CDS Answer Key 2025 - Download CDS 2 Unofficial Answer Key PDFs

CDS Answer Key 2025 - Download CDS 2 Unofficial Answer Key PDFs

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Meghana Mohana KrishnanUpdated on 16 Sep 2025, 10:51 AM IST
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The unofficial UPC CDS 2 2025 answer key has been updated in the table below after the conclusion of exam. The official UPSC CDS 2025 answer key will be available for download in the form of a PDF online on the UPSC website. Candidates can use the CDS answer key 2025 to calculate their CDS scores. The CDS answer key 2025 will be provided paper wise. Additionally, after the exam, candidates can also refer to the CDS exam analysis to get a better idea of the candidate's performance in the the CDS exam.

This Story also Contains

  1. Unofficial UPSC CDS 2 2025 Answer Key (Centurion Defence Academy & Doon Defence Dreamers)
  2. CDS Answer Key 2025 - Dates
  3. How to Download CDS Answer Key 2025?
  4. CDS Answer Key 2025- Written Exam
  5. CDS Answer Keys for Previous Years
  6. UPSC CDS 1 2025 Unofficial Answer Key
  7. CDS 2 Answer Key 2024 (Unofficial)
  8. CDS 1 Answer Key 2024 (Unofficial)
  9. How to Challenge CDS Question Paper 2025?
  10. CDS Cut off 2025
CDS Answer Key 2025 - Download CDS 2 Unofficial Answer Key PDFs
UPSC CDS Answer Key 2025

The CDS answer keys of the previous years can be used in conjunction with CDS question papers for better preparation. The official UPSC CDS 2025 answer key PDF can be downloaded from upsc.gov.in. However, the official PDF will only be released after the selection process is complete. Many notable coaching institutes have released unofficial versions of the answer key on the same day as the CDS exam. Candidates can refer to these unofficial versions of the CDS 2 2025 answer key to get an approximation of their results immediately after the exam. The download links for the same will be made available below.

Unofficial UPSC CDS 2 2025 Answer Key (Centurion Defence Academy & Doon Defence Dreamers)

The unofficial answer key of CDS 2 2025 has been updated in the table given below.

SubjectQuestion PapersAnswer key pdf
EnglishSet A-Click here
Set B-Click here
Set C-Click here
Set D-Click here
Set A –Download link
Set B-Download link
Set C-Download link
Set D-Download link
General KnowledgeSet A- Click here
Set B- Click here
Set C- Click here
Set D- Click here
Set A-Download link
Set B-Download link
Set C-Download link
Set D- Download link
Elementary MathematicsSet A- Click here
Set B- Click here
Set C- Click here
Set D- Click here
Set A – Download link
Set B- Download link
Set C- Download link
Set D- Download link

CDS Answer Key 2025 - Dates

Candidates can check the table below to know the important CDS exam date 2025 and others.

CDS 1 Answer Key 2025 Dates

Events

CDS 1 2025 Exam Dates

CDS notification

December 11, 2024

CDS 1 exam date

April 13, 2025

Unofficial CDS Answer Key release date

April 13, 2025

Official CDS Answer Key release date

To be announced

SSB Interview call letter

To be announced

CDS 2 Answer Key 2025 Dates

Events

CDS 2 2025 Exam Dates

CDS notification

May 28, 2025

CDS 2 2025 exam date

September 14, 2025

Unofficial CDS 2025 answer key release date

To be released

Official CDS answer key 2025 release date

To be released

SSB Interview call letter

To be released

How to Download CDS Answer Key 2025?

The CDS 2025 answer key can be downloaded from the UPSC website - upsc.gov.in. Follow the steps below to download the answer key of CDS 2025.

  • Visit the UPSC official website - upsc.gov.in.

  • In the Examination, tab click on the Answer Key link.

  • Search for the CDS 2025 answer key and click on it.

  • The pdf file of the CDS answer key will be opened.

  • Download the CDS answer key pdf for future reference.

To Check CDS Answer Key - Step by Step

cds-answer-key


CDS Answer Key 2025- Written Exam

The Combined Defence Services exam has two stages - a written exam and an SSB interview. The written exam has two to three sections depending on the course that the candidate has applied for. Applicants need to qualify for the CDS 2025 written examination to be eligible for the SSB interview.

Quick links: CDS Eligibility Criteria 2025

CDS Answer Keys for Previous Years

Candidates who are preparing for CDS 2025 and attempting the previous year's CDS question papers and looking for the answer key can download the same here. In the table below applicants can find the official CDS 1 and 2 answer key for all the previous year GK, English and Mathematics papers starting from the year 2017 to 2025. Check the table below to download the previous year's CDS answer keys.

UPSC CDS 1 2025 Unofficial Answer Key

The unofficial answer key of CDS 1 2025 has been updated in the table given below.

