The CDS 2026 Syllabus and Exam Time Table has been officially released by UPSC for the Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026. The exam will be conducted on 12 April 2026 (Sunday) in three shifts. Candidates preparing for IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA must carefully understand the subject-wise pattern, marking scheme, and exam timings to plan their preparation effectively.
This article explains the complete syllabus, official shift timings, and exam structure in a clear and aspirant-friendly format.
CDS (I) 2026 Exam Overview
The Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) is conducted by UPSC for recruitment into:
- Indian Military Academy (IMA)
- Indian Naval Academy (INA)
- Air Force Academy (AFA)
- Officers’ Training Academy (OTA)
The written exam consists of objective-type questions only, followed by the SSB Interview for qualified candidates.
CDS 2026 Syllabus and Exam Time Table
Exam Date: 12 April 2026 (Sunday)
Time Zone: Indian Standard Time (IST)
Shift-Wise Schedule
| Date | Time | Subject | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 April 2026 | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM | English | 11 |
| 12 April 2026 | 12:30 PM – 02:30 PM | General Knowledge | 12 |
| 12 April 2026 | 04:00 PM – 06:00 PM | Elementary Mathematics | 13 |
All three papers will be conducted on the same day.
CDS (I) 2026 Written Exam Pattern
For IMA, INA & AFA
| Subject | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Total | — | 300 |
For OTA (Men & Women)
| Subject | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Total | — | 200 |
OTA candidates do not have the Mathematics paper.
CDS (I) 2026 Detailed Syllabus
English (Code 11)
The English paper tests:
- Grammar and sentence structure
- Vocabulary usage
- Synonyms & antonyms
- Comprehension passages
- Correct usage of words
The standard is graduate level.
General Knowledge (Code 12)
The GK paper includes:
- Current affairs (national & international)
- Indian history
- Indian & world geography
- General science
- Defence-related awareness
No specialized study is required, but candidates must have good awareness of current events and basics of social sciences.
Elementary Mathematics (Code 13)
The Mathematics paper is of Matriculation level and includes:
Arithmetic
- Number system
- Percentage, profit & loss
- Ratio & proportion
- Time & work
- Simple & compound interest
Algebra
- Quadratic equations
- Linear equations
- Polynomials
Trigonometry
- Basic trigonometric ratios
- Standard angle values
- Heights & distances
Geometry & Mensuration
- Triangles, circles
- Area and volume
- Surface area of solids
Statistics
- Data interpretation
- Bar graphs, pie charts
- Measures of central tendency
Marking Scheme & Important Rules
- All questions are objective type.
- Negative marking is applicable.
- One-third marks are deducted for each wrong answer.
- Calculators are not allowed.
- Black ball pen must be used for OMR marking.
- GK and Maths papers are bilingual (Hindi & English).
Selection Process After Written Exam
Candidates who qualify the written exam will be called for:
- Stage I: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) & PPDT
- Stage II: Interview, Psychology Tests, GTO Tasks, Conference
Final merit is prepared based on Written + SSB performance, subject to medical fitness.
Final Preparation Advice
With the CDS 1 2026 Syllabus and Exam Time Table now released, candidates should:
- Plan subject-wise revision
- Focus on time management for three shifts
- Practice previous year papers
- Improve current affairs coverage
Early preparation and structured revision will increase your chances of selection in IMA, INA, AFA, or OTA.
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Editor’s Note:
Written by Karmabandhan Editorial Team.
We encourage all aspirants to verify information from official sources and apply carefully.
Disclaimer: This is not an official government website. Candidates must verify details from the official notification.
I am Surojit Koiri, a professional content writer and digital publisher with over 5 years of experience in government job updates, recruitment analysis, and exam-related news. I am the founder of Karmabandhan.com, a dedicated platform that provides accurate and easy-to-understand information for job aspirants across India.