UPSC CDS 2026 · Syllabus & exam pattern
UPSC CDS Syllabus 2026 and Exam Pattern: Subject-wise Topics
Subjects, number of questions, marks, duration and negative marking for every stage, as printed in the official notice.
UPSC CDS exam pattern 2026
Stages of selection
- 1Written examination by UPSC (objective): three papers for IMA, INA and AFA; two papers for OTA
- 2Intelligence and Personality Test at a Services Selection Board (two stages; Stage II over 4 days)
- 3Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) for Air Force Academy candidates
- 4Medical examination
Written — IMA, INA and AFA
2 hours per paper
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English (code 11) | See notice | 100 |
| General Knowledge (code 12) | See notice | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics (code 13) | See notice | 100 |
Written total 300; SSB 300. Negative marking: one-third (0.33) of the marks of a question for each wrong answer.
Written — OTA (SSC Men and Women)
2 hours per paper
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English (code 11) | See notice | 100 |
| General Knowledge (code 12) | See notice | 100 |
Written total 200; SSB 200. Same negative marking.
Source: Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2026 — Examination Notice No. 11/2026-CDS-II (published 20 May 2026). Confirm in the official notice before applying.
Written examination pattern and negative marking
For the IMA, INA and AFA there are three papers — English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics — of 2 hours and 100 marks each, a written total of 300. For OTA there are two papers, English and General Knowledge, for a written total of 200. The Intelligence and Personality Test (SSB) carries 300 marks for IMA, INA and AFA and 200 marks for OTA.
All questions are objective. The General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics papers are set in both Hindi and English; the English paper is in English.
One third (0.33) of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for every wrong answer. Marking more than one answer counts as wrong; a question left blank carries no penalty.
The Commission may fix qualifying marks in any or all subjects. You must reach the minimum qualifying marks separately in the written examination (set by the Commission) and in the SSB tests (set by the SSB).
Scheme of the examination
| Paper | Code | Duration | IMA / INA / AFA | OTA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | 11 | 2 hours | 100 | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 12 | 2 hours | 100 | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 13 | 2 hours | 100 | Not taken |
| Written total | 300 | 200 | ||
| SSB (Intelligence and Personality Test) | 300 | 200 |
CDS syllabus and standard of papers
- English: designed to test your understanding of English and workmanlike use of words.
- General Knowledge: set at roughly the standard expected of a graduate.
- Elementary Mathematics: Matriculation level, with topics under Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration and Statistics.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UPSC CDS exam pattern?
Written — IMA, INA and AFA: English (code 11), General Knowledge (code 12), Elementary Mathematics (code 13) (2 hours per paper). Written total 300; SSB 300. Negative marking: one-third (0.33) of the marks of a question for each wrong answer. Written — OTA (SSC Men and Women): English (code 11), General Knowledge (code 12) (2 hours per paper). Written total 200; SSB 200. Same negative marking.
What is the CDS exam pattern?
IMA, INA and AFA: English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics, 100 marks and 2 hours each. OTA: English and General Knowledge only. The SSB carries 300 marks (IMA/INA/AFA) or 200 marks (OTA).
Is there negative marking in CDS?
Yes. One third (0.33) of the marks of a question is deducted for each wrong answer; multiple answers count as wrong.