UPSC NDA CDS 2 2026 Answer Key Objection: How To Raise?

UPSC NDA CDS 2 2026 Answer Key Objection: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has opened the objection window for two of its biggest defence recruitment exams at once, and candidates now have a narrow, non-extendable timeline to act. The provisional answer key for the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026 and the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 was uploaded on the official website on 16 September 2026, three days after both exams were conducted on 13 September 2026. Aspirants who believe a question was wrongly framed, wrongly translated, or wrongly keyed can now submit a formal representation through UPSC’s online portal, but only until 20 September 2026 at 6:00 PM, after which the objection facility shuts automatically and no request in any other format is entertained. We’ll be updating this article monthly to reflect any change in dates, portal links, or UPSC instructions.

For lakhs of candidates chasing 394 vacancies through NDA (II) 2026 and 451 vacancies through CDS (II) 2026, this five-day window is the only formal chance to correct the record before the final answer key is used to compute scores and shortlist candidates for the SSB interview stage. A single upheld objection can shift a candidate’s rank by several places, particularly in the General Ability Test and General Knowledge papers where ambiguous questions are more common than in Mathematics. Below is a complete, updated walkthrough of how the UPSC NDA CDS 2 2026 answer key objection process works, what proof you need, what it costs, and what happens after you hit submit.

Key Highlights: NDA (II) and CDS (II) 2026 Answer Key

Latest Update on UPSC NDA CDS 2 2026 Answer Key Objection

As of 18 September 2026, the objection portal is live and accepting representations for both examinations. UPSC has confirmed that candidates must quote the question booklet series (A, B, C or D) exactly as printed on their admit card and OMR sheet, because an objection filed against the wrong set is auto-rejected during scrutiny. Several coaching platforms have already published their own unofficial answer key comparisons, but candidates are strongly advised to rely only on the official provisional answer key hosted under the “What’s New” section of upsc.gov.in before deciding which questions to challenge.

This is the fastest turnaround UPSC has managed in recent memory for a defence exam — releasing the key just three days after the test — which means the final answer key and result could also follow a compressed timeline compared with earlier cycles. Candidates who intend to challenge any answer should not wait until the last day, since the portal historically slows down under heavy traffic in the final hours before closure.

What Is The UPSC Answer Key Objection Process?

The answer key objection, sometimes called a representation or challenge, is the formal mechanism by which UPSC allows candidates to flag a discrepancy in the provisional key before it is finalised. This is not a grievance or complaint window — it is a technical, evidence-based process. UPSC’s subject-matter experts only entertain objections that are backed by a credible reference, such as a standard textbook, an official government publication, or a recognised subject authority. A plain statement of disagreement without supporting material is discarded during review.

Both the NDA (II) 2026 and CDS (II) 2026 objection processes work identically because they run on the same UPSC infrastructure, generally referred to as the Question Paper Representation (QPRep) portal.

RRB Group D Result Kab Aayega: Latest Update On CEN 09/2025 Result Date

IBPS RRB PO 2026 Application Form Last Date, Apply Online Link for 13,745 PO, Clerk & SO Posts

How To Raise Objection Against NDA CDS 2 2026 Answer Key?

Follow this sequence carefully — a mistake at any step can invalidate your representation.

1. Visit the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in and open the “What’s New” or “Examinations” tab on the homepage.
2. Locate the correct link — “National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026 – Provisional Answer Key” or “Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 – Provisional Answer Key,” depending on which exam you appeared for.
3. Download and cross-check the answer key PDF against your question booklet series before filing any objection, so you challenge only genuine discrepancies.
4. Click the objection or representation link, which routes to the QPRep portal, and log in using your registration ID and the credentials used during exam registration.
5. Select the exam, paper, and question number you wish to challenge from the dropdown list provided on the portal.
6. Enter your justification in the space provided, keeping it precise, factual, and free of personal opinion.
7. Upload supporting documentary proof, such as a scanned page from a recognised textbook, NCERT reference, or authoritative source that substantiates your claim, where the portal requests it.
8. Pay the prescribed fee, if applicable, since UPSC has in some cycles charged a nominal per-objection fee to discourage frivolous representations; check the fee notice displayed on the portal before your specific attempt.
9. Review the complete form once more, confirm the details, and submit it before the deadline.
10. Save or print the confirmation page and reference number generated after submission — this is your only proof that a representation was filed.

