• Written By Saif_Ansari
  • Last Modified 17-08-2023

CDS Answer Key 2023; Download Answer Sheet (Set A, B, C & D)

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CDS Answer Key 2023: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam twice yearly for candidates who want to join the Indian Air Force, Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, or Officer’s Training Academy. The CDS 1 written exam was conducted on April 16, 2023. The UPSC CDS 2023 II will be conducted on September 3, 2023, and the Commission will release the CDS 2 answer key on the official website – upsc.gov.in.

UPSC CDS Subjects Practice UPSC CDS Chapter-Wise Questions
General Knowledge Practice General Knowledge Chapters From UPSC CDS
English Practice English Chapters From UPSC CDS
Mathematics Practice Elementary Mathematics Chapters From UPSC CDS

*Steps to practice free UPSC CDS unlimited questions are mentioned below in this article.

Once the answer key gets released, candidates who appear in the exam can check the same from this page. Furthermore, if they find any objections against any answer or question, they can challenge the same by paying the answer key challenge fee. Read this article to know more details regarding the answer key.

UPSC CDS 2023 Answer Key Release Date

After the exam is conducted successfully, the answer key will be released for courses beginning at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Air Force Academy, Hyderabad, Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, and Officers Training Academy, Chennai. Check the dates for the release of answer keys from the table below:

EventsDates 
CDS 1 exam dateApril 16, 2023
Release of unofficial answer key April 16, 2023
Official answer key release dateReleased for CDS 1
CDS 2 exam dateSeptember 03, 2023
Unofficial answer key dateSeptember 03, 2023
Official answer key release dateTo Be Notified

CDS 2023 Answer Key (Official Links)

Following the announcement of the CDS final result, the Union Public Service Commission publishes the CDS answer key. The official answer key will be made available in PDF format for various subjects and codes.

SubjectsCDS 1 2023 Official Key LinkCDS 2 2023 Official Key Link
EnglishDownload PDFTo Be Released
MathsDownload PDFTo Be Released
GKDownload PDFTo Be Released

How To Practice Questions on UPSC CDS Exam?

Know the steps to practice questions on the UPSC CDS Exam 2023 below:

  • 1st Step: Visit Embibe’s official website, i.e., embibe.com.
  • 2nd Step: Use the mobile number/email to log in.
  • 3rd Step: Click on the menu bar “Getting a Government Job”.
  • 4th Step: Select the Goal “Defence” from the Dropdown and click on “Next”.
  • 5th Step: Search and select “UPSC CDS” on the search bar and click on “Next”.
  • 6th Step: Select the preferred language and click on “Done”.
  • 7th Step: Click “Practice” from the Header Section.
  • 8th Step: Scroll down to the “Subjects” section.
  • 9th Step: Click on any UPSC CDS subjects.
  • 10th Step: Scroll down to click on the chapters from the selected subject to begin the practice.

How to Download CDS 2023 Answer Key?

The Combined UPSC Defence Services Response Key will be released on the official website of UPSC. Follow the process mentioned below to download it from the official website.

  • 1st Step: Visit the official website of the UPSC – upsc.gov.in
  • 2nd Step: Go to the “Examination” tab.
Click on Examination Tab
  • 3rd Step: A drop-down menu will appear. Click on “Answer Keys” to get the list of all the Answer Keys available.
UPSC answer key link
  • 4th Step: Click on the “Combined Defence Services Examination” link to download the answer keys.
cds answer keys

How To Calculate UPSC CDS Scores Using Response Key?

Candidates must be aware of the CDS exam pattern and marking scheme in order to calculate their probable score. Check the steps to calculate the score below:

  • 1st Step: Check the exam pattern and marking scheme to know the system based on which marks are awarded.
  • 2nd Step: Compare the OMR sheet (candidate’s copy) with the answer key.
  • 3rd Step: Calculate the ‘Correct’ and ‘Incorrect’ responses and use the formula given below to calculate the score.

