The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the Provisional Answer Key for the Combined Defence Services Examination (II) 2026 on 16 September 2026. The written examination was conducted on 13 September 2026 for English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics papers. This recruitment, under Advertisement No. 11/2026-CDS-II, covers a total of 451 tentative vacancies across the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers Training Academy (OTA).
Candidates can now download the provisional answer key and raise objections through UPSC’s Online Question Paper Representation Portal between 16 and 20 September 2026.
CDS 2 Answer Key 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 |
| Advertisement Number | 11/2026-CDS-II |
| Total Vacancies | 451 (Tentative) |
| Exam Date | 13 September 2026 |
| Answer Key Release Date | 16 September 2026 |
| Objection Window | 16 to 20 September 2026 (till 6:00 PM) |
| Category | Answer Key |
Vacancy Breakdown (Tentative)
| Academy | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | 26 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | 32 |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA) – Men | 275 |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA) – Women | 18 |
| Total | 451 |
Exam Pattern and Shift Timings
The CDS 2 written examination was conducted across three papers, each in a separate shift on the same day.
| Paper | Shift Timing |
|---|---|
| English | 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM |
| General Knowledge | 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM |
| Elementary Mathematics | 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM |
Candidates applying for IMA, INA, and AFA appear for all three papers, while candidates applying only for OTA appear for English and General Knowledge papers.
How to Download CDS 2 Answer Key 2026
Candidates can follow these steps to download the provisional answer key from the official UPSC website.
Visit the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in. Navigate to the “What’s New” section on the homepage. Click on the link for Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 Provisional Answer Key. Download the subject-wise answer key PDFs for English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics.
How to Raise an Objection on CDS 2 Answer Key 2026
Candidates who wish to challenge any answer in the provisional key must follow the process below.
Visit UPSC’s Online Question Paper Representation Portal (QPRep) at upsconline.nic.in. Log in using your roll number and date of birth. Select the specific paper and question number you wish to challenge. Submit your representation along with any supporting justification before the deadline. Note that email, post, or handwritten representations are not accepted under any circumstances; only submissions made through the official online portal will be considered.
The objection window closes at 6:00 PM on 20 September 2026, and no representations will be entertained after this deadline.
What Happens After the Objection Window Closes
Once the objection window closes, UPSC subject experts will review all valid representations received through the portal. The final answer key will be prepared based on this review, and the result will be declared separately in due course based on the final answer key.
Important Links
| Purpose | Link |
|---|---|
| Download Provisional Answer Key | Click Here |
| Raise Objection (QPRep Portal) | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
About UPSC
The Union Public Service Commission is India’s premier central recruiting agency, responsible for conducting the Combined Defence Services Examination twice a year to recruit officers for the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Officers Training Academy.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the CDS 2 Answer Key 2026 released?
The provisional answer key was released on 16 September 2026.
When was the CDS 2 2026 exam conducted?
The exam was conducted on 13 September 2026.
What is the last date to raise an objection on the CDS 2 Answer Key 2026?
The objection window closes at 6:00 PM on 20 September 2026.
How many total vacancies are there in CDS 2 2026?
There are 451 tentative vacancies across IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA.
How can candidates raise an objection on the CDS 2 Answer Key 2026?
Candidates must submit their representation through UPSC’s Online Question Paper Representation Portal (QPRep) at upsconline.nic.in; email, post, or handwritten representations are not accepted.
What papers were conducted in the CDS 2 2026 exam?
The exam consisted of English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics papers.
Where can candidates download the CDS 2 Answer Key 2026?
Candidates can download it from the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in under the “What’s New” section.
Is the released answer key final?
No, this is a provisional answer key and is subject to revision after UPSC reviews candidate objections.
Disclaimer: JobShouter.com is not affiliated with Union Public Service Commission. Shared for informational purposes only, please verify details on the official website.
