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Defence officer entry · Army / Navy / Air Force · Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

CDS Mock Tests, Syllabus & Complete Exam Guide

Combined Defence Services Examination (UPSC). Practise 35 full-length mock tests on the official pattern, drill every topic, and get the eligibility, syllabus, cut-off, rank and college details you need — all in one place.

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CDS at a glance

Papers
English · GK · Elementary Maths
IMA/INA/AFA
3 papers · 300 marks · 2 hrs each
Marking
+1 correct · −1/3 wrong
Stages
Written → SSB Interview → Medical
ModeOffline (pen-and-paper) · Written papers → SSB Interview → Medical
FrequencyTwice a year (CDS I and CDS II)
LanguagesEnglish (question papers are bilingual — English & Hindi)
By the ExamguruX Editorial TeamReviewed for pattern accuracy against Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)Last updated 2 October 2026

CDS full-length mock tests

Attempt 35 full-length CDS mock tests built on the official 52-question pattern. The first mock is free — every test comes with instant results and a step-by-step solution for each question.

CDS Full Mock Test 01

Free
52 Qs · 52 marks90 min19.1K attemptsModerate
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CDS Full Mock Test 02

52 Qs · 52 marks90 min23.1K attemptsHard
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CDS Full Mock Test 03

52 Qs · 52 marks90 min27.2K attemptsModerate
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CDS Full Mock Test 04

52 Qs · 52 marks90 min31.2K attemptsHard
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CDS Full Mock Test 05

52 Qs · 52 marks90 min35.3K attemptsEasy
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CDS Full Mock Test 06

52 Qs · 52 marks90 min39.3K attemptsHard
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CDS Full Mock Test 07

52 Qs · 52 marks90 min43.4K attemptsEasy
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CDS Full Mock Test 08

52 Qs · 52 marks90 min47.4K attemptsModerate
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CDS Full Mock Test 09

52 Qs · 52 marks90 min51.5K attemptsEasy
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Try the first full-length mock free. Get the complete CDS mock library, every topic test and all available languages for 3 months — a one-time ₹399 / 3 months.

CDS — full access

₹399/ 3 months
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  • All topic-wise tests, every subject
  • All available languages
  • Step-by-step solution for every question
  • Indicative marks-to-rank & cut-offs

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CDS topic-wise tests & syllabus

90 topic tests across 3 subjects — a focused set of 15 tests for every topic in the CDS syllabus, tagged with approximate exam weightage so you practise where the marks are.

90 topic-wise tests · 15 per topic across 3 subjects. Pick a subject, expand a topic, and start drilling.

Grammar & Error Spotting — Test 01

12 Qs · 12 marks11 min116K attemptsModerate
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Grammar & Error Spotting — Test 02

12 Qs · 12 marks11 min145K attemptsEasy
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Grammar & Error Spotting — Test 03

20 Qs · 20 marks18 min173K attemptsHard
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Grammar & Error Spotting — Test 04

12 Qs · 12 marks11 min201K attemptsModerate
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Grammar & Error Spotting — Test 05

12 Qs · 12 marks11 min230K attemptsEasy
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Grammar & Error Spotting — Test 06

20 Qs · 20 marks18 min258K attemptsHard
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Grammar & Error Spotting — Test 07

12 Qs · 12 marks11 min286K attemptsModerate
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Grammar & Error Spotting — Test 08

12 Qs · 12 marks11 min315K attemptsEasy
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Grammar & Error Spotting — Test 09

20 Qs · 20 marks18 min43.1K attemptsHard
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Grammar & Error Spotting — Test 10

12 Qs · 12 marks11 min71.5K attemptsModerate
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Grammar & Error Spotting — Test 11

12 Qs · 12 marks11 min99.8K attemptsEasy
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Grammar & Error Spotting — Test 12

20 Qs · 20 marks18 min128K attemptsHard
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Grammar & Error Spotting — Test 13

12 Qs · 12 marks11 min157K attemptsModerate
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Grammar & Error Spotting — Test 14

12 Qs · 12 marks11 min185K attemptsEasy
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Grammar & Error Spotting — Test 15

20 Qs · 20 marks18 min213K attemptsHard
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CDS sample questions

A few real CDS questions with answers and step-by-step solutions, in the exact style of the full mock tests.

EnglishSample 1

Spot the error: 'The teacher, along with her students, / are going / on a study tour / next week.'

  • A.The teacher, along with her students,
  • B.are going
  • C.on a study tour
  • D.next week

Solution: The subject is the singular 'teacher'; a phrase joined by 'along with' does not change the number, so the verb should be 'is going'.

