What is the CDS 2027 exam pattern?

CDS has three papers of 100 questions each — English (120 min), General Knowledge (120 min), and Elementary Mathematics (120 min). Each paper carries 100 marks. OTA applicants appear only for English and GK.

What is the CDS eligibility for different academies?

IMA requires any graduate degree (age 19–24). INA requires Engineering degree (age 19–22). IAF Academy requires Physics + Maths in 12th with graduation (age 19–23). OTA accepts any graduate (age 19–25).

What is the CDS selection process after written exam?

Candidates shortlisted after written exam appear for SSB interview — a 5-day process with Officer Intelligence Rating test, Picture Perception, Group Testing, Psychology tests, and Interview. Final selection is based on written + SSB merit.

What is the expected CDS 2027 cutoff?

CDS cutoff (out of 300 for IMA) generally ranges from 105–130 for general category. CDS 2 2023 cutoff for IMA was 116, and INA was 126. OTA cutoff is comparatively lower at 85–100.

What is the salary of a CDS officer (Lieutenant)?

A commissioned Lieutenant through CDS earns basic pay ₹56,100 + Military Service Pay ₹15,500 + DA + HRA + transport allowance, totaling approximately ₹80,000–₹1,10,000 per month in-hand.

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CDS Preparation Guide

UPSC (Union Public Service Commission)

Your Complete Preparation Guide for CDS 2027 — strategy, study plan, tips & more.

DifficultyHard

Total Marks300

Duration360 min

Start Practising Now →Free Mock Tests

Exam Overview

Mode

Offline (OMR)

Frequency

Twice a year

Next Exam Date

February 2027

EEligibility Criteria

Graduate degree; age 19–25 years (IMA/AFA), 19–22 years (INA)

ANumber of Attempts

No restriction within age limit

Study Plan by Subject

English

Week 1-4: Foundation

Core concepts & basics

Week 5-8: Deep Practice

Advanced problems & revision

Week 9-12: Mock Tests + Revision

Full-length tests & weak-area focus

Refer to official syllabus for complete topic list

General Knowledge

Week 1-4: Foundation

Core concepts & basics

Week 5-8: Deep Practice

Advanced problems & revision

Week 9-12: Mock Tests + Revision

Full-length tests & weak-area focus

Refer to official syllabus for complete topic list

Mathematics

Week 1-4: Foundation

Core concepts & basics

Week 5-8: Deep Practice

Advanced problems & revision

Week 9-12: Mock Tests + Revision

Full-length tests & weak-area focus

Refer to official syllabus for complete topic list

Expert Preparation Tips

Prepare English grammar — fill-in-the-blanks, sentence correction, and comprehension are high-scoring areas

Study current affairs with a focus on defence news, international relations, and Indian history for GK

Practise elementary mathematics — HCF/LCM, percentages, mensuration, and trigonometry are frequently tested

Solve previous 8 years CDS papers to identify recurring question patterns in each section

Exam Pattern at a Glance

Section	Questions	Marks	Duration (est.)
English	100	100	120 min
General Knowledge	100	100	120 min
Mathematics	100	100	120 min
Total	300	300	360 min

Important Dates

Registration Opens

November 2026

Next Exam Date

February 2027

Conducted By

UPSC (Union Public Service Commission)

Frequently Asked Questions

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