The CDS exam has three papers for IMA, INA and Air Force Academy — English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics, each of 100 marks and two hours.
For Officers Training Academy (OTA) there are only two papers: English and General Knowledge.
English tests comprehension, grammar and vocabulary. General Knowledge covers current affairs, history, geography, polity and science.
Elementary Mathematics is roughly Class 10 level — arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry and statistics.
Candidates clearing the written exam go through the SSB interview and medical examination.
Always confirm the detailed syllabus from the official UPSC CDS notification for the current year.