Complete Guide to CDS 2027 2026

The Combined Defence Services (CDS) 2027 exam, conducted twice a year by UPSC, offers a direct gateway for graduates into IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA as commissioned officers in the Indian Armed Forces. Candidates require a graduation degree, age between 19 and 25, and must qualify Written Exam, SSB Interview, and Medicals.

What is the Exam?

The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination is a prestigious national-level competitive exam conducted biannually by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). We at ExamBhai consider the CDS exam as one of the most direct and respected pathways for passionate candidates seeking a career as Commissioned Officers in the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force.

Through the CDS examination, eligible candidates are selected for training at the following premier military academies:

• Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun: For male candidates seeking Permanent Commission in the Indian Army.
• Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala: For male candidates pursuing Permanent Commission in the Indian Navy.
• Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad: For male candidates aspiring for Permanent Commission in the Indian Air Force.
• Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai: For both male and female candidates seeking Short Service Commission (SSC) in the Indian Army.

The selection process is rigorous and comprises a written examination conducted by UPSC, followed by a comprehensive Personality Test and Intelligence Interview by the Services Selection Board (SSB). Candidates who clear both stages must pass a strict medical examination before being recommended in the final merit list based on available vacancies.

Key Highlights 2026

To help you plan your preparation effectively, our expert strategists at ExamBhai have compiled the foundational operational metrics for the CDS examination cycles:

Feature	Details
Exam Name	Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS)
Conducting Body	Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Exam Frequency	Twice a Year (CDS I and CDS II)
Exam Mode	Offline (Pen and Paper - OMR based)
Selection Stages	Written Exam $\to$ SSB Interview $\to$ Medical Examination $\to$ Final Merit
Cadet Training Academies	IMA Dehradun, INA Ezhimala, AFA Hyderabad, OTA Chennai
Official Website	upsc.gov.in
Language of Paper	English and Hindi (except language section)
Marking Scheme	Penalty of (\frac{1}{3}) mark for every incorrect answer

Syllabus 2026

A detailed understanding of the subject-wise syllabus is crucial for scoring high marks in the written test. Below is the comprehensive syllabus matrix curated by our team at ExamBhai.

Subject	Detailed Topics Covered
English	Reading Comprehension, Spotting Errors, Sentence Improvement, Ordering of Words/Sentences, Idioms and Phrases, Synonyms & Antonyms, Fill in the Blanks, Cloze Test
General Knowledge	Current Affairs (National & International), Indian History, Geography (Physical & World), Indian Polity & Governance, Basic Economy, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Defence & Security News
Elementary Mathematics	Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration, Basic Statistics
	Arithmetic: Number Systems, HCF & LCM, Percentages, Ratio & Proportion, Profit & Loss, Simple & Compound Interest, Time & Work, Time, Speed & Distance
	Algebra: Basic Operations, Factorization, Polynomials, Linear Equations in Two Variables, Quadratic Equations (ax^2 + bx + c = 0)
	Trigonometry: Trigonometric Ratios (\sin\theta, \cos\theta, \tan\theta), Trigonometric Identities, Simple Heights and Distances
	Geometry: Lines & Angles, Triangles (Congruence & Similarity), Circles & Chords, Quadrilaterals, Theorems on Tangents
	Mensuration: Surface Area and Volume of Spheres, Hemispheres, Cones, Cylinders, Cubes, Rectangular Solids
	Statistics: Collection & Tabulation of Data, Graphical Representation (Histograms, Bar Charts, Pie Charts), Measures of Central Tendency (Mean, Median, Mode)

Exam Pattern

The UPSC CDS exam pattern varies depending on the entry preferences you select. Candidates opting for IMA, INA, and AFA appear for three papers (English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics), whereas candidates opting exclusively for OTA appear for two papers (English and General Knowledge).

For IMA, INA, and AFA Candidates

Paper	Subject	Duration	Number of Questions	Maximum Marks
Paper I	English	2 Hours	120 Questions	100 Marks
Paper II	General Knowledge	2 Hours	120 Questions	100 Marks
Paper III	Elementary Mathematics	2 Hours	100 Questions	100 Marks
Total		6 Hours	340 Questions	300 Marks

For Officers Training Academy (OTA) Candidates

Paper	Subject	Duration	Number of Questions	Maximum Marks
Paper I	English	2 Hours	120 Questions	100 Marks
Paper II	General Knowledge	2 Hours	120 Questions	100 Marks
Total		4 Hours	240 Questions	200 Marks

Key Rules & Marking Scheme

• Question Type: Objective Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).
• Negative Marking: There is a penalty of (\frac{1}{3})rd mark deducted for every incorrect attempt. In English and GK, where each question carries (\frac{5}{6}) or approximately (0.83) marks, the negative mark is (0.27). In Mathematics, where each question carries (1) mark, the deduction for an incorrect response is (0.33) marks.
• Minimum Sectional Cut-off: Candidates must score a minimum of (20%) in each individual paper to qualify overall.

To get familiarized with paper difficulty and exam pacing, we strongly recommend candidates to practice free mock tests for General on ExamBhai during their ongoing preparation.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility rules for CDS are strictly strictly enforced by the UPSC and Defence Forces. As per the guidelines published on the official government portal upsc.gov.in, candidates must meet the criteria outlined below:

1. Nationality

Candidates must be either:

• A citizen of India, or
• A subject of Nepal, or
• A Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling in India.

2. Educational Qualifications

• For IMA and OTA: Graduation Degree from a recognized University in any discipline (B.A., B.Sc., B.Com., B.Tech., etc.).
• For Indian Naval Academy (INA): Degree in Engineering (B.E./B.Tech.) from a recognized University or Institution.
• For Air Force Academy (AFA): Bachelor's Degree in any stream with Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level, OR a Bachelor of Engineering/Technology degree.

