Best Books for CDS 2024 - Check CDS Exam Best Books here

Best Books for CDS 2024 - Check CDS Exam Best Books here

Upcoming Event

CDS Exam Date:14 Sep' 25 - 14 Sep' 25

Team Careers360Updated on 01 Sep 2024, 09:34 AM IST

Candidates attempting the examination can prepare effectively for the exam by studying using the best CDS 2024 books. Candidates must thoroughly cover all the topics from the syllabus from CDS Best Books 2024 in order to qualify for the examination. This curation of exam books covers all three papers of the CDS exam, General Knowledge, Mathematics, and English language.

This Story also Contains

  1. Best Books for CDS Exam 2024
  2. CDS Exam Pattern 2024
  3. CDS Syllabus 2024
Best Books for CDS 2024 - Check CDS Exam Best Books here
Best Books for CDS Exam 2024

Candidates attempting the CDS exam must make preparation from these books an important part of their exam preparation strategy. Candidates must refer to the syllabus and exam pattern in addition to the CDS 2024 exam books in order to prepare thoroughly for the exam. Candidates are advised to prepare for their exams by practising answering questions using CDS question papers. Candidates can consult the article below for a list of the best books for the CDS test 2024.

Best Books for CDS Exam 2024

Candidates must make sure to cover all of the topics in the syllabus using the best books for the CDS exam. With the help of the best books for the CDS 2024 exam, candidates can go over the important topics and chapters that will be covered in the CDS exam. Candidates can also revise information pertaining to topics appearing in the previous year's exam questions CDS Books 2024. For a comprehensive list of CDS preparation books that can form an indispensable part of your study plan, please go over the table given below.

Best Books for CDS exam 2024 - English

Books

Authors

Objective General English

S. P. Bakshi

Word Power Made Easy

Norman Lewis

Wren & Martin’s High School English Grammar & Composition

Wren and Martin’s

Best Books for CDS Exam 2024 - General Knowledge

Books

Authors

Geography & History

NCERT (Std 6th-12th)

Pathfinder for CDS

Arihant Experts

General Knowledge (Latest Edition)

Manohar Pandey (Arihant Publication)

Manorama Yearbook

Malayala Manorama publishers

Daily newspapers

The Hindu, Indian Express, etc.

Quick Links- CDS Selection Process 2024

Best Book for CDS Maths

CDS Maths book

Authors

Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations

R. S. Aggarwal

Mathematics for CDS Examination

R. S. Aggarwal

Pathfinder for CDS

Arihant Experts

Free download Ebook: Complete guide for UPSC CSE exam preparation

CDS Exam Pattern 2024

The UPSC released the CDS 2 2024 exam pattern in the official notification. The CDS exam 2024 will be conducted across three papers. However, those who will be appearing for the OTA have to attempt only two papers. The exams for both CDS 1 and 2 are conducted in offline mode in CDS Exam centres in cities across the country. Referring to the exam pattern along with the books for the CDS exam 2024 will help candidates prepare more thoroughly and bring them a step closer to successfully clearing the exam.

CDS Exam Pattern 2024 For INA, IMA & IFA

Subject

Number of questions

Maximum marks

Exam duration

Elementary Mathematics

100

100

2 hours

English

120

100

2 hours

General Knowledge

120

100

2 hours

Total

340

300

6 hours

Check here List of Other Government Exams

CDS Exam Pattern For OTA

Subject

Number of questions

Maximum marks

Exam duration

English

120

100

2 hours

General Knowledge

120

100

2 hours

Total

240

200

4 hours

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CDS Syllabus 2024

The Union Public Service Commission released the CDS exam syllabus in the official notification. Candidates can refer to the CDS 2024 syllabus to get a better idea of the important topics from which questions will be asked in the UPSC CDS 2024 exam. Along with the CDS 2024 syllabus, applicants can also get some preparation tips from our how to prepare for the exam. For more details about the CDS exam syllabus and a list of topics that will appear in the exam, candidates can go through the table given below.

