Latest update — 6 October 2026
This guide supports CDS 2026–27 preparation using the latest published CDS II scheme and official papers. CDS I 2027 is provisionally scheduled for 11 April; its notification is planned for 2 December 2026.
At a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Latest examination | CDS II 2026, held 13 September |
| Next calendar date | CDS I 2027, 11 April; tentative |
| Current syllabus reference | CDS II 2026 official notification; recheck the next notification |
| Academy choice | OTA uses English and GK; IMA/INA/AFA also require Mathematics |
What to use for the current session
Use the most recent official syllabus and the actual question papers for practice. Keep academy-specific eligibility and paper combinations together. The 2027 calendar supplies planning dates; it does not confirm new vacancies or carry forward birth-date cut-offs.
Official notification and syllabus PDF
Detailed guide: CDS 2026–27: Notification, Exam Dates, Eligibility, Syllabus & Latest Updates
Detailed guide: CDS General Knowledge Preparation 2026–27: Syllabus & Revision
CDS official detailed notification and Appendix I
CDS written papers at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| IMA, INA and AFA | English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics; 100 marks and 2 hours for each paper |
| OTA | English and General Knowledge only; 100 marks and 2 hours each |
| Question format | Objective; GK and Mathematics booklets are in Hindi and English |
| Wrong-answer penalty | One-third of the marks assigned to the question; no penalty for a blank answer |
English and General Knowledge coverage
English tests understanding and practical use of words. GK includes current events, everyday scientific understanding, Indian history and geography. Use the official syllabus and actual papers to select revision topics. Do not copy a three-paper timetable that spends an OTA-only candidate’s study time preparing a paper outside this written combination.
SSB: the next selection stage
SSB Stage I includes Officer Intelligence Rating and Picture Perception and Description tests. Stage II includes interview, group tasks, psychology tests and conference. Candidates must first clear Stage I to proceed. The OTA SSB maximum is 200; written qualification does not guarantee SSB recommendation or academy admission.
Preparation and records
Practise both papers under timed conditions and review negative-marking losses. Keep academic and identity documents consistent, and use only the official SSB/call-letter instructions for reporting and certificates. No unofficial fee or “guaranteed recommendation” service is part of the published selection process.
Related guides and official practice papers
Current CDS eligibility · Complete examination pattern · Subject syllabus · Official previous-paper library.
Choose the correct year, session and subject. An official question paper is not automatically an answer key. Keep coaching explanations separate from UPSC-issued keys, and do not carry an old application deadline into a future study plan.
OTA written examination
Candidates seeking Officers’ Training Academy through CDS take English and General Knowledge. Each paper lasts two hours and carries 100 marks, so the written maximum is 200. There is no Elementary Mathematics paper in this combination. This does not remove the need to satisfy every other eligibility and selection condition.
OTA men and women: match the entry
The notified men’s and women’s OTA entries have separate vacancies and merit treatment. Use your own entry and course, and verify the relevant marital-status, education and proof-submission requirements. A result for another entry cannot establish your status.
2027 session planning
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| CDS I / NDA I notification | 2 December 2026 |
| CDS I / NDA I application deadline | 22 December 2026 |
| CDS I / NDA I examination | 11 April 2027 |
| CDS II / NDA II notification | 12 May 2027 |
| CDS II / NDA II application deadline | 1 June 2027 |
| CDS II / NDA II examination | 19 September 2027 |
The calendar provides dates. The next notification must establish its vacancies, eligibility cut-offs and application rules.
Related preparation resources
CDS previous-year papers · CDS syllabus checklist · 3- and 6-month study plans · CDS cut-off guide. Begin with the academy-specific paper combination, then practise official questions under each paper’s time limit.
Official sources
Checked on 6 October 2026. Later official amendments take precedence. Preparation plans are GovtAdhikari editorial guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Does a preparation plan guarantee selection?
No. Written qualification, SSB, medical suitability, eligibility and available vacancies all matter.
Is Mathematics required for OTA?
Not in the OTA written examination. Candidates seeking IMA, INA or AFA take it under the cited scheme.
Can I use the same rules for a later examination?
Use this as preparation guidance and recheck the notification for the actual session you enter.