The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination 2026, conducted by UPSC, is a crucial step for candidates aiming to join the Indian Armed Forces as commissioned officers. Understanding the CDS exam pattern 2026 and marks distribution is essential for effective preparation and smart time management.
This article explains the latest CDS 2026 exam pattern, subject-wise marks, duration, negative marking, and academy-wise differences in a clear and comprehensive manner.
📌 CDS Exam Pattern 2026 – Overview
The CDS examination consists of two main stages:
Written Examination (UPSC)
SSB Interview & Personality Test
The written exam pattern varies depending on the academy applied for:
IMA (Indian Military Academy)
INA (Indian Naval Academy)
AFA (Air Force Academy)
OTA (Officers’ Training Academy)
📝 CDS 2026 Written Examination – Mode & Structure
Mode of Exam: Offline (Pen & Paper)
Type of Questions: Objective (MCQs)
Medium: English & Hindi (except English paper)
Negative Marking: Yes (⅓ marks deducted for each wrong answer)
📘 CDS Exam Pattern 2026 for IMA, INA & AFA
Candidates applying for IMA, INA, and AFA have to appear for three papers.
Subject-Wise Marks Distribution
| Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Total | 6 Hours | 300 Marks |
Key Points
All papers are of equal weightage
Mathematics is mandatory for IMA, INA & AFA
Questions are of 10+2 standard
📕 CDS Exam Pattern 2026 for OTA (Men & Women)
Candidates applying for OTA have to appear for two papers only.
Subject-Wise Marks Distribution
| Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Total | 4 Hours | 200 Marks |
Important Note
No Mathematics paper for OTA
English and GK play a decisive role in selection
📚 Detailed CDS 2026 Subject-Wise Exam Pattern
1. English Paper (100 Marks)
Purpose: Test understanding of English language and grammar.
Topics Include:
Reading Comprehension
Grammar & Usage
Synonyms & Antonyms
Sentence Improvement
Vocabulary
Spotting Errors
📌 Difficulty Level: Moderate
📌 Standard: Graduation level
2. General Knowledge Paper (100 Marks)
Purpose: Assess general awareness and current affairs knowledge.
Topics Include:
History
Geography
Polity
Economics
General Science
Defence & Security
Current Affairs
📌 Difficulty Level: Moderate
📌 Standard: Graduation level
3. Elementary Mathematics Paper (100 Marks)
(For IMA, INA & AFA only)
Purpose: Test numerical ability and logical thinking.
Topics Include:
Arithmetic
Algebra
Trigonometry
Geometry
Mensuration
Statistics
📌 Difficulty Level: 10+2 level
📌 Speed & accuracy are crucial
⚠️ Negative Marking in CDS 2026
⅓ mark is deducted for every incorrect answer
No marks deducted for unattempted questions
Smart guessing is essential to avoid loss of marks
🎯 CDS 2026 SSB Interview – Marks Distribution
Candidates clearing the written exam are called for SSB Interview.
| Academy | SSB Marks |
|---|---|
| IMA / INA / AFA | 300 |
| OTA | 200 |
Total Marks (Written + SSB)
| Academy | Total Marks |
|---|---|
| IMA / INA / AFA | 600 |
| OTA | 400 |
📌 CDS Exam Pattern 2026 – Key Highlights
✔ Objective type questions
✔ Equal weightage to all subjects
✔ Separate cut-offs for each paper
✔ Merit list based on written + SSB marks
✔ Medical fitness is mandatory for final selection
🧠 Preparation Strategy Based on Exam Pattern
Allocate equal time to all subjects
Strengthen English & GK for OTA
Focus on Maths accuracy for IMA/INA/AFA
Practice previous year question papers
Avoid excessive guessing due to negative marking
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the CDS exam pattern for 2026?
CDS 2026 includes a written exam followed by an SSB interview, with subject-wise papers depending on the academy.
Q2. Is Mathematics compulsory for CDS 2026?
Mathematics is compulsory for IMA, INA, and AFA, but not required for OTA.
Q3. What is the total marks for CDS written exam?
IMA/INA/AFA: 300 marks
OTA: 200 marks
Q4. Is there negative marking in CDS exam?
Yes, ⅓ mark is deducted for every wrong answer.
Q5. What is the duration of CDS exam?
Each paper is of 2 hours duration.
Q6. What is the level of CDS Mathematics paper?
The Mathematics paper is of Class 10+2 level.
Q7. How is the final merit list prepared?
The final merit list is based on written exam marks + SSB interview marks, subject to medical fitness.
🔚 Conclusion
Understanding the CDS Exam Pattern 2026 and marks distribution is the foundation of smart and focused preparation. With clear knowledge of subject weightage, negative marking, and academy-wise differences, candidates can plan their strategy effectively and maximize their chances of success.
