Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE) Mock Test
Commission into the Indian Military Academy, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, or Officers Training Academy.
About the UPSC CDS exam
Overview: UPSC Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE)
The Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) is conducted biannually by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to select candidates for officer cadet training in premier defence establishments in India. These institutions comprise:
- Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun
- Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala
- Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad
- Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai (Men & Women - Non-Technical)
Candidates applying for IMA, INA, and AFA must sit for three papers: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. Candidates seeking entry into the Officers Training Academy (OTA) take two papers: English and General Knowledge.
Following the written exam, qualifying applicants face the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview, which evaluates officer-like qualities (OLQs) through psychological tests, group tasks, and a personal interview.
Exam Pattern and Structure
The written examination consists exclusively of objective multiple-choice questions (MCQs):
For IMA, INA, and AFA Applicants
- Paper I: English (120 Questions | 100 Marks | 2 Hours)
- Paper II: General Knowledge (120 Questions | 100 Marks | 2 Hours)
- Paper III: Elementary Mathematics (100 Questions | 100 Marks | 2 Hours)
- Total: 300 Marks | 6 Hours
For Officers Training Academy (OTA) Applicants
- Paper I: English (120 Questions | 100 Marks | 2 Hours)
- Paper II: General Knowledge (120 Questions | 100 Marks | 2 Hours)
- Total: 200 Marks | 4 Hours
Comprehensive Syllabus Breakdown
1. English
The English question paper tests functional command of grammar, syntax, and vocabulary suitable for an administrative and command environment:
- Reading comprehension passages and contextual inference
- Ordering of words in a sentence and ordering of sentences in a paragraph
- Idioms and phrases, spotting errors, and sentence improvement
- Cloze tests, antonyms, synonyms, and parts of speech identification
2. General Knowledge
Designed to evaluate awareness of everyday events, scientific observation, and institutional knowledge:
- General Science: Fundamentals of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology up to Class 10/12 standard
- Indian Polity: The Constitution, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, Parliamentary system, and Judiciary
- History: Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Indian History, with focus on the Indian National Movement
- Geography: Earth structure, climate, atmospheric systems, physiography of India, river networks, agriculture, and minerals
- Current Affairs: Strategic partnerships, defence exercises, awards, sports, multilateral treaties, and international organizations
3. Elementary Mathematics
Class 10 CBSE curriculum level:
- Arithmetic & Number Theory: Natural numbers, divisibility tests, LCM/HCF, ratios, profit & loss, simple and compound interest, time & work
- Algebra: Basic operations, remainder theorem, HCF/LCM of polynomials, linear and quadratic equations
- Trigonometry: Sine, cosine, tangent values, simple trigonometric identities, heights and distances
- Geometry & Mensuration: Triangles, congruence, quadrilaterals, circles, areas of plane figures, surface area and volume of solids
- Statistics: Graphical representation (histograms, bar charts), measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode)
Scoring Scheme & Minimum Qualifying Marks
- Correct Answer: Marks allocated depend on the paper (approx. +0.833 marks per correct response in English & GK; +1.0 mark in Mathematics).
- Negative Marking: One-third (0.33) of the mark assigned to that question is deducted for every incorrect response.
- Unattempted Questions: 0 marks.
- Sectional Cutoff: Candidates must secure a minimum qualifying score (historically 20% in each individual paper) to be considered for merit listing.
- Aggregate Cutoff: Varies across academies and cycles, typically ranging between 120–145 marks for IMA/INA/AFA and 80–105 marks for OTA.
Effective Preparation Strategies
- Master Daily Current Events: Dedicate daily time to reputable national news sources focusing on national policy, international summits, and defence acquisitions.
- Review High School Mathematics: Focus on speed and accuracy. Practice shortcut methods for arithmetic, algebraic simplification, and trigonometric ratios.
- Build Core Vocabulary: Regular practice with sentence completion, antonyms, and idioms helps secure high percentile scores in the English paper.
- Work Through Past Papers: Solve CDS papers from the last five to seven years to become familiar with question formats and time constraints.
- Simulate Timed Practice: Take standardized mock tests under strict 2-hour limits to develop pacing and reduce negative marking.
Test rules
- Each paper has a strict time limit of 2 hours (120 minutes).
- Candidates must mark answers exclusively on the OMR sheet using a black ballpoint pen.
- Negative marking applies: one-third penalty for each incorrect response.
- Marking more than one response for a single question is treated as an incorrect answer.
- Calculators, mobile phones, smartwatches, and other electronic devices are strictly prohibited.
- Candidates must achieve the sectional cutoff (usually 20%) in each paper to be eligible for overall shortlisting.
Score grading
English and GK papers contain 120 questions for 100 marks (~0.83 marks/question). Mathematics contains 100 questions for 100 marks (1 mark/question). Every wrong answer incurs a 1/3 penalty. Sectional cutoff is typically 20% in each individual paper.
Syllabus & chapters covered
FAQs
A graduate degree from a recognized university is required for IMA and OTA. A degree in Engineering is required for INA. A degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or an Engineering degree is required for the Air Force Academy.
No. Elementary Mathematics is compulsory only for candidates seeking admission to IMA, INA, and AFA. Candidates applying exclusively for OTA (Officers Training Academy) only sit for English and General Knowledge.
Yes. One-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to a specific question are deducted for every incorrect response across all papers.
The Union Public Service Commission conducts the Combined Defence Services Examination twice every year, usually in April/May (CDS I) and September/October (CDS II).
Candidates who clear the written cut-off are called for a 5-day Services Selection Board (SSB) interview, followed by medical examinations and the final merit list.