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Trishul Defence Academy 
The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination II 2026 is one of the most prestigious defence entrance examinations conducted by UPSC for candidates aspiring to join the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers Training Academy (OTA).
After appearing for the examination, candidates eagerly wait for the answer key to estimate their scores before the declaration of the official result. The CDS 2 2026 Answer Key prepared by Trishul Defence Academy provides expert solutions for English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics, enabling candidates to evaluate their performance accurately.
CDS 2 2026 Exam Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | CDS 2 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | UPSC |
| Exam Date | 13 September 2026 |
| Mode of Examination | Offline (OMR Based) |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions |
| Papers | English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics |
| Total Marks (IMA, INA & AFA) | 300 Marks |
| Total Marks (OTA) | 200 Marks |
CDS 2 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 20 May 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 20 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 11 June 2026 (Extended) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 11 June 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | As per UPSC schedule (if announced) |
| Admit Card Release | First Week of September 2026 (Expected) |
| CDS 2 2026 Written Exam | 13 September 2026 (Sunday) |
| Unofficial Answer Key | Same Day / Within 24 Hours After Exam (Expected) |
| Written Result | October 2026 (Expected) |
| SSB Interview | November 2026 onwards (Expected) |
| Final Merit List | After completion of SSB & Medical Process |
Exam Schedule (13 September 2026)
| Paper | Timing | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics (IMA, INA & AFA only) | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM | 100 |
CDS 2 2026 Answer Key
The unofficial answer key prepared by Trishul Defence Academy includes:
- English Answer Key
- General Knowledge Answer Key
- Elementary Mathematics Answer Key
- Set-wise Solutions (A, B, C & D)
- Detailed Explanations
- Memory-Based Questions
- Expected Score Calculator
- Expert Exam Analysis
Candidates can compare their responses and estimate their probable score before UPSC releases the official answer key.
How to Calculate Your CDS 2 2026 Score
The CDS examination follows a negative marking system.
For Every Correct Answer
+1 Mark
For Every Wrong Answer
–0.33 Mark
Formula
Expected Score = (Correct Answers × 1) − (Wrong Answers × 0.33)
Use the answer key to calculate your approximate score and compare it with the expected cut-off.
CDS 2 2026 English Answer Key
The English paper evaluates candidates on:
- Grammar
- Vocabulary
- Reading Comprehension
- Synonyms & Antonyms
- Sentence Improvement
- Spotting Errors
- Idioms & Phrases
- Fill in the Blanks
Our faculty provides accurate solutions with detailed explanations for every question.
CDS 2 2026 GK Answer Key
The GK paper covers topics such as:
- Current Affairs
- Indian History
- Geography
- Indian Polity
- Economics
- Defence Updates
- Science & Technology
- Environment
- Sports
- Awards & Honours
Expert analysis helps candidates understand the reasoning behind every correct answer.
CDS 2 2026 Maths Answer Key
The Mathematics paper includes questions from:
- Arithmetic
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Trigonometry
- Mensuration
- Statistics
- Percentage
- Profit & Loss
- Time & Work
- Speed, Time & Distance
Step-by-step solutions make it easier for candidates to review their performance.
CDS 2 2026 Expected Cut-Off
The expected cut-off depends on:
- Difficulty level of the examination
- Number of vacancies
- Overall performance of candidates
- Previous year cut-off trends
Expected Written Cut-Off (Indicative)
| Academy | Expected Cut-Off |
|---|---|
| IMA | 120–130 Marks |
| INA | 110–125 Marks |
| AFA | 145–155 Marks |
| OTA (Men) | 90–100 Marks |
| OTA (Women) | 90–100 Marks |
Disclaimer: These are expected cut-off ranges based on previous trends and expert analysis. The official cut-off will be released by UPSC after the recruitment process.
Benefits of Checking the CDS 2 2026 Answer Key
- Estimate your expected score.
- Analyze your strengths and weaknesses.
- Identify incorrect answers.
- Compare your score with the expected cut-off.
- Begin SSB Interview preparation early if you are likely to qualify.
CDS English Answer Key
| SET A | SET B | SET C | SET D |
Exam Level: Moderate Level
Focus areas included the Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Error Spotting and Para Jumbles, respectively.
CDS GK Answer Key
| SET A | SET B | SET C | SET D |
Exam Level: Moderate Level
The topics covered include: Current Affairs, Polity, History, Geography, Defence & Space.
CDS Maths Answer Key
| SET A | SET B | SET C | SET D |
Why Choose Trishul Defence Academy?
Trishul Defence Academy is one of India’s leading defence coaching institutes, dedicated to preparing aspirants for various defence examinations and SSB interviews. With experienced faculty, structured study material, and regular mock tests, the academy has helped thousands of students move closer to their dream of becoming officers in the Armed Forces.
Why Students Prefer Trishul Defence Academy
- Experienced Defence Faculty
- Updated Study Material
- Daily Practice Questions
- Previous Year Paper Analysis
- Regular Mock Tests
- SSB Interview Guidance
- Online & Offline Learning
- Personalized Mentorship
Whether you are preparing for CDS, NDA, AFCAT, or SSB, Trishul Defence Academy provides complete guidance from the written examination to the final selection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When will the CDS 2 2026 Answer Key be released?
The unofficial answer key is generally released within a few hours after the examination, while UPSC publishes the official answer key after the recruitment process is completed.
2. Is the Trishul Defence Academy answer key reliable?
Yes. It is prepared by experienced defence faculty using memory-based questions and detailed analysis.
3. Does the answer key include all paper sets?
Yes. The answer key includes solutions for all available paper sets.
4. Is there negative marking in the CDS examination?
Yes. One-third of the marks assigned to a question are deducted for each incorrect answer.
5. Can OTA candidates use the same answer key?
Yes. OTA candidates can use the English and General Knowledge answer keys, as OTA does not have the Mathematics paper.
6. What are the subjects in the CDS examination?
For IMA, INA, and AFA: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. For OTA: English and General Knowledge only.
7. How can I calculate my expected score?
Use the official marking scheme: add one mark for each correct answer and subtract 0.33 marks for each incorrect answer.
8. What is the expected cut-off for CDS 2 2026?
The expected cut-off varies by academy and depends on the difficulty level, vacancies, and candidate performance.
9. Should I start SSB preparation before the result?
Yes. Candidates expecting to qualify should begin SSB preparation immediately to maximize their chances of final selection.
10. Where can I download the CDS 2 2026 Answer Key?
You can download the expert-prepared English, General Knowledge, and Mathematics answer keys from Trishul Defence Academy after the examination.
Conclusion
The CDS 2 2026 Answer Key is an essential resource for candidates who wish to evaluate their performance immediately after the examination. By comparing your responses with expert solutions, you can estimate your score, understand your chances of qualifying for the next stage, and begin preparing for the SSB Interview without waiting for the official result.
Stay connected with Trishul Defence Academy for the latest CDS 2 2026 Answer Key, detailed exam analysis, expected cut-off, result updates, SSB guidance, and defence exam preparation resources to take the next step toward becoming an officer in the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force.
