CDS 2 Question Papers 2026 (Released) - Download Question Papers PDFs
The UPSC has released the official CDS 2 question papers 2026 on September 14, 2026 online on the official website, upsc.gov.in. For the CDS 2 2026 question papers, various coaching institutes release the unofficial CDS answer key. Candidates can download the question paper of the UPSC CDS exam directly from this page. The official previous years' UPSC CDS question papers are available in this page.
This Story also Contains
- CDS 2 Question Papers PDF Download 2026 (Official)
- CDS Answer Key 2026
- CDS Syllabus 2026
- CDS Preparation Tips 2026
Those who are preparing for the CDS exam are advised to make use of previous years' question papers to prepare more thoroughly for the exam. Candidates can download the previous years' CDS question papers from the links provided below.
CDS 2 Question Papers PDF Download 2026 (Official)
Candidates can download the CDS 2 2026 question paper from the table below after the official release.
| Papers | Download link |
| Elementary Maths | Download here |
| English | Download here |
| General Knowledge | Download here |
CDS Question Papers Download PDF - Previous year's
CDS 1 Question Papers PDF Download 2026 (Official)
Candidates can download the CDS 1 2026 question paper from the table below.
| Papers | Download link |
| Elementary Maths | Download here |
| English | Download here |
| General Knowledge | Download here |
CDS 2 Question Papers PDF Download 2025 (Official)
Candidates can download the CDS 2 2025 question paper from the table below after the official release.
| Papers | Download link |
| Elementary Maths | Download here |
| English | Download here |
| General Knowledge | Download here |
CDS 1 Question Papers PDF Download 2025
Candidates can download the CDS 1 2025 question paper from the table below after the official release.
| Papers | Download link |
| Elementary Maths | Download here |
| English | Download here |
| General Knowledge | Download here |
CDS 2 Question Papers 2024 (Official)
Candidates will be able to download the CDS 2 2024 question paper from the table below after the official release.
| Papers | Download link |
| Elementary Maths | Download here |
| English | Download here |
| General Knowledge | Download here |
CDS 1 Question Papers 2024 (Official)
Candidates can download the CDS 1 2024 question paper from the table below.
| Papers | Download link |
| Elementary Maths | Download here |
| English | Download here |
| General Knowledge | Download here |
CDS 1 previous year question papers
CDS English Question Paper | CDS General Knowledge Question Paper | CDS Mathematics Question Paper | |
CDS Question Papers 2023 | |||
CDS Question Papers 2022 | |||
CDS Question Papers 2021 | |||
CDS Question Papers 2020 | |||
CDS Question Papers 2019 | |||
CDS Question Papers 2018 | |||
CDS Question Papers 2017 | Click Here |
CDS 2 previous year question papers
CDS 2 English Question Paper | CDS 2 General Knowledge Question Paper | CDS 2 Mathematics Question Paper | |
CDS Question Papers 2023 | |||
CDS Question Papers 2022 | |||
CDS Question Papers 2021 | |||
CDS Question Papers 2020 | |||
CDS Question Papers 2018 | |||
CDS Question Papers 2017 | |||
CDS Question Papers 2016 |
Benefits of CDS previous year's question papers
Candidates attempting the CDS previous year question paper with the solution can benefit aspirants in many ways, some of which are mentioned below -
Practising with past question papers helps gauge the exam's difficulty level.
Candidates can become aware of how important topics in the CDS syllabus are presented in the exam.
By practising the CDS previous year's question papers, candidates can get an idea of their progress.
Solving past question papers helps candidates understand their weak points so that they can figure out how to improve them.
Solving CDS question papers while keeping a timer will make it easier for candidates to answer questions in the actual CDS exam on time. It has the added benefit of increasing accuracy and question-solving speed.
Also download question papers of other UPSC exams
- UPSC IAS Question Papers 2026
- UPSC ESE Question Papers 2026
- NDA Question Papers 2026
- CAPF Question Papers 2026
CDS Question Papers 2026: How to Download?
