CDS Exam Syllabus 2026 – Download the latest UPSC CDS syllabus PDF and check the complete exam pattern, subject-wise topics, marking scheme, and SSB interview process for CDS 1 & CDS 2 exams.
The UPSC CDS Exam Syllabus 2026 is extremely important for candidates preparing for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination. Through this examination, candidates are selected for prestigious defence academies such as the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). The CDS written examination mainly includes three subjects — English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. However, candidates applying for OTA are required to appear only for English and General Knowledge papers.
To perform well in the examination, candidates must have a clear understanding of the latest syllabus and exam pattern. Below, the complete UPSC CDS Syllabus 2026 has been provided in a detailed subject-wise format to help aspirants prepare effectively and in the right direction.
UPSC CDS-II Exam Pattern 2026
For IMA, INA, and AFA, the CDS written examination consists of three papers — English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. However, for OTA, candidates are required to appear only for two papers — English and General Knowledge. The detailed exam pattern is explained below to help candidates understand the structure of the examination and plan their preparation more effectively.
Exam Pattern for IMA, INA & Air Force Academy
| Subject | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Total | 300 |
Exam Pattern for OTA (Officers’ Training Academy)
| Subject | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Total | 200 |
CDS Exam 2026 – Key Details
- All papers are objective-type (MCQs).
- GK and Mathematics papers are available in both Hindi and English.
- Negative marking of 0.33 marks for each incorrect answer.
UPSC CDS Syllabus 2026 (Subject Wise)
The CDS Exam Syllabus 2026 is divided into three main subjects — Elementary Mathematics, English, and General Knowledge. The detailed subject-wise syllabus is provided below for better understanding and effective preparation.
CDS Exam Syllabus 2026 for Elementary Mathematics Subject (Code No. 13)
| Section | Topics |
|---|---|
| Arithmetic | Number System (Natural, Integers, Rational, Real Numbers), Fundamental Operations (Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division), Square Roots, Decimal Fractions, Unitary Method, Time & Distance, Time & Work, Percentage, Simple & Compound Interest, Profit & Loss, Ratio & Proportion, Variation |
| Number Theory | Division Algorithm, Prime & Composite Numbers, Divisibility Tests (2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 11), Multiples & Factors, Factorisation Theorem, HCF & LCM, Euclidean Algorithm, Logarithms (Base 10), Laws of Logarithms |
| Algebra | Basic Operations, Factors, Remainder Theorem, HCF & LCM, Polynomials, Quadratic Equations, Relation Between Roots & Coefficients, Linear Equations (Analytical & Graphical), Linear Inequations, Set Theory, Rational Expressions, Laws of Indices |
| Trigonometry | Sine, Cosine, Tangent (0°–90°), Standard Values (0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°), Trigonometric Identities, Trigonometric Tables, Heights & Distances |
| Geometry | Lines & Angles, Plane Figures, Triangle Properties, Congruency & Similarity, Medians & Altitudes, Parallelogram, Rectangle & Square Properties, Circles (Tangents & Normals), Loci |
| Mensuration | Area (Square, Rectangle, Triangle, Circle), Combined Figures, Surface Area & Volume (Cuboid, Cone, Cylinder, Sphere) |
| Statistics | Data Collection & Tabulation, Graphs (Histogram, Bar Chart, Pie Chart), Frequency Polygon, Measures of Central Tendency |
CDS Exam Syllabus 2026 for English Subject (Code No. 11)
| Section | Topics |
|---|---|
| Grammar | Parts of Speech, Tenses, Articles, Prepositions, Active & Passive Voice, Direct & Indirect Speech |
| Vocabulary | Synonyms, Antonyms, One Word Substitution, Idioms & Phrases |
| Comprehension | Reading Comprehension Passages |
| Sentence Structure | Sentence Improvement, Error Detection, Sentence Arrangement |
| Usage | Fill in the Blanks, Cloze Test |
CDS Exam Syllabus 2026 for General Knowledge Subject (Code No. 12)
| Section | Topics |
|---|---|
| Current Affairs | National & International Events, Awards, Sports, Defence, Important Dates |
| History | Ancient, Medieval & Modern Indian History, Freedom Struggle |
| Geography | Physical Geography, Indian Geography, Climate, Resources |
| Polity | Constitution of India, Fundamental Rights & Duties, Government Structure |
| Economy | Basic Economic Concepts, Budget, Banking, Economic Development |
| General Science | Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Everyday Science) |
