CDS 1 Answer Key 2026 is finally out! Candidates can check the CDS answer key 2026 online for GK, English, and Elementary Mathematics.
Candidates will also get the chance to file an objection against provisional keys from April 18 to 22, 2026. Download CDS 1 Answer Key 2026 PDFs here.
UPSC has released the CDS 1 Answer Key 2026 for the written exam conducted on 12th April 2026. Candidates can download the official answer keys of the CDS 1 2026 exam online. It was released in a PDF file on April 16, 2026, only on the official website.
The CDS 1 2026 Official Answer Key will help candidates match their answers and calculate tentative scores. This will also help them predict their selection chances. Continue reading to access the direct CDS 1 2026 Answer Key download links on this page.
CDS 1 Answer Key 2026 Out: Subject-Wise PDFs
As per the feedback of the test-takers, the overall difficulty level of CDS 1 2026 was moderate. Candidates can find the direct download links for the CDS 1 Answer Key 2026 in the table below:
Subject | CDS 1 2026 Official Answer Key |
English | |
General Knowledge | |
Elementary Mathematics |
Aspirants can download each CDS 1 2026 Answer Key PDF and tally their marked answers to compute their approximate score.
CDS 1 2026 Official Answer Key Overview
Here is a quick overview of the important details of the CDS 1 Answer Key 2026:
- Exam Name: CDS 1 2026
- Conducting Body: Union Public Service Commission
- Exam Date: 12 April 2026
- Answer Key Release Date: 16 April 2026
- Release Status: Out
- Mode of Release: Online (PDF format)
- Subjects Covered: English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics
The answer key is released subject-wise. This makes it easier for candidates to analyse their performance in each section.
How to Download CDS 1 Answer Key 2026 PDF
Use these simple instructions to download the CDS answer key 2026:
- Go to the official UPSC website.
- Look for the “What’s New” section
- Find and click the “CDS 1 Answer Key 2026” link.
- Select the subject-wise PDF links (English, GK, Maths)
- Download and save the document for future reference
How to Calculate Scores Using the CDS Answer Key
Candidates can calculate their tentative scores using the CDS 1 answer keys. Here are the complete guide for tentative score calculation:
CDS Marking Scheme
- Correct Answer: +1/0.83 mark (depending on subject)
- Wrong Answer: -0.33 mark
- Unattempted: 0 mark
How to Calculate CDS 1 2026 Score
Use this simple formula:
Score = (Correct Answers × 1/0.83) – (Wrong Answers × 0.33)
Example:
If you attempted 90 questions
- Correct: 70
- Wrong: 20
- Final Score = (70 × 1) - (20 × 0.33) = 63.4 marks
Can I Challenge CDS 1 Answer Key 2026?
Yes. UPSC provides an opportunity to candidates who appeared to challenge the questions asked in the exam and provisional keys from April 18 to 22, 2026 (06:00 P.M).
The appeared candidates will have to log in to the UPSC website at upsconline.nic.in and submit their representation(s), if any, under the header ‘Examinations > Representations on Question Paper & Provisional Answer Keys’.
No objection requests by email/post/hand or by any other mode shall be accepted. No representation shall be accepted under any situation after this window of 5 days is over.
CDS 1 2026 Official Question Paper Analysis
Below is the CDS 1 2026 official question paper analysis for reference:
CDS 1 English Question Paper 2026 Out: Topic-Wise Weightage Analysis
Topic | Number of Questions (approx) | Overall Difficulty Level |
Idioms & Phrases | 10 | Easy-Moderate |
Antonyms | 10 | Easy |
Synonyms (Single Words) | 10 | Easy |
Usage of Paired Words | 10 | Moderate |
Synonyms (Underlined Words) | 10 | Easy-Moderate |
Commonly Used Words | 10 | Easy |
Prepositions & Determiners | 10 | Moderate |
Word Class (Parts of Speech) | 10 | Easy-Moderate |
Ordering of Sentences (Para Jumbles) | 10 | Moderate |
Sentence Improvement / Correlation | 10 | Moderate |
Spotting Errors | 5 | Moderate |
Matching List (Word–Meaning) | 10 | Easy |
Reading Comprehension | 5 | Moderate |
CDS 1 GK Question Paper 2026 Out: Topic-Wise Weightage Analysis
Topic | Number of Questions (approx) | Difficulty Level |
History (Ancient + Medieval + Modern) | 22-25 | Moderate |
Miscellaneous / Static GK | 5-6 | Easy |
Geography (Indian + World) | 18-20 | Easy-Moderate |
Science (Physics + Chemistry + Biology) | 20-22 | Easy-Moderate |
Polity | 10-12 | Moderate |
Economy | 8-10 | Moderate |
Defence & Space | -5–7 | Moderate |
Current Affairs | 10-12 | Moderate |
CDS 1 Maths Question Paper 2026 Out: Topic-Wise Weightage Analysis
Topic | Number of Questions (approx) | Difficulty Level |
Arithmetic (Percentages, Time & Work, SI/CI, Ratio, Profit-Loss) | 28-32 | Easy-Moderate |
Mensuration (2D & 3D) | 10-12 | Moderate |
Algebra | 18-22 | Moderate |
Geometry | 15-18 | Moderate |
Trigonometry | 10-12 | Moderate |
Statistics | 4-6 | Easy |
Number System | 6-8 | Easy-Moderate |
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