The CDS syllabus 2025 is comprehensive and includes subjects like English, general knowledge, mathematics and more. Candidates preparing for CDS 2025 can check the details UPSC CDS syllabus and CDS exam pattern below.
CDS Syllabus 2025
Candidates willing to join the defence service by preparing for UPSC CDS 2025 must check the detailed CDS syllabus. UPSC releases the CDS 2025 syllabus along with the notification. The CDS 1 syllabus PDF consist of subjects namely English, general knowledge and Elementary mathematics. Candidates must know that the CDS syllabus for IMA, INA, and AFA has three subjects, and OTA has two subjects. In this article, candidates will be able to download CDS 2025 syllabus PDF.
CDS Syllabus
The CDS Exam syllabus is the road map to prepare well for one of the most competitive Combined Defence Services examinations. The CDS exam is conducted twice a year to recruit candidates for the Indian Military Academy, Office Training Academy, Indian Navel Academy and Indian Air Force Academy. So candidates must prepare well to be selected in defence service with the help of CDS Syllabus. The CDS exam is conducted in phases: the return examination and the SSB interview.
UPSC CDS Syllabus 2025
| Mode of CDS exam | Offline |
| Total number of marks | IMA, INA and AFA – 300 OTA – 200 |
| Total Number of sections | Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA) – Three Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) – Two |
| Language of the CDS question paper | Hindi and English |
| Total Duration of the test | 2 hours for each section of test |
| Nature of the questions | Objective type |
| Negative Marking | 1/3rd deducted for every wrong answer |
CDS Syllabus 2025 PDF
The CDS Exam syllabus consists of three subjects: General knowledge, English and elementary mathematics. CDS OTA has only two papers: General knowledge and English. It is a very good opportunity for graduate candidates. The question will be asked on the basis of class 10 for mathematics, while for other subjects graduation level. Get directly to download CDS syllabus PDF 2025 is given below.
CDS Exam Syllabus PDF – DOWNLOAD
CDS Syllabus for IMA, INA & AFA
The syllabus for IMA, INA and AFA consists of three papers: English, Mathematics and General knowledge check the details syllabus below.
CDS Syllabus for English
Candidate needs to go through the comprehensive syllabus of English to enhance their performance in this section. Candidates should read newspapers and find difficult words to improve their vocabulary and comprehension of passages. Check the CDS English syllabus below.
- Reading Comprehension Questions.
- Spotting the Error 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
CDS Syllabus for Mathematics
The CDS mathematics syllabus consists of arithmetic, algebra, trigonometry, geometry, mensuration and statistics. Each chapter consists of various topics. Check the complete CDS Exam syllabus for mathematics below.
- Arithmetics
- 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, 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.
- Number System
- Algebra
- Basic operations and Simple factors,
- Remainder Theorem.
- H.C.F. and L.C.M.
- Theory of polynomials, 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 inequalities 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 notation 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 & Plane figures, Lines and Angles, Theorems on:
- Properties of angles at a point
- Parallel lines
- Sides and angles of a triangle
- Congruence 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
- Plane & Plane figures, Lines and Angles, Theorems on:
- 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.
CDS Syllabus for General Knowledge
To complete the CDS Syllabus for general knowledge candidate must have a fraud understanding of everyday observation and experience including a scientific aspect. Check here the details topic through which question will ask in CDS 2024.
- CDS General Knowledge Syllabus
- 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 Syllabus for OTA
The Officer’s Training Academy OTA syllabus consists of two subjects: general knowledge and English. The syllabus is the same as the INA, IMA and AFA syllabus. Except mathematics is excluded in the OTA syllabus.
CDS Exam Pattern 2025
CDS Exam Pattern for admission in Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Air Force Academy
The CDS exam pattern for IMA, INA, and AFA includes English, general knowledge, and mathematics. Each subject is conducted for 2 hours and carrying hundred mark. Check the details exam pattern below.
| Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Mathematics | 2 Hours | 100 |
| SSB Test/Interview | 5 Days | 300 |
CDS Exam Pattern for OTA
For that admission into Officer’s Training Academy candidate needs to prepare for general knowledge, English and SSB interview. Check the detail exam pattern mentioned below.
FAQ on CDS Syllabus 2025
What are the subjects for CDS Exam?
There are three subjects for IMA, INA, and AFA CBSE exam namely English, Mathematics and general knowledge while for OTA the subject are just general knowledge and English.
Who are eligible to apply for CDS exam?
Graduate candidate from recognise University are eligible to apply for CDS exam 2024.
What are the level of Mathematic questions are asked in CDS exam?
The level of questions which will ask in CBSE exam for mathematics is of class 10th.