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One of the toughest exams in India, the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS), is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). This exam functions as an entry point to famous military academies such as the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). To join the Indian Armed Forces, candidates must appreciate the importance of knowing the CDS syllabus and exam pattern and utilize that information while preparing.
| CDS Syllabus 2025 – Overview | |
| Exam Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Services |
| 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 | IMA, INA and AFA – 300 OTA – 200 |
| Exam Pattern | Objective type |
| Language of question paper | Hindi and English |
| Duration | 2 hours for each section of the exam |
UPSC CDS Syllabus 2025 – Exam Pattern
The CDS 1 2025 Exam is on the 13th of April, and the CDS 2 2025 Exam will be on the 14th of September 2025. All candidates intending to take the aforementioned exams should understand there is a subject-wise syllabus available for English, General Knowledge, and Mathematics. The following article is designed to provide the details on the syllabus and exams, specifically the syllabus, and strategize preparations best suited for them.
CDS Exam 2025 – English Syllabus
The English section assesses a candidate’s proficiency in English grammar, comprehension, and vocabulary. At this level, reading newspapers and doing comprehension exercises can surely help improve performance. This section covers:
| Reading Comprehension |
| Spotting Errors |
| Fill in the Blanks |
| Synonyms & Antonyms |
| Idioms and Phrases |
| Sentence Arrangement (Jumbled Sentences) |
| Ordering of Words in a Sentence |
| Sentence Improvement (Correction) |
CDS Exam 2025 – Mathematics Syllabus
The expected topics include high school-level arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, mensuration, and statistics. Attaining accuracy and speed requires constant practice. The topics include:
| Mathematics Topics | Subtopics | Approximate Weightage |
| Algebra | Basic Operations | 15-20% |
| 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. | 30-35% |
| 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: 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° | 10-15% |
| 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 | 20-25% |
| 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 | 10-15% |
| 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 | 5-10% |
| Graphical representation frequency polygons | ||
| histograms | ||
| bar charts | ||
| pie charts etc | ||
| Measures of central tendency |
CDS Exam 2025 – General Knowledge Syllabus
The candidates selection test contains a section that deals with current affairs, scientific knowledge, history, geography, and their blends. This section covers:
| 1. Indian History & Polity |
| Ancient, Medieval & Modern History |
| Indian Constitution & Political System |
| Important Government Policies |
| 2. Economics & Geography |
| Basic Economic Terms & Indian Economy |
| Physical, Social & Economic Geography of India & the World |
| Environmental Issues & Climate Change |
| 3. General Science |
| Basic Concepts in Physics, Chemistry & Biology |
| Scientific Inventions & Discoveries |
| 4. Current Affairs |
| National & International Events |
| Awards, Summits & Conferences |
| Sports & Defence-related Developments |
CDS Written Exam 2025 – Pattern
We have provided information regarding the entrance exam pattern for the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy hereunder.
- The CDS Exam has 3 sections: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics.
- The paper pattern will be objective in nature.
- The question papers on General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics will be available in both Hindi and English languages.
- The allotment of time will be 2 hours for each paper.
| Subject | Duration | Maximum marks |
| English | 2 hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 hours | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 2 hours | 100 |
CDS Exam Pattern for OTA Officers Training Academy (OTA)
- There will be objective questions in the examination.
- The General Knowledge paper will be written in both Hindi and English.
- The subjects of the examination are English and General Knowledge. Each subject carries 100 marks.
- The time allocated is 2 hours per subject.
Guidelines for CDS Examination 2025
Let’s go through some of the vital Guidelines for CDS Examination 2025:
- Do not use any pen besides a black ballpoint pen.
- On the top of the answer sheet, in the required sections, provide your center and subject along with the CDS 2025 test booklet series (in brackets), subject code, and exam roll number.
- Write your CDS 2025 booklet series (A, B, C, D, as appropriate), subject code, and roll number in the respective circles on the answer sheet.
- If the test booklet does not show the CDS booklet series or if the answer sheet is missing a number, you should see the invigilator and ask for a new test booklet/answer sheet.
- The absence, mistakes, discrepancies, or neglect with regard to the details that have been encoded or filled on the CDS 2025 OMR answer sheet, especially as it relates to the Roll Number and Test Booklet Series Code, will compel the examination authority concerned to deny acceptance of the answer sheet.
- As soon as CDS 2025 starts, open the provided test booklet and check that it is complete without any missing pages or any kind of untidy markings. If there is a problem, then ask for another test booklet of the same subject and series.
- Do not write your name or anything else apart from the prescribed information on the CDS answer sheet/test booklet/sheet for rough work.
- Do not damage or fold the CDS Answer Sheet in any way or make any unwanted marks on it. Also, do not write anything on the backside of the answer sheet.
CDS Exam 2025 – Important Links
| Important Links | |
| Download Notification | Click Here. |
| Download Syllabus | Click Here. |
| Telegram | Click Here. |
| Click Here. | |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the CDS exam?
The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination is conducted by UPSC for recruitment into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). - What are the eligibility criteria for CDS?
Candidates must be graduates and meet each academy’s age, education, and physical standards. For instance:
IMA & INA: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline for IMA and a relevant degree for INA.
AFA: Degree with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or a Bachelor of Engineering.
OTA: Graduation in any discipline. - How many times is the CDS exam conducted in a year?
CDS is conducted twice a year, generally in February and September. - What is the selection process for CDS?
The selection process includes:
Written Examination
SSB (Service Selection Board) Interview
Medical Examination - Is there any negative marking in the CDS exam?
Yes, 1/3rd marks are deducted for every incorrect answer.
