The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the UPSC CDS-I Answer Key 2026 for the Combined Defence Services Examination (I). Candidates who appeared in the CDS 1 written exam can now download the official answer key PDF for English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics from the UPSC website and estimate their probable score before the result announcement. Candidates can also raise objections during the objection window if required.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 10 December 2025 |
| Application Start Date | 10 December 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 30 December 2025 |
| CDS-I Exam Date | 12 April 2026 |
| Answer Key Release Date | 16 April 2026 |
| Objection Window | 18 April – 22 April 2026 |
| Result Date | Available Soon |
UPSC CDS-I Answer Key 2026 Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Services Examination-I 2026 |
| Answer Key Status | Released |
| Answer Key Type | Provisional / Official |
| Exam Mode | Offline Written Exam |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
CDS-I Vacancy Details 2026
| Academy | Vacancy |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | 32 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | 32 |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA Men) | 275 |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA Women) | 12 |
| Total | 451 Posts |
Vacancy details as per CDS-I 2026 notification.
CDS Marking Scheme 2026
| Subject | Correct Answer | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|
| English | +0.83 | -0.27 |
| General Knowledge | +0.83 | -0.27 |
| Mathematics | +1.00 | -0.33 |
Use this marking scheme to calculate your expected score after matching responses with the answer key.
How to Download UPSC CDS-I Answer Key 2026
- Visit the official UPSC website
- Open the Answer Key section
- Click on CDS-I Examination 2026 Answer Key
- Select your paper (English / GK / Mathematics)
- Download the PDF for your respective paper set
- Match your responses carefully
Objection / Challenge Facility
Candidates can challenge the provisional answer key through the UPSC representation portal:
- Objection Start Date: 18 April 2026
- Last Date: 22 April 2026 (Till 6:00 PM)
- Objections submitted after the deadline will not be accepted
- Final result will be prepared based on revised/final answer key
Expected CDS-I Cut Off 2026
| Academy | Expected Written Cut Off |
|---|---|
| IMA | 125–135 Marks |
| INA | 115–125 Marks |
| AFA | 145–155 Marks |
| OTA (Men/Women) | 95–110 Marks |
Expected cutoff based on previous year trends and expert analysis.
What After CDS-I Answer Key?
After the release of the answer key:
- Candidates can estimate their probable score
- UPSC will review submitted objections
- Final / Revised Answer Key may be issued
- CDS-I Result 2026 will be declared afterward
- Qualified candidates will proceed to SSB Interview
Important Links
| Download Answer Key | Click Here |
| Download Admit Card | Click Here |
| Check Admit Card Notice | Click Here |
| Check Exam Date Notice | Click Here |
| Apply Online Link | Click Here |
| Check Official Notification | Click Here |
| UPSC Official Website | Click Here |
FAQ – UPSC CDS-I Answer Key 2026
Q1. Is UPSC CDS-I Answer Key 2026 Released?
Yes, UPSC has released the CDS-I Answer Key on 16 April 2026.
Q2. Can I Challenge the CDS 1 Answer Key?
Yes, candidates can raise objections from 18 April to 22 April 2026.
Q3. How to Calculate CDS Score Using Answer Key?
Use the official marking scheme: +0.83/-0.27 for English & GK and +1/-0.33 for Maths.
Q4. What Is the Expected CDS 1 Cut Off 2026?
The expected cutoff varies by academy, with OTA expected around 95–110 and AFA highest around 145–155