UPSC conducted the Combined Defence Services (II) Examination on 13 September 2026 across three shifts in a single day. If you appeared for the exam, this page is your one-stop resource for the CDS 2 2026 answer key, subject-wise paper review, a marks calculator, and the expected cut-off range for IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA.
Our subject experts have prepared set-wise unofficial solutions for English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics so that you can estimate your score right away and begin your SSB preparation without waiting for UPSC’s official release.
CDS 2 2026 Exam Details
- Exam Date: 13 September 2026 (Sunday)
- Shift 1 – English: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
- Shift 2 – General Knowledge: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
- Shift 3 – Elementary Mathematics: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM (not applicable for OTA candidates)
- Negative Marking: 1/3rd mark deducted per wrong response
- Vacancies: 451 posts across IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA
The official CDS 2 answer key is uploaded by UPSC on its website only after the entire selection cycle, including the SSB interviews, is over. Until that happens, candidates rely on coaching-verified keys such as the one below to gauge their probable score.
Download the CDS 2 2026 Answer Key (Set A/B/C/D)
English Paper Solutions
| Set | Question Paper | Solution Status |
|---|---|---|
| Set A | Download PDF | Available |
| Set B | Download PDF | Available |
| Set C | Download PDF | Available |
| Set D | Download PDF | Available |
General Knowledge Paper Solutions
| Set | Question Paper | Solution Status |
|---|---|---|
| Set A | Download PDF | Available |
| Set B | Download PDF | Available |
| Set C | Download PDF | Available |
| Set D | Download PDF | Available |
Elementary Mathematics Solutions
| Set | Question Paper | Solution Status |
|---|---|---|
| Set A | Download PDF | Available |
| Set B | Download PDF | Available |
| Set C | Download PDF | Available |
| Set D | Download PDF | Available |
Cross-check your responses against the correct set code printed on your question booklet before applying the CDS 2 2026 answer key, since each set carries a different question sequence. Using the wrong set code is the most common reason candidates miscalculate their score with any CDS 2 2026 answer key, so double-check before you start.
How to Calculate Your Score Using the CDS 2 2026 Answer Key
Once you’ve matched your answers, use the formula below to project your marks before the merit list comes out.
Marks per question
- English: 120 questions / 100 marks ≈ 0.83 marks each
- General Knowledge: 120 questions / 100 marks ≈ 0.83 marks each
- Elementary Mathematics: 100 questions / 100 marks = 1 mark each
Formula for IMA / INA / AFA aspirants
Score = (Correct Answers × Marks per Question) − (Wrong Answers × Marks per Question ÷ 3)
For OTA aspirants
Total Score = English Score + GK Score (Maths not counted)
Worked example: Suppose you attempted the GK paper and got 70 correct and 15 wrong out of 120. Your score would be (70 × 0.83) − (15 × 0.83 ÷ 3) ≈ 58.1 − 4.15 = 53.95 marks.
CDS 2 2026 Paper Review — Shift-Wise Analysis
English – Moderate Difficulty
Aspirants who appeared in the morning shift reported a fairly balanced paper, with a good attempt range of 70–80 questions.
- Reading comprehension leaned on inference and vocabulary-in-context
- Spotting errors was concentrated on subject-verb agreement and prepositions
- Fill-in-the-blanks required contextual, not just grammatical, judgement
- Synonyms/antonyms carried a mix of common and slightly advanced words
General Knowledge – Moderate to Slightly Tough
The GK paper leaned heavier this cycle, with good attempts estimated around 55–65 questions.
- Current affairs questions were drawn largely from developments between March and August 2026
- Economics section touched on budgetary and fiscal policy terms
- History questions leaned toward the freedom movement and post-independence consolidation
- Science section carried a few application-based physics and biology questions
- Defence and space-related current updates featured prominently, as expected in a CDS paper
Elementary Mathematics – Moderate
Good attempts for this paper are estimated between 50–60 questions.
- Number system and simplification questions were calculation-heavy
- Trigonometry focused on heights and distances
- Geometry questions centred on triangles and circles
- Mensuration included surface area and volume of combined solids
- Time, speed, distance, and profit-loss word problems required multi-step solving
Expected CDS 2 2026 Cut-Off (Unofficial Estimate)
Based on the shift-wise difficulty and past-year trends, here is our estimated cut-off range for the written stage:
| Academy | Expected Cut-Off Range | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| IMA | 115–125 | Slightly tougher GK balanced by an easier English section |
| INA | 100–110 | Maths section on the calculation-heavy side |
| AFA | 125–135 | Maths remains the deciding factor for this academy |
| OTA (Men) | 85–95 | English moderate, GK slightly on the tougher side |
| OTA (Women) | 95–105 | Similar pattern to OTA men with a marginal variation |
Note: This is an estimate based on coaching-level analysis and previous-year cut-off movement. The official CDS 2 2026 cut-off will be declared by UPSC along with the result.
Previous Years’ CDS Written Cut-Off (For Reference)
| Year | Exam | IMA | INA | AFA | OTA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | CDS 2 | 117 | 90 | 126 | 81 |
| 2023 | CDS 2 | 127 | 110 | 136 | 104 |
| 2022 | CDS 2 | 126 | 118 | 136 | 98 |
| 2021 | CDS 2 | 138 | 132 | 148 | 102 |
| 2020 | CDS 2 | 139 | 134 | 152 | 97 |
| 2019 | CDS 2 | 134 | 122 | 148 | 95 |
Expected CDS 2 2026 Result Date & SSB Interview Details
Going by UPSC’s usual turnaround — the CDS (I) 2025 result, for instance, came out in roughly 15 days — the CDS 2 2026 result for the written exam is expected sometime between the last week of October and mid-November 2026. This is only a projection and not an official date.
Shortlisted candidates typically receive SSB call-up letters 2 to 3 months after the result, which would place the CDS 2 2026 SSB interviews in the window of December 2026 to March 2027, based on historical patterns. Keep checking the official UPSC website for your call-up letter, allotted centre, and interview dates.
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FAQs on the CDS 2 2026 Answer Key
When will the official CDS 2 2026 answer key be released? UPSC releases the official answer key only after the entire selection process, including SSB interviews, concludes — usually several months after the exam.
Is there negative marking in the CDS 2 2026 exam? Yes, 1/3rd of the marks allotted to a question is deducted for every wrong answer.
Can OTA candidates use the Maths section of the CDS 2 2026 answer key? No, OTA aspirants are evaluated only on English and General Knowledge; the Mathematics paper does not apply to them.
How accurate is an unofficial CDS 2 2026 answer key? Coaching-verified keys are generally reliable for self-assessment, but only UPSC’s official key, released post-selection, is considered final.