Calculate the Number of Correct and Wrong Attempts

Use the formula: Total Marks = Number of Correct Answers – (Number of Wrong Answers × 0.33)

UPSC CDS Exam Pattern

SubjectsNumber of QuestionsMaximum Marks
English120100
Elementary Mathematics120100
General Knowledge (GK)120100

Note that candidates applying for OTA will only have to appear for English and GK papers for a total of 200 marks. Whereas, for IMA, INA & AFA, candidates must appear for all three papers for 300 marks. Therefore, keep this in mind while calculating the score and use the marks calculation formula.

UPSC CDS Marking Scheme 2023

  • For every correct attempt: 1 mark will be rewarded.
  • For every wrong attempt, 1/3rd or 0.33 marks will be deducted.

Once the candidate is aware of the pattern and marking scheme, the next step is to calculate the score by referring to the steps given above.

Here are the direct links to all UPSC CDS response keys released by Major Khalsi and Cavalier: Check the unofficial answer key from the table below.

CDS (1) 2021 Response Key by Major Khalsi Classes

SubjectsAnswer Key PDF
CDS 1 for English by Major KhalsiCDS 1 English Key PDF
CDS 1 for Maths by Major KhalsiCDS 1 Maths Key PDF
CDS 1 for GK by Major KhalsiCDS 1 GK Key PDF

CDS I 2021 Response Key by Cavalier

SubjectsAnswer Key PDF
CDS 1 for English by CavalierCDS 1 English Key PDF
CDS 1 for Maths by CavalierCDS 1 Maths Key PDF
CDS 1 for GK by CavalierCDS 1 GK Key PDF

Download Previous Years UPSC CDS Solution Key PDF

Candidates can go through the last 2 year’s key along with the question papers to get an idea of important topics for this year. The official CDS answer key for previous years is listed below:

UPSC CDS (2) 2020 Key PDF

Here we have provided answer keys for the CDS (2) 2020 examination held on November 8, 2020.

CDS 2 Answer Key 2020 English – All Sets

CDS 2 2020 English Set ACDS 2 2020 English Set B
CDS 2 2020 English Set CCDS 2 2020 English Set D

CDS 2 Answer Key 2020 General Knowledge

CDS 2 2020 GK Set ACDS 2 2020 GK Set B
CDS 2 2020 GK Set CCDS 2 2020 GK Set D

CDS 2 Answer Key 2020 Elementary Mathematics

CDS 2 2020 Mathematics Set ACDS 2 2020 Mathematics Set B
CDS 2 2020 Mathematics Set CCDS 2 2020 Mathematics Set D

UPSC CDS (2) 2020 Question Papers

Here, we have provided question papers for the CDS (II) examination held on November 8, 2020. Check the questions and then match them with answer keys.

UPSC CDS 1 Answer Key 2020

Here we have provided CDS I 2020 unofficial answer keys. Candidates can check the response key for each subject from the table below:

SubjectsAnswer Key PDF Download
CDS 1 2020 EnglishCDS 1 English Key PDF
CDS 1 2020 MathematicsCDS 1 Mathematics Key PDF
CDS 1 2020 General KnowledgeCDS 1 General Knowledge Key PDF

CDS 2019 Response Key PDF

We have provided CDS 2019 answer keys for CDS 1 and CDS 2 here. Candidates can download these answer keys in PDF format and save them for future reference.

CDS 1 2019 Response Key

SubjectsAnswer Key PDF Download
CDS 1 2019 MathsCDS 1 2019 Maths Key PDF
CDS 1 2019 GKCDS 1 2019 GK Key PDF
CDS 1 2019 EnglishCDS 1 2019 English Key PDF

CDS (2) 2019 Response Key

SubjectsAnswer Key PDF Download
CDS 2 2019 MathsCDS 2 2019 Maths Key PDF
CDS 2 2019 GKCDS 2 2019 GK Key PDF
CDS 2 2019 EnglishCDS 2 2019 English Key PDF

CDS 2018, 2017 Key & Question Papers

In order to practice for the CDS exam, candidates can download and solve the question papers. After solving, candidates can cross-check with the response keys that we have provided below. Here is the question paper for 2018 and 2017.

