The Combined Defense Services (CDS) examination is one of the most sought-after competitive exams in India for those aspiring to join the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. It is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). To excel in the CDS exam, it is crucial to have a clear understanding of the CDS syllabus and exam pattern. In this blog post, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide to help you navigate through the CDS syllabus and exam pattern effectively.
CDS 2 2023 Official Notification
CDS Exam 2023 Overview
For candidates aspiring to join the Defence Forces through the Combined Defense Services (CDS) examination, having a clear understanding of the exam pattern and syllabus is essential. While the CDS syllabus hasn’t undergone significant changes, being aware of any updates is crucial for exam preparation. In this article, we provide you with the latest information on the CDS Exam 2023 Pattern and a detailed CDS syllabus.
| 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 – 300OTA – 200 |
| Time Duration | 2 hours for each paper |
| Negative Marking | Yes (1/3rd deducted for every wrong answer) |
CDS English Syllabus
CDS English Syllabus consists of the following topics. The level of difficulty of questions will be of the secondary school level. Candidates are advised to read newspapers, books, and magazines regularly to improve their reading and writing skills.
- Comprehension passages
- Synonyms and antonyms
- Fill in the blanks
- Error spotting
- Sentence improvement
- Jumbled sentences
- Idioms and phrases
- Vocabulary
- Grammar and usage
- Parts of speech
- Direct and indirect speech
- Active and passive voice
- Rearrangement of sentences
- Cloze test
To prepare for the English section, we have provided you with the best Test series prepared by professionals. You should solve the practice sets that are available. It will also help you to know where you stand in your preparation. Read the Newspaper daily and note difficult words and find their meaning to improve your vocabulary. Go through the grammar part and learn all the basic rules. It will help you in detecting errors in sentencing and even in sentence completion.
CDS Maths Syllabus
| Topic | Subtopics |
|---|---|
| Number Systems | Natural numbers, integers, rational numbers, real numbers |
| Fundamental Operations | Addition, subtraction, 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 and Logarithms
| Topic | Subtopics |
|---|---|
| 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 | Logarithms to base 10 |
| Laws of logarithms | |
| Use of logarithmic tables |
Algebraic Concepts and Operations
| Topic | Subtopics |
|---|---|
| Basic Operations | Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division |
| Simple Factors | Identifying factors of algebraic expressions |
| Remainder Theorem | Divisibility of polynomials |
| H.C.F. and L.C.M. | Highest Common Factor (H.C.F.) and Least Common Multiple (L.C.M.) |
| Theory of Polynomials | Understanding polynomials, their terms, and coefficients |
| Solutions of Quadratic Equations | Finding solutions and roots of quadratic equations |
| Relation between roots and coefficients (real roots only) | |
| Simultaneous Linear Equations | Analytical and graphical solutions for systems of linear equations |
| Simultaneous Linear Inequations | Solutions to systems of linear inequalities |
| Practical Problems | Application of algebraic equations in practical scenarios |
| Simultaneous equations, simultaneous inequalities, and quadratic equations | |
| Set Language and Set Notation | Understanding set theory and its notation |
| Rational Expressions and Conditional Identities | Simplifying rational expressions and solving conditional identities |
| Laws of Indices | Rules governing exponentiation |
Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration, and Statistics
| Topic | Subtopics |
|---|---|
| Trigonometry | Sine, cosine, tangent values for specific angles (0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°) |
| Simple trigonometric identities | |
| Use of trigonometric tables | |
| Heights and distances | |
| Geometry | Lines and angles |
| Plane and plane figures | |
| Theorems on: | |
| (i) Properties of angles at a point | |
| (ii) Parallel lines | |
| (iii) Sides and angles of a triangle | |
| (iv) Congruency of triangles | |
| (v) Similar triangles | |
| (vi) Concurrence of medians and altitudes | |
| (vii) Properties of angles, sides, and diagonals of a parallelogram, rectangle, and square | |
| (viii) Circles and its properties including tangents and normals | |
| (ix) Loci | |
| Mensuration | Areas of squares, rectangles, parallelograms, triangles, and circles |
| Areas of figures that can be split into these basic shapes | |
| Surface area and volume of cuboids | |
| Lateral surface area 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: mean, median, mode |
CDS General Knowledge Syllabus
- General Knowledge encompasses various subjects and is important for competitive exams and being well-informed.
- It includes knowledge of current affairs, everyday observations, and scientific aspects.
- History topics cover ancient, medieval, and modern Indian history, as well as the Indian national movement and growth of nationalism.
- Geography covers physical, social, and economic aspects, including Indian and world geography.
- Indian polity and governance involve understanding the Constitution, political system, Panchayati Raj, public policy, and rights issues.
- Economic and social development includes topics like sustainable development, poverty, inclusion, demographics, and social sector initiatives.
- Science and technology cover developments in various fields, including space technology, biotechnology, and computer technology.
- Environmental ecology and biodiversity involve conservation, environmental pollution, impact assessment, and climate change.
- Defence and security issues focus on current events related to national security, internal and external threats, and the role of the Armed Forces.
CDS OTA English Syllabus:
| Topic | Description |
|---|---|
| Sentence arrangement | Rearranging jumbled sentences to form a coherent paragraph. |
| Spotting Error | Identifying and correcting grammatical errors in sentences. |
| Selecting words | Choosing the most appropriate words to complete a sentence. |
| Synonyms and Antonyms | Understanding the meaning of words and identifying their synonyms and antonyms. |
| Comprehension | Reading passages and answering questions based on the content and understanding of the passage. |
| Ordering of Sentence | Arranging sentences in the correct sequence to form a meaningful paragraph. |
| Ordering of words | Rearranging words to form a grammatically correct sentence. |
| Idioms and Phrases | Understanding the meaning of idiomatic expressions and commonly used phrases. |
| Fill up the blanks | Filling in the missing words in a sentence to make it grammatically correct and meaningful. |
CDS OTA General Ability Test Syllabus:
| Topic | Description |
|---|---|
| Current Affairs | Knowledge of recent events and updates in various fields, including politics, sports, and culture. |
| Physics | Basic principles and concepts of physics. |
| Chemistry | Fundamental concepts of chemistry and chemical reactions. |
| Biology | Basics of biology, including living organisms, human anatomy, and plant and animal kingdoms. |
| Geography | Understanding of geographical features, climate, and natural resources of different regions. |
| History | Knowledge of significant historical events, ancient civilizations, and the Indian national movement. |
| Politics | Understanding of political systems, governance, and international relations. |
| Sociology | Concepts related to society, social institutions, and social issues. |
| Economics | Basics of economics, including principles of supply and demand, national income, and economic development. |
| Defence Related Awards | Knowledge of awards and honors related to defense and armed forces. |
| Sports and Culture | Awareness of major sports events, prominent personalities, and cultural aspects. |
| Environmental Science | Understanding environmental issues, conservation, and sustainable practices. |
CDS Exam Pattern
For Admission to Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy:
| Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Mathematics | 2 Hours | 100 |
| SSB Test/Interview | 5 Days | 300 |
For Admission to the Officers’ Training Academy:
| Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 Hours | 100 |
| SSB Test/Interview | 5 Days | 300 |
Conclusion
Cracking the CDS exam requires a systematic approach, thorough preparation, and a clear understanding of the CDS syllabus and exam pattern. In this blog post, we have provided you with a comprehensive guide to help you navigate through the syllabus and exam pattern effectively. Make sure to create a study plan, gather the right study material, and practice regularly to increase your chances of success. Good luck with your CDS exam preparation
