The CDS Exam Question Paper is an important resource for candidates preparing for the Combined Defence Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. Previous year papers help candidates understand the paper structure, subject coverage and types of questions asked in the examination.
The CDS 2 2026 written examination is scheduled for September 13, 2026. The examination will be conducted in three shifts for English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics. Each paper carries 100 marks and has a duration of two hours.
- CDS Exam Question Paper 2026 PDF
- CDS Exam Previous Year Question Papers
- CDS Exam Question Paper 2026 Subject-wise Details
- CDS Exam Question Paper 2026 Important Topics
- CDS Exam 2026 Memory Based Question Paper
- CDS Exam Analysis 2026
- How to Download CDS Exam Question Paper 2026
- CDS Exam Question Paper 2026 FAQs
CDS Exam Question Paper 2026 PDF
Candidates can download the official CDS Exam Question Paper PDF from the UPSC website. UPSC publishes the question papers subject-wise for English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics.
The CDS 2 2026 question paper will be available after the examination. Until then, candidates can use the latest available CDS question papers for practice.
Note: UPSC officially lists the CDS I 2026 papers for English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics in its previous question paper archive. The same archive also lists the CDS II 2025 papers for all three subjects.
CDS Exam Previous Year Question Papers
Solving CDS Exam previous year question papers allows candidates to practise questions in the actual examination format. Candidates can also use these papers to revise important topics, improve time management and identify areas that require more practice.
CDS Exam Question Paper 2026
The CDS I 2026 question papers are available on the official UPSC website.
CDS Exam Question Paper 2025
Candidates can solve both CDS I 2025 and CDS II 2025 papers to practise questions from recent examination sessions.
UPSC's official archive lists all three CDS II 2025 question papers and all three CDS I 2025 question papers.
Check: CDS Exam Analysis 2026
CDS Exam Question Paper 2024
The CDS 2024 question papers are also available through the UPSC previous question paper archive.
UPSC lists the CDS II 2024 papers for English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics, along with the CDS I 2024 papers, in its official archive.
CDS Exam Question Paper 2026 Subject-wise Details
The written examination consists of different subject combinations depending on the academy selected by the candidate.
Candidates appearing for IMA, INA and AFA take English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics. OTA candidates appear for English and General Knowledge.
Each paper is conducted for two hours and the examination includes negative marking for incorrect answers.
CDS Exam Question Paper 2026 Important Topics
Previous year papers can help candidates identify the areas covered repeatedly in the examination. The CDS syllabus includes English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics.
Note: Candidates should combine question paper practice with syllabus-based preparation so that they can understand both the topics and the way UPSC frames questions.
CDS Exam 2026 Memory Based Question Paper
The CDS Exam memory based question paper can be useful after the examination when candidates recall questions from the different papers. Such questions can provide an early indication of the topics and question types covered in CDS 2 2026.
Memory based questions are different from the official UPSC question paper. Candidates should use them only for reference and rely on the official UPSC paper once it is released.
CDS Exam Analysis 2026
The CDS Exam Question Paper analysis helps candidates understand the overall difficulty level and the distribution of questions across subjects. It can also highlight important topics and areas that require additional preparation.
The CDS 2 2026 paper analysis will be updated after the examination. Candidates preparing for upcoming attempts can meanwhile use previous year papers to understand the structure and practise solving questions within the prescribed time.
How to Download CDS Exam Question Paper 2026
Candidates can follow these steps to download the CDS Exam Question Paper PDF from UPSC
- Visit the official UPSC website.
- Open the Previous Year Question Papers section.
- Find the Combined Defence Services Examination.
- Select the required examination year.
- Choose the required subject.
- Open the PDF and download the question paper.
Note: Candidates should use the official UPSC website for authentic question papers. The UPSC archive currently provides CDS question papers for 2026, 2025 and 2024.
CDS Exam Question Paper 2026 FAQs
What is the CDS Exam Question Paper?
The CDS Exam Question Paper contains the questions asked in the written examination conducted by UPSC for the Combined Defence Services Examination.
When will the CDS 2 2026 question paper be released?
The CDS 2 2026 question paper will be available after the written examination scheduled for September 13, 2026.
Where can I download the CDS Exam Question Paper PDF?
Candidates can download official CDS question papers from the UPSC Previous Year Question Papers section.
Is the CDS I 2026 question paper available?
Yes. UPSC has published the English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics question papers for CDS I 2026.
Which subjects are included in the CDS Exam?
The CDS written examination includes English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics for IMA, INA and AFA candidates. OTA candidates appear for English and General Knowledge.
How many marks is the CDS Exam?
The written examination carries 300 marks for IMA, INA and AFA candidates and 200 marks for OTA candidates.
How long is each CDS Exam paper?
Each paper has a duration of two hours.
Is there negative marking in the CDS Exam?
Yes. The CDS examination includes negative marking for incorrect answers.
Is the CDS 2 2026 memory based paper official?
No. A memory based paper is based on questions recalled by candidates. It should not be considered the official UPSC question paper.
How can CDS Exam previous year papers help in preparation?
Previous year papers help candidates understand the examination structure, practise important topics, improve time management and identify areas that need more revision.
Which CDS Exam question papers should I solve first?
Candidates can begin with the latest available CDS papers, such as CDS I 2026 and CDS II 2025, and then solve older papers for additional practice.