The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination, organized by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), is among the most important competitive examinations in India. Numerous aspirants enroll in this Examination each year with the intent of joining the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force.
How many papers are in the CDS Exam? This is among the most frequently asked questions among aspirants. In order to prepare well for the Examination, one must properly comprehend the exam processes and papers. In this blog, we will discuss the number of papers in CDS and their format, marks distribution, preparation strategy, studying material recommendations, such as cds books, preparations, and other essentials.
Overview of the CDS Examination
The CDS exam takes place two times every year (in April and September mostly). Candidates who succeed in the written exam and interview, medicals, and base training or whatever they call it, will be recruited into the most eminent institutions:
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Indian Military Academy (IMA) – Dehradun
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Indian Naval Academy (INA) – Ezhimala
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Air Force Academy (AFA) – Hyderabad
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Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) – Chennai
Each institution has slightly different specifications, which affect the number of papers a candidate must undertake.
How Many Papers Are in CDS?
The number of papers depends on whether you are applying for IMA, INA, AFA, or OTA:
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For IMA, INA, and AFA: There are three papers –
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English
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General Knowledge
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Elementary Mathematics
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For OTA (Men & Women): There are two papers –
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English
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General Knowledge
Thus, there are either two or three papers in the CDS exam, depending on the academy you have selected to apply to.
Paper-Wise Breakdown of CDS Exam
Let us discuss each paper, its structure, and what an aspirant can expect:
1. English Paper
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Duration: 2 hours
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Maximum Marks: 100
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Objective: To test vocabulary, grammar, comprehension, and command over the English language.
Preparation Tip: Regular practice with the best available quality english book for cds exam will help with improving in important topics like sentence improvement, comprehension passages and error detection.
2. General Knowledge (GK) Paper
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Duration: 2 hours
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Maximum Marks: 100
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Objective: To evaluate awareness of current affairs, science, history, geography, polity, and defense-related updates.
Preparation Tip: Daily engagement with a newspaper, revisions with standard cds books can positively affect performance.
3. Elementary Mathematics (only for IMA, INA, AFA)
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Duration: 2 hours
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Maximum Marks: 100
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Objective: To test mathematical aptitude, covering topics such as Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Statistics.
Preparation Tip: Continue practicing topic-wise previous year questions from the CDs PYQ book, which is arranged based on topic and includes prior years’ questions. Restrict your learning based on chapters and subjects.
Marking Scheme in CDS Exam
The exam is structured in a very simple objective-type question format with negative marking, as there is a penalty for each wrong answer.
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Correct Answer: +1 mark
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Wrong Answer: –1/3 mark
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Unanswered Question: No penalty
This only makes accuracy just as important as speed. Guessing with no rationale is often detrimental to the overall score.
Time Allocation Strategy
Since each paper is 2 hours, you should get in the habit of time management. Here is a brilliant breakdown:
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English: Start with comprehension-based questions, followed by grammar, and lastly vocabulary.
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General Knowledge: Quickly answer what you know, leave out what you don’t, revisit if time allows.
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Mathematics: Complete arithmetic questions first, then geometry, leaving trigonometry/statistics till last if time permits.
Why Knowing the Number of Papers Matters
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Better Planning: If you are applying for OTA, you can dedicate more time to English and GK without worrying about math.
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Focused Preparation: Candidates applying for IMA, INA, and AFA must dedicate separate time slots for math practice.
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Smart Resource Selection: depending on where your application is going, you may choose specific cds books or practice material without preparing for irrelevant areas.
Role of Study Material in CDS Preparation
High-quality resources simplify preparation and reduce confusion. Here’s how:
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A well-structured English book for cds exam can refine your grammar and comprehension skills, improving accuracy in the language section.
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Practicing from a cds pyq book topic wise twice a week allows you to track progress and understand how UPSC frames questions.
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Comprehensive cds books covering all subjects give you a balanced approach, especially useful for IMA/INA/AFA candidates who need to prepare across three papers.
By using these resources strategically, candidates save time while strengthening their weak areas.
Preparation Tips for Each Paper
English
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Focus on synonyms, antonyms, idioms, and error spotting.
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Revise grammar rules daily.
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Read editorials for improving comprehension speed.
General Knowledge
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Keep a daily news update routine.
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Use monthly current affairs magazines for revision.
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Practice previous year papers to understand the GK question pattern.
Mathematics
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Maintain a formula notebook for quick reference.
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Solve timed mock tests to improve speed.
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Prioritize arithmetic and geometry, which usually carry higher weightage.
Read More: Is CDS Harder or NDA?
Mistakes to Avoid in the CDS Exam
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Neglecting weaker papers: Many candidates ignore mathematics or GK, focusing only on English. This creates imbalance.
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Over-reliance on guesswork: With negative marking, random guesses can backfire.
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Skipping revision: Not revising solved questions from cds pyq book topic wise often leads to repeated mistakes.
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Ignoring mock tests: Time-bound mocks simulate real exam conditions and are crucial for success.
Conclusion
The answer to “How many papers are in CDS?” depends on your academic choice—three papers for IMA, INA, AFA and two papers for OTA. Understanding this distinction early helps in crafting a focused preparation plan.
To maximize your chances, rely on high-quality resources such as an English book for cds exam for language mastery, a CDS PYQ book topic-wise for practice, and standard CDS books for complete coverage. Combine these with consistent mock tests, current affairs updates, and a clear time management strategy.
With the right preparation approach, clarity about exam structure, and disciplined revision, clearing CDS and stepping into a career of honor and pride becomes a realistic goal.
FAQs on CDS Exam
Q1: How many papers are in the CDS exam for OTA candidates?
OTA candidates have to attempt only two papers: English and General Knowledge.
Q2: What is the duration of each paper in CDS?
Each paper is 2 hours long
Q3: Is there negative marking in CDS?
Yes, 1/3 marks are deducted for every wrong answer.
Q4: Which paper is considered toughest in CDS?
Mathematics is often considered challenging, especially for non-science students.
Q5: How can I strengthen my English section?
Consistent reading practice and using a reliable english book for cds exam can significantly improve results
Q6: Are CDS previous years’ questions important?
Absolutely, solving questions from a cds pyq book topic wise gives insights into exam trends and helps identify recurring topics.
Q7: Do I need different books for different academies?
Core resources like standard cds books are useful for all, but OTA candidates can skip detailed mathematics references.
