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CDS Syllabus 2025, Download Subject Wise Syllabus PDF Here

The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), is one of India’s premier exams for selecting candidates for the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). If you’re preparing for the CDS Exam in 2025, it’s essential to be familiar with the updated CDS syllabus and exam pattern to plan your studies effectively. This article provides a comprehensive guide to the CDS Syllabus 2025 for English, General Knowledge, and Mathematics, along with a downloadable PDF.

CDS Syllabus 2025

The CDS Syllabus 2025 consists of three paper which is English, Mathematics and General Knowledge. Candidates preparing for the UPSC CDS Recruit should have an idea about the Syllabus and Exam Pattern. In this article, we have discussed the syllabus of the CDS exam along with the CDS Exam Pattern 2025 for the subject topic. Candidates have the option to select from categories like the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers’ Training Academy.

Overview
Name of the Exam Combined Defence Forces (CDS)
Conducting Body Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Exam Conducted in A Year Twice a Year
Mode of Examination Offline
Type of Questions Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Medium Hindi or English
Number of Questions
  • IMA/INA/AFA – 300
  • OTA – 200
Time Duration 2 hours for each paper
Negative Marking Yes (1/3rd deducted for every wrong answer)

CDS Exam Pattern 2025

CDS Exam Pattern 2025 consists of two processes: written and interview. The Written exam includes papers on English, General Knowledge and Mathematics, varying in marks and duration. The interview assesses candidates’ personalities, leadership qualities, and suitability for commissioning into the Indian Armed Forces.

CDS Exam Pattern for IMA, INA, AFA

Subject
Duration
Maximum Marks
English
2 Hours
100
General Knowledge
2 Hours
100
Mathematics
2 Hours
100
SSB/Interview
5 Days
300

CDS Exam Pattern for OTA

Subject
Duration
Maximum Marks
English
2 Hours
100
General Knowledge
2 Hours
100
SSB/Interview
5 Days
300

Also, Check CDS Previous Year Question Paper

CDS English Syllabus 2025

To score better in this section, candidates should read newspapers daily point out the difficult words at a place, and find their meaning which will help to improve their vocabulary and understanding of the comprehension passages with ease. The purpose of this paper is to assess the applicants’ command of the English language and their ability to use words professionally.

  • Reading Comprehension Questions.
  • Spotting the Errors Questions.
  • Fill in the blank questions.
  • Synonyms & Antonyms Questions.
  • Idioms and Phrases Questions.
  • Sentence Arrangement or Jumbled Questions.
  • Ordering of words in Sentence Questions.
  • Sentence Improvement or Sentence Correction Questions.

Important Topics

  • Vocabulary
  • Reading passages
  • Grammar, including topics such as:
    • Tenses
    • Parts of speech
    • Active and passive voice
    • Rearrangement of sentences
    • Cloze test

Also, Check CDS Salary 2025

CDS General Knowledge Syllabus 2025

General knowledge includes awareness of current affairs and everyday observations and experiences that include a scientific component, as might be anticipated of an educated person who has not specifically studied any scientific field. Additionally, there will be geography and Indian history questions on the examination that any qualified candidate should be able to respond to without additional study.

CDS Syllabus 2025 for General Knowledge
  • Indian History
  • Political Science
  • Economics
  • Geography
  • Environment
  • General Science – Physics, Chemistry, Biology
  • Current Affairs – National & International Awards, Summits, Sports, Conference; Books & Authors etc.
  • Defence Related Questions – Army, Navy, Air Force

CDS Maths Syllabus 2025

CDS Mathematics Syllabus 2025 covers topics like Arithmetic, trigonometry, geometry, measurements, statistics, and other related topics that comprise the syllabus of CDS Elementary Mathematics. We have provided the complete syllabus for individual mathematics topics. Please follow the table below for the mathematics syllabus of the CDS 2025 exam.

