CDS 1 2027 Exam Date: 11 April 2027 – Eligibility, Seats and How to Prepare
UPSC has fixed CDS 1 2027 for 11 April 2027, with the notification on 2 December 2026. Official dates, seats, expected age limits, exam pattern and a 22-week plan.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts Combined Defence Services exam or the CDS Exam twice a year. This exam acts as an entrance test for admission into the various military academies. These academies are Indian Military Academy(IMA), Indian Naval Academy(INA), Air Force Academy(AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy(OTA).
To create a preparation strategy, all the candidates at first must be aware of the CDS Exam Pattern and the syllabus. This article will cover all the details about the CDS Exam Pattern 2024.
This blog will help candidates to understand other details like marking scheme for IMA, INA, AFA and OTA (negative marks for every incorrect answer), duration of each exam and much more.
| UPSC CDS Exam Pattern Overview 2024 | |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Sections | Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA) and Air Force Academy (AFA)- Three Officers’ Training Academy (OTA)- Two |
| Language of exam | Hindi and English |
| Exam Duration | Two hours for each section of the test |
| Total Marks | IMA, INA and AFA- 300 OTA- 200(It consists of 2 exam) |
| Exam Type | MCQ (Multiple Choice question) |
CDS Exam Pattern 2024 is not same for all military academics. The exam conducted for the Officers’ Training Academy(OTA) is slightly different in terms of total number of sections. However, the questions in both papers will be objective type only. The exam will be in both English and Hindi language. Details of the exam are as follows:
There will be three sections in the exam English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. Each section will carry 100 marks and the duration will be 2 hours and for every incorrect answer one third of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted. Maths and GK question paper will be in both English and Hindi language.
| Subjects | Exam Duration | Total Questions | Marks |
| English | 2 hours | 120 | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 hours | 120 | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 2 hours | 100 | 100 |
Elementary Mathematics section is not included in this exam. All other aspects like duration, exam language and total marks, negative marking scheme are same for this exam.
| Subject | Exam Duration | Total Questions | Marks |
| English | 2 hours | 120 | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 hours | 120 | 100 |
CDS written exam is in MCQ format and there will be four options for each question and for every wrong answer, every incorrect answer one third of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted
If for a single question two or more choices have been marked as answers, it will be considered as wrong answer and as of penalty one third of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted same as mentioned above.
There will be no penalty for unattempted questions
| CDS Exam Details | Mathematics | English Exam | General Knowledge |
| Total marks | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Marks for Negative marking | -0.33 marks for each wrong answer | -0.33 marks for each wrong answer | -0.33 marks for each wrong answer |
Now you are aware of the exam pattern and marking scheme, have a look at the basic overview of the CDS exam Syllabus.
This section will evaluates candidates’ understanding of English. The level of English will be such as may be expected of a graduate of an Indian University.
Topics covered in CDS OTA examination are GK and English and the syllabus is same as for INA, IMA, and AFA. The only difference is that OTA exam doesn’t include mathematics.
Yes, for every wrong answer one third of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted.
No, the exam pattern for OTA is slightly different from IMA, INA, and AFA because these 3 have three sections in exam (English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics), while OTA has only two (English and General Knowledge) but the syllabus is same for all.
General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics exam is in both Hindi and English language.
No, Maths is not included in OTA exam.
Bachelor's degree is necessary from a UGC(University Grants Commission) recognized university.
It is important to understand the CDS Exam Pattern 2024 for all the candidates who are aiming to join Indian armed force, this will help them to prepare for the exam. For IMA, INA, and AFA, there will be three exams: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics, 100 marks each and. Syllabus for OTA candidates is same, the only difference is that they don’t have to give Maths exam. So, create your study schedule based on the exam syllabus, and prepare for your CDS Exam 2024.
If you need help for the CDS exam, Cadets Defence Academy, Best CDS Coaching in Dehradun will help you do so. With our experts guidance and comprehensive study materials, you will have all the skills and knowledge required to prepare for CDS exam.
UPSC has fixed CDS 1 2027 for 11 April 2027, with the notification on 2 December 2026. Official dates, seats, expected age limits, exam pattern and a 22-week plan.
UPSC has fixed the NDA 1 2027 exam for 11 April 2027, with the notification on 2 December 2026. Official dates, expected eligibility, exam pattern and a 22-week plan.
