UPSC CDS 2 Answer Key 2024 OUT: Download Maths, GK & English PDF

Exam On - 13 Apr '25

Updated on Dec 24, 2024 16:43 IST

By Shikha Goyal, Assistant Manager

CDS 2 Answer Key 2024 will be issued after the completion of the exam process for the CDS 2 exam. However, the unofficial answer key for the CDS exam by the coaching centres is provided below. The candidates can calculate their probable marks with the help of the CDS 2 answer key by comparing the answer key with the CDS response sheet.

Along with the release of the CDS 2 answer key PDF, the coaching institutes released the UPSC CDS expected cut-off for the exam. The official result and the answer key for the CDS exam will be released by the UPSC after the recruitment process is over for the CDS exam next year.

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Table of content

CDS Answer Key 2024 by Coaching Institutes
CDS Exam Dates & Schedule
CDS 2 Answer Key 2024
How to Download CDS Answer Key 2024?
CDS Previous Years Answer Keys By Coaching Institutes
CDS Previous Year Answer Key (2019 to 2021)
How to Calculate Scores Using CDS Answer Key 2024?
Instructions Related to Marking Answers
CDS Question Papers
CDS Exam Pattern 2024
CDS Result 2024
CDS Answer Key FAQS 2024

CDS Answer Key 2024 by Coaching Institutes

Candidates could check their CDS 2 2024 answer key of various institutes for the CDS 2 2024 exam conducted on September 1, 2024.

CDS 2 Answer Key 2024 by Major Kalshi

Paper	All Sets Answers
CDS 2 English Answer Key (All Set)	Click Here
CDS 2 GK Answer Key (Set A)	Available Soon
CDS 2 Maths Answer Key	Available Soon

CDS 2 Answer Key 2024 by Cavalier

Subject	CDS Answer Key
CDS 2 Maths Answer Key 2024	Available Soon
CDS 2 GK Answer Key 2024 (Set C)	Download Here
CDS 2 English Answer Key 2024 (Set C)	Download here

Candidates preparing for the CDS 1 exam can use the unofficial answer key for preparation purposes. The candidates can check the answer key for the CDS 1 2024 exam below:

CDS 1 Answer Key 2024 by Major Kalshi

Paper	All Sets Answers
CDS 1 English Answer Key (All Set)	Click Here
CDS 1 GK Answer Key (Set A)	Click Here
CDS 1 Maths Answer Key	Available Soon

CDS 2 Answer Key 2023 by Major Kalshi

Subject	CDS Answer Key
CDS 2 Maths Answer Key 2023	Available Soon
CDS 2 GK Answer Key 2023	Click Here
CDS 2 English Answer Key 2023	Click Here

CDS 2 Answer Key 2023 by Cavalier

Subject	CDS Answer Key
CDS 2 Maths Answer Key 2023	Available Soon
CDS 2 GK Answer Key 2023	Available Soon
CDS 2 English Answer Key 2023	Click Here

CDS Exam Dates & Schedule

Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of CDS 2025 exam

Dates	Past Exam Dates
20 Sep '24	CDS 2 Result 2024
23 Aug '24	CDS 2 Admit Card

CDS 2 Answer Key 2024

CDS answer key 2024 is released for the courses commencing at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Air Force Academy, Hyderabad, Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, and Officers Training Academy, Chennai courses starting after the completion of the recruitment process. UPSC CDS answer key is released separately for English, Elementary Mathematics, and General Knowledge. Candidates can download the answer key for all sets of test booklets- A, B, C, and D. Candidates can calculate their probable scores based on the number of correct and incorrect responses.

Does UPSC release the Official CDS Answer Key?

Union Public Service Commission releases the CDS answer key after the announcement of the CDS final result. The official UPSC CDS answer key PDF is made available for different subjects and codes in PDF form.

Stay tuned with CDS answer key dates 2024 so that you do not miss any event related to the exam.

Commonly asked questions

Q: Is the CDS 2 answer key released?

The CDS 2 answer key has been released on September 1, 2024 by various instritutes. The candidates can check their scores by comparing the answer key with the responses they have marked against the questions asked in the CDS exam. However, the answer keys that will release on September 1, 2024, will be unofficial and released by the coaching institutes. The official answer key will be relased by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) after the recruitment process gets over for the CDS 2 exam in 2024.

