CDS Syllabus 2021 - Subject Wise CDS Syllabus & Exam Pattern
CDS Syllabus 2021 - UPSC prescribes the official CDS syllabus in the official notification. The official UPSC CDS syllabus 2021 is released by the Commission along with the official CDS 2021 notification. The CDS notification contains the detailed CDS exam syllabus and exam pattern for all the subjects asked in the CDS exam. The prescribed CDS syllabus 2021 helps candidates in better understanding the type of questions asked in the examination and the CDS 2021 exam pattern. Applicants can also check the UPSC CDS syllabus 2021 to check the important chapters and topics asked in the exam. To know more about the CDS syllabus 2021 read the article below.
Latest Updates: CDS result 2021 to be announced soon. Check the details about the CDS cutoff 2021

CDS Syllabus 2021 - For Written Exam
The Combined Defence Services exam has two written papers for the OTA course and three written papers for other courses. The subjects from which the questions are framed in the CDS exam are mathematics, English and general knowledge. English and general knowledge questions asked in both the CDS OTA and CDS IMA/ INA/ AFA courses. CDS IMA/ INA/ AFA course has one extra subject that is mathematics. The questions asked in the CDS exam are of 10th and 12th standard. For more details on the CDS syllabus for OTA candidates can check the table below:
CDS Syllabus for written exam
Subjects | Topics |
CDS Maths syllabus |
|
CDS English syllabus |
|
CDS General Knowledge syllabus |
|
Quick links:
CDS Application Form 2021
CDS Eligibility Criteria 2021
CDS Exam Pattern 2021 - For Prelims & Mains Exam
The CDS exam pattern 2021 is also prescribed by the Union Public Service Commission. As per the official CDS notification, the CDS written exam is objective type in nature i.e MCQ. CDS OTA exam has two papers whereas CDS IMA/ INA/ AFA has three papers. Along with the exam pattern, candidates must also check the CDS syllabus 2021 for their preparations. There is a negative marking for every wrong answer. For more details on the CDS exam pattern 2021 check the tables below.
CDS OTA exam pattern
Papers | Subjects | Marks | Duration |
Paper 1 | General Knowledge | 100 | 2 hrs |
Paper 2 | English | 100 | 2 hrs |
CDS IMA/ INA/ AFA exam pattern
Papers | Subjects | Marks | Duration |
Paper 1 | General Knowledge | 100 | 2 hrs |
Paper 2 | English | 100 | 2 hrs |
Paper 3 | Mathematics | 100 | 2 hrs |
More Relevant Links
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) - CDS Syllabus 2021 - Subject Wise CDS Syllabus & Exam Pattern
Question: Is the CDS written exam conducted online or offline?
Answer:
CDS written for both the courses i.e. OTA and IMA, INA & AFA are conducted in offline mode.
Question: When is the CDS 2021 application form going to be released?
Answer:
CDS 1 application form 2021 is going to be released on October 28, 2020 on the UPSC official website - www.upsc.gov.in.
Question: How many papers does the CDS exam have?
Answer:
CDS OTA exam has two papers whereas CDS IMA, INA & AFA has three papers.
Question: What is the minimum education qualification required for the CDS exam?
Answer:
Minimum education qualification required to be eligible for the CDS exam is graduation.
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Questions related to CDS
My DOB is June 23 1998 I am I eligible for CDS 2021?
Hello Dear,
Yes, The candidate born between 02 Jan 1998 to 01 Jan 2003 . So you will are eligible according to this years' eligibility criteria. CDS Notification is published by Union Public Service Commission. CDS follows a three-stage recruitment process it consists of:
- Written Test
- SSB Interview
- Medical Examination
- Merit List
Follow the link below for more information:
https://competition.careers360.com/articles/cds-eligibility-criteria
Good Luck
my dob is April 2004 ,am I eligible for cds paper 2in 2022
Hello,
As per as your Date Of Birth, you will be 18 years of old by April 2022, which does not fulfill the required CDS Eligibility Criteria 2022 as per Age Limit which is 19 - 25 years of old( unmarried).