How to Pass the OIR Test (Officer Intelligence Rating) with High Grades Table of Contents What Is the OIR Test in SSB? The OIR test is a reasoning test conducted on Day 1 of SSB screening to assess your logical thinking, speed, and problem-solving skills. OIR stands for Officer Intelligence Rating. The test includes basic school-level questions on verbal and non-verbal reasoning, such as number series, analogies, coding-decoding, and patterns. To score high grades, practise regularly, improve accuracy, and manage time effectively. Aim to solve each question within 25–30 seconds to perform well in the test. The test usually has two booklets: Part Questions (approx.) Time (approx.) What it tests Verbal reasoning 40–50 17–30 minutes Words, numbers, logic Non-verbal reasoning 40–50 17–30 minutes Shapes, figures, patterns The exact count and time change from batch to batch, so always follow the testing officer’s instructions. The OIR is part of the SSB stage that follows the written exams such as NDA, CDS and AFCAT, so it matters for every defence aspirant. OIR Rating Scale: What Each Grade Means A higher OIR grade means a higher chance of staying in the SSB after Day 1 screening, and OIR-1 is the best rating. The board looks at your rating together with your PPDT performance, mostly when your result is borderline. The score bands below are commonly shared by SSB mentors. Treat them as a rough guide, because the official cut-offs are not published. Rating Level Approx. score Effect on screening OIR-1 Outstanding 90% and above Strong support if PPDT is average OIR-2 Excellent 80–89% Safe zone OIR-3 Good 70–79% PPDT must be strong OIR-4 Average 60–69% Higher risk of screen-out OIR-5 Low Below 60% Very difficult to continue So, aim for OIR-1 or OIR-2. A strong rating also supports your Officer Like Qualities (OLQ) profile during the rest of the SSB. OIR Test Syllabus: Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning The OIR syllabus has two parts: verbal reasoning (words, numbers, logic) and non-verbal reasoning (pictures and shapes). Both parts come from Class 10 level reasoning, so regular practice is enough to master them. Verbal Reasoning Topics Verbal reasoning questions test your ability to read short statements and reach the right answer fast. Practise these topics: Number and alphabet series: find the missing term in a pattern. Learn squares up to 20 and cubes up to 10. Coding-decoding: if a word is coded by shifting letters, decode a new word. Write A–Z with numbers on your rough sheet first. Blood relations: draw a small family tree instead of solving in your head. Direction sense: sketch the path with arrows and find the final direction or distance. Dictionary order and ranking: arrange words or people in order and pick the correct position. Analogies and odd one out: spot the link between words quickly. Non-Verbal Reasoning Topics Non-verbal reasoning questions test how well you can see patterns and spatial changes in figures. Focus on these: Figure series: track rotation, shading and movement of shapes. Dice and cubes: use the common-face rule to find the opposite face. Mirror and water images: check which side the mirror is placed on. Embedded figures: find a small shape hidden in a bigger drawing. Paper folding and cutting: unfold the paper step by step in your mind. Do not skip non-verbal practice. Many candidates are weaker here, so a little extra time can lift your overall rating. Time Management: The 3-Sweep Method 30-Day OIR Practice Plan A 30-day plan of daily timed practice is enough to improve speed and accuracy for most aspirants. Follow this simple schedule: Days 1–10 (Learn): revise formulas, tricks and shortcuts for each topic. Solve 20 questions daily without a timer. Days 11–20 (Speed): solve 40 mixed questions in 20 minutes. Note your mistakes in a small diary. Days 21–30 (Test): attempt one full verbal and one full non-verbal mock daily under exam rules. Review wrong answers the same day. Use a standard reasoning book and previous SSB-style practice sets. Practise on paper, not on a phone, because the real test uses a printed booklet and an OMR sheet. Also read the official updates on Join Indian Army so you know the selection process well. Common Mistakes to Avoid The most common OIR mistakes are spending too long on one question, leaving bubbles blank and ignoring non-verbal practice. Avoid these errors: Getting stuck on a favourite topic and wasting minutes. Marking answers in the wrong OMR row. Practising without a timer. Learning tricks but never taking full mock tests. Reaching the centre tired because of late-night study. Sleep well before Day 1. A calm mind solves reasoning questions faster. How Cadets Defence Academy Can Help Cadets Defence Academy in Dehradun helps aspirants prepare for the OIR test through regular practice, mock tests and guidance from experienced mentors. Our students get Day 1 training along with the full SSB process, including PPDT, psychology tests and GTO tasks. Explore our SSB coaching in Dehradun to practise under real board conditions. If you are preparing for the written exam first, see our NDA coaching, NDA Foundation course or CDS coaching. You can also pick up our defence exam books, and register online for the upcoming batch. Final Words Scoring a high OIR rating becomes easier with smart practice. Learn the verbal and non-verbal topics, use the 3-sweep method, attempt every question, and take timed mocks daily. A strong OIR rating gives you a safer start on Day 1 of the SSB. Start early, stay consistent, and take expert guidance from Cadets Defence Academy, Dehradun, to move closer to your officer dream. Frequently Asked Questions What is a good score in the OIR test? A score of about 80% or more, which usually gives OIR-1 or OIR-2, is considered good. Official cut-offs are not published, so aim as high as you can. Is there negative marking in the OIR test? No, the OIR test has no negative marking. Attempt every question, and guess the remaining ones in the last minute. How many