CDS (1) 2018 Exam

SubjectCDS 1 2018 Question PaperCDS 1 2018 Response Key
Elementary MathematicsCDS 1 Elementary Mathematics 2018 Question PaperCDS 1 Elementary Mathematics 2018 Answer Key PDF
General KnowledgeCDS 1 General Knowledge 2018 Question PaperCDS 1 General Knowledge 2018 Answer Key PDF
EnglishCDS 1 English 2018 Question PaperCDS 1 English 2018 Answer Key PDF

CDS (2) 2018 Exam

SubjectCDS 2 2018 Question PaperCDS 2 2018 Response Key
Elementary MathematicsCDS 2 Elementary Mathematics 2018 Question PaperCDS 2 Elementary Mathematics 2018 Answer Key
General KnowledgeCDS 2 General Knowledge 2018 Question PaperCDS 2 General Knowledge 2018 Answer Key
EnglishCDS 2 English 2018 Question PaperCDS 2 English 2018 Answer Key

CDS (1) 2017 Exam

SubjectCDS 1 2017 Question PaperCDS I 2017 Response Key
Elementary MathematicsCDS 1 Elementary Mathematics 2017 Question PaperCDS 1 Elementary Mathematics 2017 Answer Key
General KnowledgeCDS 1 General Knowledge 2017 Question PaperCDS 1 General Knowledge 2017 Answer Key
EnglishCDS 1 English 2017 Question PaperCDS 1 English 2017 Answer Key

CDS (2) 2017 Exam

SubjectCDS 2 2017 Question PaperCDS 2 2017 Response Key
Elementary MathematicsCDS 2 Elementary Mathematics 2017 Question PaperCDS 2 Elementary Mathematics 2017 Answer Key
General KnowledgeCDS 2 General Knowledge 2017 Question PaperCDS 2 General Knowledge 2017 Answer Key
EnglishCDS 2 English 2017 Question PaperCDS 2 English 2017 Answer Key

We have provided the Combined Defence Services exam answer keys and other relevant information on the answer key download. We will also update the other answer keys here as soon as they are available. So keep visiting this page.

Quick Links:

CDS Admit CardCDS Notification
CDS Application FormCDS Eligibility
CDS Exam DatesCDS Syllabus
CDS Exam PatternCDS Books
CDS PreparationCDS Selection Process
CDS Question PapersCDS Exam Centres
CDS Cut-offCDS Result

FAQs on CDS Answer Key

Here, we have enlisted some of the frequently asked questions related to the UPSC CDS Answer Key 2023.

Q: Does UPSC release the answer key for the CDS written exam?

A: UPSC releases the answer key for the CDS written exam.

Q: When will CDS 2023 answer keys be released?

A: The unofficial CDS answer key 2023 will be released after the conduction of the written exam.

Q: Will the result be calculated based on the UPSC CDS answer key?

A: The final scorecard is generated based on the official UPSC CDS answer key.

Q: Where can I download the official CDS answer key?

Ans: Official answer key can be downloaded from the official website of UPSC. You can also download them from this article.

Q: Why is the CDS exam key important?

A: CDS answer key will help candidates calculate the overall score and determine their ranking based on the cutoff score. Therefore, they are important.

Q: Can I predict my score using the CDS answer key?

A: Yes, candidates can predict their scores using the answer key. They can calculate the overall score based on the formula mentioned in this article.

We hope this detailed article on UPSC CDS Answer Key 2023 has provided you with all the information you were searching for. Stay tuned to Embibe for the latest UPSC CDS Exam 2023 news and updates.

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