CDS 2024 Syllabus

Subjects

Topics

Mathematics

Algebra

Trigonometry

Compound and simple interest

Geometry

Time and work

Mensuration

Statistics

Probability

English

Jumbled Sentences

Synonyms

Antonyms

Idioms & Phrases

Comprehension

Error Spotting

Cloze Test

Sentence Completion

General Knowledge

General Science

Economics

History

Polity

Geography

Art and culture

Books and author


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What are the details required to download the admit card of CDS 2024?
A:

The details required for candidates to download the UPSC CDS admit card 2024 are the registration number and date of birth.

Q: When will CDS 2 2024 be conducted?
A:

As per the CDS exam dates 2024 released by the UPSC, the written CDS 2 exam is conducted today, September 1, 2024 in offline mode.

Q: Where can I buy the best books for CDS OTA?
A:

The best book for CDS OTA preparation can be purchased both online and in offline book stores. 

Q: Which is the best book for CDS preparation?
A:

Pathfinder for CDS 2024 from Arihant Publications is considered the best book for CDS preparation.

Q: What is the selection process of CDS 2024?
A:

The CDS selection process 2024 consists of a written exam, the SSB interview and a medical examination.

Q: Can I raise objections in CDS answer key 2024?
A:

No, there is no provision for candidates to raise objections in the CDS answer key.

Q: Is there any negative marking in the UPSC CDS exam 2024?
A:

Yes, there is a negative marking in the CDS exam 2024. For every wrong answer, one third of a mark will be deducted from the total. 

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Questions related to CDS

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CDS ?

Yes, you will be eligible for CDS-1 2027 under OTA (SSC Women – Non-Technical Course). The age limit for OTA is 19–25 years (you must be born between 2nd Jan 2001 and 1st Jan 2007). Since your date of birth is 4 July 2002, you will be 24 years old at that time, so you fall within the required age range.

But you will not be eligible for IMA, INA or AFA, because their upper age limit is 24 years, and by 2027 you will cross that limit.


As per the CDS OTA eligibility criteria, for female candidates applying to the Officers Training Academy (OTA), the age limit is 19 to 25 years (unmarried females only).

Since your date of birth is 16th June 2005, you will turn:

21 years old in June 2026,

25 years old in June 2030.

CDS exam is conducted twice every year, so you’ll be eligible from the year you complete graduation (2026) till you turn 25 in 2030.

Your eligible attempts:

CDS 2 2026

CDS 1 2027

CDS 2 2027

CDS 1 2028

CDS 2 2028

CDS 1 2029

CDS 2 2029

CDS 1 2030 (maybe last)

So, you will have around 7 to 8 attempts to appear for CDS OTA before you cross the maximum age limit.

Hello ,

If your goal is to appear for CDS Exam, then here’s what you need to know:

  • For IMA, INA, and AFA: A regular full-time degree from a recognized university is required. So, regular B.Tech is perfectly valid.
  • For OTA :  Any recognized Bachelor’s degree (even BCA) is acceptable. But since you mentioned Online BCA, note that CDS does not accept distance/online degrees unless UGC-DEB approved and equivalent to a regular course.

So, a regular B.Tech is a safer and more accepted option for all CDS branches. Online BCA may work only if it's recognized, but always double-check the latest UPSC CDS eligibility rules before applying.

Best wishes !

Thank you.

Hi dear candidate,

To be eligible for CDS 1 Exam 2026, your age should fall between 20 to 24 years old. And with your date of birth of 21 December 2002, means that you will be 23 years old as of 1st January, 2026. CDS 1 exam 2026 is expected to take place in April 2026.

Considering the above:

Yes, you will be able to give exam for CDS 1 in 2026.

ALL THE BEST !

Yes, You are eligible to apply for CDS OTA 2026(April exam) Based on your date of birth

Make sure you also:

  • Graduation degree from a recognised(Or are in the final year).
  • Or unmarried(For OTASSC non-technical entry).
  • Meet the required, medical and physical standard as per SSB/UPSE Norms .