General KnowledgeSample 2

The Poona Pact of 1932 was signed between Mahatma Gandhi and which leader?

  • A.B. R. Ambedkar
  • B.Muhammad Ali Jinnah
  • C.Jawaharlal Nehru
  • D.Bal Gangadhar Tilak

Solution: The Poona Pact of 1932, between Gandhi and B. R. Ambedkar, reserved seats for the depressed classes within the general electorate.

Elementary MathematicsSample 3

How many prime numbers are there between 1 and 20?

  • A.6
  • B.7
  • C.8
  • D.9

Solution: The primes between 1 and 20 are 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17 and 19 — a total of 8.

About the CDS exam

A national officer-entry examination that selects graduates for the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA) and Officers Training Academy (OTA). Candidates who clear the written papers face the SSB Interview before commissioning.

What is the CDS examination?

The Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) twice a year to select graduates for officer training at four academies — the Indian Military Academy (IMA) at Dehradun, the Indian Naval Academy (INA) at Ezhimala, the Air Force Academy (AFA) near Hyderabad and the Officers Training Academy (OTA) at Chennai. It is one of the principal routes to a permanent or short-service commission in the Indian Armed Forces.

Selection has two main parts: a written examination and a Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview, followed by a medical examination. For IMA, INA and AFA the written exam has three papers — English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics — of 100 marks each (300 in all). OTA candidates take only English and General Knowledge (200 marks) and no mathematics paper. Every wrong answer carries a one-third negative penalty, so accuracy matters as much as speed.

How to clear CDS

The written papers reward broad, stable knowledge rather than exotic facts. English tests grammar, vocabulary, sentence arrangement, idioms and comprehension; keep it simple and accurate. General Knowledge is the widest paper — build steady coverage of Indian history and the freedom struggle, polity and the Constitution, geography, general science, the economy, and defence and static GK. Elementary Mathematics (for IMA/INA/AFA) is at matriculation level, so drill arithmetic, algebra, geometry, mensuration, trigonometry and basic statistics until they are quick.

Because there is one-third negative marking, disciplined attempting is essential: answer confidently, eliminate to a strong choice before guessing, and leave questions you genuinely cannot judge. Full-length timed mocks build the two-hour-per-paper stamina the written exam demands. Clearing the written stage is only half the battle — start preparing for the SSB Interview, which tests officer-like qualities over five days, well in advance.

CDS eligibility & exam pattern

Check whether you meet the CDS eligibility criteria and understand exactly how the paper is structured and marked before you plan your preparation.

Eligibility criteria

Nationality
Indian citizen (with the usual provisions for certain other categories, and for Nepalese/Bhutanese subjects, as specified by UPSC).
Qualification (IMA & OTA)
A Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university (final-year students may apply provisionally).
Qualification (INA)
A degree in Engineering, or a B.Sc with Physics and Mathematics, from a recognised university.
Qualification (AFA)
A degree with Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level, or a Bachelor of Engineering / Technology degree.
Age (approximate)
Roughly 19–24 years for IMA and INA, about 19–23 for AFA, and about 19–25 for OTA — exact birth-date windows are fixed in each notification.
Marital status
Candidates for IMA, INA and AFA must generally be unmarried; OTA (Short Service Commission) admits both unmarried and, for certain entries, married candidates per the notification.
Physical standards
Candidates must meet the physical and medical fitness standards laid down for the service concerned.

Exam pattern & marking

SubjectQuestionsMarks
EnglishSpotting errors, synonyms/antonyms, sentence arrangement, fill in the blanks, idioms, comprehension120100
General KnowledgeHistory & freedom struggle, polity, geography, general science, economy, defence & static GK120100
Elementary MathematicsIMA/INA/AFA only — arithmetic, algebra, geometry, mensuration, trigonometry, statistics (OTA candidates skip this paper)100100
Total340300

For admission to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA) and Air Force Academy (AFA), the CDS written examination has three papers — English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics — of 100 marks each, giving a total of 300 marks. Each paper lasts 2 hours and carries 120 objective questions (the Elementary Mathematics paper is set at the matriculation standard). Candidates for the Officers Training Academy (OTA) sit only two papers, English and General Knowledge, for a total of 200 marks (there is no Elementary Mathematics paper for OTA). There is negative marking: one-third (1/3) of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for every wrong answer, while unanswered questions score zero. Those who clear the written cut-off are called for the SSB Interview, which carries 300 marks for IMA/INA/AFA and 200 marks for OTA, followed by a medical examination. On ExamguruX, each question is scored +1 for a correct answer and −1/3 for a wrong answer, mirroring the real marking, and every question comes with a worked solution.

