CDS Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2025, Subject-wise Syllabus PDF

Q: Q 1. Are the subjects and syllabus same for IMA and OTA exam?

Ans. No. The IMA have 3 subjects while OTA have only different subjects.

Q: Q 2. How many time CDS is conducted in a year.?

Ans. UPSC Conduct CDS two times in a year.

Q: Q 3. How many attempts are allowed to appear for CDS exams.?

Ans. There is no such restrictions on the number of attempts of CDS.

Q: Q 4. Is it compulsory to join a coaching for CDS exam?

Ans. No,.it is not compulsory to join a coaching for CDS exam.

Q: Q 5. What is the level of Maths in CDS exam?

Ans. The level of Mathematics is till 10th standard only.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination, which is the sought-after defence exam in the country, held twice a year to recruit candidates in the Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Indian Air Force Academy. All the candidates who are going to appear in the CDS 1 exam must go through the UPSC CDS Syllabus to effectively prepare for the exam. The syllabus helps the candidates to get an idea of all the topics which they would be facing in the examination.

UPSC CDS Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2025

The UPSC CDS 1 Exam 2025 is scheduled for 13th April 2025 and the CDS 2 Exam will be conducted on 14th September 2025. The CDS syllabus includes 3 subjects: English, General Knowledge, and Mathematics. Understanding the UPSC CDS Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2025 is an important part of exam preparation as it allows candidates to prioritize their study plan and focus on the relevant topics.

CDS Syllabus 2025
Exam Conducting Body	Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Exam Name	Combined Defence Services (CDS 1 2025)
Mode of exam	Offline
CDS 1 Exam Date 2025	13th April 2025
Number of sections	Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA) and Air Force Academy (AFA) – Three Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) – Two
Total marks of the test	IMA, INA and AFA – 300 OTA - 200
Nature of questions	Objective type
Language of question paper	Hindi and English
Duration of the test	2 hours for each section of the test

CDS Admit Card 2025 Out - Click to Download

CDS Question Paper 2025 - Click to Check

CDS Exam Pattern 2025

Candidates gearing up for the CDS 2025 Exam must thoroughly understand the exam pattern to prepare effectively to get an idea of the latest format, number of questions, maximum marks, and marking scheme followed by the authority.

CDS Exam Pattern for Written Exam

The exam pattern for Admission to Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy has been shared here.

The CDS Exam comprises 3 subjects namely, English, general knowledge, and elementary mathematics.
The exam will consist of objective-type questions.
The question papers on General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics will be set bilingually in Hindi and English.
Time duration will be provided 02 hours for each subject.

Subject	Duration	Maximum marks
English	2 hours	100
General Knowledge	2 hours	100
Elementary Mathematics	2 hours	100

CDS Exam Pattern for Officers’ Training Academy (OTA)

The questions will consist of objective-type questions.
The question papers for General Knowledge will be set in bilingually in Hindi and English.
The exam will comprise 02 subjects, English and General Knowledge, and each subject consists of 100 marks.
The time duration for each subject is 02 hours.

Subjects	Duration	Maximum marks
English	2 hours	100
General Knowledge	2 hours	100

Marking Scheme for UPSC CDS Exam

Negative marking is applicable for every wrong-marked answer. In the CDS 2025 paper, each question carries 4 options and out of which only 1 option is correct. For each incorrect answer, 1/3 of the marks will be deducted. More than one marked option is treated as incorrect. However, if a question is left unanswered there will be no negative marking.

CDS Syllabus 2025- Subject-Wise Syllabus

The detailed syllabus for all three subjects, including English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics are tabulated below.

CDS English Syllabus

The CDS English syllabus for English Language comprises questions to evaluate the candidates’ understanding of fundamental English Grammar. Topics included in this section are Synonyms & Antonyms, idioms, Phrases etc.