| Defence Awareness | Indian Armed Forces, Military Exercises, Defence Technology |
UPSC CDS SSB Interview Process (Stage II)
Candidates who qualify the written exam are called for the SSB Interview, which is conducted in two stages:
Stage I
- Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test
- Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT)
Stage II
- Personal Interview
- Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks
- Psychological Tests
- Conference Round
The SSB Interview is generally conducted over a 5-day process to assess a candidate’s personality, leadership qualities, intelligence, communication skills, and officer-like qualities. The complete process is explained below:
| Day / Stage | Process | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Screening Test | This stage includes the Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test and Picture Perception & Description Test (PPDT). Candidates who do not qualify are eliminated on the same day. |
| Day 2 | Psychological Tests | Candidates undergo various psychological assessments such as TAT, WAT, SRT, and Self-Description Test to evaluate personality traits and decision-making ability. |
| Day 3 & 4 | GTO Tasks | Group Testing Officer (GTO) tasks include Group Discussion, Progressive Group Task (PGT), Half Group Task (HGT), Command Task, Lecturette, and Individual Obstacles to assess teamwork and leadership skills. |
| Day 2 to 4 | Personal Interview | The personal interview may be conducted on any of these days. Questions are generally asked about academics, hobbies, family background, goals, and current affairs. |
| Day 5 | Conference Round | In the final stage, all assessors discuss the overall performance of the candidate and decide the final recommendation. |
CDS Exam 2026- Preparation Tips
- First, understand the latest CDS Exam Syllabus 2026 and exam pattern properly. A clear understanding of the syllabus helps in focused preparation.
- Read newspapers and current affairs daily, especially topics related to defence, international affairs, government schemes, sports, and important national events.
- Improve your English by developing a regular reading habit. Reading editorials, magazines, and English articles can help improve vocabulary and comprehension skills naturally.
- For Elementary Mathematics, focus on strengthening your basic concepts first. Once the fundamentals are clear, start practicing topic-wise questions regularly.
- Prepare short notes for every subject. These notes become very useful during revision and help save time before the examination.
- Solve previous year question papers to understand the exam pattern, important topics, and the overall difficulty level of the examination.
- Attempt mock tests regularly and practice solving questions within a fixed time limit. This improves both speed and accuracy.
- Do not ignore weak subjects or difficult topics. Every aspirant has weak areas, but consistent practice can gradually improve them.
- Consistency is more important than studying for long hours occasionally. Even a few productive study hours every day can make a big difference.
- Start preparing for the SSB Interview along with the written examination. Work on communication skills, confidence, personality development, and general awareness.
- Avoid unnecessary distractions and maintain a disciplined study routine. A focused environment helps improve concentration and productivity.
- Take proper care of your health, sleep, and mental fitness. A healthy body and positive mindset are equally important for long-term preparation.
Important Links
| Sarkari Syllabus | Click Here |
| UPSC Official Website | Click Here |
FAQs – CDS Exam Syllabus 2026
What subjects are included in the CDS Exam Syllabus 2026?
The CDS Exam Syllabus 2026 includes three main subjects — English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. However, candidates applying for OTA need to prepare only for English and General Knowledge.
Is there negative marking in the CDS 2026 examination?
Yes, the CDS written examination includes negative marking. One-third (0.33) marks are deducted for every incorrect answer.
What is the total marks of the CDS written examination?
For IMA, INA, and AFA, the written examination is conducted for 300 marks, while for OTA, the exam is conducted for 200 marks.
Does the CDS syllabus remain the same for CDS 1 and CDS 2 exams?
Yes, the syllabus and exam pattern generally remain the same for both CDS 1 and CDS 2 examinations conducted by UPSC.
What happens after qualifying the CDS written examination?
Candidates who qualify the written exam are called for the SSB Interview, where personality, leadership, communication skills, and officer-like qualities are assessed.