Anion-doped cadmium sulphide nanomaterials have been synthesized by using combustion method at normal atmospheric conditions. Oxidant/fuel ratios have been optimized in order to obtain CdS with best characteristics. Formation of CdS and size of crystallite were identified by X-ray diffraction and confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the presence of C and N in the CdS matrix. The observed enhanced photocatalytic activity of the CdS nanomaterials for the hydrogen production from water (2120 mu mol/h) can be attributed to high crystallinity, low band gap and less exciton recombination due to the C and N doping.