UPSC CDS 2026: Complete Exam Pattern, Syllabus, and Preparation Guide

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination twice every year, offering a prestigious gateway for candidates aspiring to join the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers Training Academy (OTA). With the CDS 2 Notification 2026 Out for 451 Posts - Click to Check Latest Updates, it is vital for aspirants to understand the examination structure and preparation requirements thoroughly.

CDS 2026 Overview

The CDS 2 2026 examination is scheduled for 13th September 2026. The exam is conducted in an offline mode with objective-type, bilingual (Hindi and English) papers for General Knowledge and Mathematics. While the Mathematics paper is set to a 10th-standard level, the overall competition requires strategic preparation.

CDS Syllabus 2026

Field	Value
Exam Conducting Body	Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Exam Name	Combined Defence Services (CDS 1 2026)
Mode of exam	Offline
CDS 2 Exam Date 2026	13th September 2026
Number of sections	IMA, INA, AFA – Three; OTA – Two
Total marks	IMA, INA, AFA – 300; OTA – 200
Nature of questions	Objective type
Language	Hindi and English
Duration	2 hours per section

Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme

Candidates must note that there is a penalty of 1/3 of the marks for each incorrect answer. There is no limit on the number of attempts for the CDS exam, provided you meet the age and eligibility criteria.

CDS Exam Pattern for Written Exam (IMA, INA, AFA)

Subject	Duration	Maximum marks
English	2 hours	100
General Knowledge	2 hours	100
Elementary Mathematics	2 hours	100

CDS Exam Pattern for Officers’ Training Academy (OTA)

Subjects	Duration	Maximum marks
English	2 hours	100
General Knowledge	2 hours	100

Syllabus Breakdown

CDS English Syllabus Topics

• Spotting Errors Questions
• Sentence Arrangement Questions
• Synonyms & Antonyms
• Selecting Words
• Ordering of Sentence
• Reading Comprehension Questions
• Ordering of words in a sentence
• Fill in the blanks questions
• Idioms and Phrases
• Sentence Improvements or Sentence Corrections

CDS General Knowledge Syllabus Topics

• General Knowledge
• Current Affairs
• Economics, Physics, Politics, Chemistry, Sociology, History
• Defence related Award, Geography, Environment, Sport, Biology, Cultural, Book

Instructions for Filling the OMR Answer Sheet

1. Use only a black ballpoint pen for all entries and shading.
2. Clearly write your Centre, subject, test booklet series, subject code, and roll number in the specified spaces at the top of the answer sheet.
3. Accurately encode your CDS 2026 booklet series (A, B, C, or D), subject code, and roll number in the provided circles.
4. Check your test booklet immediately upon commencement for any missing or torn pages.
5. Report any un-numbered answer sheets or missing test booklet series to the invigilator immediately.
6. Ensure no name or extraneous information is written anywhere on the sheet except for the requested details.
7. Do not fold, damage, or write on the reverse side of the OMR sheet.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are the subjects and syllabus same for IMA and OTA exam?

No, the subject requirements vary; IMA/INA/AFA candidates must attempt three papers, whereas OTA candidates are only required to appear for English and General Knowledge.

How many attempts are allowed for the CDS exam?

There is no limit on the number of attempts for the CDS exam, provided you meet the necessary age and educational eligibility requirements.

Is it compulsory to join a coaching for CDS exam?

No, formal coaching is not mandatory. Many candidates succeed through dedicated self-study using standard textbooks and reviewing previous year question papers.

What is the difficulty level of the Mathematics paper?

The Elementary Mathematics paper is specifically designed to be at a 10th-standard level.