The CDS 2 answer key is available on this page in the form of PDF whcih can be downloaded merely by a click. The candidates are advied to compare and calculate their marks carefully as the CDS exam follows negative marking scheme.

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Q: Is the CDS 1 2024 answer key released?

The unofficial answer key for the CDS 1 2024 was released on April 21, 2024. However, the official answer key will be released by the UPSC after the completion of the recruitment process. The cut off and the final merit list of the candidates who have qualified the CDS 1 2024 exam will be available along with the final answer key. The candidates must note that the UPSC does not open any answer key objection tracker. The candidates cannot raise any query against the CDS 1 answer key and no provisional answer key is for the CDS 1 exam.

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Q: What are the benefits of CDS answer key?

The benefits of the CDS answer key are as follows: a) Helps candidates to evaluate their performance: The CDS answer key helps candidates to evaluate their performance in the written exam and assess their chances of qualifying for the next stage of selection. B). Provides an idea of the expected cut-off: The CDS answer key provides an idea of the expected cut-off for the exam, which helps candidates to assess their eligibility for the interview stage. C) Allows candidates to challenge incorrect answers: The CDS answer key allows candidates to challenge any incorrect answers in the provisional answer key and ensures that the final answer key is accurate. D) Provides transparency in the evaluation process: The CDS answer key ensures transparency in the evaluation process and helps to maintain the fairness and integrity of the exam. E) Helps candidates to identify their strengths and weaknesses: The CDS answer key helps candidates to identify their strengths and weaknesses in each section of the exam and focus on improving their performance in the future.

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View answer key

How to Download CDS Answer Key 2024?

To download the official answer key of CDS, candidates need to follow the steps below:

Click the given links for the CDS answer key
On a new page, the answer key opens in PDF format
Download the answer key and save it

CDS Previous Years Answer Keys By Coaching Institutes

The candidates can check the CDS answer key PDF for the year 2022 which was released by the UPSC for CDS 2 and 1, 2023. The candidates can download the subject-wise CDS answer key in the table given below:

CDS 2 Answer Key 2022 by Major Kalshi

Subjects	Answer Key Download PDFs
CDS Answer Key 2022 for English by Major Kalshi	Download Here
CDS Answer Key 2022 for GK by Major Kalshi	Download Here
CDS Answer Key 2022 for Maths by Major Kalshi	NA

CDS 2 2022 Answer Key by Cavalier

Subjects	Answer Key Download PDFs
CDS Answer Key 2022 for English by Cavalier	Download here
UPSC CDS Answer Key for Maths by Cavalier	Download Here
CDS Answer Key 2022 for GK by Cavalier	Download Here

CDS 1 2022 Answer Key by Major Khalsi

Subjects	Answer Key Download PDFs
CDS Answer Key 2023 for English by Major Khalsi	Download Here
CDS Answer Key for GK by Major Khalsi	Download Here
CDS Answer Key 2023 for Maths by Major Khalsi	Download Here

CDS 1 2022 Answer Key by Major Khalsi

Subjects	Answer Key Download PDFs
CDS Answer Key 2022 for English by Major Khalsi	Download Here
CDS Answer Key for GK by Major Khalsi	Download Here
CDS Answer Key 2022 for Maths by Major Khalsi	Download Here

CDS 1 2022 Answer Key by Cavalier

Subjects	Answer Key Download PDFs
CDS Answer Key 2022 for English by Cavalier	Download Here
UPSC CDS Answer Key for Maths by Cavalier	Download Here
CDS Answer Key 2022 for GK by Cavalier	Download Here

CDS Previous Year Answer Key (2019 to 2021)

The candidates can check the previous year's answer keys from 2019 to 2021 in the table below. The candidates preparing from the previous year's question papers can analyse their performance through these CDS answer keys. The answer key is available for both the CDS 1 & 2 exam

CDS II 2021 Answer Key

English	Download Here
GK	Download Here
Maths	Download Here

CDS II 2020 Answer Key

English	Download Here
GK	Download Here
Maths	Download Here

CDS I 2020 Answer Key

English	Download Here
GK	Download Here
Maths	Download Here

CDS 2 2019 Answer Key

English	Download Here
Elementary Mathematics	Download Here
GK	Download Here

CDS 1 2019 answer key

English	Download Here
Elementary Mathematics	Download Here
GK	Download Here

How to Calculate Scores Using CDS Answer Key 2024?