Note: Final year graduation students are eligible to apply, provided they submit proof of passing by the date specified in the official UPSC notification.

3. Age Limit & Marital Status

• IMA: 19 to 24 years; Unmarried male candidates.
• INA: 19 to 24 years; Unmarried male candidates.
• AFA: 20 to 24 years (up to 26 years for Commercial Pilot License holders issued by DGCA); Unmarried candidates.
• OTA (Men): 19 to 25 years; Unmarried male candidates.
• OTA (Women): 19 to 25 years; Unmarried women, childless widows who have not remarried, and childless divorcees who have not remarried.

4. Physical and Medical Standards

Candidates must be in sound mental and physical health. Minimum height requirements are generally (157.5\text{ cm}) for males (Army/Navy), (162.5\text{ cm}) for Air Force, and (152\text{ cm}) for females. Relaxations are provided for candidates belonging to the North-Eastern region, Gorkhas, and Garhwalis.

Application Process

Applications for CDS are submitted online exclusively through the official UPSC portal. Here is the step-by-step procedure:

1. One-Time Registration (OTR): Visit upsc.gov.in and complete your OTR profile if you have not registered previously.
2. Fill CDS Application Form: Log in using your OTR credentials, select the active CDS examination cycle, and choose your preferred academies in order of priority (IMA, INA, AFA, OTA).
3. Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and valid Photo ID proof (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, Passport, PAN Card, etc.) according to UPSC guidelines.
4. Pay Application Fee: Pay the examination fee of (\text{INR } 200) online using Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, or UPI. Female candidates and SC/ST candidates are completely exempted from fee payment.
5. Select Exam Centre: Choose your preferred exam city from the available list.
6. Final Submission: Review all filled details carefully and submit the application form. Download and save the confirmation printout for future reference.

Preparation Strategy

Cracking the CDS written examination on your first attempt demands structured planning, continuous revision, and disciplined execution. We at ExamBhai recommend a phased 6-month roadmap designed by our defence exam mentors:

Phase 1: Conceptual Foundation (Months 1–3)

• Master Basic NCERTs: For General Knowledge, read Class 6 to 10 Science, History, Geography, and Polity NCERTs thoroughly. This builds the foundational clarity required to handle UPSC's conceptual MCQs.
• Strengthen Basic Maths: Focus on conceptual clarity in Arithmetic, Mensuration, and Geometry. Learn formulas for surface area (A = 4\pi r^2) and volume (V = \frac{4}{3}\pi r^3) of a sphere, trigonometric identities like (\sin^2\theta + \cos^2\theta = 1), and quadratic solving techniques.
• Build Daily English Habits: Read daily editorials in repute national newspapers to naturally expand vocabulary, master cloze tests, and improve reading speed.

Phase 2: Practice & Topic-Wise Speed (Months 4–5)

• Solve Topic Tests: Transition from reading theory to practicing MCQs. Eliminate weak areas in Mathematics and static GK.
• Stay Updated with Current Affairs: Focus on national news, international summits, sports updates, and recent defence exercises (e.g., Joint Military Exercises) from the past 6 to 8 months.
• Elevate your practice by taking structured subject tests. You can practice free mock tests for General on ExamBhai to gauge your speed and accuracy under real exam-like constraints.

Phase 3: Revision & Full-Length Mocks (Month 6)

• Simulate Actual Exam Conditions: Attempt past 10 years' UPSC CDS question papers within the strict two-hour window for each paper.
• Analyze Error Patterns: Identify whether errors occur due to negative marking temptation, conceptual gaps, or calculation errors. Work relentlessly to reduce negative marks.
• Maintain consistency by utilizing comprehensive revision resources; make sure to practice free mock tests for General on ExamBhai during the final 30-day countdown to build exam endurance.

Cut-Off Trends

Understanding previous year cut-off trends helps candidates set clear target scores during mock testing. Official cut-off marks are released by UPSC on upsc.gov.in after the final selection process is concluded.

Below is the official written exam cut-off trend (out of total written marks) across past exam cycles:

Academy Preference	CDS I 2023	CDS II 2023	CDS I 2024	CDS II 2024	Target Written Score
IMA (Out of 300)	132	138	135	137	140+ Marks
INA (Out of 300)	122	126	125	128	130+ Marks
AFA (Out of 300)	142	148	145	149	155+ Marks
OTA (Men) (Out of 200)	101	104	102	105	110+ Marks
OTA (Women) (Out of 200)	101	104	102	105	110+ Marks

Note: In addition to the aggregate written cut-off score listed above, candidates must secure a mandatory qualifying sectional cut-off of at least (20%) (i.e., (20) marks out of (100)) in every paper.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How many times is the CDS exam conducted in a year?

UPSC conducts the Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination twice every year—typically named CDS I (held in April) and CDS II (held in September/October).

Q2: Is there any negative marking in the CDS written examination?

Yes, there is a penalty for wrong answers. For every incorrect response, (\frac{1}{3})rd of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as a penalty.

Q3: Can female candidates apply for the CDS exam?

Yes, female candidates are eligible to apply for the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai, for Short Service Commission (SSC) courses.

Q4: Is a technical degree mandatory to apply for the Indian Naval Academy (INA)?

Yes, candidates applying for the INA must hold an Engineering Degree (B.E. or B.Tech.) from a recognized university or institute.

Q5: What is the minimum qualifying sectional mark for each paper in CDS?

Candidates must score a minimum of (20%) in each paper (English, General Knowledge, and Mathematics) to qualify the written examination round.

Q6: What happens after qualifying the CDS written examination?

Candidates who clear the written cut-off are called for the SSB Interview process (5-day personality and intelligence testing), followed by medical examinations and final merit listing.