UPSC CDS I 2026 Answer Key
The UPSC CDS I 2026 answer key is out. UPSC held the Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026 on 12 April 2026 for 451 vacancies in IMA, INA, AFA and OTA. Download the official General Knowledge and English answer key PDFs from the links above - our fast copy of the official documents - to check your answers.
| Notification Released | 10 December 2025 |
| Application Start Date | 10 December 2025 |
| Application Last Date | 30 December 2025 (6:00 PM) |
| Written Exam Date | 12 April 2026 |
| Answer Key Released | 16 April 2026 |
| Objection Window (QPRep) | 7 days from the day after the exam |
| Written Result | Declared |
| General / OBC / EWS | Rs. 200 |
| SC / ST | No Fee (Exempted) |
| All Female Candidates | No Fee (Exempted) |
⚠️ KadamSetu is a private information site, not a government body — every detail here is verified against the official source (linked on each item above) and date-stamped. Cross-check the final details on the official notice, and never pay anyone to apply. Your personal scorecard / marks stay on the official login; we never host those.
- 6 Jul 2026 Answer key published
UPSC CDS I 2026 Answer Key - Overview
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) held the Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026 - known as CDS I 2026 - on 12 April 2026. This written exam was for entry into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), the Indian Naval Academy (INA), the Air Force Academy (AFA) and the Officers' Training Academy (OTA). After the exam, UPSC released the provisional (draft) answer key for the papers. You can download the official General Knowledge and English answer key PDFs from the Important Links table above - these are our fast copies of the official documents.
An answer key lists the correct option for every question. With it, you can match your own answers, count your right and wrong responses, and get a good idea of your likely score before the final result. The exam used OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) answer sheets, and there is negative marking, so wrong answers reduce your score.
UPSC CDS I 2026 - Quick Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026 |
| Notice Number | 04/2026 (dated 10 December 2025) |
| Written Exam Date | 12 April 2026 |
| Answer Key Type | Provisional (draft) answer key |
| Total Vacancies | 451 posts |
| Selection Stages | Written exam, then SSB Interview and medical check |
Vacancy Details
UPSC announced 451 vacancies for CDS I 2026 across the four academies. The academy-wise split is below. These numbers are as given in the official notice and may be revised slightly by the Services Headquarters at a later stage.
| Academy / Course | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun | 100 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala | 26 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad | 32 |
| Officers' Training Academy (OTA) - Men | 275 |
| Officers' Training Academy (OTA) - Women | 18 |
| Total | 451 |
Question Papers Covered by the Answer Key
The CDS exam has different papers for different academies. The provisional answer key is released paper-wise, so pick the ones for the academy you applied for.
| Academy | Papers |
|---|---|
| IMA, INA and AFA | English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics |
| OTA (Men and Women) | English and General Knowledge |
Each paper carries 100 marks and lasts 2 hours. The English and General Knowledge answer key PDFs are available in the Important Links table above.
Eligibility - Age and Qualification
The age and education rules come straight from the official notice. All ages are counted with reference to 1 January 2027.
| Academy | Age (born between) | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| IMA and OTA (Men) | 2 January 2002 / 2003 to 1 January 2008 | Graduate degree from a recognised university |
| INA | 2 January 2003 to 1 January 2008 | Engineering degree from a recognised university |
| AFA | 2 January 2003 to 1 January 2007 (20 to 24 years) | Graduate degree with Physics and Maths at 10+2 level, or a Bachelor of Engineering degree |
| OTA (Women) | 2 January 2002 to 1 January 2008 | Graduate degree from a recognised university |
IMA, INA and AFA are for unmarried male candidates. OTA (Women) is for unmarried women, and issueless widows or divorcees who have not remarried. Final-year students can also apply if they submit proof of passing by the deadline set by UPSC.
How to Check Your UPSC CDS I 2026 Answer Key
Use these simple steps to check your answers:
- Download the correct answer key PDF for your paper from the Important Links table above. It is our fast copy of the official UPSC document, so you do not have to wait on a slow government server.
- Note your test booklet series (Set A, B, C or D) from your question paper.
- Match each of your marked answers with the correct option in the answer key.
- Give yourself the full marks for each correct answer, and subtract the negative marks for each wrong answer, to estimate your score.
UPSC gives a short window, called the Question Paper Representation Portal (QPRep), where candidates can raise objections about any question. This objection window runs for 7 days from the day after the exam. To raise an objection, you must log in on the official UPSC online portal - this is a personal login step, so we do not host it; use the "Raise Objection / QPRep Portal (Login)" link in the table above.
What Happens After the Answer Key
The provisional answer key is only for your own reference. UPSC does not declare marks from it. After the objection window closes, UPSC reviews the objections, finalises the answer key, and then declares the written result. Candidates who clear the written exam are called for the SSB (Services Selection Board) Interview, followed by a medical test, before the final merit list.
The written result for CDS I 2026 has been declared. You can download the qualified candidates' roll number list from the Important Links table above. For your personal marks and cut-off, please log in on the official UPSC portal after the marks are published, and always cross-check the official notice for the final word.
Application Fee and Selection - In Short
The application fee for CDS I 2026 was Rs. 200 for General, OBC and EWS (Economically Weaker Section) candidates. All female candidates and all SC (Scheduled Caste) and ST (Scheduled Tribe) candidates were exempted and paid no fee. The fee was paid online using a debit card, credit card, UPI or net banking. Selection is based on the written exam, then the SSB Interview and a medical check. There is no separate salary at the answer-key stage - joining pay follows the fixed defence pay rules once a candidate joins the academy.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is the UPSC CDS I 2026 answer key out?
Yes. UPSC released the provisional (draft) answer key for the CDS I 2026 exam held on 12 April 2026. You can download the General Knowledge and English answer key PDFs from the Important Links table on this page - it is our fast copy of the official document.
How do I download the CDS I 2026 answer key?
Just click the answer key download link in the Important Links table above and open the PDF. You do not need to log in, and you do not have to wait on a slow government server. Pick the paper for the academy you applied for.
How do I check my score with the answer key?
Note your test booklet series (Set A, B, C or D), then match each of your marked answers with the correct option in the answer key. Add the marks for correct answers and subtract the negative marks for wrong answers to estimate your score.
Is there negative marking in the CDS exam?
Yes. The CDS written exam has negative marking for wrong answers in the objective-type papers, so a wrong answer will reduce your total score.
How can I raise an objection to a question?
UPSC opens the Question Paper Representation Portal (QPRep) for 7 days from the day after the exam. Objections must be made by logging in on the official UPSC online portal - use the QPRep login link in the table above. This is a personal login step, so we do not host it.
How many vacancies are there in CDS I 2026?
There are 451 vacancies in total - IMA 100, INA 26, AFA 32, and OTA 293 (275 men and 18 women). These figures are from the official UPSC notice.
Has the CDS I 2026 written result been declared?
Yes. The written result has been declared. You can download the list of qualified candidates' roll numbers from the Important Links table above. For your personal marks, log in on the official UPSC portal once the marks are published.
What is the next step after the written result?
Candidates who clear the written exam are called for the SSB (Services Selection Board) Interview, followed by a medical test. The final merit list is prepared after these stages.