Visit the UPSC official website - upsc.gov.in
In the header tab, click on "Examination" and select "Previous Year Question Paper" from the dropdown
Select the year for which the CDS question paper needs to be downloaded
Download the CDS question paper and practice daily.
How to Challenge CDS Question Papers 2026?
After the exam is conducted, UPSC provides aspirants with a challenge option, which is also known as the "Question Paper Representation Portal" QPRep. Candidates can challenge the CDS 2026 question papers within one week. The steps to challenge are mentioned below -
Visit the official UPSC - upsc.gov.in.
Click on the Examination tab and select “Time Frame for Representation”.
A new window will appear. Click on the link given in the PDF, i.e. upsconline.nic.in/miscellaneous/QPRep/.
Click on the made representation for the CDS question paper.
Fill in all details in the required fields and submit the representation.
Check here list of other government exams here
Marking Scheme of question papers of CDS 2026
The CDS written exam is conducted in pen-and-paper mode. CDS 2 question paper 2026 with answer PDF is MCQ-based. Each section consists of 100 marks with a time duration of 2 hours. There is a negative marking of 1/3rd marks, which are deducted for wrong answers.
Also read:
CDS Answer Key 2026
Apart from the question papers, the commission also releases the CDS 2026 answer key on the official website. The official website has all the correct answers to the questions asked in the exam. However, as soon as the exam is over, various coaching institutes release the unofficial CDS answer keys 2026, which are memory-based.
Also Read
CDS Syllabus 2026
The CDS 2026 syllabus is mentioned in the official notification. The syllabus consists of all the subjects, topics, and sections on which the CDS question paper 2026 will be based. As per the IMA, INA, and AFA syllabus, the subjects are English, GK, and Elementary Knowledge. For OTA, the subjects are English and GK.
Quick Links :
CDS Preparation Tips 2026
To prepare for the CDS 2026 exam, aspirants need to follow the steps mentioned below -
Stick to the official syllabus and CDS 2026 exam pattern.
Download the CDS's previous year's question paper and practise it regularly.
The difficulty level of the exam is graduation level, so just make sure to cover the syllabus topics
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You can download the CDS question paper 2026 from the official website and from the download links that are mentioned in the article.
The CDS cut off 2026 is released according to the difficulty level of the CDS question paper.
No, the exam is not very difficult however, the competition is tough due to a lot of candidates applying for few, limited vacancies. If you prepare well you can qualify for the exam.
Yes, there is negative marking in the exam which is 1/3rd mark per wrong attempt.
The CDS questions 2026 are available under the 'Previosu year Question Paper' section on the website.
Questions related to CDS
On Question asked by student community
CDS is a graduate-level defence entrance examination and candidates must satisfy the prescribed age, educational qualification and other eligibility requirements for the particular academy. Being born on January 1, 2010, you are currently below the age required for CDS. You would first need to complete graduation and then meet the
Hey there,
Yes — you may have a chance in CDS OTA 2027, but most likely only for CDS (I) 2027.
You were born 16 June 2002.
- CDS (I) 2027 – OTA: You should be age-eligible under the expected age criteria, subject to the official 2027 notification.
- CDS (II) 2027
Hello, for CDS OTA (II) 2027, candidates must be born between 2 July 2001 and 1 July 2007 as per the latest CDS II age criteria. Since your date of birth is 27 May 2003, you fall within this age range and meet the age requirement.
For more details check
Hello Student,
For CDS OTA, the usual age limit for women is 19–25 years. A candidate born on 27 May 2003 would be around 24 years old in 2027 and is likely to fall within the age limit. However, the exact eligibility depends on the DOB range specified in the
Hello, with a date of birth of 02 October 2002, you are eligible for the CDS OTA entry for CDS II 2026, as the prescribed age range is 02 January 2001 to 01 January 2007.