If you're preparing for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam, one of the most commonly asked questions is: Is there negative marking in CDS question papers?
Yes, the CDS exam does include negative marking. According to the official guidelines as provided by UPSC, 1/3 rd of the marks allotted to the question are deducted in case of every incorrect answer. This implies that in case a question is worth 1 mark, a wrong answer will result in a deduction of 0.33 marks.
It is important to know the marking scheme to strategize your efforts. It is recommended that the candidates should not blindly guess but should only solve questions for they are sure of the answer.
How is the CDS exam structured?
The CDS exam has three sections:
|
Paper |
Subject |
Marks |
Time |
|
Paper 1 |
English |
100 |
2 hours |
|
Paper 2 |
General Knowledge |
100 |
2 hours |
|
Paper 3 (IMA, INA, AFA) |
Elementary Mathematics |
100 |
2 hours |
For OTA (Officers’ Training Academy), only English and General Knowledge are required. Mathematics is not included for OTA candidates.
Read More: Which Is the Best Book for Practicing CDS PYQ Subject-Wise?
What is the negative marking scheme in CDS?
Here’s how the negative marking works:
|
Type of Answer |
Marks Awarded |
|
Correct Answer |
+1 mark (varies by section) |
|
Incorrect Answer |
–1/3rd of the mark |
|
Unanswered Question |
0 |
Negative marking is applicable across all three papers—English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. This makes accuracy extremely important in your preparation.
How to reduce the effect of negative marking in CDS?
These are some of the instant tips:
• Try questions that you are sure about.
Eliminate wrong answers that are not possible before guessing.
• Time management and not making last-minute rush guesses.
• Do mock tests and CDS previous year papers to get the pattern.
Past papers are one of the best ways to practice accuracy. This is why a lot of exam takers seek the most suitable book on CDS previous year papers to become acquainted with the actual exam-like questions and train accordingly.
Why is it essential to learn negative marking in the CDS exam?
The reason why many candidates lose marks is not that they do not know the answers, but that they just take too many questions without being certain of the answers. Negative marking may bring your score down, particularly in the CDS maths book section, where accuracy is paramount.
In order to reduce such losses:
• Read real CDS books that emphasize on clarity of concepts.
• Set a time for practice and evaluate your precision.
• Monitor your incorrect responses and improve on your weak points.
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Final Thoughts
Yes, there is negative marking in the CDS question papers, and knowing it can help you a lot in your scores. The most important thing is practice, strategy, and the right resources. Most of the serious candidates use the best book of CDS previous year papers to solve old papers and enhance their accuracy and time management.
Always remember, it’s not just about attempting more—it’s about attempting right.
