UPSC CDS Syllabus & Exam Pattern
UPSC CDS Syllabus & Exam Pattern — reference from Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), with the direct official link. The pattern below is taken from the most recent official notification. If it is revised, the new notice appears on this page automatically.
UPSC CDS exam pattern
Written examination — IMA, INA and AFA
| Subject / section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 120 | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 120 | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 100 | 100 |
2 hours per paper · one-third of the marks for a question deducted per wrong answer
Written examination — OTA
| Subject / section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 120 | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 120 | 100 |
2 hours per paper · same negative marking
Candidates who clear the written stage go to the SSB interview, which carries 300 marks for IMA/INA/AFA and 200 for OTA.
No new syllabus notice for this exam is in the live index right now. The pattern below is taken from the most recent official notification. If it is revised, the new notice appears on this page automatically.
About UPSC CDS
CDS — Combined Defence Services Examination — is conducted by UPSC twice a year for entry into the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and Officers' Training Academy.
Selection process
- Written examination
- SSB interview (five-stage, conducted over several days)
- Medical examination
- Final merit list and academy allotment
How to get the official UPSC CDS Syllabus & Exam Pattern
- Open the latest official notification for the exam — it goes straight to Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)'s own website.
- The syllabus and scheme of examination are printed inside the notification PDF, usually as an annexure near the end.
- Check the number of questions, marks, time and negative marking against the table on this page — if the notification differs, the notification is correct.
- Save the PDF. Commissions do revise patterns between cycles, so re-check it every time a new notification is issued.
Latest syllabus & exam pattern notices
No new syllabus notice for this exam is in the live index right now. It will appear here automatically once Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) publishes it.
Other UPSC CDS updates
Admit cards, answer keys, notifications and forms for the same exam.
Preparation guides
Questions students ask
Written examination — IMA, INA and AFA: English (120 questions, 100 marks); General Knowledge (120 questions, 100 marks); Elementary Mathematics (100 questions, 100 marks). 2 hours per paper · one-third of the marks for a question deducted per wrong answer.
Written examination — IMA, INA and AFA: 2 hours per paper · one-third of the marks for a question deducted per wrong answer. Written examination — OTA: 2 hours per paper · same negative marking.
The syllabus is printed inside the official notification issued by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Open the latest notification from this page — it links straight to the official website. ExamChowk does not host copies of official documents.
Written examination; SSB interview (five-stage, conducted over several days); Medical examination; Final merit list and academy allotment. Each stage is qualifying for the next, and the final merit list is published by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
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This page updates automatically from public sources every 30 minutes, last refreshed 29 Sep 2026. ExamChowk is not affiliated with Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The official notice on .gov.in / .nic.in is the only authority — always confirm there before acting.