UPSC CDS: papers, duration, marks and negative marking
The UPSC CDS written examination has three papers for the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Air Force Academy — English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics — each of 2 hours and 100 marks, and two papers (English and General Knowledge) for the Officers' Training Academy, per the CDS (II) 2026 notice.
Scheme of the written examination
| Admission to | Papers | Duration | Maximum marks (written) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy | English; General Knowledge; Elementary Mathematics | 2 hours each | 100 each — 300 in total |
| Officers' Training Academy | English; General Knowledge | 2 hours each | 100 each — 200 in total |
Marking and standard
- All papers consist of objective type questions only.
- Penalty for wrong answers: 1/3 of the marks assigned to the question is deducted for each wrong answer; marking more than one answer is treated as a wrong answer.
- The maximum marks for the interview equal those of the written examination for each course.
- The Elementary Mathematics paper is of Matriculation level; the other papers are at the level expected of a graduate of an Indian university.
- The Commission has discretion to fix qualifying marks in any or all subjects.
- Figures are from UPSC Examination Notice No. 11/2026-CDS-II; check the notice for the cycle you sit.
Frequently asked questions
- How many papers are there in the UPSC CDS written exam?
- Three for IMA, INA and AFA (English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics) and two for OTA (English, General Knowledge), each of 2 hours and 100 marks.
- Is there negative marking in CDS?
- Yes. For each wrong answer, 1/3 of the marks assigned to that question is deducted.
- What are the total written marks in CDS?
- 300 for IMA, INA and AFA, and 200 for OTA.