CDS Syllabus 2025 - Download UPSC CDS Exam Syllabus PDF

CDS Syllabus 2025 - Download UPSC CDS Exam Syllabus PDF

Edited By Vishnukumar V | Updated on Dec 11, 2024 10:28 PM IST | #CDS
Upcoming Event
CDS  Exam Date : 13 Apr' 2025 - 13 Apr' 2025

UPSC released the CDS syllabus 2025 in the official notification. Candidates are advised to make use of the UPSC CDS syllabus 2025 PDF for their exam preparation. The syllabus of CDS exam helps candidates to better understand the type of questions asked. The CDS 1 exam will be held on April 13, 2025. The direct link to download the UPSC CDS syllabus and exam pattern is also updated on this page.
Download - CDS Syllabus PDF

This Story also Contains
  1. CDS Syllabus 2025
  2. CDS Exam Pattern 2025 - Prelims, Mains & SSB Interview
  3. CDS Exam Pattern for SSB Interview
  4. CDS Question Paper 2025
  5. Best Books for CDS 2025
CDS Syllabus 2025 - Download UPSC CDS Exam Syllabus PDF
CDS Syllabus 2025 - Download UPSC CDS Exam Syllabus PDF

Aspirants can also get the CDS OTA syllabus in the form of a PDF file. Candidates should check the UPSC CDS 2025 syllabus, chapters and topics that will be asked in the exam. Read the article completely to know more about the CDS 1 syllabus 2025.

CDS Syllabus 2025

The Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam has two written papers for the OTA course and three written papers for other courses. The subjects from which the questions are asked in the CDS 2025 exam are Mathematics, English and General Knowledge.

English and General Knowledge questions are asked in both the CDS OTA and CDS IMA/ INA/ AFA courses. CDS IMA/ INA/ AFA course has one extra subject which is Mathematics. The questions asked in the CDS exam are of 10th and 12th standard.

CDS Syllabus 2025 - Written Exam

Subjects

Topics

CDS Maths syllabus

  • Number System
  • Elementary Number Theory
  • Algebra
  • Trigonometry
  • Geometry
  • Mensuration
  • Statistics
  • Intelligence and personality test

CDS English syllabus

The question paper will be asked to test the candidates’ understanding of English and workmanlike use of words.

CDS General Knowledge syllabus

General Knowledge including knowledge of current events and of such matters of everyday observation and experience in their scientific aspects as may be expected of an educated person who has not made a special study of any scientific subject. The paper will also include questions on the History of India and the Geography of nature which candidates should be able to answer without special study.

CDS Exam Pattern 2025 - Prelims, Mains & SSB Interview

The UPSC CDS 2025 exam pattern is prescribed by the Union Public Service Commission in the official notification. According to the CDS exam pattern, the written exam will be objective type in nature i.e. in the form of MCQs. As per the CDS OTA syllabus , OTA exam has two papers whereas CDS IMA/ INA/ AFA have three papers. Along with the exam pattern, candidates must also check the CDS exam syllabus for better preparations. There is a negative marking for every wrong answer.

CDS OTA Exam Pattern 2025

Papers

Subjects

Marks

Duration

Paper 1

General Knowledge

100

Two hrs

Paper 2

English

100

Two hrs

CDS IMA/ INA/ AFA Exam Pattern 20255

Papers

Subjects

Marks

Duration

Paper 1

General Knowledge

100

2 hrs

Paper 2

English

100

2 hrs

Paper 3

Mathematics

100

2 hrs

CDS Exam Pattern for SSB Interview

The CDS SSB procedure consists of two stages - Stage 1 and Stage 3. Candidates who clear Stage 1 are eligible to appear for Stage 2. The personality of a candidate is assessed by three different assessors viz. The Interviewing Officer (IO), Group Testing Officer (GTO) and the Psychologist. There is no separate weightage for each test. The marks are allotted by assessors only after taking into consideration the performance of the candidate.

SSB Interview: Stage I comprises of Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests are Picture Perception & Description Test (PP & DT). The candidates will be shortlisted on the basis of the combination of performance in the OIR Test and PP & DT.

SSB Interview: Stage II Comprises of Interviews, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests and the Conference. These all tests are conducted for four days.

CDS Question Paper 2025

Candidates should make sure that their exam preparation is in the right direction while preparing for the UPSC CDS exam 2025. The commission will provide the UPSC CDS question paper 2025 in the form of PDF files. The question paper of CDS 2025 will help the candidates to improve their exam preparation. Also, It is mandatory to solve the previous years' question paper of CDS to get an overall idea about the syllabus and exam pattern. Candidates can evaluate themselves by solving the previous year's UPSC CDS 2025 question papers.

Best Books for CDS 2025

One of the toughest tasks in exam preparation is selecting the best books for CDS exam 2025. Candidates get confused while selecting the best books for CDS 2025. Lot of preparation books are available in the market. Candidates are advised to choose the books based on the latest CDS syllabus 2025 and exam pattern.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. When is the CDS 1 application form 2025 going to be released?

CDS 1 2025 application form has been released on December 11, 2024.

2. Is the UPSC CDS 2025 exam conducted online or offline?

UPSC CDS exam for both the courses i.e. OTA and IMA, INA & AFA are conducted in offline mode.

3. What is the minimum education qualification required for the CDS exam 2025?

The minimum education qualification needed to be eligible for the CDS 2025 exam is graduation.

