📅 Published on: 11.12.2025
UPSC CDS Previous Year Paper — Introduction
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination twice every year to recruit officers for the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA).
For effective preparation, analyzing and solving the UPSC CDS Previous Year Paper is considered the most important step. These papers help candidates understand the difficulty level, question patterns, and frequently asked topics.
Many toppers strongly recommend completing at least 10 years of UPSC CDS previous year paper because it improves accuracy, builds confidence, and strengthens time management. In this detailed guide you will get the complete exam pattern, last year’s cutoff, download links, best books, expert tips, and FAQs — everything you need for CDS preparation.
UPSC CDS Exam Pattern
Before solving the UPSC CDS previous year paper, every aspirant must understand the exam structure. The CDS exam has two different patterns — one for IMA/INA/AFA and another for OTA.
1. Exam Pattern for IMA, INA & AFA
| Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| English | 100 | 2 hours |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 hours |
| Elementary Mathematics | 100 | 2 hours |
2. Exam Pattern for OTA
| Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| English | 100 | 2 hours |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 2 hours |
Negative Marking: There is negative marking in all papers (one-third negative marking for every wrong answer). Solving the UPSC CDS previous year paper helps candidates practice accuracy and learn when to attempt or skip questions to avoid unnecessary penalties.
Solving the UPSC CDS previous year paper in PDF format is extremely useful because you can take printouts and practice in exam-like conditions.
Below are the downloadable papers (you can request the actual PDF files):
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Best Books for CDS Exam Preparation
Using the right books along with solving UPSC CDS previous year paper creates a perfect preparation strategy.
⭐ 1. English
- Pathfinder CDS English – Arihant
- Objective General English – S.P. Bakshi
- Wren & Martin Grammar
⭐ 2. General Knowledge
- Lucent’s GK
- Manorama Yearbook
- NCERT Books (6–12th) for Polity, Geography, History
- Daily newspaper (The Hindu / Indian Express)
⭐ 3. Mathematics
- Pathfinder CDS Mathematics – Arihant
- RS Aggarwal Quantitative Aptitude
- NCERT Maths (6–10th)
Expert Tips for CDS Preparation
1. Solve at least 10 years of UPSC CDS Previous Year Paper
- Helps you understand the exact pattern and difficulty level of the exam.
- Builds confidence as you become familiar with frequently asked topics.
- Improves speed and accuracy in real exam-like conditions.
- Shows how questions are framed in English and GK.
- Identifies weak areas for targeted revision.
- Reduces exam fear due to familiarity with question types.
2. Make a fixed timetable
- Ensures disciplined study without last-minute pressure.
- Balances time across English, GK, and Maths.
- Covers the syllabus gradually and effectively.
- Makes revision easier with consistent daily routine.
- Improves long-term retention through steady practice.
3. Strengthen NCERTs
- Provides a strong foundation for General Knowledge.
- Many CDS questions come from NCERT-based concepts.
- Covers Polity, History, Geography & Science fundamentals.
- Previous papers help identify which NCERT topics repeat.
- Makes advanced GK books easier to understand.
4. Practice English comprehension and grammar daily
- Improves command over scoring English section.
- Enhances comprehension speed and analytical ability.
- Strengthens grammar for error spotting and sentence improvement.
- Boosts vocabulary through regular reading.
- Reveals repeated English question patterns through PYQs.
5. Give weekly mock tests
- Shows your current preparation level.
- Helps manage time under pressure.
- Highlights weak areas for improvement.
- Reduces negative marking through error analysis.
- Builds exam temperament and consistency.
6. Focus on Current Affairs (Last 1 year)
- Majority of GK questions relate to recent events.
- Defence exercises and military updates are crucial for CDS.
- Government schemes and economic news appear frequently.
- Improves SSB interview performance.
- Daily news habits improve overall awareness.
7. Maintain Physical Fitness
- Fitness matters in SSB interviews and medical tests.
- Good stamina helps in physical tasks during SSB.
- Boosts confidence and mental sharpness.
- Reflects discipline and suitability for defence life.
- Creates a healthy and productive routine.
Conclusion
The UPSC CDS previous year paper is the most powerful tool for effective preparation. It helps understand question trends, difficulty levels, and repeated concepts. Combined with the right books, mock tests, and consistent practice, it significantly increases your chances of selection in IMA, INA, AFA, or OTA. Whether you're a beginner or a repeater, solve every previous year paper seriously, analyze mistakes, and keep improving.
FAQs – UPSC CDS Previous Year Paper
UPSC CDS previous year papers reveal exam patterns, difficulty levels, and frequently asked topics. Solving them boosts accuracy, speed, and confidence by familiarizing you with real exam questions.
At least 10 years of CDS previous year papers should be solved. Papers from 2010–2024 help you understand long-term question trends and improve overall exam readiness.
Yes, many concepts and question patterns are repeated, especially in English and GK. Practicing PYQs helps identify these repeated formats easily.
Yes, many students clear CDS without coaching by studying NCERTs, good books, and solving previous year papers consistently. Discipline and regular mock tests are key.
Yes, CDS has one-third negative marking for each wrong answer. Practicing PYQs helps reduce unnecessary mistakes and improves accuracy.
Pathfinder CDS English and SP Bakshi’s Objective General English are considered the best. They cover grammar, comprehension, and exam-pattern-based practice questions.
You can request the complete PDF set here. I will prepare and share subject-wise CDS previous year papers, or a combined ZIP file as per your requirement.
