CDS exam at a glance (based on the CDS (II) 2026 notice)
- Papers: English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics, 100 marks and 2 hours each for IMA, INA and AFA. OTA candidates take English and GK only.
- Interview marks: 300 (IMA, INA, AFA) and 200 (OTA); written marks 300 for IMA, INA, AFA and 200 for OTA.
- Negative marking: one-third of the question’s marks.
- Education: degree for IMA/OTA; engineering degree or B.Sc. with Physics for INA; degree with Physics and Maths at 10+2 or B.E. for AFA.
- Fee: Rs. 200 (women and SC/ST exempt).
This page covers the Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam: papers, syllabus, age limits and eligibility, taken from UPSC’s latest notification (CDS (II) 2026, dated 20 May 2026). The CDS (I) 2027 notice is due on 2 December 2026.
CDS exam pattern
| Course | Papers (each 2 hours) | Written marks | SSB marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMA, INA, AFA | English 100, General Knowledge 100, Elementary Mathematics 100 | 300 | 300 |
| OTA Chennai (men and women) | English 100, General Knowledge 100 | 200 | 200 |
- All papers are objective type; GK and Elementary Mathematics are in Hindi and English.
- One-third of the question’s marks is deducted for each wrong answer; multiple answers count as wrong.
- Calculators are not allowed. UPSC may fix qualifying marks in any subject.
- Standard: Elementary Mathematics at Matriculation level; other papers at about the level of an Indian university graduate.
CDS syllabus
English (Code 11)
A test of understanding of English and workmanlike use of words. UPSC prints no topic list for this paper.
General Knowledge (Code 12)
General knowledge including current events and everyday matters in their scientific aspects as expected of an educated person who has not made a special study of any scientific subject, plus questions on the History of India and Geography that a candidate should be able to answer without special study.
Elementary Mathematics (Code 13)
| Area | Topics (UPSC) |
|---|---|
| Arithmetic | Number system, unitary method, time and distance, time and work, percentages, simple and compound interest, profit and loss, ratio and proportion, variation |
| Elementary number theory | Division algorithm, primes, divisibility tests, HCF and LCM, logarithms to base 10 |
| Algebra | Factors, remainder theorem, quadratic equations, simultaneous linear equations and inequations, set language, laws of indices |
| Trigonometry | Ratios for 0°–90°, standard values, simple identities, heights and distances |
| Geometry | Lines and angles, triangles, congruence and similarity, parallelograms, circles and tangents, loci |
| Mensuration | Areas and volumes of standard figures, cones, cylinders and spheres |
| Statistics | Tabulation, graphs (histograms, bar and pie charts), measures of central tendency |
CDS eligibility (CDS II 2026 notice)
| Course | Age (as in the II 2026 notice) | Education | Who can apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMA, Dehradun | 19–24 years; born 1 Jul 2003 to 1 Jul 2008 | Degree of a recognised university | Unmarried men |
| Indian Naval Academy | 19–24 years; born 1 Jul 2003 to 1 Jul 2008 | Engineering degree, or B.Sc. with Physics (Physics and Maths at 10+2) | Unmarried men |
| Air Force Academy | 20–24 years (born 1 Jul 2003 to 1 Jul 2007); up to 26 with a valid DGCA Commercial Pilot Licence | Degree with Physics and Maths at 10+2, or B.E. | Men |
| OTA SSC (Men) (NT) | 19–25 years; born 1 Jul 2002 to 1 Jul 2008 | Degree | Unmarried men |
| OTA SSC Women (NT) | 19–25 years; born 1 Jul 2002 to 1 Jul 2008 | Degree | Unmarried women, issueless widows and divorcees who have not remarried |
How to prepare for CDS
- English is a score-maker. It carries 100 of 300 written marks, and it is a paper where daily reading pays off quickly.
- Elementary Mathematics is Matriculation level. Cover the seven areas above and practise speed, since there is no calculator.
- GK is broad: use NCERT-level history, geography, polity, economy and science, plus the last 6–9 months of current affairs.
- Solve the official papers. Links to the CDS I and II 2026 papers are on the NDA and CDS hub.
- OTA candidates: you sit only English and GK, so GK preparation carries more weight for you.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the CDS exam pattern?
For IMA, INA and AFA: English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics, 100 marks and 2 hours each. For OTA: English and GK only.
Is there negative marking in CDS?
Yes, one-third of the marks assigned to the question for every wrong answer.
What is the CDS age limit?
For CDS II 2026: IMA and INA 19–24, AFA 20–24, OTA 19–25. The CDS I 2027 notice will give the exact birth dates.
Can women apply for CDS?
Yes, for the OTA SSC Women (Non-Technical) course. IMA, INA and AFA are for men in this exam.
What is the CDS Elementary Mathematics level?
Matriculation level, covering arithmetic, number theory, algebra, trigonometry, geometry, mensuration and statistics.
What is the CDS application fee?
Rs. 200 in the last notice; women and SC/ST candidates are exempt.