CDS Syllabus 2026 - Download UPSC CDS Exam Syllabus PDF
CDS Syllabus 2026 - UPSC has specified the CDS syllabus 2026 in the official notification. Candidates are advised to make use of the UPSC CDS syllabus 2026 PDF for their exam preparation. The syllabus of CDS exam helps candidates to better understand the type of questions asked. The CDS 2 exam exam date 2026 will be mentioned in the official notification. The direct link to download the UPSC CDS syllabus and exam pattern is also updated on this page.
Download - CDS Syllabus PDF
This Story also Contains
- CDS Syllabus 2026
- CDS Exam Pattern 2026 - Prelims, Mains & SSB Interview
- CDS Exam Pattern for SSB Interview
- CDS Question Paper 2026
- Best Books for CDS 2026
Aspirants can also get the CDS OTA syllabus in the form of a PDF file. Candidates should check the UPSC CDS 2026 syllabus, chapters and topics that will be asked in the exam. Read the article completely to know more about the CDS 2 syllabus 2026.
CDS Syllabus 2026
The Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam has two written papers for the OTA course and three written papers for other courses. The subjects from which the questions are asked in the CDS 2026 exam are Mathematics, English and General Knowledge.
English and General Knowledge questions are asked in both the CDS OTA and CDS IMA/ INA/ AFA courses. CDS IMA/ INA/ AFA course has one extra subject which is Mathematics. The questions asked in the CDS exam are of 10th and 12th standard.
CDS Syllabus 2026 - Written Exam
Subjects | Topics |
CDS Maths syllabus |
|
CDS English syllabus | The question paper will be asked to test the candidates’ understanding of English and workmanlike use of words. |
CDS General Knowledge syllabus | General Knowledge including knowledge of current events and of such matters of everyday observation and experience in their scientific aspects as may be expected of an educated person who has not made a special study of any scientific subject. The paper will also include questions on the History of India and the Geography of nature which candidates should be able to answer without special study. |
CDS Exam Pattern 2026 - Prelims, Mains & SSB Interview
The UPSC CDS 2026 exam pattern is prescribed by the Union Public Service Commission in the official notification. According to the CDS exam pattern, the written exam will be objective type in nature i.e. in the form of MCQs. As per the CDS OTA syllabus , OTA exam has two papers whereas CDS IMA/ INA/ AFA have three papers. Along with the exam pattern, candidates must also check the CDS exam syllabus for better preparations. There is a negative marking for every wrong answer.
CDS OTA Exam Pattern 2026
Papers | Subjects | Marks | Duration |
Paper 1 | General Knowledge | 100 | Two hrs |
Paper 2 | English | 100 | Two hrs |
CDS IMA/ INA/ AFA Exam Pattern 2026
Papers | Subjects | Marks | Duration |
Paper 1 | General Knowledge | 100 | 2 hrs |
Paper 2 | English | 100 | 2 hrs |
Paper 3 | Mathematics | 100 | 2 hrs |
CDS Exam Pattern for SSB Interview
The CDS SSB procedure consists of two stages - Stage 1 and Stage 3. Candidates who clear Stage 1 are eligible to appear for Stage 2. The personality of a candidate is assessed by three different assessors viz. The Interviewing Officer (IO), Group Testing Officer (GTO) and the Psychologist. There is no separate weightage for each test. The marks are allotted by assessors only after taking into consideration the performance of the candidate.
SSB Interview: Stage I comprises of Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests are Picture Perception & Description Test (PP & DT). The candidates will be shortlisted on the basis of the combination of performance in the OIR Test and PP & DT.
SSB Interview: Stage II Comprises of Interviews, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests and the Conference. These all tests are conducted for four days.
CDS Question Paper 2026
Candidates should make sure that their exam preparation is in the right direction while preparing for the UPSC CDS exam 2026. The commission will provide the UPSC CDS question paper 2026 in the form of PDF files. The question paper of CDS 2026 will help the candidates to improve their exam preparation. Also, It is mandatory to solve the previous years' question paper of CDS to get an overall idea about the syllabus and exam pattern. Candidates can evaluate themselves by solving the previous year's UPSC CDS 2026 question papers.
Best Books for CDS 2026
One of the toughest tasks in exam preparation is selecting the best books for the CDS exam 2026. Candidates get confused while selecting the best books for CDS 2026. A lot of preparation books are available in the market. Candidates are advised to choose the books based on the latest CDS syllabus 2026 and exam pattern.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is the UPSC CDS 2026 exam conducted online or offline?
A:
UPSC CDS exam for both the courses i.e. OTA and IMA, INA & AFA are conducted in offline mode.
Q: What is the minimum education qualification required for the CDS exam 2026?
A:
The minimum education qualification needed to be eligible for the CDS 2026 exam is graduation.
Q: How many papers are there in CDS written exam 2026?
A:
According to the CDS 2026 syllabus, there are three sections including English, Mathematics and General Knowledge.
Q: What are the different stages of the CDS exam 2026?
A:
The CDS 2026 exam has two stages – a written exam and an SSB interview.
Q: When is the CDS 1 application form 2026 going to be released?
A:
CDS 2 2026 application form will be released on the official website at upsc.gov.in
Q: What are the sections in the syllabus of CDS OTA?
A:
As per the CDS OTA syllabus, there are two sections including English and General Knowledge.
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Yes you're eligible . If you're born on 1 july 2003, you're eligible for UPSC CDS 2 in 2026 for IMA . For IMA the candidate must be born between 2 july 2002 and 1 july 2007
Hello,
This is a minor mistake and it will not affect your selection.
UPSC usually opens a
correction window
after the application closes.
You can edit details like the
issuing authority / degree details
during that time.
So you will be able to correct it.
If not corrected now:
It
Choosing the best CDS coaching in Lucknow really depends on what kind of learning environment you’re looking for. Some students prefer centres with strict discipline and regular mock tests, while others focus more on experienced faculty or smaller batch sizes. From what I’ve observed and heard from fellow aspirants, Shield
Hello aspirant,
No, after tenth grade, you are not eligible to take the CDS exam. Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree in order to sit for the CDS exam. It is intended for people who are in their last year of graduation or who have finished their college education. You
Hey! Since your date of birth is 07 Nov 2006 and you will complete graduation in 2029, here’s how many chances you’ll get for CDS (INA, IMA, AFA) and AFCAT:
For CDS exams, the age limit is usually 19–24 years.
For AFCAT, Flying Branch requires 20–24 years and Ground Duty
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