CDS
CDS Mock Test Series 2026 (Tier 1 & Tier 2)
Last updated on Oct 11, 2026
37 Total Tests
100% FREE
English
Β· Instant all-India rank
- 3 Full Mocks
- 34 Chapter-wise Tests
CDS topic-wise practice questions β Previous year papers β
CDS General Knowledge β Full Mock 1 Free
CDS Elementary Mathematics β Full Mock 1 Free
English 9 tests
CDS Synonyms β Chapter Test Free
CDS Antonyms β Chapter Test Free
CDS Idioms & Phrases β Chapter Test Free
CDS One-Word Substitution β Chapter Test Free
CDS Spelling β Chapter Test Free
CDS Fill in the Blanks β Chapter Test Free
CDS Error Spotting β Chapter Test Free
CDS Active & Passive Voice β Chapter Test Free
CDS Reading Comprehension β Chapter Test Free
General Knowledge 9 tests
CDS History β Chapter Test Free
CDS Polity β Chapter Test Free
CDS Geography β Chapter Test Free
CDS Economy β Chapter Test Free
CDS Physics β Chapter Test Free
CDS Chemistry β Chapter Test Free
CDS Biology β Chapter Test Free
CDS Static GK β Chapter Test Free
CDS Defence GK β Chapter Test Free
Elementary Mathematics 16 tests
CDS Percentage β Chapter Test Free
CDS Profit, Loss & Discount β Chapter Test Free
CDS Simple & Compound Interest β Chapter Test Free
CDS Ratio & Proportion β Chapter Test Free
CDS Average β Chapter Test Free
CDS Time & Work β Chapter Test Free
CDS Speed, Time & Distance β Chapter Test Free
CDS Number System β Chapter Test Free
CDS Simplification & Approximation β Chapter Test Free
CDS Problems on Ages β Chapter Test Free
CDS Mixture & Alligation β Chapter Test Free
CDS Mensuration β Chapter Test Free
CDS Partnership β Chapter Test Free
CDS Algebra β Chapter Test Free
CDS Trigonometry β Chapter Test Free
CDS Geometry β Chapter Test Free
CDS guide
What is CDS?
CDS (Combined Defence Services Examination), conducted by UPSC twice a year, is the main entry route for graduates to join the Indian Military Academy (IMA, Dehradun), Indian Naval Academy (INA, Ezhimala), Air Force Academy (AFA, Dundigal) on a Permanent Commission, and the Officers Training Academy (OTA, Chennai) on a Short Service Commission.
Each year roughly 4-5 lakh graduates apply for approximately 400-500 vacancies across all four academies combined. The exam tests English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics for IMA/INA/AFA candidates. OTA candidates write only English and General Knowledge β Maths is waived for the short-service track.
Each paper carries 100 marks (objective type) with 1/3 negative marking. The GK paper has 120 questions while English and Maths each have 100 questions. UPSC shortlists candidates for SSB based on written exam performance; the SSB interview (300 marks, five days) is used to prepare the final combined merit list.
IMA trains candidates for about 18 months and commissions them as Lieutenants; INA trains for about 22 months and commissions as Sub-Lieutenants; AFA trains Flying branch cadets for about 18 months. OTA trains for 11 months and commissions officers on a 10+4 year Short Service Commission, with the option to apply for Permanent Commission later.
A newly commissioned Lieutenant draws a basic pay of βΉ56,100 plus Military Service Pay of βΉ15,500. Flying Officers in the Air Force additionally receive Flying Allowance. With HRA or government accommodation, in-hand salary ranges from βΉ85,000 to βΉ1,10,000 in typical postings.
340Questions Β· Written exam (IMA, INA, AFA)
300Total marks
6 hrDuration
64 secAverage time per question
Conducted byUPSC (Union Public Service Commission)
FrequencyTwice a year β CDS I (February) and CDS II (September)
For IMA / INA / AFAGraduation + age 19β25 (IMA), 19β22 (INA/AFA)
For OTA (Men & Women)Any graduate, age 19β25
Papers for IMA/INA/AFAEnglish (100m) + GK (100m) + Maths (100m) = 300 marks written
Papers for OTAEnglish (100m) + GK (100m) = 200 marks written
SSB marks300 marks (five-day assessment)
Negative marking1/3 per wrong answer in written exam
IMA/INA/AFA commissionPermanent Commission
OTA commissionShort Service Commission (10 + 4 years)
How it works
CDS selection process
1
Written exam (UPSC)
English and GK (each 2 hours) for all candidates; Elementary Maths (2 hours) added for IMA/INA/AFA entries. Conducted at centres across India. UPSC issues a merit list of candidates shortlisted for SSB. The written exam only shortlists β it does not count toward final merit.
2
SSB interview
Five-day assessment at a Services Selection Board. Day 1: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) test + Picture Perception Discussion Test (PPDT) β screening round. Qualified candidates proceed to Stage 2: Psychology tests (TAT, WAT, SRT, Self Description), GTO tasks (group discussion, group planning, progressive group task, command task, lecturette), and Personal Interview. Total 300 marks.
