UPSC CDS Exam Preparation
Your complete guide to cracking the Combined Defence Services (CDS) written exam and SSB interview. Access syllabus details, exam patterns, academy eligibility, subject study notes, solved previous year papers, and free timed mock tests.
CDS Syllabus
Complete subject-wise syllabus for English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. Covers topic weightage and official paper requirements for IMA, OTA, INA, and AFA.
CDS Exam Pattern
Understand the paper structure, total marks, time duration, and +1 / -0.33 negative marking rules. Compare IMA 3-paper and OTA 2-paper exam formats.
CDS Eligibility
Check academy-specific age limits, educational qualifications, marital status criteria, and physical standards. Verified rules for final-year students and female candidates.
CDS Mock Tests
Attempt timed full-length CDS mock tests with countdown timers, question palettes, instant scoring, and detailed solutions for English, GK, and Maths.
CDS Previous Year Papers
Download official UPSC CDS question papers with verified answer keys. Practice 10+ years of solved papers to master question patterns and high-frequency topics.
SSB Interview Practice
Prepare for the 5-day SSB interview with online simulators for Stage-1 PPDT, Stage-2 Psychology tests (TAT, WAT, SRT), GTO tasks, and the 15 OLQ framework.
What Is the UPSC CDS Exam?
The Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination is conducted biannually by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to recruit officers into the Indian Armed Forces. Selected candidates undergo rigorous officer training across premier military institutions.
| Academy Name | Location | Commission Type | Entry Gender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | Dehradun, Uttarakhand | Permanent Commission | Men (Unmarried) |
| Officers Training Academy (OTA) | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | Short Service Commission | Men & Women |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | Ezhimala, Kerala | Permanent Commission | Men (Unmarried) |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | Dundigal, Hyderabad | Permanent Commission | Men (Unmarried) |
CDS Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
The CDS written examination uses objective multiple-choice questions. Candidates applying for IMA, INA, and AFA appear for all three papers, while OTA candidates appear for English and General Knowledge only.
| Paper Name | Duration | Questions | Maximum Marks | Marking Scheme |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: English | 2 Hours | 120 | 100 | +0.83 Correct / -0.27 Penalty |
| Paper 2: General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 120 | 100 | +0.83 Correct / -0.27 Penalty |
| Paper 3: Elementary Mathematics (IMA/INA/AFA only) | 2 Hours | 100 | 100 | +1.00 Correct / -0.33 Penalty |
CDS Eligibility Criteria by Academy
Review age limits, educational qualifications, and gender requirements for all four commissioning academies before submitting your UPSC application.
| Academy | Age Limit | Educational Qualification | Marital Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMA (Army) | 19 to 24 Years | Graduation in any discipline from a recognized University | Unmarried Male |
| INA (Navy) | 19 to 24 Years | Engineering Degree (B.E. / B.Tech) from a recognized University | Unmarried Male |
| AFA (Air Force) | 20 to 24 Years (26 with CPL) | Graduation with Physics & Maths at 10+2 level or Bachelor of Engineering | Unmarried Male |
| OTA (Men & Women) | 19 to 25 Years | Graduation in any discipline from a recognized University | Unmarried Male / Female / Issueless Widows |
Detailed CDS Subject Syllabus
Master the official UPSC CDS syllabus for English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics.
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Key Topics Covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 120 | 100 | Spotting Errors, Sentence Arrangement (S1-S6), Synonyms & Antonyms, Idioms & Phrases, Cloze Test, Fill in the Blanks, Reading Comprehension. |
| General Knowledge | 120 | 100 | General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology - NCERT 9/10), Indian Polity & Constitution, Modern History & Freedom Struggle, Physical & Indian Geography, Defence Affairs, Current Events. |
| Elementary Mathematics | 100 | 100 | Arithmetic (Number System, Unitary Method, Percentages, Time & Work), Algebra (Basic Operations, Remainder Theorem), Trigonometry (Identities, Heights & Distances), Geometry (Theorems, Circles), Mensuration (2D & 3D Volumes), Statistics. |
Subject Preparation Guides
Each paper in the CDS exam requires a dedicated strategy to clear the mandatory 20% sectional cutoff while scoring high aggregate marks.
CDS English Preparation
120 Questions (100 Marks). The highest scoring paper. Focus on Spotting Errors (25 Rules of Grammar), Vocabulary (Synonyms/Antonyms), Idioms, and Reading Comprehension. Aim for 70+ marks.
CDS General Knowledge Preparation
120 Questions (100 Marks). Focus on Class 9–10 NCERT Science (30–35 Qs), Indian Polity Articles & Amendments (15–20 Qs), Physical Geography (15–20 Qs), and 6 months of Defence Current Affairs.
CDS Mathematics Preparation
100 Questions (100 Marks, IMA/INA/AFA only). Focus on Advanced Mathematics (Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration) which accounts for 60%+ of the paper. Memorize formula sheets and shortcut methods.
5-Step CDS Preparation Blueprint
Follow this step-by-step strategy to build strong conceptual fundamentals and exam-level problem solving speed.
Understand the Syllabus & Exam Pattern
Read the official UPSC CDS syllabus thoroughly. Note down the topics for English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics.
Master NCERT & Core Standard Reference Books
Build solid conceptual clarity from Class 9–10 Science NCERTs, Laxmikanth for Indian Polity, and standard grammar rules for English.
Solve 10 Years of Previous Year Question Papers
Practice past UPSC CDS papers under real exam conditions to understand repeated question patterns and topic weightage.
Take Timed Online Mock Tests with Negative Marking
Attempt full-length mock tests to develop speed, time allocation strategy, and eliminate careless negative marks.
Begin Stage-1 SSB Interview Practice Early
Do not wait for written results to start SSB preparation. Practice PPDT picture observation, story writing, and 15 OLQs regularly.
SSB Interview After Written Exam
Clearing the written exam is only the first step. The 5-day Service Selection Board (SSB) interview tests your practical leadership, psychological stamina, and 15 Officer Like Qualities (OLQs).
Frequently Asked Questions (CDS Exam)
Ready to Test Your CDS Preparation?
Practice free CDS full-length mock tests with real countdown timers and instant scorecards.