To calculate scores, candidates need to follow the marking scheme prescribed by the examination authority:

There is a penalty for wrong answers
For the correct answer, candidates need to allot the marks assigned to the particular question
For incorrect answers, 1/3 marks are deducted as per the CDS exam pattern
If a candidate gives more than one answer, it will be treated as a wrong answer and 1/3 mark will be deducted as a penalty
If a question is left unattempted, there will be no penalty for that question
UPSC will calculate the scores of candidates based on the number of correct answers after applying the penalty for wrong answers

Commonly asked questions

Q: How can I calculate CDS marks from CDS answer key?

To calculate your marks in the Combined Defence Services CDS exam from the CDS answer key, you can follow these steps: a) Download the CDS answer key: The CDS answer key is usually released by the Union Public Service Commission UPSC a few days after the exam is conducted. You can download the answer key from the UPSC's official website. B) Match your answers with the answer key: Compare your answers in the exam with the answers provided in the answer key. For each question, if your answer matches the answer provided in the key, mark it as correct. If your answer is different or if you have left the question unanswered, mark it as incorrect. C) Calculate the total number of correct and incorrect answers: Add up the number of correct answers and incorrect answers to get the total number of attempted questions. Make sure to deduct any negative marking for incorrect answers, as per the exam pattern. D) Calculate your marks: Use the marking scheme provided in the exam pattern to calculate your marks. For example, in the CDS exam, 1 mark is awarded for each correct answer, and 1/3rd of a mark is deducted for each incorrect answer. Multiply the total number of correct answers by 1 and the total number of incorrect answers by 1/3, and subtract the latter from the former to get your total marks. E) Cross-check with the cut-off: Finally, compare your calculated marks with the cut-off marksfor the respective exam and category to assess your chances of qualifying for the next stage. The cut-off marks may vary depending on factors such as the number of candidates, difficulty level of the exam, and availability of seats.

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Q: How can I access the official CDS scorecard?

To access the official scorecard of the CDS exam, you can follow these steps: a) Check the result announcement: The Union Public Service Commission UPSC announces the result of the CDS exam on its official website. You can check the website or leading newspapers for the announcement of the result. B) Log in to your account: Once the result is announced, you can log in to your account on the UPSC's official website using your registration number and password. If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it using the "Forgot Password" option. C) Download the scorecard: After logging in, you will be able to view and download your official scorecard. The scorecard will contain your name, roll number, marks obtained in each subject, total marks, and qualifying status. D) Verify the details: Make sure to verify all the details mentioned in the scorecard, such as your name, roll number, and marks obtained. In case of any discrepancy or error, you should immediately contact the UPSC's examination authorities for rectification. E) Take a printout: After verifying the details, you can take a printout of the scorecard for future reference. The scorecard will be required for further selection rounds, such as the interview and document verification.

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Instructions Related to Marking Answers

Candidates can check below a few instructions related to marking the answers:

Mark the answers with a black ball pen
Candidates need to completely darken the circle
In the objective-type examination, candidates are not required to write the answers
The question paper will be in the form of a test booklet
Against each number, there are circles marked as (a), (b), (c) & (d)
Candidates must write the papers with their own hand

CDS Question Papers

CDS question papers are released for Mathematics, GK, and English Language by UPSC a few days after the exam is conducted. The CDS question paper helps candidates to compare their responses from the answer key easily, as per the question sequence. Besides, it familiarises candidates with the questions asked in the exam. While checking the answer key, candidates should refer to the question papers.

How to Challenge CDS Question Papers?

The process to challenge the question papers is given below:

Candidates can challenge the question papers through Online Question Paper Representation Portal (QPRep)
For each exam, the commission has fixed a time-frame of seven days
To raise objections, candidates need to enter details such as roll number, date of birth, and random image
After entering these details, candidates must submit their challenges

Commonly asked questions

Q: Do I need to secure minimum qualifying marks in every subject in order to qualify for CDS exam?

Yes, you need to secure the minimum qualifying marks in every subject in order to qualify for the CDS exam. The qualifying marks are determined by the UPSC which conducts the CDS exam. For the written exam, the qualifying marks are different for each subject and are announced by the UPSC along with the cut-off for the CDS exam. The candidates who fail to secure the minimum qualifying marks in any subject will not be considered for the next stage of the selection process. In addition to the qualifying marks in the written exam, candidates must also meet the eligibility criteria related to age, educational qualification and physical standards to be considered for selection. Meeting the minimum qualifying marks in the written exam does not guarantee selection for the next stage of the selection process, which is the SSB interview. The final selection is based on the candidate's performance in the written exam and SSB interview, as well as medical fitness and the criteria specified by the respective services.

