UPSC CDS 2 Answer Key 2026 Released
UPSC CDS 2 Answer Key 2026: The Union Public Service Commission has published the answer key notification (Advt No. 11/2026-CDS-II) on its official website https://upsc.gov.in . The notification is for the answer key of 451 CDS II Exam 2026 posts examination. The answer key has been released for the candidates who appeared in the examination conducted for UPSC CDS 2 Online Form 2026. Candidates who have appeared in the examination can check the answer key. We advised the candidates that they must read the official UPSC CDS 2 Answer Key 2026 notice carefully and check the answer key as per the given instructions. The official website link and the UPSC CDS 2 Answer Key 2026 link are provided below under the heading Important Links.
Latest Updates: UPSC CDS II Exam 2026
16/09/2026Download Provisional Answer Key :Provisional Answer Key: Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 - Click Here
03/09/2026Download Admit Card :e - Admit Card: Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 - Click Here
10/08/2026Exam Table :Examination Time Table: Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 - Click Here
UPSC CDS 2 Answer Key 2026 – Overview
Here is the overview section of UPSC CDS 2 Answer Key 2026. Here you can find the quick information about the UPSC CDS 2 Answer Key 2026 notice. First check the following overview and if you have appeared in the examination then read the next sections like important dates and important links. The overview section includes organisation, post name, total number of vacancies, qualification, job location and mode.
| Organisation | Union Public Service Commission |
| Post Name | CDS II Exam 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 451 |
| Qualification | Degree of a recognised University or equivalent , B.Sc |
| Job Location | All India |
| Mode | Check Answer Key Online |
| Official Website | https://upsc.gov.in |
Vacancies Detail
Here, you can find the position wise vacancies detail of each position open under UPSC CDS 2 Notification 2026 notification. You can find here the number of vacancies, qualification, age limit and pay scale. The complete eligibility criteria of each position open under UPSC is given below.
-
Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun – 163rd (DE) Course (July 2027)
- No. of Vacancies: 100 (including 13 for NCC 'C' Certificate Army Wing holders)
- Qualification: Degree of a recognised University or equivalent
- Age Limit: 19 to 24 years; Born between 02 July 2003 and 01 July 2008; Unmarried Male only
- Pay Scale: Level 10: Rs. 56,100 – 1,77,500 (on commission as Lieutenant); Stipend Rs. 56,100/- p.m. during training
-
Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala – Executive Branch (General Service/Hydro) Course (July 2027)
- No. of Vacancies: 26 (including 06 for NCC 'C' Certificate Naval Wing holders and 01 for Hydro)
- Qualification: Degree in Engineering or B.Sc. with Physics as core/elective subject from recognised University/Institution (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level)
- Age Limit: 19 to 24 years; Born between 02 July 2003 and 01 July 2008; Unmarried Male only
- Pay Scale: Level 10: Rs. 56,100 – 1,77,500 (on commission as Sub-Lieutenant); Stipend Rs. 56,100/- p.m. during training
-
Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad – 222 F(P) Pre-Flying Training Course (July 2027)
- No. of Vacancies: 32 (including 03 for NCC 'C' Certificate Air Wing holders)
- Qualification: Degree of a recognised University with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or Bachelor of Engineering
- Age Limit: 20 to 24 years as on 01 July 2027; Born between 02 July 2003 and 01 July 2007 (upto 26 years for valid DGCA Commercial Pilot Licence holders); Unmarried below 25 years
- Pay Scale: Level 10: Rs. 56,100 – 1,77,500 (on commission as Flying Officer); Stipend Rs. 56,100/- p.m. during training
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Officers' Training Academy (OTA), Chennai – 126th SSC (Men) (NT) (UPSC) Course (October 2027)
- No. of Vacancies: 275
- Qualification: Degree of a recognised University or equivalent
- Age Limit: 19 to 25 years; Born between 02 July 2002 and 01 July 2008; Unmarried Male only
- Pay Scale: Level 10: Rs. 56,100 – 1,77,500 (on commission as Lieutenant); Stipend Rs. 56,100/- p.m. during training
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Officers' Training Academy (OTA), Chennai – 126th SSC Women (NT) (UPSC) Course (October 2027)
- No. of Vacancies: 18
- Qualification: Degree of a recognised University or equivalent
- Age Limit: 19 to 25 years; Born between 02 July 2002 and 01 July 2008; Unmarried women / issueless widows (not remarried) / issueless divorcees (not remarried)
- Pay Scale: Level 10: Rs. 56,100 – 1,77,500 (on commission as Lieutenant); Stipend Rs. 56,100/- p.m. during training
Selection Procedure
The detailed selection procedure has been mentioned in the official notification of UPSC CDS 2 Notification 2026. But we are giving you here the short summary of the selection procedure. The candidates are advised to refer to official notification for selection procedure.
Selection Procedure:
- Written Examination: Objective type papers conducted by UPSC on 13th September 2026.
- For IMA/INA/AFA: English (100 marks), General Knowledge (100 marks), Elementary Mathematics (100 marks) – Total 300 marks.
- For OTA: English (100 marks), General Knowledge (100 marks) – Total 200 marks.
- Negative marking: 1/3 marks deducted for each wrong answer.
- SSB Interview / Intelligence & Personality Test: Candidates qualifying the written exam are called for SSB interview by respective Service HQs based on preference.
