks distributed equally across English (100 marks), General Knowledge (100 marks), and Elementary Mathematics (100 marks).
  • For OTA Aspirants: Total 200 marks distributed across English (100 marks) and General Knowledge (100 marks). Mathematics is not applicable.
  • Negative Marking: One-third (0.33) of the marks allocated to each question is deducted as penalty for every wrong response across all test booklets.

Steps to Access CDS II Answer Keys

  1. Navigate to the official portal: upsc.gov.in.
  2. Go to Examinations → Answer Keys or click on the link listed under What’s New.
  3. Select Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 – Provisional Answer Key.
  4. Download the PDFs for English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics.
  5. Match the question numbers with your respective booklet code (A, B, C, or D) to calculate your aggregate score.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which subjects are included in the CDS II 2026 provisional answer key?

The official listing covers all three written test subjects: English (Paper 1), General Knowledge (Paper 2), and Elementary Mathematics (Paper 3).

Do OTA candidates need to calculate marks for Elementary Mathematics?

No. Candidates who applied strictly for Officers Training Academy (OTA) are evaluated only on English (100 marks) and General Knowledge (100 marks).

What is the negative marking penalty in UPSC CDS II?

There is a penalty of one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question for every wrong answer marked by a candidate.

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