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Q: What is QPReP in CDS exam?

QPReP stands for "Question Paper Representation and Practice Platform". It is an online platform developed by the UPSC for candidates appearing in various competitive exams, including the CDS exam. The QPReP platform provides candidates with the opportunity to practice and familiarize themselves with the exam format and pattern. It contains a pool of mock test papers that are designed to simulate the actual exam and cover all the topics and subjects included in the syllabus. The platform also provides instant feedback and performance analysis to help candidates identify their strengths and weaknesses and improve their preparation. The QPReP platform is available to all registered candidates for the CDS exam and can be accessed through the UPSC's official website. Candidates can log in to their account and choose the mock test papers they wish to attempt. The platform also allows candidates to customize the test papers according to their preferences, such as the number of questions, difficulty level, and time limit. Overall, QPReP is a useful tool for candidates appearing in the CDS exam to enhance their preparation and increase their chances of success.

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Q: Is there any sectional cut off in CDS exam?

Yes, there is a sectional cut-off in the CDS exam. The CDS exam is conducted in two stages: the written exam and the interview. In the written exam, there are three sections: English General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. Each section has a separate cut-off, which means that candidates must score the minimum qualifying marks in each section to be eligible for selection. The sectional cut-off may vary from year to year and is determined by the UPSC based on various factors such as the number of candidates, difficulty level of the exam, and availability of seats. The cut-off marks for each section are announced along with the result of the written exam. In addition to the sectional cut-off, there is also an overall cut-off for the written exam. Candidates must score the minimum qualifying marks in the overall exam to be eligible for the interview stage. The overall cut-off is also announced along with the result of the written exam. It is important for candidates to prepare and perform well in all sections of the CDS exam to meet the sectional and overall cut-off requirements and increase their chances of success.

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CDS Exam Pattern 2024

CDS exam pattern for IMA, INA, and AFA is such that it comprises three sections, English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. The test paper for admission to OTA comprises two sections, English and General Knowledge. The total exam duration for IMA, INA and AFA is six hours while it is four hours for OTA. Total marks of the test for IMA, INA, and AFA are 300 while it is 200 for OTA. There is a penalty for wrong answers, 1/3 of marks are deducted for incorrect answers. Check the CDS exam pattern in the table below:

Exam Pattern for IMA, INA, AFA
Subject	Duration (In hours)	Marks
English	2	100
General Knowledge	2	100
Elementary Mathematics	2	100

Exam Pattern for OTA
Subject	Duration (In hours)	Marks
English	2	100
General Knowledge	2	100

CDS Result 2024

CDS result is announced online on the official website of UPSC separately for the written exam and SSB Interview. CDS 2024 result will be available in PDF form and displays the roll numbers of qualified candidates.

CDS Answer Key FAQS 2024

Refer CDS Answer Key 2024 FAQs Here

Commonly asked questions

Q: Is the CDS final answer key the final result or UPSC releases separate scorecard?

The final answer key for the CDS exam is not the same as the CDS result. The final answer key is released by the UPSC after considering the objections raised by the candidates against the provisional answer key. The final answer key is used to calculate the marks obtained by the candidates in the written exam. After the final answer key is released, the UPSC declares the result of the CDS exam on its official website. The CDS result is announced in the form of a scorecard, which contains the candidate's name, roll number, marks obtained in each section, total marks, and qualifying status. Candidates can download the scorecard from the UPSC's website by logging in with their registration number and password. It is important to note that the scorecard is the official document for the CDS result, and the marks mentioned in the scorecard are used for calculating the cut-off marks and eligibility for the next stage of selection. Candidates must download and keep the scorecard safe for future reference. In conclusion, the final answer key is not the same as the CDS result. The final answer key is used to calculate the marks obtained by the candidates in the written exam, while the CDS result is announced in the form of a scorecard after considering the marks obtained in the written exam, interview, medical examination, and document verification.

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Q: In how many stages SSB interview for CDS exam is conducted?

