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CDS Syllabus 2025 - Download UPSC CDS Exam Syllabus PDF

CDS Syllabus 2025 - Download UPSC CDS Exam Syllabus PDF

Edited By Sneha Vinod | Updated on Jul 15, 2024 12:28 PM IST | #CDS

UPSC releases 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. CDS 1 exam is expected to 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

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 Question (FAQs)

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

CDS 1 2025 application form will be 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 ?

Hello,

For CDS (Combined Defence Services) exam conducted by the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) for admission to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), the eligibility criteria regarding age are as follows:

  1. Age Limit :
    • Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 2nd January 2001 and not later than 1st January 2006 are eligible.

Since your date of birth is 3rd May 2003, you fall within the eligible age range for the CDS exam.

  1. Number of Attempts :
    • There is no restriction on the number of attempts for the CDS exam as long as you meet the age criteria.

Therefore, you have as many attempts as you need until you cross the upper age limit (which is usually around 24 years for CDS IMA, but it's always best to check the latest notification from UPSC for any changes).

As of now, based on your age, you are eligible to appear for the CDS exam and have multiple attempts remaining.

Good luck with your preparations!

Hello,

Age Criteria for CDS OTA:

  • For Officers Training Academy (OTA) : Candidates must be unmarried and between 19 and 25 years old. The specific birth date range for a given year of examination is usually mentioned in the official notification by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

Age Eligibility:

For the CDS exam conducted in 2026, considering the typical cutoff dates:

  • For CDS OTA 2026 : You should be born between January 2, 2001, and January 1, 2007, to be eligible (this range might slightly vary each year, so it’s best to check the official notification for the exact dates).

Given your date of birth (March 13, 2001), you will be 25 years old in March 2026. Thus, you will fall within the eligible age range for the OTA in 2026.

Educational Qualification:

  • You will complete your graduation in 2023, which satisfies the educational requirement for the CDS exam (a bachelor's degree from a recognized university).

So, Based on the information provided, you will be eligible to apply for the CDS OTA in 2026, given your age and educational qualifications.

Hope it helps you!

Ofcourse you can give cds exam until the age of 25 years if you have completed your graduation.there is no best year for attempting any exam it depends on your preparation if you are confident that you are going to crack the exam go for it dont waste your time for the right time to come.

Cds exam is conducted by UPSC hence it is hard you need to prepare for it do hard work smartly update yourself with ongoing news to get good marks in current affairs section as this is the toughest part of exam which keep changes with time.

Hey there,

The age limit to appear in the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exam is a minimum of 18 years and a maximum of 25 years. Additionally, you must be unmarried for some segments like Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA) and Officers’ Training Academy (SSC Course for Men) and have completed your graduation before appearing for the CDS exam.

Given your date of birth is December 17, 2001, you will be eligible to appear for the CDS 2025 exam for segments like Air Force Academy and Officers’ Training Academy (SSC Course for Men) but you won't be eligible for segments like Indian Military Academy (IMA) and Indian Naval Academy (INA) because these segments require the age between 18 years to 23 years and by the time of CDS exam in 2025 your age will be more than 23 years. So, you won't be able to appear for IMA and INA.

If you need more information on any topic, feel free to ask your questions.

Thank you, and best wishes for your future!

Hey there,

The age limit to appear in the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exam is a minimum of 18 years and a maximum of 25 years. Additionally, you must be unmarried for some segments like Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA) and Officers’ Training Academy (SSC Course for Men) and have completed your graduation before appearing for the CDS exam.

Given your age will be 25 in July 2027, you will be eligible to appear for the CDS-1  2027 exam for segments like Air Force Academy and Officers’ Training Academy (SSC Course for Men) only if the CDS-1 Exam helds before July 2027 but you won't be eligible for segments like Indian Military Academy (IMA) and Indian Naval Academy (INA) because these segments require the age between 18 years to 23 years and by the time of CDS exam in 2027 your age will be more than 23 years. So, you won't be able to appear for IMA and INA.

If you need more information on any topic, feel free to ask your questions.

Thank you, and best wishes for your future!

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