CDS stands for Combined Defence Services Examination. It is an examination series conducted by UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) to recruit candidates for the Defence sectors of the country. This exam is conducted for various positions & patterns for each exam is different. Know more detailed info about the CDS exam below.

Table of Contents

  1. CDS Exam Pattern
  2. CDS Exam Pattern – Highlights
  3. CDS Exam Pattern – Marking Scheme
  4. CDS Exam Question Paper Pattern
  5. CDS Selection Process
  6. FAQs

CDS Exam Pattern

UPSC will release the notification for CDS 1 examination on 21st December 2022. The commission offers the CDS exam semi-annually, and these exams are held for admission into the INA, IMA, AFA, and OTA. The commission has released the examination date, which will be conducted on 6th April 2023. 

CDS Exam Pattern Highlights

Exam ModeOffline
Total Number of sectionsin the examination

Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy – 3

Officers’ Training Academy – 2

LanguageHindi and English
Total Duration of test2 hours (120 minutes) for each subject of the test
Total Marks

INA, AFA and IMA – 300 marks

OTA- 200 marks

Type of questionsObjective type – Multiple choice questions (MCQs)
Exam ModeOffline exam

CDS Exam Pattern - Marking Scheme

  • The CDS examination is a multiple-choice question test. 
  • Negative marking is applicable for every incorrect answer or multiple answers to one question. 
  • For each incorrect answer or multiple answers to one question, 0.33 marks will be deducted. 
  • No marks are deducted for unanswered questions.

The following shows the marking scheme of the exam.

CDS Marking Scheme for IMA, INA, and AFA

CDS PaperEnglishGKMathematics
Maximum Marks100100100
Marks for Correct answerFor every correct answer 1 mark will be awardedFor every correct answer 1 mark will be awardedFor every correct answer 1 mark will be awarded
Negative markingFor each wrong answer -0.33 marks will be deductedFor each wrong answer -0.33 marks will be deductedFor each wrong answer -0.33 marks will be deducted

CDS Marking Scheme for Officers’ Training Academy

The following shows the Marking scheme for OTA

CDS PaperEnglishGK
Maximum Marks100 marks100 marks
Marks for Correct answersFor every correct answer 1 mark will be awardedFor every correct answer 1 mark will be awarded
Negative markingFor each wrong answer -0.33 marks will be deductedFor each wrong answer -0.33 marks will be deducted

CDS Exam Question Paper Pattern

The examination contains 3 sections: General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics, and English. Each Section has 100 marks. The time duration is 120 minutes (2 hours).

Sections/ SubjectsTotal DurationMax. Marks
General Knowledge2 Hours (120 minutes)100 marks
Elementary Mathematics2 Hours (120 minutes)100 marks
English2 Hours (120 minutes)100 marks

Officers’ Training Academy CDS Exam Pattern

The paper for OTA does not include the Elementary Mathematics subject. 

SubjectDurationMarks
English2 Hours (120 minutes)100 marks 
General Knowledge2 Hours (120 minutes)100 marks

Standard of the Questions

  • The Elementary Mathematics paper will be of metric level. The level adopted for other subjects will be set according to the graduation level of any University recognized by the government. 
  • English: The questions will be drafted to test the candidates’ understanding of the language and how fluent the candidate is in English
  • General Knowledge: GK includes knowledge of current affairs and everyday experience and observation. The paper will contain questions on Geography and Indian History.  

CDS Selection Process

The Selection Process of CDS has two stages. They are: 

Stage 1 – Written exam

Stage 2 – SSB Interview

CDS – examination pattern of the Written Test

The CDS – examination pattern is prescribed by UPSC. The written exam contains 2 parts: 

  • For INA, AFA, and IMA the written exam has 3 sections – General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics, and English
  • For OTA the exam consists of 2 sections – General Knowledge and English

Now that the date for the CDS 1 2023 exam is declared, you must become earnest about your preparation and revision. Get hold of the relevant books and prepare a schedule. Study the topics thoroughly, as you must know that to answer multiple choice questions, you must have a thorough knowledge of the subject. Study in a planned way and retain whatever you learn. Your hard work and diligence will undoubtedly make your dream come true.