CDS Exam Guide 2026
CDS 2026 notification updates and complete exam guide. Check exam dates, vacancies, eligibility criteria, selection process, syllabus, and application details.
Prepare with CurrentAffairs360:
🏠Overview💼salary job-profile✅eligibility criteria📊syllabus📊exam pattern📖books for-preparation🎟️admit card🗝️answer key
📊 Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
| Particular | IMA / INA / AFA | Officers' Training Academy (OTA) |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen & Paper) | Offline (Pen & Paper) |
| Question Type | Objective Type (MCQs) | Objective Type (MCQs) |
| Number of Papers | 3 | 2 |
| Subjects | English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics | English, General Knowledge |
| English | 100 Marks (2 Hours) | 100 Marks (2 Hours) |
| General Knowledge | 100 Marks (2 Hours) | 100 Marks (2 Hours) |
| Elementary Mathematics | 100 Marks (2 Hours) | Not Applicable |
| Total Marks | 300 | 200 |
| Total Duration | 6 Hours | 4 Hours |
| Negative Marking | One-third (⅓) mark deducted for each incorrect answer | One-third (⅓) mark deducted for each incorrect answer |
| Next Stage | Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview | Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview |
📊 Exam Information 2
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Selection Stages | 2 (Stage I and Stage II) |
| Stage I Tests | Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test and Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT) |
| Stage II Tests | Psychology Tests, GTO Tasks, Personal Interview, and Conference |
| Duration of Stage II | Approximately 4 Days |
📊 Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
| Subject Area | Important Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| History | Ancient Medieval & Modern Indian History Indian Freedom Movement Important Dynasties Historical Events |
| Indian Polity | Constitution of India Fundamental Rights & Duties Parliament President Prime Minister Judiciary Elections Panchayati Raj |
| Economy | Indian Economy Budget Banking Inflation Fiscal & Monetary Policies Government Schemes Economic Terminology |
| Geography | Physical Geography Indian Geography World Geography Climate Rivers Mountains Soil Agriculture Natural Resources |
| Environment & Ecology | Biodiversity Wildlife Conservation Climate Change Environmental Pollution Sustainable Development National Parks & Biosphere Reserves |
| General Science | Basic concepts of Physics Chemistry Biology Human Body Scientific Discoveries Everyday Science Space & Technology |
| Current Affairs | National & International News Government Schemes Awards & Honours Sports Events Important Days Books & Authors Summits Conferences Science & Technology Updates |
| Defence Awareness | Indian Army Indian Navy Indian Air Force Defence Exercises Military Operations Missiles Defence Equipment DRDO ISRO CDS & National Security Topics |
📊 Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
| Subject | Important Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Arithmetic | Number System Natural Numbers Integers, Rational & Real Numbers Addition Subtraction Multiplication Division, Square Roots Decimal Fractions Unitary Method Time & Distance Time & Work Percentage Simple & Compound Interest Profit & Loss Ratio & Proportion Variation |
| Elementary Number Theory | Division Algorithm Prime & Composite Numbers Divisibility Tests Multiples & Factors Factorisation HCF & LCM Euclidean Algorithm Logarithms and Laws of Logarithms |
| Algebra | Basic Algebraic Operations Factors Remainder Theorem Polynomials HCF & LCM Quadratic Equations Roots & Coefficients Simultaneous Linear Equations Linear Inequalities Set Theory Rational Expressions Laws of Indices |
| Trigonometry | Trigonometric Ratios (Sine, Cosine, Tangent) Standard Angle Values Trigonometric Identities Trigonometric Tables Heights & Distances |
| Geometry | Lines & Angles Triangles Parallel Lines Congruence & Similarity of Triangles Medians & Altitudes Quadrilaterals Circles Tangents Normals Locus |
| Mensuration | Area of Square Rectangle Triangle Parallelogram & Circle Composite Figures Surface Area & Volume of Cuboids Cylinders Cones and Spheres |
| Statistics | Collection & Tabulation of Data Bar Graphs Histograms Frequency Polygons Pie Charts Measures of Central Tendency (Mean, Median & Mode) |
📊 Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
| Topic | Important Areas Covered |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | Passage-based questions to test reading ability Comprehension Inference skills |
| Error Spotting | Identification and correction of grammatical Spelling and sentence structure errors |
| Fill in the Blanks | Grammar and vocabulary-based questions using appropriate words or phrases |
| Synonyms & Antonyms | Word meanings Opposite words Vocabulary enhancement |
| Idioms & Phrases | Common idiomatic expressions and their correct usage in sentences |
| Sentence Arrangement (Jumbled Sentences) | Rearranging words or sentences to form a meaningful paragraph or sentence |
| Ordering of Words in a Sentence | Sequencing words correctly to construct grammatically accurate sentences |
| Sentence Improvement/Correction | Improving sentence structure Grammar, punctuation, and word usage |
📚Current Affairs
🔥 Exam Preparation Special
Master Current Affairs for CDS 2026
Boost your score with monthly Current Affairs eBooks featuring exam-oriented bilingual notes, top news highlights, and practice MCQs.
⚡ 100% Exam Focused🌐 Bilingual (Hindi & English)📥 Instant PDF Access
🛒Explore & Buy Monthly eBooks →Starting at ₹9 only
▶
🔴 TODAY'S DAILY VIDEO CLASS
Daily Current Affairs Video Class 2026
Watch today's complete Current Affairs video analysis with expert explanation and exam strategy.
📅 22 Sept 2026
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q1.Which exam is harder: CDS or NDA?
CDS is more harder than NDA as CDS tests the candidates at Graduate level whereas NDA tests at 11th & 12th level.
Q2.Can I skip Mathematics while preparing for CDS?
No, the Mathematics Section is very important to prepare for the CDS examination. It is a very scoring subject.
Q3.Is the UPSC CDS online or offline?
The UPSC CDS Examination is conducted offline.
Q4.Is there any personality test in the UPSC CDS Examination?
Yes, there is a personality test in the UPSC CDS Examination.
Q5.Can I clear CDS in 3 months?
Yes, you can clear the UPSC CDS exam in 3 months very easily.
▶ Today's Video Class
LIVE▶
Daily Current Affairs Video Class 2026
📅 22 Sept 2026YouTube
🚀 Quick Actions
📚 Monthly eBooks
🔥 Exam Special
CDS Current Affairs Notes
Bilingual Monthly Current Affairs eBooks with top news & practice MCQs.
📖Starting at ₹9 only
🛒 Buy Monthly eBooks →📰Latest Articles & Blogs
Read top current affairs articles & exam prep blogs.
📰 Explore Current Affairs Blog →🎯 Exam Stages
- Prelims
- Mains
📑 All Sections