Our free CDS practice test questions help you prepare for the UPSC Combined Defence Services examination — your gateway to the Indian Military Academy, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers Training Academy. The CDS exam evaluates your knowledge of English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics.
Use our comprehensive CDS study guide and free practice questions to build confidence before exam day. Whether you are starting your CDS exam preparation or revising key topics, these resources cover every section of the UPSC CDS syllabus.
Facts verified Oct 27, 2026 against Union Public Service Commission. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
Facts verified Oct 27, 2026 against Union Public Service Commission. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
| Item | Detail | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions | Objective type papers: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics (OTA candidates take English and General Knowledge only) | Union Public Service Commission |
| Time limit | 2 hours per paper | Union Public Service Commission |
| Passing score | Minimum qualifying marks fixed by UPSC for the written examination and by the Services Selection Board for the interview | Union Public Service Commission |
| Exam fee | ₹200 (exempt for female, SC, and ST candidates) | Union Public Service Commission |
| Retake policy | No withdrawal or alterations permitted after submission; application fees are non-refundable | Union Public Service Commission |
| Delivery | Offline written test using black ball pen on OMR sheets at test centres across India, followed by a 4-day SSB interview | Union Public Service Commission |
Facts verified Oct 27, 2026 against Union Public Service Commission. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
Interactive CDS - Combined Defence Services resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:
Quick-review flashcards covering essential CDS exam topics. Flip each card to reveal the answer and test your knowledge.
The UPSC CDS exam is one of the most sought-after defence entrance examinations in India, opening doors to prestigious careers in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. Conducted twice every year (typically in April and November), the Combined Defence Services examination attracts lakhs of aspirants competing for limited seats at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun, Naval Academy in Goa, Air Force Academy in Hyderabad, and Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai.
A well-structured CDS preparation strategy begins with understanding the syllabus thoroughly. The English paper tests your command over grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. Focus on practising sentence correction, fill-in-the-blanks, and passage-based questions daily. Reading English newspapers and editorials is one of the most effective ways to improve both vocabulary and comprehension speed.
For General Knowledge, build a strong foundation in Indian History (ancient, medieval, modern), Indian Geography, Indian Polity and Constitution, Economics, and General Science. Current affairs from the last 6-12 months are equally important — cover topics like defence exercises, government schemes, international summits, and appointments. Make concise notes and revise them regularly.
Prepare for the CDS - Combined Defence Services exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
The Elementary Mathematics paper (required for IMA, NA, and AFA candidates) covers topics up to the 10th standard level. Key areas include Number Systems, HCF and LCM, Percentages, Simple and Compound Interest, Profit and Loss, Ratio and Proportion, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Trigonometry, and Statistics. While the difficulty level is moderate, the challenge lies in solving 100 questions within 2 hours with negative marking.
Practise mental calculation techniques and shortcut methods for arithmetic. For Geometry and Mensuration, memorise all standard formulae for areas, volumes, and surface areas of common shapes. In Trigonometry, focus on identities, heights and distances, and standard angle values. Regular timed practice with CDS mock tests will significantly improve your speed and accuracy.
Time management is critical in the CDS exam. Allocate roughly 1 minute per question, attempt the ones you are confident about first, and avoid random guessing due to the negative marking scheme (0.33 marks deducted per wrong answer). Reviewing previous years' CDS question papers gives you an excellent sense of the difficulty level and frequently tested topics.
After clearing the CDS written examination, shortlisted candidates appear before the Services Selection Board (SSB) for a comprehensive 5-day assessment. The SSB interview evaluates Officer Like Qualities (OLQs) through psychological tests (TAT, WAT, SRT, SD), group testing (GD, GPE, GTO tasks), a personal interview with the Interviewing Officer, and a final conference. Candidates recommended by the SSB undergo a medical examination before final merit list preparation.
Successful candidates join their respective training academies: IMA offers an 18-month course leading to a Permanent Commission in the Army; Naval Academy provides training for a Permanent Commission in the Navy; AFA trains candidates for a Permanent Commission in the Air Force; and OTA offers a 49-week course for a Short Service Commission. Upon completion of training, cadets are commissioned as officers in the rank of Lieutenant or equivalent.
Try these questions from our free CDS - Combined Defence Services practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
What is Newton's second law of motion?
Answer: A. Force equals mass times acceleration (F = ma)
Newton's second law states that force equals mass multiplied by acceleration: F = ma.
Which organ in the human body produces insulin?
Answer: A. Pancreas
The pancreas produces insulin in its beta cells (islets of Langerhans) to regulate blood sugar levels.
What is the meaning of this idiom: Give someone the cold shoulder
Answer: B. Showing an unfriendly attitude towards someone
Explanation: The idiom "give someone the cold shoulder" means to intentionally display aloofness or unfriendliness towards someone, typically by ignoring them or treating them with indifference. It conveys the idea of deliberately snubbing or excluding someone from social interaction.
The broken hills famous for zinc and lead are located in:
Answer: D. Australia
Explanation: Broken Hill is a mining town in the far west of outback New South Wales, Australia. It is known for its rich deposits of silver, lead, and zinc, making it one of the largest mining areas in the world.