3
Medical examination
Conducted at designated military hospitals after SSB. Each academy has specific medical standards β AFA requires near-perfect vision and very strict physical fitness; IMA and INA have more relaxed visual standards.
β
Training at the academy
Cadets undergo professional military training at their allotted academy. Training periods: IMA ~18 months, INA ~22 months, AFA ~18 months (Flying branch), OTA ~11 months.
Exam pattern
CDS exam pattern
Written exam (IMA, INA, AFA)
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 120 | 100 | 2 hr |
| General Knowledge | 120 | 100 | 2 hr |
| Elementary Mathematics | 100 | 100 | 2 hr |
| Total | 340 | 300 | 6 hr |
OTA candidates write only English and GK (200 marks). SSB carries 300 marks. One-third negative marking.
Syllabus
CDS syllabus: subjects & topics
General Knowledge
Indian History & Freedom StruggleIndian GeographyIndian Polity & ConstitutionIndian EconomyDefence & Strategic AffairsSportsScience & TechnologyBooks & AuthorsAwardsCurrent Events (last 6 months)
Elementary Mathematics
Number SystemsFundamental OperationsAlgebraTrigonometryGeometry (Lines, Angles, Triangles)MensurationStatisticsLogarithmsSets & Venn DiagramsTime-Work-Speed Problems
English
Spotting ErrorsSentence ImprovementOrdering of SentencesFill in the Blanks (Grammar)Reading ComprehensionVocabulary (Antonyms/Synonyms)Selecting WordsOrdering of Words in a Sentence
Strategy
How to prepare for CDS
01Score well in Maths to separate from OTA aspirants
CDS Maths (IMA track) is class 10-level but many graduates underestimate it. Topics like Trigonometry, Geometry (circles and triangles) and Algebra appear every year. A score of 80+/100 in Maths significantly improves your written merit rank.
02Current affairs from the last 6-12 months matter most
GK paper has 120 questions covering static GK + current events. Focus on defence news (exercises, ship/aircraft inductions), government schemes, awards (Bharat Ratna, Gallantry Awards) and India-specific geography. Solve monthly current affairs capsules for 3 months back.
03Practice English idioms, one-word substitutions and RC
CDS English has a strong vocabulary component. Follow a word-a-day habit and revise 500 frequently tested idioms and phrases. Reading Comprehension passages test your ability to understand context β read 2 editorials from quality newspapers weekly.
04Use the SSB screening as a mental fitness target
Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tested on Day 1 of SSB eliminates candidates who are not sharp and quick. Solve verbal and non-verbal reasoning puzzles daily for 30 minutes. Treat it like a speed-accuracy test.
05Know your chosen academy medical standards in advance
AFA requires near-perfect eyesight (6/6 without glasses). If you are aiming for the Flying branch, consult an aviation medical examiner 6 months before to know whether your vision qualifies. Corrective eye surgery may be allowed under specific conditions β check the current notification.
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FAQs
CDS: frequently asked questions
What is the difference between IMA and OTA?
IMA gives a Permanent Commission β you are a career military officer. OTA gives a Short Service Commission of 10 years extendable by 4 more. You can later apply for Permanent Commission from SSC, but it is competitive.
Can women apply for IMA or INA through CDS?
Women can currently apply for the OTA Short Service Commission entry. Whether women are eligible for IMA, INA and AFA changes with each notification β always check the latest UPSC CDS notice.
Is CDS Maths compulsory?
Only for IMA, INA and AFA entries. OTA (both men and women) does not include the Maths paper.
Is the CDS written exam used in the final merit?
No. UPSC uses the written exam only to generate the SSB call-up list. The final merit list is based solely on SSB marks. A candidate who barely clears the written but performs exceptionally at SSB can top the final list.
What is the UPSC CDS notification schedule?
CDS I notification is typically released in October-November with the exam in February. CDS II notification comes around May-June with the exam in September. Check upsc.gov.in for exact dates each year.
How many attempts are allowed for CDS?
UPSC does not specify a fixed number of CDS attempts. The age window limits attempts. For IMA (upper age 25), a 21-year-old graduate gets about 4 chances.
What is the salary of a CDS officer after commissioning?
Lieutenant: Basic βΉ56,100 + MSP βΉ15,500 = βΉ71,600 basic. With HRA + DA + transport allowance, in-hand ranges from βΉ85,000 to βΉ1,05,000 depending on posting. AFA Flying Officers additionally receive flying allowance.
Can an engineering graduate apply for CDS INA?
Yes. INA requires a BE/BTech degree with Physics and Mathematics in 12th. Other graduates can apply for IMA and OTA.
What happens if I clear CDS written but fail SSB?
Your written score is not carried forward to the next cycle. Each CDS cycle starts fresh β apply again, clear the written, attend another SSB. Many successful CDS officers attended SSB 3-5 times.
Can I apply for both IMA and OTA in the same CDS cycle?
Yes. When filling the application form, you can indicate preference for multiple academies. UPSC will call you for SSB aligned with the academy based on eligibility and preference.
Also in Defence
The exam pattern, eligibility and other details are based on the latest notifications available and can change from one cycle to the next. Always confirm in the official notification on upsc.gov.in before you apply.
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