Duration: 6 hours (three papers of 2 hours) for IMA/INA/AFA; OTA has two papers.

How to prepare for CDS

A fresher-friendly CDS roadmap — understand the paper first, follow a month-by-month plan, build a weekly routine and peak with reviewed full-length mocks.

Beginner-friendly roadmap

Your CDS plan: first day to exam day

Start with the paper structure, build concepts in layers, then use timed practice and review to turn preparation into a repeatable score.

Coverage3 subjects
Exam clock6 hours (three papers of 2 hours) for IMA/INA/AFA; OTA has two papers
MarkingFor admission to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA) and Air Force Academy (AFA), the CDS written examination has three papers — English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics — of 100 marks each, giving a total of 300 marks. Each paper lasts 2 hours and carries 120 objective questions (the Elementary Mathematics paper is set at the matriculation standard). Candidates for the Officers Training Academy (OTA) sit only two papers, English and General Knowledge, for a total of 200 marks (there is no Elementary Mathematics paper for OTA). There is negative marking: one-third (1/3) of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for every wrong answer, while unanswered questions score zero. Those who clear the written cut-off are called for the SSB Interview, which carries 300 marks for IMA/INA/AFA and 200 marks for OTA, followed by a medical examination. On ExamguruX, each question is scored +1 for a correct answer and −1/3 for a wrong answer, mirroring the real marking, and every question comes with a worked solution.

The first 12 weeks

A plan a fresher can actually follow

  1. Month 1

    Understand the paper and build your base

    Read the official pattern first, then make a realistic subject map for 3 subjects. Begin with English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics. Focus on concepts before speed.

    Take one diagnostic topic test. Its purpose is to find gaps, not to judge your score.
  2. Month 2

    Finish the core syllabus through practice

    Cover the remaining syllabus, while revising Month 1 every week. Move from untimed questions to short timed sets.

    Keep a single error log: concept missed, why it happened and the correct method.
  3. Month 3

    Build exam temperament with mocks

    Use the real exam time limit (6 hours (three papers of 2 hours) for IMA/INA/AFA; OTA has two papers) in full-length practice. Review every mock longer than it took to attempt it; the review is where improvement happens.

    Turn each weak area from your error log into a 30–45 minute repair session.

Your repeatable week

The study loop that makes revision stick

  1. 1
    Learn

    Read one focused concept block and make a short revision sheet.

  2. 2
    Solve

    Immediately answer topic questions; do not wait until you have ‘finished’ the syllabus.

  3. 3
    Review

    Log mistakes by concept, not just by score. Revisit them after 2–3 days.

  4. 4
    Simulate

    Use a timed section or mock to practise decisions under the clock.

Mock-test ladder

Don’t start with a full mock every day

  • Month 1: topic tests after each completed concept.
  • Month 2: one timed sectional test each week, plus error-log revision.
  • Month 3: one or two full mocks weekly under the real 6 hours (three papers of 2 hours) for IMA/INA/AFA; OTA has two papers clock.

CDS-specific priorities

What to focus on as you move through the plan

  1. 1

    Own General Knowledge early

    GK is the widest and most stable paper. Cover Indian history and the freedom struggle, polity and the Constitution, geography, general science, the economy and defence GK a little every day, and revise regularly rather than cramming.

  2. 2

    Keep English accurate

    English rewards basic grammar and vocabulary. Practise spotting errors, synonyms and antonyms, sentence arrangement, fill in the blanks, idioms and short comprehension passages for quick, reliable marks.

  3. 3

    Make Elementary Maths automatic

    For IMA/INA/AFA the maths paper is matriculation level. Drill number system, HCF/LCM, percentage, ratio, profit and loss, time and work, speed, mensuration, algebra and trigonometry until they are fast and error-free.

  4. 4

    Respect the negative marking

    At −1/3 per wrong answer, blind guessing is costly. Attempt when you can eliminate to a confident choice, and leave questions you truly cannot judge.

  5. 5

    Practise full timed papers

    Each written paper is a two-hour test. Take full-length timed mocks to build stamina and pacing, and review the worked solution for every question you miss.

  6. 6

    Prepare for the SSB Interview

    The written exam is only the first stage. The five-day SSB Interview tests officer-like qualities through psychological tests, group tasks and a personal interview — start building awareness, fitness and communication early.

Final 7 days

Revise your short notes and error log; do not begin major new topics.

Take only the number of mocks you can properly review; protect sleep and routine.

Confirm the official admit-card instructions, reporting time, centre and permitted items.

Want personal support?

Request an online trainer for your CDS preparation.

Get help with your study plan, difficult concepts and mock-test review, subject to trainer availability.

