CDS 2026 English Question Paper PDF | UPSC Exam

Central Government Jobs Administrative / Civil Services 2026

  • Year 2026
  • Conducted By UPSC
  • Questions 120
  • Maximum Marks 100
  • Duration Two Hours
  • Languages English

Exam Details

Detail Information
Examination Combined Defence Services Examination
Year 2026
Conducting Body UPSC
Paper English
Subject English
Duration Two Hours
Maximum Marks 100
Number of Questions 120
Question Type Objective (MCQ)

This document contains the official question paper for the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) I, conducted by UPSC in 2026. The paper is for the English subject, carrying a maximum of 100 marks and a time duration of two hours. It is an objective-type paper designed to test candidates' proficiency in the English language. Aspirants can use this paper for practice and to understand the exam pattern and difficulty level. This previous year Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026 question paper (2026) is useful for Administrative / Civil Services aspirants preparing for Central government recruitment. The paper was conducted by UPSC and reflects the official exam pattern, marking scheme and difficulty level seen in recent cycles. Use it for timed practice, topic-wise revision and understanding how questions are framed in the real examination. Download the free PDF on QuizCurrent to read instructions, attempt MCQs and compare your answers with the study notes provided on this page. Key syllabus areas include English Language, Vocabulary, Grammar, Comprehension. Useful for Combined Defence Services Examination preparation. Helps understand the latest exam pattern. Useful for practice and self-assessment.

Major Topics Covered

  • English Language
  • Vocabulary
  • Grammar
  • Comprehension

Why This Paper is Important

  • Useful for Combined Defence Services Examination preparation
  • Helps understand the latest exam pattern
  • Useful for practice and self-assessment
  • Covers frequently asked General Studies topics
  • Helpful for analysing question trends

Related Resources

  • CDS 2026 General Knowledge Question Paper
  • CDS 2026 Mathematics Question Paper
  • CDS 2025 English Question Paper
  • CDS 2026 English Answer Key
  • CDS English Syllabus
  • UPSC Exam Syllabus
  • CDS Exam Pattern
  • UPSC Exam Pattern

Instructions

  • THIS TEST BOOKLET DOES NOT HAVE ANY UNPRINTED OR TORN OR MISSING PAGES OR ITEMS, ETC.
  • IF SO, GET IT REPLACED BY A COMPLETE TEST BOOKLET.
  • Please note that it is the candidate's responsibility to encode and fill in the Roll Number and Test
  • Booklet Series A, B, C or D carefully and without any omission or discrepancy at the appropriate places in the OMR Answer Sheet.
  • Any omission/discrepancy will render the Answer Sheet liable for rejection.
  • You have to enter your Roll Number on the
  • Test Booklet in the Box provided alongside.
  • DO NOT write anything else on the Test Booklet.
  • This Test Booklet contains 120 items (questions).
  • Each item comprises four responses (answers).
  • will select the response which you want to mark on the Answer Sheet.
  • In case you feel that there is more than one correct response, mark the response which you consider the best.
  • In any case, choose ONLY ONE response for each item.
  • You have to mark all your responses ONLY on the separate Answer Sheet provided.
  • Before you proceed to mark in the Answer Sheet the response to various items in the Test Booklet,
  • you have to fill in some particulars in the Answer Sheet as per instructions sent to you with your Admission Certificate.
  • After you have completed filling in all your responses on the Answer Sheet and the examination has
  • concluded, you should hand over to the Invigilator only the Answer Sheet.
  • You are permitted to take away with you the Test Booklet.
  • Sheets for rough work are appended in the Test Booklet at the end.
  • THERE WILL BE PENALTY FOR WRONG ANSWERS MARKED BY A CANDIDATE IN THE OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTION PAPERS.
  • There are four alternatives for the answer to every question.
  • For each question for which a wrong answer (i) has been given by the candidate, one-third of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as penalty.
  • If a candidate gives more than one answer, it will be treated as a wrong answer even if one of the given answers happens to be correct and there will be same penalty as above to that question.
  • (ii) If a question is left blank, i.e., no answer is given by the candidate, there will be no penalty for that (iii) question.
  • DO NOT OPEN THIS TEST BOOKLET UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO

Questions (page 2)

Q1. Pontoon means a wooden platform and

  • (a) Platoon means a bamboo structure Pontoon means a group of soldiers and
  • (b) Platoon means a series of bunkers Pontoon means a temporary bridge and
  • (c) Platoon means a group of soldiers Pontoon means a group of people and
  • (d) Platoon means a temporary bridge Invoke and Revoke

Q2. Invoke means to invite trouble for doing

  • (a) something and Revoke means to repay debts Invoke means to use the law to
  • (b) achieve something and Revoke means to officially cancel permission or agreement Invoke means to use the law to achieve
  • (c) something and Revoke means to ignore legal procedures Invoke means to usher newness and
  • (d) Revoke means to stick to tradition Imminent and Eminent

Q3. immobile and Imminent means

  • (2) KPRS-F-NGE able and Libel
  • (a) Eminent means extremely large Imminent means extremely large and
  • (b) Eminent means immobile Imminent means famous and respected
  • (c) and Eminent means happening soon Imminent means happening soon and
  • (d) Eminent means famous and respected

Q4. Liable means being legally responsible and Libel means publishing something that is false Liable means publishing something that is false and Libel means being legally responsible Liable means the willingness to understand and Libel means being generous 的复数形式 计内存 Liable means being generous and Libel means the willingness to understand

  • (a) means
  • (b) the
  • (c) willingness
  • (d) to

Q5. credible and Incredulous Incredible means impossible to understand something and Incredulous means extremely grateful Incredible means difficult to believe and ١ Incredulous means not willing to believe something Incredible means not willing to believe and Incredulous means difficult to believe something Incredible means extremely grateful ) and Incredulous means impossible to understand something

  • (a) means
  • (b) impossible
  • (c) to
  • (d) understand

Q6. imatic and Climactic Climatic means related to climate and Climactic means the most exciting part of a story or situation Climatic means the most exciting part ) of a story or situation and Climactic means related to climate Climatic means scientific study of climate and Climactic means climbing to the top of something Climatic means climbing to the top of ) something and Climactic means the scientific study of climate

  • (a) the
  • (b) scientific
  • (c) study
  • (d) of

Question paper preview

Scanned pages 1–2 for reference. Download the official PDF for the full paper.

Page 1
CDS I 2026 English question paper page 1 instructions scan PDF download UPSC Combined Defence Services Examination
Page 2
CDS I 2026 English question paper page 1 instructions scan PDF download UPSC Combined Defence Services Examination

Free question paper download

Download question paper PDF

  • 14.7 MB
  • 24 pages
  • PDF format

Frequently asked questions

What is the full name of the exam?

The full name of the exam is the Combined Defence Services Examination.

Which year is this question paper for?

This question paper is for the Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2026.

Who conducts the Combined Defence Services Examination?

The Combined Defence Services Examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

What is the subject of this question paper?

This question paper is for the English subject.

What is the maximum marks for the English paper?

The maximum marks for the English paper is 100.

What is the time allowed for the English paper?

The time allowed for the English paper is Two Hours.

← Back to Administrative / Civil Services papers · Central Government Jobs