100+ Free UPSC CDS II Practice Questions
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Key Facts: UPSC CDS II Exam
3 papers
English, GK & Maths (IMA/INA/AFA)
UPSC CDS Notification
300 marks
Total Written Marks (IMA/INA/AFA)
UPSC CDS Notification
2 hours
Duration per Paper
UPSC CDS Notification
1/3 mark
Negative Marking per Wrong Answer
UPSC CDS Notification
Rs 200
Application Fee (General/OBC male)
UPSC
Twice a year
CDS I and CDS II Sittings
UPSC
UPSC CDS (II) is the second yearly sitting of the Combined Defence Services Examination. IMA, INA, and AFA candidates sit three objective papers — English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics — each 100 marks for two hours, totalling 300 marks; OTA candidates take only English and General Knowledge for 200 marks. Every wrong answer loses one-third of that question's marks, and the written test is followed by the SSB Interview.
Sample UPSC CDS II Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your UPSC CDS II exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Spot the error in the following sentence: 'Each of the boys / have submitted / their assignment / on time.'
2Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to 'CANDID'.
3Choose the word most nearly the SAME in meaning to 'ABATE'.
4Fill in the blank with the correct preposition: 'The committee will deliberate ______ the proposal tomorrow.'
5Select the correctly spelt word.
6Choose the option that best improves the underlined part: 'No sooner did he arrive THAN the meeting began.'
7Choose the correct meaning of the idiom: 'to bury the hatchet'.
8Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word: 'Despite the heavy rain, the soldiers continued their march with great ______.'
9Spot the error: 'He is one of the / most intelligent / student / in the class.'
10Choose the word most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to 'FRUGAL'.
About the UPSC CDS II Exam
The Combined Defence Services Examination (II) is the second annual sitting of UPSC's CDS exam, the gateway to commissioned officer training at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers Training Academy (OTA). For IMA, INA, and AFA candidates the written test has three objective papers — English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics — each carrying 100 marks for two hours, totalling 300 marks; OTA candidates take only English and General Knowledge for 200 marks. All questions are multiple-choice, and one-third of the marks assigned to a question are deducted for each wrong answer. Candidates who clear the written exam are called for the SSB Interview, which carries marks equal to the written test.
Questions
340 scored questions
Time Limit
2 hours per paper (6 hours total for IMA/INA/AFA; 4 hours for OTA)
Passing Score
Sectional minimum near 20% per subject plus an overall qualifying mark fixed by UPSC each cycle
Exam Fee
Rs 200 for General/OBC male candidates; female and SC/ST candidates exempt (Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), conducted offline at notified centres across India)
UPSC CDS II Exam Content Outline
English
Spotting errors, synonyms and antonyms, sentence improvement, ordering of words and sentences, fill in the blanks, idioms, and reading comprehension (120 objective questions)
General Knowledge
Indian history, geography, polity, economics, general science, current affairs, and defence awareness (120 objective questions)
Elementary Mathematics
Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, mensuration, and statistics at matriculation level (100 objective questions; IMA/INA/AFA only)
How to Pass the UPSC CDS II Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Sectional minimum near 20% per subject plus an overall qualifying mark fixed by UPSC each cycle
- Exam length: 340 questions
- Time limit: 2 hours per paper (6 hours total for IMA/INA/AFA; 4 hours for OTA)
- Exam fee: Rs 200 for General/OBC male candidates; female and SC/ST candidates exempt
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
UPSC CDS II Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UPSC CDS II examination?
The Combined Defence Services Examination (II) is the second annual sitting conducted by UPSC to select candidates for officer training at the IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA. It is an offline objective multiple-choice written test followed by the SSB Interview.
What papers and how many questions are in CDS II?
For IMA, INA, and AFA there are three papers — English (120 questions), General Knowledge (120 questions), and Elementary Mathematics (100 questions) — each carrying 100 marks. OTA candidates take only English and General Knowledge.
How long is each CDS II paper?
Each paper lasts two hours. IMA/INA/AFA candidates therefore sit a total of six hours across three papers, while OTA candidates sit four hours across two papers.
Is there negative marking in CDS II?
Yes. For every wrong answer, one-third (about 0.33) of the marks assigned to that question is deducted. There is no penalty for questions left unattempted, so candidates should attempt only items they can reason out.
How much does the CDS II exam cost?
The application fee is Rs 200 for General and OBC male candidates. Female candidates and SC/ST candidates are exempt from paying the fee.
What marks are needed to qualify CDS II?
UPSC sets a sectional minimum (around 20% in each subject) and an overall qualifying mark for each academy in every cycle. The exact cut-off is published after the exam and varies by academy and competition.
How many times is CDS held each year?
CDS is conducted twice a year — CDS I and CDS II. There is no fixed limit on attempts as long as the candidate remains within the prescribed age range for the chosen academy.
What happens after the CDS II written exam?
Candidates who clear the written test are shortlisted for the SSB Interview, which carries marks equal to the written examination, followed by a medical examination and document verification before joining the relevant academy.