CDS Syllabus 2025: Download Syllabus PDF for Maths, English, and GK

CDS Syllabus 2025: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) releases the CDS Syllabus along with the official CDS notification. The CDS syllabus is a list of subject-specific topics and sub-topics from which questions will be asked in the examination. Candidates must be thoroughly familiar with the syllabus in order to avoid missing any important topics relevant to the examination.

Before beginning their preparation, candidates must thoroughly read the official CDS notification 2025. It enables candidates to plan their preparation and understand the significance of topics in relation to the CDS exam pattern. English Language, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics comprise the CDS syllabus for admission to IMA, INA, and AFA. The syllabus for the CDS exam for OTA, on the other hand, is divided into two subjects: English Language and General Knowledge.

Also Read - Best Books for CDS Exam 2025

CDS Syllabus 2025

Every year, UPSC releases the CDS 2025 Syllabus. The syllabus is intended to assess candidates' knowledge of English, Mathematics, and General Knowledge. CDS exam is for candidates who have graduated; however, the questions on the exam are of the 12th-grade level. 

CDS Syllabus PDF

The official CDS notification will be made available in PDF format by the Union Public Service Commission. The notification includes information about the CDS syllabus and exam pattern. The CDS Syllabus PDF can be downloaded from the official website of UPSC.

CDS Syllabus 2025 PDF (Download)

CDS Maths Syllabus

The Elementary Mathematics paper is only for candidates who have applied for Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy. The Elementary Mathematics paper is not required for candidates who have applied to the Officers' Training Academy. The CDS Syllabus for Maths is as follows:

CDS English Syllabus

The English Language paper is common for both candidates who are applying for IMA, INA, AFA & OTA. The paper assesses the candidates for their grammatical and comprehension skills in the English language. It also tests the candidates’ workmanlike use of the English language.

Candidates must be aware of the CDS syllabus for English to strategize their preparation for the exam accordingly. Topics that are covered in the syllabus are as follows:

• Reading Comprehension
• Sentence Improvement
• Jumbled Sentence
• Vocabulary (Synonym/Antonym)
• Fill in the blanks
• Spot the Error

CDS GK Syllabus

The General Knowledge paper is a common paper for all candidates, regardless of the academy to which they are applying. The paper assesses candidates' knowledge of current events in the country and around the world. It also assesses candidates' understanding of Indian history, geography, and general science.

The detailed topics and sub topics for CDS general science syllabus is given in the table below:

CDS Syllabus for SSB Interview Process

The CDS SSB Interview comprises two stages: Stage I & Stage II. The syllabus for both stages is as follows:

Stage I: It comprises Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests are Picture Perception* Description Test (PP&DT). The candidates will be shortlisted based on the combination of performance in the OIR Test and PP&DT. 

Stage II: Stage II comprises Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests and the Conference. These tests are conducted over 4 days. The details of these tests are given on the website www.joinindianarmy.nic.in. 

CDS Preparation

The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination is a highly sought-after examination for candidates who have graduated and are wishing to join the Army, Navy, or Air Force wing of the Indian Armed Forces. The examination is highly competitive and requires a sufficient amount of preparation for it. The CDS preparation must be done in accordance with the syllabus of the examination. 

How to Prepare for the CDS Exam?

Candidates must follow the following steps to effectively prepare for the CDS exam:

• Read out the CDS syllabus outlined in the official notification released by UPSC
• Check the Exam Pattern
• Refer to the books recommended by teachers, toppers and other experts
• Complete the syllabus topic-wise
• Read Newspaper daily for current affairs and improve the English Language
• Go through NCERTs to make concepts clear
• Buy sample test papers/previous year question papers and practice them thoroughly.

CDS Books

Candidates can check the important books for Mathematics, English Language, and General Knowledge in the table below:

Conclusion

For the past few years, the CDS syllabus has stayed unchanged. UPSC will issue an official notification if the syllabus for the CDS examination changes. Candidates are advised to review the detailed syllabus provided in the preceding article in order to avoid missing any important topics while preparing for the examination.