UPSC (Union Public Service Commission)
CDS Exam Pattern 2027 — Complete Question Paper Structure
Understand the marking scheme, section weights, question distribution and time strategy for Combined Defence Services
Exam Pattern at a Glance
Exam Mode
Online (CBT)
Language
English & Hindi
Negative Marking
-0.33
Sections
3
Section-wise Pattern
| Subject / Section | Questions | Marks per Q | Total Marks | Time (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | 100 | +1 | 100 | 120 min |
| General Knowledge | 100 | +1 | 100 | 120 min |
| Mathematics | 100 | +1 | 100 | 120 min |
| Total | 300 | — | 300 | 360 min |
Time is indicative. Candidates can attempt sections in any order in CBT mode.
Marking Scheme
Correct Answer
+1
marks
Wrong Answer
-0.33
marks
Unattempted
0
marks
Marking Scheme
+1 for correct, -0.33 for incorrect
Example Calculation:
If you attempt 180 questions, get 135 correct and 45 wrong:
Score = 135 × 1 − 45 × 0.33 = 120.15 marks
Skip questions you're unsure about — negative marking can reduce your score significantly.
Time Management Strategy
You have approximately 72.0 seconds per question on average.
| Phase | Time Budget | Target Questions |
|---|---|---|
| First pass (attempt easy Qs) | 216 min | 210 Qs |
| Second pass (attempt medium) | 108 min | 60 Qs |
| Review & guess | 36 min | Remaining |
Year-wise Pattern Changes
| Year | Questions | Duration | Key Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 300 | 360 min | Current pattern |
| 2024 | 300 | 360 min | No major change |
| 2023 | 300 | 360 min | Section added |
Pattern history is approximate. Always check official notification.
Difficulty Distribution
Approximate question count: ~60 Easy | ~120 Medium | ~120 Hard
Based on difficulty level: hard. Actual distribution may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
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