“How To Apply” For The Objection — Quick Checklist

• Registration ID and password used at the time of application
• Admit card with roll number and booklet series
• Scanned proof or reference material for each disputed question
• Active internet connection, since the portal does not support offline or app-based submission
• A valid, working email ID for any communication from UPSC regarding the representation

Documents And Proof Required

UPSC does not accept a bare objection. Before you file, gather:

• A page image or citation from a standard, recognised textbook relevant to the subject (NCERT for General Knowledge and Mathematics, standard grammar references for English)
• Government notifications, gazettes, or official data if the disputed question concerns current affairs, geography, or polity
• Admit card and roll number details to link the objection to your specific attempt and booklet set

Objections built on coaching-institute study material, unofficial answer keys, or online forums are generally not treated as valid documentary proof.

Objection Fee And Processing Time

UPSC’s objection fee, where applicable, is charged on a per-question basis and must be paid online through the payment gateway integrated into the portal; candidates should verify the exact amount displayed at the time of filing since this can be revised between cycles. Once the objection window closes on 20 September 2026, a panel of subject experts reviews every valid representation. Historically, UPSC takes anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months to publish the final answer key, depending on the volume of objections received across both exams.

NDA (II) 2026 Marking Scheme (For Reference While Filing Objections)

Understanding the negative marking pattern matters when you file an objection, because a successfully upheld challenge can add or remove marks from every candidate who attempted that question — not just the one who raised it.

CDS (II) 2026 Marking Scheme (For Reference While Filing Objections)

The CDS (II) 2026 paper structure spans English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics, each carrying its own penalty ratio for incorrect answers. The exact per-paper deduction is specified in the official CDS (II) 2026 notification (Advt No. 11/2026-CDS-II); candidates should confirm the precise ratio from that notification rather than assuming it mirrors the NDA pattern, since the two exams are scaled differently.

How To Download The NDA CDS 2 2026 Response Sheet

Alongside the answer key, UPSC also releases a response sheet, which shows exactly what you marked in the exam hall. To download it:

• Go to upsc.gov.in and open the relevant exam link under “What’s New”
• Log in with your registration credentials
• Your response sheet will display each question with the option you selected
• Compare it against the provisional answer key to calculate your expected score before filing objections

Keeping your response sheet handy while filing a representation helps you avoid disputing a question you did not actually attempt.

Common Mistakes Candidates Make While Filing Objections

• Missing the deadline — the window closes strictly at the stated time, and late objections are rejected without review, regardless of the reason
• Filing against the wrong booklet set — your answer key must correspond to the exact series (A/B/C/D) printed on your paper
• Submitting objections offline — objections sent through email, post, or any mode other than the official portal are not accepted under any circumstance
• Attaching weak or no proof — a representation without a credible citation is almost always dismissed
• Assuming a uniform penalty ratio — the negative marking is not identical across every paper, so verify it from the official notification before estimating your score

SSC GD Result 2026 Latest Update, Cut Off & Merit List

What Happens After You Submit An Objection?

Once your representation is submitted, UPSC’s subject experts examine each disputed question independently of the candidate who raised it. If a question is found genuinely flawed — for example, due to no correct option, more than one correct option, or a factual error — UPSC either drops the question from evaluation or revises the correct answer in the final answer key. This revised key, not the provisional one, is what determines your official score and eligibility for the next stage, which for both NDA and CDS is the SSB (Services Selection Board) interview for candidates who clear the written cut-off.

Official Resources And Links

FAQs

Conclusion

The UPSC NDA CDS 2 2026 answer key objection window is short but consequential — it is the only formal opportunity candidates have to correct a genuine error before it becomes part of their permanent scorecard. With the deadline falling on 20 September 2026, anyone who has spotted a discrepancy in the Mathematics, GAT, English, or General Knowledge key should gather documentary proof and file a representation through the official portal well before the last hour, rather than risk a technical failure during peak traffic. Once the window closes, attention will shift to the release of the final answer key and, subsequently, the written result — both of which this article will continue to track as official updates arrive.