The UPSC CDS 2 2026 Provisional Answer Key has been released by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on 16 September 2026. The Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 was conducted on 13 September 2026 for candidates appearing for the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). 

CDS 2 2026 Official Provisional Answer Key (Out Now): Big Update!

Candidates can now check the official CDS 2 2026 Answer Key for English, General Knowledge (GK), and Elementary Mathematics. The provisional answer key helps candidates compare their responses with the answers released by UPSC and calculate their probable marks before the written result is announced. 

UPSC CDS 2 2026 Answer Key: Overview

The UPSC examination page confirms that CDS 2 2026 was conducted on 13 September 2026. The examination was notified on 20 May 2026. 

Download UPSC CDS 2 2026 Provisional Answer Key PDF

The official CDS 2 2026 provisional answer keys are available through the UPSC website. Separate answer-key PDFs have been released for English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics. Candidates should check their question booklet series before matching the answers. 

Candidates can also visit the What's New section of the UPSC website and open the notification titled “Provisional Answer Key: Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026.” The UPSC website currently lists this update among its latest announcements.

What Is a Provisional Answer Key?

The CDS provisional answer key is the initial official answer key released by UPSC after the examination. It contains the answers considered correct for the questions asked in the examination.

Candidates can use it to compare their responses, estimate their probable scores, and identify any answer they believe may require review. Since it is provisional, candidates should also check the representation process and any instructions issued by UPSC.

CDS 2 2026 English Answer Key: Out Now 

The CDS 2 2026 English Answer Key allows candidates to verify their responses in the English paper. Candidates should match the answers according to the A, B, C, or D series mentioned on their question booklet.

After matching the answers, candidates can count their correct and incorrect responses and use the CDS marking scheme to estimate their probable score.

CDS 2 2026 General Knowledge Answer Key: Released

The CDS 2 2026 GK Answer Key has also been released by UPSC. Candidates can use the General Knowledge answer key to check their responses and analyse their performance in areas such as current affairs, history, geography, polity, economics, science and other general knowledge topics.

Matching the correct question-paper series is important because the order of questions and options may differ between sets.

CDS 2 2026 Mathematics Answer Key: Released

The CDS 2 2026 Mathematics Answer Key is available for candidates who appeared for the Elementary Mathematics paper. Candidates can compare their answers with the official provisional key and calculate their probable marks.

The Mathematics paper is relevant for candidates appearing for courses where the paper is part of their written examination. Candidates should use the answer key corresponding to their question booklet series.

How to Download CDS 2 2026 Answer Key?

Candidates can follow these steps to download the UPSC CDS 2 Answer Key 2026:

1. Visit the official UPSC website.
2. Go to the What's New section.
3. Find “Provisional Answer Key: Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026.”
4. Open the answer key page.
5. Select the required paper - English, General Knowledge, or Elementary Mathematics.
6. Download the PDF.
7. Check your question-paper series - A, B, C or D.
8. Match your answers with the official provisional answer key.

The UPSC website lists the CDS 2 2026 provisional answer key as an official update.

CDS 2 2026 Marking Scheme

Candidates can use the official examination marking scheme to estimate their probable score from the answer key. For the objective papers, one mark is assigned to each correct answer, while one-third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for an incorrect answer. No marks are awarded for questions that are left unanswered. 

CDS 2 2026 Score Calculation

Probable Score = Correct Answers − (Incorrect Answers × 1/3)

For example, if a candidate gets 80 questions correct and 15 questions incorrect:

Score = 80 − (15 × 1/3)
Score = 75 marks

The calculation should be performed separately according to the paper attempted and the applicable marking scheme.

How to Raise Objections Against CDS 2 2026 Answer Key?

Candidates who identify an issue with a question or answer can use the Online Question Paper Representation Portal (QPRep), subject to the instructions and time window prescribed by UPSC.

For CDS 2 2026, reports on the UPSC release state that representations can be submitted through the online portal during the specified window, with the deadline reported as 20 September 2026. Candidates should verify the exact closing time and instructions on the official UPSC/QPRep portal before submitting a representation. 

Candidates should keep the following points in mind:

• Submit representations through the prescribed online process.
• Clearly identify the question being challenged.
• Provide supporting reasoning or evidence where required.
• Submit the representation within the prescribed deadline.
• Check the UPSC instructions before final submission.

CDS 2 2026 Answer Key by MKC

Along with the official UPSC answer key, candidates may also refer to the MKC CDS 2 2026 Answer Key for additional analysis and solutions.

MKC's answer-key coverage can help candidates review questions subject-wise, understand the solutions and analyse their performance after the examination.

Candidates should distinguish between a coaching institute's unofficial answer key and the official answer key released by UPSC. The UPSC key remains the official reference issued by the Commission.

What After CDS 2 2026 Answer Key?

After checking the CDS 2 2026 Answer Key, candidates can estimate their probable written-examination score and review their performance.

The next major stage is the declaration of the CDS 2 2026 written result. Candidates who qualify the written examination are subsequently required to proceed through the applicable selection stages, including the SSB interview and medical examination, as prescribed for their course.

The answer key should therefore be used primarily for performance analysis and preparation for the next stage rather than treated as the final result.