- Stage I: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test and Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT).
- Stage II (for Stage I qualifiers): Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests, and Conference (conducted over 4 days).
- Medical Examination: Candidates recommended by SSB undergo medical examination as per Joint Order Manual of Medical Standards for Entry into Armed Forces (1st Edition).
- Final Merit List: Based on combined marks in written examination and SSB tests, subject to medical fitness and availability of vacancies.
Application Fees
Here is the complete information about UPSC CDS 2 Notification 2026 application fee. We advise the candidates that read the rules, methods and guidelines in the official notification before any payment of the application fee.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General/OBC/EWS (Male) | Rs. 200/- |
| Female/SC/ST | Nil (Exempted) |
UPSC CDS 2 Answer Key 2026 - Important Dates
Candidates should keep track of all important dates related to UPSC CDS 2 Answer Key 2026 to avoid missing any deadline. The schedule mentioned below is based on official information and may be updated from time to time.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Date of Notification | 20/05/2026 |
| Last Date for Filling Application (Extended Upto) | 11/06/2026 |
| Date of Examination | 13/09/2026 |
| Admit Card Available | 03/09/2026 |
| Answer Key Released | 16/09/2026 |
How to Apply
Here is the complete procedure to apply for UPSC CDS 2 Notification 2026. The candidates should read the complete procedure to apply in the official notification from the links given below.
The application procedure for is not fully online. Candidates are advised to follow the detailed instructions given below.
- Visit the Commission’s website https://upsconline.nic.in and create an account to obtain a Universal Registration Number (URN).
- Complete the Universal Registration (URN) Profile with personal details and Photo ID information (Aadhaar Card recommended).
- Fill up the Common Application Form (CAF), upload photograph, capture live photograph, and upload signature (three times on plain white paper with black ink).
- Fill up the Examination Specific Module for CDS-II 2026, including selection of preferred courses/services, examination centre, and fee payment.
- Pay the examination fee of Rs. 200/- (if applicable) via net banking, Visa/Master/Rupay Credit/Debit Card, or UPI. Female, SC, and ST candidates are exempted from fee.
- Submit the application before 06:00 P.M. on 9th June, 2026. No withdrawal or modification is allowed after submission.
- Note the Application Number generated after submission along with the URN for future reference.
Important Links
You can find here all important links to check UPSC CDS 2 Answer Key 2026. We advise the candidates that you must check the official website of Union Public Service Commission i.e. https://upsc.gov.in to download the UPSC CDS 2 Answer Key 2026.
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Download Answer Key (English) | Click Here |
| Download Answer Key (General Knowledge) | Click Here |
| Download Answer Key (Elementary Mathematics) | Click Here |
| Download Admit Card | Click Here |
| Exam Table | Click Here |
| UPSC Online Application Portal | Click Here |
| Download Official Notification | Click Here |
| UPSC Official Website | Click Here |
| Join Telegram (GovtJobGuru) for Latest Updates | Click Here |
Other Important Information
Other Important Information:
- Examination Notice No.: 11/2026-CDS-II
- Conducting Body: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
- Total Vacancies: 451 (tentative)
- Helpdesk: 011-24041001 / 011-40303444 | Email: upscsoap@nic.in (10:00 AM to 5:30 PM on working days from 20.05.2026 to 09.06.2026)
- Nationality: Indian Citizen / Subject of Nepal / Person of Indian origin from specified countries with intention to permanently settle in India.
- Marital Status: Unmarried male candidates for IMA/INA/AFA/OTA(Men); Unmarried women, issueless widows (not remarried), issueless divorcees (not remarried) for OTA(Women). Male divorcee/widower not eligible for IMA/INA/AFA/OTA.
- NCC ‘C’ Certificate Holders: Reserved vacancies available for Army/Naval/Air Wing NCC ‘C’ Certificate holders in IMA, INA, and AFA courses.
- Mobile Phones Banned: Use of mobile phones, pagers, smart watches, Bluetooth devices, or any electronic equipment strictly prohibited at examination venue.
- Face Authentication: Mandatory face authentication at examination venue for all candidates.
- Examination Centres: 84 centres across India. Allotment on first-apply-first-allot basis (except Chennai, Dispur, Kolkata, Nagpur which have no ceiling).
- Answer Sheet: Black ball pen only for writing and marking OMR sheet.
- Pratibha Setu Portal: Non-recommended candidates who consent may have their biodata shared with registered organisations for employment purposes.
- Pay Scale (on Commission): Lieutenant – Level 10 (Rs. 56,100 – 1,77,500); Military Service Pay Rs. 15,500 p.m. fixed (Lt. to Brigadier); Stipend during training Rs. 56,100/- p.m.
- Training Duration: IMA – ~18 months; INA – ~18 months (Naval Orientation + Sea Training); AFA – ~74 weeks; OTA – ~49 weeks.
- Commission Type: IMA/INA/AFA – Permanent Commission; OTA – Short Service Commission (14 years: 10 years initial + 4 years extension, with option for Permanent Commission in 10th year).
Tags: UPSC CDS 2 Notification 2026 , UPSC CDS 2 Online Form 2026 , UPSC CDS 2 Vacancy 2026 , UPSC CDS 2 Recruitment 2026