SubjectAnswer key pdf
EnglishDownload link
General KnowledgeDownload link
Elementary MathematicsDownload link

CDS 2 Answer Key 2024 (Unofficial)

CDS 2 Answer Key 2024 (Unofficial by Major Kalshi Classes)

Papers

CDS 2 2024 Answer key (All Sets)

Mathematics

Download here

English

Download here

GKDownload here

CDS 1 Answer Key 2024 (Unofficial)

CDS 1 Answer Key 2024 (Unofficial by Major Kalshi Classes)

Papers

CDS 1 2024 Answer key (All Sets)

Mathematics

Click here

English

Click here

GKClick here

CDS 1 Answer Key 2024 (Unofficial by Cavalier)

Papers

CDS 1 2024 Answer key

Mathematics

Click here

GKClick here

English

Click here

Year

CDS 1 or CDS 2

CDS Subjects

CDS Answer Key Download Link

2023CDS 2EnglishDownload here
MathsDownload here
GKDownload here

2021


English

Download Here

Maths

Download Here

GK

Download Here

2020

CDS 2

English

Download here

GK

Download here

Mathematics

Download here

2019

CDS 2

English

Download Here

GK

Download Here

Mathematics

Download Here

CDS 1

English

Download Here

GK

Download Here

Mathematics

Download Here

2018

CDS 2

English

Download Here

GK

Download Here

Mathematics

Download Here

CDS 1

English

Download Here

GK

Download Here

Mathematics

Download Here

2017

CDS 2

English

Download Here

GK

Download Here

Mathematics

Download Here

CDS 1

English

Download Here

GK

Download Here

Mathematics

Download Here

Quick Links:

How to Challenge CDS Question Paper 2025?

UPSC provides the facility to challenge the CDS question paper. Candidates can do so by visiting the UPSC website before the last date to raise objections. The procedure to raise an objection is mentioned below:

  • Visit the UPSC website - upsc.gov.in.

  • Click on CDS question papers through the Online Question Paper Representation Portal (QPR).

  • Entering the basic details required and submitting the challenges.

Candidates must note that for each UPSC exam, the Commission has fixed a time frame of 7 days for raising objections.

Quick links: CDS Exam Pattern 2025

CDS Answer Key 2025 - Score Calculation & Marking Scheme

With the help of the CDS answer key 2025, candidates can calculate their score to get an idea of how they did in the Combined Defence Services written exam. To calculate the CDS written score candidates can use the below-mentioned formula.

Total score = Number of correct answers x Marks awarded – Number of incorrect answers x Marks deducted

CDS Exam 2025 Marking Scheme

Events

Marks

Correct Answer

+1

Incorrect Answer

-1/3

Unanswered

-

Quick links:

CDS Cut off 2025

Union Public Service Commission will release the CDS 1 cutoff for every stage of the CDS exam. The final CDS cut off 2025 will be released along with the declaration of the final result. Candidates qualifying for the CDS cut off of the written exam are called for the CDS SSB interview round. The written exam cutoff is for shortlisting applicants for the CDS SSB interview. So the candidates need to score well in the CDS written exam and move on to the main exam.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: When is the CDS 2 2025 exam going to be held?
A:

The CDS 2 exam was conducted today, September 14, 2025.

Q: What are the marks awarded for the correct answer in the CDS exam?
A:

In the CDS 2025 exam, correct answers are given 1 mark. 

Q: Is negative marking in CDS?
A:

Yes, there is a negative marking of 0.33 in the CDS 2025 exam. 

Q: Does UPSC release the answer key for the CDS written exam?
A:

Yes, the Union Public Service Commission will release the answer key for the CDS written examination.

Q: Where can I download the official CDS answer key from?
A:

Candidates will be able to download the official CDS exam answer key from the UPSC website.

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Questions related to CDS

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CDS ?

Dear Candidate,

You are eligible for CDS 2026, but for IMA, INA and AFA post, you must be born between 2 Jan 2003 – 1 Jan 2008.

For OTA ( male and female ), all 2003 born candidates are eligible.

Hi dear candidate,

The age limit for various roles in CDS are:

1) IMA: 19 to 24 years of age, 8 to 9 attempts.

2) INA: 19 to 24 years of age, 8 to 9 attempts.

3) OTA: 19 TO 25 years of age, 10 to 11 attempts.

This is all considering your DOB as of 26 Oct, 2005 as you are 19 years old in Aug 2025.

Know more at:

CDS Exam Dates 2025 (Out) - Check UPSC CDS 2 Complete Exam Schedule

CDS Selection Process 2025 - Written Exam, SSB Interview, DV, Pay Scale

BEST OF LUCK

Yes, you will be eligible for CDS-1 2027 under OTA (SSC Women – Non-Technical Course). The age limit for OTA is 19–25 years (you must be born between 2nd Jan 2001 and 1st Jan 2007). Since your date of birth is 4 July 2002, you will be 24 years old at that time, so you fall within the required age range.

But you will not be eligible for IMA, INA or AFA, because their upper age limit is 24 years, and by 2027 you will cross that limit.


As per the CDS OTA eligibility criteria, for female candidates applying to the Officers Training Academy (OTA), the age limit is 19 to 25 years (unmarried females only).

Since your date of birth is 16th June 2005, you will turn:

21 years old in June 2026,

25 years old in June 2030.

CDS exam is conducted twice every year, so you’ll be eligible from the year you complete graduation (2026) till you turn 25 in 2030.

Your eligible attempts:

CDS 2 2026

CDS 1 2027

CDS 2 2027

CDS 1 2028

CDS 2 2028

CDS 1 2029

CDS 2 2029

CDS 1 2030 (maybe last)

So, you will have around 7 to 8 attempts to appear for CDS OTA before you cross the maximum age limit.

Hello ,

If your goal is to appear for CDS Exam, then here’s what you need to know:

  • For IMA, INA, and AFA: A regular full-time degree from a recognized university is required. So, regular B.Tech is perfectly valid.
  • For OTA :  Any recognized Bachelor’s degree (even BCA) is acceptable. But since you mentioned Online BCA, note that CDS does not accept distance/online degrees unless UGC-DEB approved and equivalent to a regular course.

So, a regular B.Tech is a safer and more accepted option for all CDS branches. Online BCA may work only if it's recognized, but always double-check the latest UPSC CDS eligibility rules before applying.

Best wishes !

Thank you.