The SSB (Services Selection Board) interview for the CDS (Combined Defence Services) exam is conducted in two stages: Stage 1: The first stage of the SSB interview consists of Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Tests and Picture Perception and Description Test (PPDT). The OIR tests are conducted to assess the candidate's verbal and non-verbal intelligence, while the PPDT is a test of the candidate's ability to perceive and describe a given picture. Candidates who clear the Stage 1 are selected for Stage 2. Stage 2: The second stage of the SSB interview consists of a series of tests, including Psychological Tests, Group Testing Officers (GTO) Tasks, and Personal Interview . The psychological tests include tests such as Thematic Perception Test (TAT), Word Association Test (What), and Situation Reaction Test (SRT). The GTO tasks include group discussion, group planning exercise, and outdoor group tasks. The Personal Interview is conducted by a board of officers to assess the candidate's personality and suitability for the respective defense service. The SSB interview is conducted over a period of five days, and each test carries a certain weightage in the final selection process. Candidates are required to perform well in all the tests to increase their chances of selection. Therefore, candidates who clear the CDS written exam should prepare well for the SSB interview and perform their best in all the stages of the interview to increase their chances of selection for admission to the respective defense academies.

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Q: What is the selection process of CDS exam 2025?

The CDS 2025 selection process comprises various stages:

The selection process of CDS comprises three stages that assess the academic knowledge, physical fitness and mental aptitude of candidates. The selection process includes:

Stage 1: Written Examination

Stage 2: SSB Interview (Service Selection Board)

Stage 3: Medical Examination and Merit List

After all these stages, a Final Merit List is prepared based on the written examination and SSB performance.

The written test is of 300 marks (for INA, IMA and AFA) and 200 marks (OTA). The candidates qualifying the written exam will be called for the SSB Interview. At the second stage, the candidates have to undergo the vigorous 5 days interview in which the candidates are assessed on the physical, psychological and analytics level. Further, the SSB interview is followed by the medical test in which the candidates are assessed on physical standards. In the final stage merit list is released along with the release of the CDS results.

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Q: What is the pattern for CDS written exam?

The CDS (Combined Defence Services) written exam consists of three papers English General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. The details of the pattern for each paper are as follows: English: The English paper is of 2 hours duration and carries a total of 100 marks. It tests the candidate's proficiency in the English language and includes questions on comprehension, synonyms, antonyms, error detection, sentence rearrangement, and fill in the blanks. General Knowledge: The General Knowledge paper is of 2 hours duration and carries a total of 100 marks. It tests the candidate's knowledge of current events, history, geography, and other topics related to India and the world. Elementary Mathematics: The Elementary Mathematics paper is of 2 hours duration and carries a total of 100 marks. It tests the candidate's knowledge of elementary mathematics, including topics such as arithmetic, Algebra geometry, and Trigonometry. All the papers are objective type and consist of multiple-choice questions (MCQs). The standard of the papers is that of a graduate-level examination. It is important to note that there is negative marking for wrong answers in the CDS written exam. One-third of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for each wrong answer. Therefore, candidates should prepare well and practice solving mock tests and previous year question papers to score well in the CDS written exam and increase their chances of selection.

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I have completed Part 1 and 2 of UPSC CDS form and also paid the fee on 31 Deecember 2024. I am unable to choose centre. What to do?

Answered 3 weeks ago

If you have completed Part I and Part II of the application form for UPSC CDS and also paid, but are not able to select an exam center, then there are a few things you can do;

Check your Form:

Ensure that each required section is filled in appropriately in both parts of the application form.
Sometimes,

Ujjwal Gupta

Contributor-Level 9

What are the correction dates for CDS 1 2025 application form?

Answered 4 weeks ago

CDS 1 2025 application form correction window was closed. The authority extended the last date to apply for the CDS 1 2025. The last date to apply for CDS 1 2025 was January 1, 2025.

Gunjan Majumder

Beginner-Level 2

My sister is currently in class 12 and having biology subject. Is she eligible for CDS exam?

Answered a month ago

Your sister can surely give the CDS exam. Since she is class 12 and studying Biology, she needs to complete her graduation first, as CDS exam requires candidates to be a graduate from any recognised university.

Khushi Gupta

Contributor-Level 10

Can OBC category female students apply for CDS-1 exam?

Answered a month ago

Any OBC girl is free to apply for the CDS-I examination under reservation benefits extended by the government.

The eligibility of OBCs, including girls, is similar to that of general categories regarding age and educational qualifications. However, here his age limit has been relaxed and certain seat

Udaya Bhaskar rao

Contributor-Level 10

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