CDS Answer Key 2025 by NeoStencil

CDS Answer Key 2025 by NeoStencil

Deshamena RachanaUpdated on 14 Sep 2025, 06:42 PM IST

Neostencil will release their version of the CDS 1 2025 answer key for candidates’ reference after the CDS exam. The answer key by NeoStencil is widely considered to be one of the best unofficial answer keys. Using the Neostencil answer key enables candidates to make a rough estimate of their score in the CDS exam and assess their performance.

This Story also Contains

  1. CDS Answer Key 2025 by NeoStencil – Important Dates
  2. CDS Answer Key 2025 – Official
  3. CDS Cut off 2025
CDS Answer Key 2025 by NeoStencil
CDS Answer Key 2025 by NeoStencil

Neostencil will release the CDS 2025 answer keys for all of the exam’s question papers. Since the unofficial answer key comes out almost immediately after the exam, candidates are able to use the Neo Stencil answer key for the CDS exam to get a rough idea of their performance in the exam. For more details about the CDS Answer Key 2025 by NeoStencil, read the article below.

CDS Answer Key 2025 by NeoStencil – Important Dates

To know about the important dates of the CDS exam date 2025 and answer key by NeoStencil, candidates can check the table below.

Important Dates of CDS Answer Key 2025 by NeoStencil

Events

Dates

CDS 1 2025 exam

April 13, 2025

CDS 2 2025 exam

September 14, 2025

Unofficial CDS 1 Answer Key 2025 by NeoStencil

To be announced

Unofficial CDS 2 answer key 2025 by NeoStencil

To be announced

CDS Answer Key 2025 by NeoStencil - Written Exam

The CDS exam has two stages - a written exam and an SSB interview. The CDS written exam has three to two papers depending on the course the candidate has applied for. The three CDS 2025 question papers are on subjects like English, general knowledge, and elementary mathematics.

The NeoStencil answer key is released for all three papers separately. Candidates need to qualify for the CDS 2025 written examination to be eligible for the SSB interview round. The Commission will release the official answer key for the CDS written exam after the declaration of the final result.

Quick Links
CDS Answer Key 2025 by Baalnoi

CDS Answer Key 2025 by Cavalier

How to Download CDS Answer Key 2025 by NeoStencil?

The CDS answer key 2025 by NeoStencil can be downloaded from the NeoStencil website. Follow the below-mentioned steps to download the answer key of CDS by NeoStencil.

  • Visit the NeoStencil official website - www.neostencil.com

  • Search for the CDS answer key 2025 by the NeoStencil link.

  • Click on the CDS 2025 answer key link.

  • The pdf file of the written exam answer key will be opened on the screen.

  • Check the CDS question paper set and match the answer key accordingly.

  • Download the CDS answer key by NeoStencil for future reference.

More Relevant Link - CDS Result 2025

CDS Answer Key 2025 by NeoStencil- Score Calculation & Marking Scheme

With the help of the NeoStencil CDS answer key 2025, candidates will be able to calculate their approximate score and get an idea of how they performed in the CDS 2025 exam. To calculate the Combined Defence Services exam score applicants use the below-mentioned formula.

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

Marking Scheme for CDS 2025

Paper

Duration

Maximum Marks

Marks of incorrect answer

English

2 hrs

100

-⅓ of the marks allotted to the question

General Knowledge

2 hrs

100

Maths

2 hrs

100

CDS Answer Key 2025 – Official

The official CDS 2025 answer key will be released after the declaration of the final CDS result 2025. The official CDS answer key will be released on the UPSC official website – www.upsc.gov.in.

CDS Cut off 2025

UPSC will release the Combined Defence Services cutoff for all the stages of the exam after the final result declaration. The final CDS cutoff will be released after the SSB interview round. But some of the eminent coaching institutes, like NeoStencil will also release the expected CDS cut-off right after the CDS exam by CDS 2025 exam analysis. Candidates qualifying for the CDS written exam cutoff will be eligible to appear for the SSB interview.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How many courses is the CDS exam held for?
A:

The CDS 2025 exam will be held for two courses, i.e., OTA and IMA/INA/IFA.

Q: What is the cut-off for CDS exam?
A:

The cut-off marks for the CDS exam 2025 will be declared by the UPSC after the selection process.

Q: How often is the CDS exam conducted?
A:

The UPSC CDS exam is conducted twice a year by UPSC.

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

Candidates will be able to download the CDS answer key at upsc.gov.in.

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

Yes, the answer key will be released by the UPSC.

Q: Is there -ve marking in the CDS written exam?
A:

Yes, 1/3 marks are deducted for every wrong answer.

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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.