If you’ve ever dreamt of wearing the uniform and serving the nation, the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination is your gateway. Conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), this exam opens doors to the best CDS coaching in India, the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun, the Indian Naval Academy (INA) in Ezhimala, the Air Force Academy (AFA) in Hyderabad, and the Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai.
For many aspirants, CDS 1 2026 is not only an exam, it is also a journey, a life ambition, and a dream of service, discipline, and honour. We will take you through everything we think you ought to know about – syllabus and eligibility, strategy and study plan, fitness, motivation, and more – to help you put your best foot forward in CDS 1 2026.
What is CDS 1 2026?
The CDS exam is held twice per year in April and September. The exam itself is pen-and-paper-based, and followed by an SSB interview and medical exam. The successful candidates will separate themselves from the pack and be afforded the opportunity of training at one of these elite academies mentioned above.
Additionally, there are eligibility criteria – you should be an Indian citizen (or subject of Nepal/Bhutan), have a degree that is applicable, and satisfy the expected age criteria are as follows: IMA (19 to 24 years), INA (19 to 22 years), AFA (20 to 24 years), OTA (up to 25 years). Men can apply for this academy, while only women can apply for the OTA.
The Exam Pattern for the CDS I 2026
The pattern for the written performance differs slightly based on which Academy you are being recruited for.
For IMA, INA, and AFA, there will be three papers; specifically, English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics; each worth 100 marks with a duration of 2 Hrs. However, OTA students only need to attempt English and General Knowledge.
When you qualify in the written performance, you will likely have to attempt the SSB Interview, which will really test your personality, leadership instincts, and presence of mind. The SSB is worth 300 marks if you are going to IMA / INA / AFA, and worth 200 marks if you are going to OTA.
Let us break down the Syllabus for CDS.
English will test your grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, and sentence construction. Practicing vocabulary on a daily basis and being a reader will shift your level of performance to a different level. The newspapers, The Hindu, The Indian Express … could become your best buddies. You may also use books such as Wren & Martin and Word Smart. Power Made Easy will improve your grammar and vocabulary.
General Knowledge encapsulates everything under the sun, from news items and defence exercises to Indian polity, history, geography, economy, and basic science. The best preparation is to lay your foundation with the NCERT books from classes 6 to 10 and complete the monthly current affairs magazines.
The Mathematics that is asked (IMA, INA, AFA) is made up of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. The problems are easy but must be done correctly and quickly. Practice is the key! Go through the NCERTs, keep a separate notebook of formulas, and try and solve at least one previous year paper every week.
Six-Month Study Plan for CDS 1 2026
First, you have to build your foundations. The first two months should be spent revisiting the NCERTs for the subjects such as Science, History, to work through your Maths fundamentals. December should consist of paper-solving and creating patterns within the questions.
As you hit January, you should start to do sectional mock tests and take note of the areas where you are weak. February can be for speed gain, accuracy testing, and being updated with current affairs. In March, move to full-length mock tests, reviewing and building to exam day. Prepare in April to remain calm, review your notes, and trust your preparation.
The consistency of your studies is more important than the hours of study you achieve. Just having 4 solid hours of work per day with good discipline can take you a long way.
Manage Your Time
A well-balanced daily routine can assist you greatly in successful study preparation. Picture this: you get up early, do some exercising, read some English and grammar practice, eat breakfast, then spend time studying Mathematics, and then some General Knowledge or Current Affairs.
Afternoons are available for notes and/or revision, and evenings are for your extra physical training that could incorporate running, push-ups, or even swimming. After dinner, read the newspaper and get to bed early for a fresh start the next day.
Ultimately, your success will depend not on how much you study, but how consistently you study.
Books that can Help You Succeed
Don’t go roaming around buying text after text and issue after issue; just stick to what you trust. For English, look at Wren & Martin and Pathfinder. For GK, you can use Lucent’s General Knowledge and NCERT. Daily read the Hindu newspaper and get a magazine like Pratiyogita Darpan for current events issued monthly. For Maths, combine RS Aggarwal and Pathfinder with the practice you do.
If you’re preparing for the SSB, Let’s Crack SSB Interview by Dr. N.K. Natarajan is essential reading.
How to Deal with SSB Interview
The SSB sometimes conducts an evaluation of your intelligence. You are undergoing a series of assessments relating to your assessment: your personality, teamwork, leadership, decision-making, and so forth. The 5 days consist of a screening test (OIR and PPDT), psychological tests (TAT, WAT, SRT, and self-description test), GTO Tasks (group discussion, outdoor games, and command tasks), a personal interview, and a final conference.
The best method to prepare is to be yourself. Read about the Indian Armed Forces, be aware of what’s going on in the general world around you, and practice your communication and express yourself confidently out loud.
Importance of Physical Fitness
In addition to putting on the uniform, you must be physically fit. Start months before. Run 2.4 kilometers every day, try to run it in under 15 minutes. Also include push-ups, sit up and chin-ups into your training. Adding some rope climbing and swimming may give you a decent advantage.
Eat healthy and focus on protein-rich foods (eggs, dal, milk, etc.), drink plenty of water, and avoid junk. Your stamina and physical strength will most likely be a reflection of your effort long before your results will.
The Final Three Months to CDS 1 2026
This is the stage you spend mostly preparing, assessing, reviewing, and taking mock tests. For additional help, you can have the best CDS coaching in India at Lakshya Academy. Remember to revise your notes every day, while brushing up on formulas and grammar per day. Full-length practice mock, at least ten tests should be completed. Remember, 70 – 90% accuracy is needed since wrong answers lead to partial to total deduction of marks. And more than anything else, your physical and self-care are of utmost importance. Because the more rested you are and the more balanced your diet, and the lower stress level you are in, basically, matters in the long run.
