CDS Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2025 have been featured here! Students who are going to appear for the exam need to know all the details of its syllabus and exam pattern.
CDS, known as “Combined Defence Services,” is one of the reputed exams in India conducted by The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). This exam is conducted twice a year to hire a bunch of candidates for several posts, including Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Indian Air Force Academy.
Those who are unmarried and have graduated are eligible to apply for this examination. Those who will be able to pass this exam successfully can be part of the interview. The details of the entire CDS Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2025 have been mentioned in this section. So one needs to follow every piece of information in detail and analyze it in the proper way to crack the exam in one go and grab the appropriate marks.
Highlights!
| Name of Exam | Combined Defence Services (CDS) |
| Conducted by | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Mode of exam | Offline |
| Number of sections | Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and Air Force Academy (AFA) – Three Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) – Two |
| Total marks of the test | IMA, INA, and AFA – 300 OTA – 200 |
| Nature of questions | Objective type |
| CDS 1 2025 Exam Date | 10th April 2025 |
| Language of question paper | Hindi and English |
| Duration of the test | 2 hours for each section of the test |
| Official Website | www.upsc.gov.in |
CDS Exam Pattern 2025
The CDS Exam Pattern is important for the aspirants who are going to appear for the exam. In the below section, we have covered the detailed subject-wise duration, maximum marks information, and its duration so that at the examination hall, students will be able to cover all the topics in detail.
CDS Exam Pattern for IMA, INA, AFA
| Subject | Duration | Maximum marks |
| English | 2 hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 hours | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 2 hours | 100 |
CDS Exam Pattern for OTA
| Subject | Duration | Maximum marks |
| English | 2 hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 hours | 100 |
Read– CDS 2025 Notification Out for 371 Vacancies, Apply Online for CDS 1 Exam
Marking Scheme Guideline
- Negative marking is applicable for each wrong-marked answer.
- Each question has 4 options, and out of these, only 1 option is correct.
- One-third mark will be cut for each wrong answer.
- More than one option marked is treated as wrong. However, if a question is left then there will be no negative marking.
CDS Syllabus 2025- Subject-Wise Syllabus
The CDS curriculum is based on three subjects: English, Elementary Mathematics, and General Knowledge and each grade is crucial to qualification and selection. Apart from knowing and getting the detailed syllabus, the CDS 2 exam pattern also plays an important role as it lists the total marks in each section. Check the UPSC CDS syllabus 2025 in the table below.
| Sections | Name of Topics |
| English | Spotting Errors Questions
Sentence Arrangement Questions Synonyms & Antonyms Selecting Words Ordering of Sentence Comprehension Questions Ordering of words in a sentence Fill in the blanks questions Idioms and Phrases |
| General Awareness (GK) | Economics
Physics Current Affairs Politics Chemistry Sociology History Defense-related Award Geography Environment Sport Biology Cultural Book Statement true/false |
Elementary Mathematics
These are the expected mathematics topics, which we have covered a bunch of to get good scores in the upcoming examination. The upcoming mathematics paper consists of a ton of questions, including arithmetic, algebra, menstruation, geometry, trigonometry, and statistics. Just follow the detailed CDS mathematics Syllabus 2025 from here.
| Algebra | Basic Operations
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 |
| Arithematic | Number System: Natural numbers, Integers, Rational and 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: 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°
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
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 their properties, including tangents and normals |
| Mensuration | Areas of squares
rectangles parallelograms triangle and circle Areas of figures 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
Graphical representation frequency polygons histograms bar charts pie charts etc Measures of central tendency |
CDS Syllabus – English
There are a ton of questions related to English for CDS Exams designed to acknowledge candidates’ understanding of basic grammar, vocabulary, and knowledge of the English Language. Below we have given expected questions that are going to from the following topics:
- Synonyms
- Word substitution
- Antonyms
- Sentence improvement
- Comprehension
- Selecting Words
- Ordering of words in a sentence
- Ordering of sentences
- Spotting Errors
CDS Syllabus – General Knowledge
In this section, we have covered CDS General Knowledge information, in which the Current Affairs and Static GK syllabus are included. Below we have covered the various General Knowledge papers, including questions.
- Economics
- Sociology
- Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
- Environment
- History
- Geography
- Politics
- Sports
- Culture and Traditions
- Awards
- Books & Authors
FAQs!
What is CDS exam eligibility?
The candidate must possess the graduate certificate to be eligible for the NDA examination. The minimum qualification required to appear for the CDS exam is Graduation/Bachelors from a government-recognized university.
What is the salary of CDS?
The detailed Rank Salary structure of CDS from the below section also follows so one needs to follow it in detail.
| Rank | Level | Pay Scale/ Salary |
| Captain | Level 10 B | INR 61,300 – 1,93,900 |
| Major | Level 11 | INR 69,400 – 2,07,200 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Level 12 A | INR 1,21,200 – 2,12,400 |
| Colonel | Level 13 | INR 1,30,600 – 2,15,900 |
What is the CDS Exam Syllabus?
The syllabus of CDS is based on three subjects, which include English, Elementary Mathematics, and General Knowledge, and each of these is important to qualify and get selected. Apart from knowing and getting the detailed syllabus, the CDS 2 exam pattern also plays an important role as it lists the total marks in each section.
Is the CDS exam too tough?
No, the CDS exam is not as difficult as you are thinking, if students prepare properly then they will be able to clear this exam easily.
Which subjects are important for CDS?
You are asking about the subjects whose questions are asked in the CDS exam, the CDS exam pattern for the written exam for admission to India Naval Academy, Indian Military Academy, and Air Force Academy will consist of three main subjects which are elementary maths General Knowledge, English.
What is the eligibility for CDS?
<25 years unmarried or >25 years married and unmarried both are eligible to apply for this exam. Unmarried women, unmarried widows who have not remarried, and unmarried divorcees (in possession of divorce documents) who have not remarried are eligible.
Final words!
Expected that featuring all the information about the CDS Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2025 will surely play a vital role for you. With this, students will be able to crack the exam with appropriate marks and be able to be a part of the interview section.
After reading this blog, if you find any issues or want to ask anything, do comment in the below section so that our top experts can serve you with the best possible solutions.