4. How many papers are there in CDS written exam 2025?

According to the CDS 2025 syllabus, there are three sections including English, Mathematics and General Knowledge.

5. What are the different stages of the CDS exam 2025?

CDS 2025 exam has two stages - A written exam and an SSB interview.

6. What are the sections in the syllabus of CDS OTA?

As per the CDS OTA syllabus, there are two sections including English and General Knowledge.

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Questions related to CDS

Have a question related to CDS ?

Dear aspirant !!

Hope you are doing well !!

For CDS (Combined Defence Services) exams, the eligibility criteria regarding age depend on the specific course you are applying for. Here’s a breakdown based on your date of birth (08-05-2001) and the requirements for CDS 2 2025:

For 2025 cds 2;-

  1. Indian Military Academy (IMA) :

    • Age: 19 to 24 years on 1st July of the year of examination.
    • For CDS 2 2025, the exam will be held in September 2025. The candidate must be born between 2nd July 2001 and 1st July 2006 (both dates inclusive).
    • Since you were born on 08-05-2001, you fall within the eligible age range for IMA, so you can apply for IMA .
  2. Indian Naval Academy (INA) :

    • Age: 19 to 22 years on 1st January of the year of examination.
    • For CDS 2 2025, you must be born between 2nd January 2003 and 1st January 2006 (both dates inclusive).
    • Since your birthdate (08-05-2001) is outside this range, you cannot apply for INA in CDS 2 2025.
  3. Air Force Academy (AFA) :

    • Age: 20 to 24 years on 1st July of the year of examination.
    • For CDS 2 2025, you must be born between 2nd July 2001 and 1st July 2005 (both dates inclusive).
    • Since you were born on 08-05-2001, you can apply for AFA .
  4. Officers Training Academy (OTA) :

    • Age: 19 to 25 years on 1st January of the year of examination.
    • For CDS 2 2025, you must be born between 2nd January 2000 and 1st January 2006 (both dates inclusive).
    • Since you are 24 years old and your birthdate is 08-05-2001, you can apply for OTA .

You can attempt CDS 2 2025 for the Indian Military Academy (IMA) , Air Force Academy (AFA) , and Officers Training Academy (OTA) . However, you are not eligible for the Indian Naval Academy (INA) .

for details,visit the below link ;-

Careers360

https://competition.careers360.com

https://competition.careers360.com/articles/cds-eligibility-criteria


Thanks for asking

hello,

yes, a distance degree from Swami Vivekanand University(SVU) is valid for UPSC CDS (IMA/OTA) if it is UGC and DEB approved. ensure that the university and its distance courses are recognized at the time of admission to avoid issues in SSB verification. always check the UGC website for the latest approval status before applying.

Hello Kanchan,

You are eligible to appear for the CDS (Combined Defence Services) Exam based on your date of birth (16 October 2003) and graduation timeline. Here’s when you can apply:

  • CDS 1 2025 : Yes, you can apply (Notification in December 2024, Exam in April 2025)

  • CDS 2 2025 : Yes, you can apply (Notification in May 2025, Exam in September 2025)

    Age Limits for CDS 2025 (Tentative)

  • Indian Military Academy (IMA): 02 January 2002 – 01 January 2007

  • Indian Naval Academy (INA): 02 January 2002 – 01 January 2007

  • Air Force Academy (AFA): 02 January 2002 – 01 January 2006 (with Physics & Math in 12th or Engineering Degree)

  • Officers Training Academy (OTA): 02 January 2001 – 01 January 2007

Since your graduation will be completed next year (2025) , you can apply in your final year , but you need to submit proof of graduation before the final selection .


I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to share your questions with us we will be happy to assist you.

Thank you and wishing you all the best for your bright future.


To determine if you're eligible to give the CDS (Combined Defence Services) exam in 2027, let's check the age criteria:


Age Criteria for CDS Exam

- For Indian Military Academy (IMA): 19-24 years

- For Indian Naval Academy (INA): 19-24 years

- For Air Force Academy (AFA): 19-24 years

- For Officers' Training Academy (OTA): 19-25 years


Your Age in 2027

- Born in 2003

- Age in 2027: 24 years


Considering the age criteria, you'll be eligible to appear for the CDS exam in 2027 for:


- Indian Military Academy (IMA)

- Indian Naval Academy (INA)

- Air Force Academy (AFA)


However, you'll be at the upper age limit for these academies. For Officers' Training Academy (OTA), you'll still be within the eligible age range.


Please note that these eligibility criteria are subject to change, and you should verify the age limits and other eligibility criteria with the official UPSC website or notification before applying.

Hello,

To determine how many attempts you have for the CDS (Combined Defence Services) exam for entry into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), we need to consider the age criteria and your graduation timeline.

Age Criteria for IMA through CDS

Age Limit: 19 to 24 years as of 1st January or 1st July of the year in which the course commences

For example, if the course starts in January 2029, your date of birth should fall between 2nd January 2005 and 1st January 2009.

Your Cas

Date of Birth: 27th February 2004.

Graduation Completion: July 2028.

You will turn 24 on 27th February 2028, which means you will be eligible for CDS exams for IMA entry till the batch commencing in January 2029.

Exam Timeline

The CDS exam is conducted twice a year (usually in February and September

CDS Exam Attempts Available:

CDS 2, 2027: For the course starting in July 2028.

CDS 1, 2028: For the course starting in January 2029.

Total Attempts:

You have 2 attempts left to apply for the IMA through the CDS exam.

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