CDS 1 2026 Answer Key (All Sets A/B/C/D) & Expected Cut-Off

As soon as the CDS 1 2026 exam is conducted, you will find set-wise unofficial answer keys (English, GK, Maths), detailed paper analysis, good attempts, score calculator, and expected cut-offs all in one place.

The official answer key will be released later on the UPSC website after the completion of the selection process. Until then, you can use our verified faculty solutions to estimate your probable score and start preparing for the SSB interview.

Exam Highlights

Exam Date: 12 April 2026 (Sunday)
Papers: English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics (Only English + GK for OTA)
Duration: 2 hours per paper | Negative Marking: 1/3rd

The official CDS 1 2026 answer key is published on the UPSC page after the selection process is complete. Until then, the keys provided below are for self-assessment.

Download CDS 1 2026 Answer Key

English: CDS 1 2026 Answer Key – Sets A/B/C/D

Set	Question Paper	Answer Key
Set A	Download PDF	Available
Set B	Download PDF	Available
Set C	Download PDF	Available
Set D	Download PDF	Available

General Knowledge: CDS 1 2026 Answer Key – Sets A/B/C/D

Set	Question Paper	Answer Key
Set A	Download PDF	Available
Set B	Download PDF	Available
Set C	Download PDF	Available
Set D	Download PDF	Available

Elementary Mathematics: CDS 1 2026 Answer Key – Sets A/B/C/D

Set	Question Paper	Answer Key
Set A	Download PDF	Available
Set B	Download PDF	Available
Set C	Download PDF	Available
Set D	Download PDF	Available

CDS Previous 10 Years Cutoff (Written Exam)

Year	Exam	IMA (300)	INA (300)	AFA (300)	OTA (200)
2024	CDS 1	120	100	128	87
	CDS 2	117	90	126	81
2023	CDS 1	132	122	142	101
	CDS 2	127	110	136	104
2022	CDS 1	136	128	147	100
	CDS 2	126	118	136	98
2021	CDS 1	145	136	158	107
	CDS 2	138	132	148	102
2020	CDS 1	130	118	143	93
	CDS 2	139	134	152	97
2019	CDS 1	116	105	129	78
	CDS 2	134	122	148	95
2018	CDS 1	118	98	138	69
	CDS 2	116	102	131	80
2017	CDS 1	125	118	144	82
	CDS 2	120	111	135	86
2016	CDS 1	72	63	123	68
	CDS 2	105	90	135	72
2015	CDS 1	102	93	132	78
	CDS 2	105	99	138	84

CDS 1 2026 Expected Result Date

UPSC usually releases the CDS written result within a few weeks to 1–2 months after the exam (e.g., the CDS (I) 2025 written result was released in about 15 days). Based on this trend, expert sources and coaching websites expect the CDS 1 2026 written result between the last week of April and the first week of May 2026—however, this is only an estimate.

CDS 1 2026 Expected Cut-Off (Unofficial Estimate)

Academy	Expected Range	Reason
IMA	120–130	English Easy; Maths Moderate
INA	110–120	GK Balanced; Maths under control
AFA	130–140	Maths Decisive; English Supportive
OTA (Men)	90–100	English Moderate-Easy; GK Balanced
OTA (Women)	92–102	Similar pattern; slight difference

Note: Official cut-offs are released later by UPSC.

CDS 1 2026 SSB Expected Dates

After the release of the CDS 1 2026 result, qualified candidates will be called for the SSB interview. According to previous years’ patterns, the SSB interview process generally begins 2 to 3 months after the result declaration. Accordingly, it is expected that SSB interviews for CDS 1 2026 may be conducted between May 2026 and September 2026. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official website for updates regarding call-up letters, interview centers, and dates.

Doon Defence Dreamers provides free SSB Coaching for students to increase their chances of selection in CDS, NDA, and other defense entrance exams. This coaching covers all critical preparations such as mental readiness, leadership skills, group discussions, personal interviews, and physical tests. A highlight of the coaching is the country’s largest GTO ground, where students can practice according to the actual exam experience.

Furthermore, the coaching is provided by Retired Army Members, who assist students with personalized guidance and exam strategies. This coaching offers an excellent opportunity for students to succeed in the SSB interview with confidence.

Marking Scheme & Score Calculator

Negative Marking: 1/3rd marks deducted for every wrong answer.
Per-Question Marks: English (120Q/100) ≈ 0.83 | GK (120Q/100) ≈ 0.83 | Maths (100Q/100) = 1.00

Score Formula (IMA/INA/AFA)

English = (Correct × 0.83) − (Wrong × 0.83/3)
GK = (Correct × 0.83) − (Wrong × 0.83/3)
Maths = (Correct × 1.00) − (Wrong × 1.00/3)

OTA Candidates

Total Score = English + GK (Maths is not applicable for OTA)

Example: If you have 80 correct and 20 wrong answers in English: (80 × 0.83) − (20 × 0.83/3) ≈ 66.4 − 5.53 = 60.87

CDS 1 2026 Paper Analysis (Live-update)

English (120 Questions / 100 Marks) – Overall Level: Moderate

Good Attempts: 75–85
Inference-based questions in RC (Reading Comprehension)
Difficult vocabulary in Cloze Test
Error Spotting based on Verbs/Tenses
Logical reasoning required for Para-jumbles
High-level Idioms/Phrases

General Knowledge (120 Questions / 100 Marks) – Overall Level: Moderate

Good Attempts: 60–70
Current Affairs (from the last 6–8 months)
Polity → Articles, Fundamental Rights/Directive Principles
Geography → Physical Geography + Indian Geography
Defence & Space updates
Modern History

Elementary Mathematics (100 Questions / 100 Marks) – Overall Level: Moderate

Good Attempts: 55–65
Algebra → Quadratic Equations
Trigonometry → Identities
Geometry → Circles/Triangles
Mensuration → Frustum / CSA
Arithmetic → SI–CI, Mixture
Statistics → Mean/Median

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By offering a flexible offline and online hybrid model alongside personalized mentoring and scholarship opportunities, the academy ensures that every student in their CDS 2026 Target Batch receives the strategic guidance and mental conditioning necessary to excel in both the UPSC written papers and the rigorous SSB interview process.