UPSC CDS Syllabus 2026: The UPSC Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exam is a prestigious examination for candidates aiming to become officers in the Indian Armed Forces, including the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA).

Understanding the UPSC CDS Syllabus 2026 is essential for effective preparation. It provides a detailed overview of all subjects and topics candidates need to cover, including General Knowledge, English, and Elementary Mathematics. For OTA aspirants, the Mathematics paper is not applicable. A clear understanding of the syllabus helps candidates plan their study schedule, focus on high-yield topics, and improve their chances of success in this competitive examination.

What is Syllabus for UPSC CDS?

UPSC Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exam is a gateway to officer roles in the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). Understanding the UPSC CDS Syllabus 2026 is vital for effective preparation. This syllabus outlines the subjects and topics candidates must master. It includes General Knowledge, English, and Elementary Mathematics.

This overview provides a clear roadmap for aspirants. It helps identify essential topics for focused study. Students will learn the depth and breadth of each subject. This knowledge allows for strategic time management. A clear grasp of the CDS syllabus improves preparation efficiency. It also significantly boosts chances of success in the competitive CDS exam.

UPSC CDS Syllabus Subject Wise 2026

The CDS syllabus is divided into core subjects. Each subject covers various essential topics.

• CDS GK GS Syllabus
  • Current Affairs (National and International events, awards, sports)
  • History (Ancient, Medieval, Modern Indian, Indian National Movement)
  • Geography (Physical, Social, Economic, Indian, World)
  • Indian Polity and Governance (Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj)
  • Economic and Social Development (Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion)
  • Science and Technology (Developments in various fields)
  • Environmental Ecology and Biodiversity (Conservation, pollution, climate change)
  • Defence and Security Issues (National security, threats, Armed Forces role)
  • General Science – Physics, Chemistry, Biology
• English
  • Vocabulary (Basic Grammar, Idioms & Phrases, Synonyms & Antonyms, Sentence Completion)
  • Reading Passage (Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, understanding text)
  • Grammar (Error Spotting, Sentence Improvement, Cloze Test, Active/Passive Voice, Direct/Indirect Speech)
• UPSC CDS Syllabus Maths (Not for OTA)
  • Arithmetic (Number System, Basic Operations, Time and Work, Percentage, Profit and Loss, Elementary Number Theory, L.C.M., H.C.F., Logarithms)
  • Algebra (Basic Operations, Factors, Remainder Theorem, Polynomials, Quadratic Equations, Linear Inequalities, Rational Expressions)
  • Trigonometry (Sine, Cosine, Tangent, Values for 0° to 90°, Identities, Tables, Heights and Distances)
  • Geometry (Plane & Figures, Lines & Angles, Triangles, Parallelogram, Square, Rectangle, Circles, Loci)
  • Mensuration (Areas of various shapes, Surface Area and Volume of 3D figures)
  • Statistics (Data Collection, Tabulation, Graphical Representation, Measures of Central Tendency)
• Intelligence and Personality Test (SSB)
  • Stage 1 (Officer Intelligence Rating, Picture Perception and Description Test)
  • Stage 2 (Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Test, Conference)

Core Concepts of CDS Syllabus

Here are the key mathematical Principles and Concepts

1. Division Algorithm: This rule explains how one integer divides another, yielding a quotient and a remainder.
2. Laws of Logarithms: These are fundamental rules for simplifying expressions involving logarithms.
3. Remainder Theorem: This theorem provides a quick way to find the remainder of polynomial division.
4. Properties of Angles: These geometric principles define relationships between angles in various shapes and configurations.
5. Trigonometric Identities: These equations involve trigonometric functions and hold true for all valid angle values.

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Short Conceptual Notes

1. Current Affairs: Awareness of significant events shaping national and international scenarios.
2. Indian Polity: Understanding the structure, functions, and principles of India’s government.
3. English Grammar: Essential rules governing correct sentence formation and word usage.
4. Elementary Number Theory: Deals with fundamental properties and relationships of integers.
5. Geometric Properties: Basic characteristics of shapes, including lines, angles, and polygons.
6. Officer Like Qualities (OLQs): Personal attributes like initiative, decision-making, and teamwork, assessed in SSB.

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Key Terms and Definitions in CDS Syllabus

• UPSC CDS Exam: The competitive examination for entry into the Indian Armed Forces as officers.
• IMA: Indian Military Academy, training Army officers.
• INA: Indian Naval Academy, training Navy officers.
• AFA: Air Force Academy, training Air Force officers.
• OTA: Officers’ Training Academy, for Short Service Commission officers.
• Current Affairs: Recent events of national and international importance.
• Indian Polity: The system of government and politics in India.
• Panchayati Raj: A system of local self-governance in Indian villages.
• Sustainable Development: Meeting present needs without harming future generations.
• Reading Comprehension: The skill of understanding and interpreting written passages.
• Para Jumbles: Jumbled sentences or paragraphs requiring logical reordering.
• Error Spotting: Identifying grammatical mistakes in given sentences.
• Elementary Mathematics: Fundamental concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and more.
• H.C.F.: Highest Common Factor, the largest number dividing two or more numbers.
• L.C.M.: Least Common Multiple, the smallest number divisible by two or more numbers.
• Mensuration: Calculation of geometric measurements like area and volume.

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