The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the provisional answer keys for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination 2026 and the National Defence Academy (NDA) & Naval Academy (NA) Examination (I) 2026. Candidates who appeared for these prestigious defence entrance exams can now check the answer keys for their respective papers on the official UPSC website.
The provisional answer key for the CDS Examination 2026 has been published for all three subjects—English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. Similarly, the NDA & NA Examination (I) 2026 answer key has been released for Mathematics and the General Ability Test (GAT). These keys allow candidates to evaluate their performance and estimate their scores before the official results are announced.
Candidates can access the answer keys directly by visiting the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in. On the homepage, they need to click on the relevant links for “UPSC CDS Answer Key 2026” or “UPSC NDA & NA Answer Key 2026.” After selecting the respective exam, candidates can choose the subject to view and download the provisional key in PDF format.
To download the provisional answer key, candidates should first visit the UPSC website and locate the answer key link on the homepage. After clicking the link, a new page will appear where subject-wise answer keys are listed. Candidates can click on the desired subject to open the PDF file, download it, and take a printout for future reference.
The UPSC successfully conducted both examinations on April 12, 2026, across multiple centers throughout India. These exams are crucial gateways for candidates aspiring to join the Indian Armed Forces through prestigious academies like NDA, NA, and CDS. The release of the provisional answer key marks an important step in the recruitment process.
The NDA & NA Examination (I) 2026 was conducted in two sessions on the same day. The first session, covering Mathematics, was held from 10:00 AM, while the second session, which included the General Ability Test, started from 2:00 PM. Both sessions were conducted smoothly across various examination centers nationwide.
On the other hand, the CDS Examination 2026 was conducted in three shifts. The English paper took place from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, followed by the General Knowledge paper from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM. The final shift for Elementary Mathematics was held from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Candidates are advised to regularly visit the official UPSC website for updates regarding objections, final answer keys, and result announcements.
The provisional answer key for the Combined Defence Service exam has been released for English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics. The provisional key for the National Defence Academy and the Naval Academy has been released for the Mathematics and General Ability Test.
Direct link to download UPSC CDS Answer Key 2026
Direct link to download UPSC NDA & NA Answer Key 2026
UPSC CDS, NDA & NA I Answer Key 2026: How to download
To download the provisional key, candidates can follow the steps given below.
1. Visit the official website of UPSC at upsc.gov.in.
2. Click on UPSC CDS, NDA & NA I Answer Key 2026 link available on the home page.
3. A new page will open where candidates will have to click on the subject.
4. The provisional key will be released.
5. Check the provisional key and download the page.
6. Keep a hard copy of the same for further need.
The Commission conducted the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (I) 2026 and Combined Defence Services Exam 2026 on April 12, 2026 all over India.
The NDA/NA exam was held in two sessions- the first session from 10 am and the second session from 2 pm onwards. The Combined Defence Service exam was held in three shifts- English paper in the first shift from 9 am to 11 am, General Knowledge paper in the second shift from 12.30 pm to 2.30 PM and Elementary Mathematics paper in the third shift from 4 pm to 6 pm. For more related details candidates can check the official website of UPSC.
