Defence exams
CDS 2027: Exam Pattern, Syllabus & Eligibility
Combined Defence Services Examination · conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
The CDS exam, conducted by UPSC twice a year, selects graduates for officer training at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA) and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). IMA, INA and AFA candidates write three papers — English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics (100 marks and 2 hours each) — while OTA candidates write only English and General Knowledge. Qualified candidates then face an SSB interview.
When is CDS?
UPSC holds CDS twice a year, usually in April and September.
CDS at a glance
- Conducted by
- Union Public Service Commission
- Frequency
- Twice a year (CDS I and CDS II)
- Mode
- Pen and paper (OMR)
- Papers (IMA, INA, AFA)
- English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics
- Papers (OTA)
- English, General Knowledge
- Each paper
- 100 marks, 2 hours
- Negative marking
- One-third of the question’s marks
- SSB interview
- 300 marks (IMA, INA, AFA); 200 marks (OTA)
CDS exam pattern
| Paper | IMA, INA, AFA | OTA | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | Yes | Yes | 100 | 2 hours |
| General Knowledge | Yes | Yes | 100 | 2 hours |
| Elementary Mathematics | Yes | No | 100 | 2 hours |
| SSB interview | 300 | 200 |
CDS syllabus
English
- Grammar and usage
- Vocabulary
- Comprehension
- Sentence improvement and ordering
General Knowledge
- Current events
- History
- Geography
- Polity
- Economy
- General science
Elementary Mathematics (Class 10 level)
- Arithmetic
- Algebra
- Trigonometry
- Geometry
- Mensuration
- Statistics
CDS eligibility
- IMA and OTA: a bachelor’s degree. INA: B.E./B.Tech. AFA: a degree with Physics and Mathematics at Class 12, or B.E./B.Tech.
- Final-year students can apply provisionally as per the notification.
- Age limits are in the 19–25 range and differ by academy; check the notification for exact birth-date windows.
How to prepare for CDS
- 1Elementary Mathematics is Class 10 level — speed and accuracy matter more than advanced topics.
- 2For GK, combine static subjects with the last year of current affairs.
- 3Practise English comprehension and sentence ordering daily.
- 4Prepare for the SSB alongside the written exam.
CDS FAQs
Who can apply for CDS?
Graduates, with specific degrees for some academies: B.E./B.Tech for the Naval Academy, and Physics and Mathematics at Class 12 (or B.E./B.Tech) for the Air Force Academy.
Is there negative marking in CDS?
Yes. One-third of the marks for a question is deducted for each wrong answer.
How many papers are there in CDS?
Three for IMA, INA and AFA (English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics) and two for OTA (English and General Knowledge), each worth 100 marks.
What is the difference between CDS and AFCAT?
CDS is conducted by UPSC for the IMA, INA, AFA and OTA; AFCAT is conducted by the Indian Air Force for its Flying and Ground Duty branches.
Practise CDS on GyanBook
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Related exams
GyanBook India is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with the body that conducts CDS. These details were checked against official sources on 13 October 2026. Exam dates, eligibility rules and patterns can change — always confirm them on the official website (upsc.gov.in) before you apply.