Candidates were able to download the official CDS 1 English answer key 2026 on April 16, 2026 from the official website at upsc.gov.in. The Union Public Service Commission has made the official CDS English 2026 answer key available for download online. Candidates can download the official CDS English 2026 answer key only from upsc.gov.in. The UPSC CDS 1 exam 2026 was conducted on April 12, 2026. The official answer key is made available after the CDS exam is conducted. However, many coaching centres, such as Major Kalshi Classes and Cavalier, released unofficial versions of the CDS answer key on the same day as the exam.
This gives candidates the ability to calculate their tentative scores immediately after the exam. Candidates are able to check if they have passed the expected CDS cut-off with the help of the answer key. Candidates who have scored above the cutoff, as per the official results of the CDS exam will be eligible to attempt the SSB interview.
Candidates can use the English CDS answer key 2026 to cross-check the answers they gave in the exam and accordingly calculate a tentative score. To refer to the past UPSC CDS English Answer Key 2026 for preparation, candidates can also download the past years' question papers and practice solving them for the upcoming exam. The download links for the UPSC CDS English answer key are available in the content below. Candidates who attempted the exam are advised to download CDS English Answer Key 2026 after it is released.
Candidates must check CDS exam dates 2026 to keep track of all the events related to the exam. For more details, candidates can check the table given below.
Events | Dates |
CDS 1 2026 Exam | April 12, 2026 |
CDS 1 2026 Unofficial Answer Key | April 12, 2026 |
CDS 1 2026 Answer Key (Official) | April 16, 2026 |
Events | Dates |
CDS 2 2026 Exam | September 13, 2026 |
CDS 2 2026 Unofficial Answer Key | To be announced |
CDS 2 2026 Answer Key (Official) | To be announced |
Quick Links:
Candidates preparing for the CDS English exam 2026 are advised to download both the previous year's answer key as well as the past years' question papers. Past years' answer keys are very helpful during preparation, as using them allows candidates to evaluate their performance while solving past years' CDS question papers for practice. Candidates can view and download the previous year's official CDS answer keys for English (both official and unofficial) from the table below.
Paper | Download Links (All Sets available) |
English |
Paper | Download Links (All Sets available) |
English |
Subject | Coaching Institutes | |
MAJOR KALSHI Classes | Cavalier | |
English | ||
CDS English Answer key links |
Quick Links:
Step 1: Visit the official website of UPSC - upsc.gov.in
Step 2: Click on the “Examination” tab.
Step 3: Select answer keys from the drop-down menu.
Step 4: Click on the CDS English answer key 2026.
Step 5: Check and download the CDS answer key 2026 PDF for future reference.
The CDS English question paper consists of 120 questions for 100 marks. Candidates must attempt the CDS English paper within a time frame of 2 hours. In the CDS English paper, 0.83 marks are allotted to each question while 0.27 mark is deducted for every wrong answer. For more details, candidates can check the table given below.
Answer | Marking scheme |
Correct answer | +0.83 |
Incorrect answer | -0.27 |
Unattempted | NIL |
Total Estimated Score = 5/6 x Number of correct answers -5/18 x Number of incorrect answers |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The CDS selection process 2026 consists of a written exam, SSB interview and medical examination.
The CDS Full Form is Combined Defence Services exam.
No, candidates were able to challenge the answer key of CDS 2026 from April 18 to 22, 2026.
Candidates can download the CDS admit card 2026 through their registration number and date of birth.
The CDS paper holds 100 marks, with 0.83 marks allotted to every correct answer and a negative marking of 0.27 mark for every wrong answer.
Candidates can download the answer key either on the UPSC website, or using the direct link posted here.
On Question asked by student community
Hello,
There are certain age limit criteria determined by the conducting body. For more details, you can refer to the article mentioned below regarding the age limit for the UPSC CDS exam.
Eligibility criteria for CDS candidates
Hello,
You can refer to the article mentioned below regarding the career options after a Bachelor of Computer Applications
Career opportunities after BCA
Hi
If you are a female candidate with a DOB of May 25, 2002, you can appear for the CDS exam for 4 to 5 more attempts. Check out the CDS exam dates 2026 to learn more about how and when to appear for the examination.
Yes, you can apply for the CDS 1 2027 and CDS 2 2027 exams, but likely ONLY for the Officers' Training Academy (OTA). You will be overage for IMA, INA, and AFA.
CDS 1 2027 Eligibility
For the course commencing in January/April 2028, the approximate age cut-offs will be:
|
Academy |
Yes you're eligible . If you're born on 1 july 2003, you're eligible for UPSC CDS 2 in 2026 for IMA . For IMA the candidate must be born between 2 july 2002 and 1 july 2007
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