Request a trainer

CDS scoring & selection

Use this practice benchmark to understand score ranges, qualifying cut-offs and the selection stages for CDS. The conducting authority sets official merit and appointments.

CDS marks vs. rank

Score rangeStageWhat it takes
Written: clear the cut-offWrittenScore above the session cut-off to be called for the SSB
SSB: officer-like qualitiesSSB Interview300 marks (IMA/INA/AFA) or 200 marks (OTA), over five days
Medical: fit categoryMedicalMeet the service medical standards to be commissioned
Balanced papersOverallNo weak paper; steady English + GK carry the OTA route
Steady mock scoresReadinessConsistent timed-mock performance predicts a written pass

Indicative stage requirements

Written (merit)Decisive

Indicative marks: Written score decides who is called for the SSB

SSB InterviewQualifying + merit

Indicative marks: Officer-like qualities over a five-day assessment

Medical examinationQualifying

Indicative marks: Meet vision and fitness standards for the service

Final meritCombined

Indicative marks: Written marks plus SSB marks decide the final list

Academy allotmentRank-based

Indicative marks: Depends on merit, eligibility, medical & vacancies

The CDS pattern here — the three 100-mark papers (English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics) for IMA/INA/AFA, the two-paper OTA variant, one-third negative marking, and the written-plus-SSB selection — reflects UPSC's recent published pattern. Exact vacancies, cut-offs, dates, age windows and eligibility change every session; always confirm current specifics in the official UPSC notification at upsc.gov.in.

Academies you can join through CDS

CDS is a single written examination that feeds four training academies. Which academy you can join depends on the papers you take (OTA needs only English and General Knowledge), your written score, the SSB Interview and your eligibility for each service. The table below shows the academy, its location and the kind of commission each one grants — the actual academy you are allotted depends on merit, medical fitness and vacancies.

AcademyLocationCommission / WingCommission
Indian Military Academy (IMA)Dehradun, UttarakhandPermanent Commission · ArmyGraduate entry → Army officer
Indian Naval Academy (INA)Ezhimala, KeralaPermanent Commission · NavyEngineering / B.Sc (PCM) entry
Air Force Academy (AFA)Dundigal, near HyderabadPermanent Commission · Air Force (Flying)Degree with Physics & Maths entry
Officers Training Academy (OTA)Chennai, Tamil NaduShort Service Commission · ArmyTwo papers only (no Maths)

A representative set of institutes that admit through CDS. Many more academys participate in the counselling process.

CDS important dates

The typical CDS recruitment timeline, from notification to result and document verification. Dates are tentative until the official notice is released.

  1. CDS (I) 2027 notification

    2 December 2026

  2. Last date to apply

    22 December 2026

  3. CDS (I) 2027 written exam

    Sunday, 11 April 2027

  4. Written result

    Expected a few weeks after the exam

  5. SSB Interview calls

    After the written result

  6. Final result & commissioning

    After the SSB and medical examination

CDS news & guides

The latest dates, notices and preparation guides for CDS, checked against official sources.

CDS — frequently asked questions

Quick, reliable answers to the questions CDS aspirants ask most.

What is the CDS selection process?

Two main stages: a written examination conducted by UPSC, followed by the Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview and a medical examination. Final merit combines the written marks and the SSB marks for candidates found medically fit.

What is the CDS exam pattern?

For IMA, INA and AFA there are three papers — English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics — of 100 marks each (300 total), every paper of 2 hours. OTA candidates take only English and General Knowledge (200 marks) and no mathematics paper.

Is there negative marking in CDS?

Yes. One-third (1/3) of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for every wrong answer. Unanswered questions score zero, so guess only when you can eliminate options to a confident choice.

What is the eligibility for CDS?

You need a Bachelor's degree for IMA and OTA, an Engineering degree or B.Sc with Physics and Maths for INA, and a degree with Physics and Maths (or an Engineering degree) for AFA. Candidates are generally unmarried (OTA has some exceptions) and roughly 19–25 years old depending on the academy — exact windows are fixed in each notification.

Which academies do you join through CDS?

The Indian Military Academy (IMA) at Dehradun, the Indian Naval Academy (INA) at Ezhimala, the Air Force Academy (AFA) near Hyderabad and the Officers Training Academy (OTA) at Chennai. The academy you are allotted depends on your papers, merit, eligibility, medical fitness and vacancies.

How should I use these mock tests?

Take full-length timed mocks to build the two-hour-per-paper stamina and pacing under the real one-third negative marking, and review the worked solution for every question. Use the topic tests to drill English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics until each becomes a reliable source of marks.

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Devaseelan

Devaseelan

Cleared NEET