CDS Exam Pattern 2026
CDS Exam Pattern 2026: Marking Scheme, Paper Pattern & Selection Process
The CDS Exam Pattern 2026 is defined by UPSC in the official notification and remains broadly consistent year on year. Understanding the exam pattern thoroughly helps candidates plan their preparation strategy, manage time during the exam, and avoid negative marking pitfalls. The Combined Defence Services Examination follows an offline, pen-and-paper, objective-type (MCQ) format and is conducted in bilingual mode (Hindi and English), except the English language paper which is only in English.
The selection process for CDS 2026 consists of two stages: the Written Examination followed by the SSB (Services Selection Board) Interview.
CDS Exam Pattern 2026 – Written Examination
For IMA, INA & AFA (Three Papers)
|
Paper |
Subject |
Duration |
Maximum Marks |
Negative Marking |
|
Paper 1 |
English |
2 Hours |
100 Marks |
1/3 mark per wrong answer |
|
Paper 2 |
General Knowledge |
2 Hours |
100 Marks |
1/3 mark per wrong answer |
|
Paper 3 |
Elementary Mathematics |
2 Hours |
100 Marks |
1/3 mark per wrong answer |
|
Total |
3 Papers |
6 Hours |
300 Marks |
— |
For OTA (Two Papers)
|
Paper |
Subject |
Duration |
Maximum Marks |
Negative Marking |
|
Paper 1 |
English |
2 Hours |
100 Marks |
1/3 mark per wrong answer |
|
Paper 2 |
General Knowledge |
2 Hours |
100 Marks |
1/3 mark per wrong answer |
|
Total |
2 Papers |
4 Hours |
200 Marks |
— |
Note: No penalty for unattempted questions. Only wrong answers attract negative marking.
CDS Marking Scheme 2026
|
Action |
Marks |
|
Correct Answer |
+1 mark (approximately; varies by paper) |
|
Wrong Answer |
−1/3 of allocated marks |
|
Unattempted Question |
0 (no penalty) |
|
Multiple Options Marked |
Treated as wrong answer |
The marking scheme makes accuracy more important than attempting all questions. A wrong answer costs more than leaving a question blank. Candidates should attempt questions only when reasonably confident of the answer.
CDS Paper Pattern – Key Features
|
Feature |
Detail |
|
Mode of Exam |
Offline (OMR-based, pen and paper) |
|
Question Type |
Objective Type – Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
|
Language |
Bilingual (Hindi & English) – except English paper |
|
Question Paper |
Separate booklet for each paper |
|
Medium |
English paper only in English; GK & Maths in Hindi and English |
|
Number of Options |
4 options per question (A, B, C, D) |
|
Qualifying Marks |
Minimum qualifying marks decided by UPSC each year |
CDS Selection Process 2026 – Stage by Stage
The CDS selection process has multiple stages, each with specific evaluation criteria:
|
Stage |
Component |
Details |
|
Stage 1 |
Written Examination |
English + GK + Maths (IMA/INA/AFA); English + GK (OTA) |
|
Stage 2 |
SSB Interview – Stage I |
Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test + Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT) |
|
Stage 2 |
SSB Interview – Stage II |
Psychology Test + Group Testing Officer Tasks + Personal Interview + Conference |
|
Stage 3 |
Medical Examination |
Conducted at Armed Forces Medical Centres after SSB |
|
Stage 4 |
Document Verification |
After personality test/SSB clearance |
|
Stage 5 |
Final Merit List |
Based on written exam marks + SSB marks combined |
CDS SSB Interview Pattern
The SSB (Services Selection Board) Interview is a 5-day process conducted at SSB centres across India. It evaluates officer-like qualities, leadership, personality, and intelligence.
|
Day |
Activity |
|
Day 1 |
Screening (OIR Test + PP&DT); result declared same day |
|
Day 2 |
Psychology Tests – TAT, WAT, SRT, SDT |
|
Day 3 & 4 |
Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks – GD, PGT, HW, Lecturette, Command Task, FGT, IOT |
|
Day 5 |
Personal Interview; Conference |
Only candidates who clear Stage I (Screening) of the SSB proceed to Stage II.
CDS Previous Year Paper – Why It Matters
Solving CDS previous year question papers is one of the most effective preparation strategies:
|
Benefit |
How It Helps |
|
Understand question difficulty |
Calibrate preparation level to actual exam standards |
|
Identify frequently asked topics |
Prioritise high-weightage areas in the syllabus |
|
Improve time management |
Learn to finish each paper within 2 hours |
|
Reduce exam anxiety |
Familiarity with the pattern builds confidence |
Candidates are strongly advised to solve at least the last 10 years of CDS question papers before appearing for the examination. The official notification with the complete exam pattern for CDS 2 2026 is expected to be released on 20 May 2026 on upsc.gov.in.
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