CDS Syllabus for Mathematics
Arithmetic Number System

  • Natural numbers, Integers, Rational and Real numbers.
  • Fundamental operations, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, Square roots, Decimal fractions.
  • Unitary method, time and work, time and distance, percentages.
  • Applications of profit and loss, simple and compound interest, ratio and proportion, and 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, use of logarithmic tables, laws of logarithms.
Algebra
  • Basic operations and Simple factors,
  • Remainder Theorem.
  • H.C.F. and L.C.M.
  • Theory of polynomials, the relation between its roots and coefficients (Only real roots to be considered), solutions of quadratic equations.
  • Simultaneous linear equations in two unknowns — analytical & graphical solutions.
  • Simultaneous linear inequations in two variables & their solutions.
  • Practical issues with solutions that result in two simultaneous linear equations, inequalities in two variables, or quadratic equations in one variable.
  • Set notion and set language.
  • Rational expressions and conditional identities.
  • Laws of indices.
Trigonometry
  • Sine x, cosine x, Tan x when 0° < x < 90° , Values of sin x, cos x & tan x, for x = 0°, 30°, 45°, 60° & 90°.
  • Simple trigonometric identities.
  • Use of trigonometric tables.
  • Simple cases of heights and distances.
Geometry Plane and plane figures, Lines and angles, 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 sides, angles and diagonals of a rectangle, parallelogram and square
  • Circles and their properties including tangents and normals
  • Loci
Mensuration
  • Areas of parallelograms, squares, rectangles, triangles and circles.
  • Areas of figures can be split up into these figures (Field Book), lateral surface and volume of right circular cones and cylinders, Surface area and volume of cuboids, and surface area and volume of spheres.
Statistics
  • Collection and tabulation of statistical data.
  • Graphical representation of frequency polygons, bar charts, histograms, pie charts etc.
  • Measures of central tendency.

Topic-Wise Distribution of Questions

Elementary Mathematics

Topic No. of Questions
Trigonometry 16
3D Mensuration 16
Number System 12
Simplification 11
Triangle 10
Statics 5
Data Interpretation 4
Quadrilateral 3
Polynomial 3
Logarithm 2
Percentage 2
Time & Distance 2
Profit & Loss 2
Average 2
Divisibility Rule 2
LCM & HCF 2
Time & Work 2
Circle 1
Sequence & Series 1
Remainder Theorem 1
2D Mensuration 1

General Knowledge

Topics
Number of Questions
Polity 20
Geography 18
Modern History 16
Economics 13
Current Affairs 12
Chemistry 12
Physics 9
Biology 9
Medieval History 5
Defence 3
Static GS 3

English

Topics Number of Questions
Comprehension 10
Parts of Speech 10
Antonyms 10
Synonyms 10
Cloze Test 10
Spotting Error 10
Fill in the blanks 10
Ordering of words in a sentence 10
Ordering of sentence 10
Completion of sentence 10
Preposition & Determinants 10

CDS Syllabus 2025 PDF Download

Candidates can download the CDS Syllabus 2025 from the link provided below. The commission released the CDS Syllabus in PDF Format along with the official notification. The Syllabus of CDS PDF Contains the topics from which questions can be asked in this exam. Get the direct link to download the CDS Syllabus 2025 PDF below:

CDS Syllabus 2025 PDF

Preparation Tips for CDS 2025

  1. Understand the Exam Pattern: Familiarize yourself with the syllabus and exam pattern thoroughly to optimize your study sessions.
  2. Consistent Practice: Regularly solve previous years’ question papers and take mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.
  3. Read Newspapers Daily: This helps in building vocabulary for English and staying updated with current affairs for the General Knowledge section.
  4. Focus on Weak Areas: Identify and work on subjects or topics that need improvement, whether it’s mathematics, general knowledge, or English grammar.
  5. Revise Regularly: Consistent revision is crucial for retaining information, especially for subjects like General Knowledge.
  6. Time Management: Practice answering questions within the time limit, especially for Mathematics, where accuracy is essential.

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UPSC CDS Syllabus 2024 FAQs

What is the syllabus of CDS?

For admission to  INA, IMA and AFA, CDS syllabus consists mainly of English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics while for admission to OTA, only English and General Knowledge subjects are included.

Is CDS OTA hard to crack?

The CDS exam is one of the tough exams to qualify. But with proper planning and dedication, one can easily crack the exam without coaching as well.

What is the syllabus for CDS 1 2024?

The CDS 1 2024 syllabus includes English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics.

What is the syllabus for CDS 2024 for OTA?

The CDS 2024 syllabus for the Officers' Training Academy (OTA) includes English and General Knowledge.

What is the syllabus of CDS?

The revised syllabus for the CDS exam in 2024 includes three subjects: General Knowledge, English, and Elementary Mathematics.

Is CDS maths tough?

The CDS Maths section is considered more difficult than other competitive exams. The questions are based on concepts, and the paper is lengthy and tricky.

Can I skip maths paper in CDS?

Candidates can skip the math paper in the CDS exam by applying for the Officers' Training Academy (OTA) as their first preference.

About the Author

I, Sakshi Gupta, am a content writer to empower students aiming for UPSC, PSC, and other competitive exams. My objective is to provide clear, concise, and informative content that caters to your exam preparation needs. I strive to make my content not only informative but also engaging, keeping you motivated throughout your journey!