Spotting Errors Questions
Sentence Arrangement Questions
Synonyms & Antonyms
Selecting Words
Ordering of Sentence
Reading Comprehension Questions
Ordering of words in a sentence
Fill in the blanks questions
Idioms and Phrases
Sentence Improvements or Sentence Corrections

CDS General Knowledge (GK) Syllabus

The CDS General Knowledge section tests candidates’ general understanding and awareness of what is happening around the world. It covers subjects like Political Science, History, Economics, and Geography, etc.

Economics
Physics
Current Affairs
Politics
Chemistry
Sociology
History
Defence related Award
Geography
Environment
Sport
Biology
Cultural
Book

CDS Mathematics Syllabus

The CDS syllabus for Maths comprises topics Algebra, Arithmetic, Trigonometry, Geometry, Statistics etc. The exam for mathematics will be held for a total of 100 marks.

Sections	Topics
Algebra	Basic Operations Simple factors * Remainder Theorem * H.C.F. * L.C.M. * Theory of polynomials * solutions of quadratic equations * relation between its roots and coefficients (Only real roots to be considered) * Simultaneous linear equations in two unknowns—analytical and graphical solutions * Simultaneous linear inequations in two variables and their solutions * Practical problems leading to two simultaneous linear equations or inequations in two variables or quadratic equations in one variable & their solutions * Set language and set notation * Rational expressions and conditional identities * Laws of indices
Arithmetic	* Number System: Natural numbers, Integers, Rational and Real numbers. * Fundamental operations: addition, substraction, multiplication, division, Square roots, Decimal fractions * Unitary method * time and distance * time and work * percentages * applications to simple and compound interest * profit and loss * ratio and proportion * variation * Elementary Number Theory: Division algorithm * Prime and composite numbers * Tests of divisibility by 2, 3, 4, 5, 9 and 11 * Multiples and factors. Factorisation Theorem * H.C.F. and L.C.M. * Euclidean algorithm * Logarithms to base 10 * laws of logarithms * use of logarithmic tables
Trigonometry	* Sine ×, cosine ×, Tangent × when 0° < × < 90° * Values of sin ×, cos × and tan ×, for ×= 0°, 30°, 45°, 60° and 90° * Simple trigonometric identities * Use of trigonometric tables * Simple cases of heights and distances
Geometry	* Lines and angles * Plane and plane figures * Theorems on Properties of angles at a point * Parallel lines * Sides and angles of a triangle * Congruency of triangles * Similar triangles * Concurrence of medians and altitudes * Properties of angles * sides and diagonals of a Parallelogram * rectangle and square * Circles and its properties including tangents and normals * Loci
Mensuration	* Areas of squares * rectangles * parallelograms * triangle and circle * Areas of figures which can be split up into these figures (Field Book) * Surface area and volume of cuboids * lateral surface and volume of right circular cones and cylinders * surface area and volume of spheres
Statistics	* Collection and tabulation of statistical data * Graphical representation frequency polygons * histograms * bar charts * pie charts etc * Measures of central tendency

UPSC CDS Previous Year Question Paper PDFs

Important Instructions for the CDS Exam

Write only in Black ballpoint pen, your Centre and subject followed by the CDS 2025 test booklet series (in brackets), subject code and the exam roll number at the appropriate space provided on the answer sheet at the top.
Encode your CDS 2025 booklet series (A, B, C, or D as the case may be), subject code and roll number in the circles provided for the purpose in the answer sheet.
In case the CDS booklet series is not printed on the test booklet or the answer sheet is un-numbered then candidates should report immediately to the invigilator and get the test booklet/answer sheet replaced.
Candidates should note that any omission/mistakes/discrepancy in encoding/filling of details in the CDS 2025 OMR answer sheet, especially with regard to the Roll Number and Test Booklet Series Code, will render the answer sheet liable for rejection.
Immediately after the commencement of the CDS 2025 please check that the test booklet supplied to you does not have any unprinted or torn or missing pages or items etc., if so, get it replaced by a complete test booklet of the same series and subject.
Do not write your name or anything other than the specific items of information asked for, on the CDS answer sheet/test booklet/sheet for rough work.
Do not fold or damage or put any extraneous marking over the CDS Answer Sheet. Do not write anything on the reverse of the answer sheet.

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