Candidates should be graduates and between the age group of 19 to 25 years. CDS eligiblity criteria 2021 is based on age limit, educational qualification, nationality and more.
https://competition.careers360.com/articles/cds-eligibility-criteria
Can 1st year BCA student apply for CDS OTA ?
Hi
I am extremely sorry to tell you dear but you are not eligible for CDS OTA if you are in the first year of BCA
This is because,
To be eligible for CDS OTA you should have completed your graduation course, also students who are in the final year of their degree examination are eligible
but you are still in the first year of your BCA ,thus you are not eligible. You can apply for CDS OTA either after the completion of your bca or in the final year of your BCA.
For your reference CDS eligibility criteria is provided below:-
*Nationality :-
-)you should be indian/nepali/bhutani
-) or you should be a tibetan refugee who came here before January, 1962 in india to settle permanently .
-)or you should be of indian origin migrated from following countries to settle here in India permanently :-
-> Burma,
->Pakistan,
->Sri Lanka & East African Countries
The age limit and marital status for different CDS courses is provided below:-
*Indian Military Academy :- you should be between 19 to 24 years and unmarried
*Indian Naval Academy :- you should be between 19 to 24 years and unmarried
*Air Force Academy :- you should be between 20 to 24 years and unmarried
*Officers' Training Academy (Men) :- you should be between 19 to 25 years and can be either unmarried or Married
*Officers Training Academy (Women, Non-Technical) :- you should be between 19 to 25 years and unmarried or widow or a Divorcee
Educational qualifications required for CDS is provided below:-
*Indian Military Academy :- you need a bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognised university. Those who are in final year of their degree are also eligible.
*Indian Naval Academy :- Must have bachelor's degree in engineering or should be in final year of your engineering.
*Air Force Academy :- You should have bachelor's degree in engineering or Bachelor's Degree in any discipline with physics and mathematics in your 10+2 level . Those who are in final year of their degree are also eligible
* OTA (Men) :- you need a bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognised university. Those who are in final year of bachelor's degree are also eligible.
* OTA (Women - Non-Technical) :- you need a bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognised university. Those who are in final year of their degree are also eligible
For detailed information you can visit our page the link for the same is provided below :-
https://competition.careers360.com/articles/ cds -eligibility-criteria
If you have any other doubt then you can always reach us to clear them :) we are always available to help you out and guide you
Thank you
i have a 60.62% marks in 12th science so....can i apply for cds and afcat examination.. .
Hello,
You need to hold a graduation degree in order to apply for both of the CDS and AFCAT exam. Your class 12th marks won't pose any hindrance.
The education qualification needed for CDS are:
-
For I.M.A. and OTA, candidates should have a bachelor's degree from a university or equivalent degree from institutions that have been recognized by the Central/State Government.
-
For INA candidate needs to have a Degree in Engineering from a recognized University/institution.
-
Also, to apply to Air Force Academy, the candidates need a degree from a recognized university( with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2) or a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
Also, apart from educational eligibility criteria, you also need to fulfill the other criteria to be eligible. Check the link below for more information regarding this
CDS: https://competition.careers360.com/articles/cds-eligibility-criteria
AFCAT: https://competition.careers360.com/articles/afcat
Good luck!
BSc(cbz) is ok to Join AFA in CDS ? PLEASE ANSWER
Hello,
I am not very sure of BSc(CBZ) acceptance for CDS.
But I can provide you these links to check out:
https://afcat.cdac.in/AFCAT/
http://careerairforce.nic.in/
These are the official sites of the Indian Airforce. You can check the career options from these sites.
Through these links, you can also check out which branch (flying or technical or non technical) you are eligible.
Also, please note that, CDS is not the only entrance for AFA. You have options like AFCAT and NCC Special Entry also. You can check these also through the links provided.