UPSC CDS Syllabus 2025 PDF, Subject Wise CDS 1 and CDS 2 Syllabus

PWOnlyIAS December 11, 2024 04:23 1853 0

The UPSC CDS Syllabus 2025 outlines the subjects to focus on. Check out the detailed syllabus for CDS 1 and CDS 2 here

UPSC CDS Syllabus 2025 PDF, Subject Wise CDS 1 and CDS 2 Syllabus

UPSC CDS Syllabus 2025 provides a comprehensive overview of topics to be covered in each subject. Candidates appearing for the CDS exam are advised to go through the complete syllabus to begin their preparation. The UPSC CDS Syllabus includes topics from English, General Knowledge, and Mathematics. If you are planning to appear for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exam 2025, below is a detailed breakdown of the syllabus, covering all subjects.

CDS Syllabus 2025 Overview

The CDS written exam consists of three subjects for IMA, INA, and AFA and two subjects for OTA. Each subject is carefully structured to assess a candidate’s proficiency in key areas. UPSC CDS Syllabus includes topics covered in English, Mathematics, and General Knowledge. Candidates can download the CDS Syllabus PDF from here to check the topics in detail:

Get the CDS Syllabus PDF Here

Subject-Wise CDS Syllabus 2025 

The Subject-Wise CDS Syllabus 2025 is designed to help candidates prepare strategically for their target exam. Here is a subject wise breakdown of the UPSC CDS syllabus:

CDS Syllabus 2025 for English

The English section tests candidates’ comprehension skills, vocabulary, and grammatical knowledge. To excel, daily reading and consistent practice are highly recommended. 

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CDS English Syllabus 2024 
Reading Comprehension Questions
Spotting the Error Questions
Fill in the blank questions
Synonyms & Antonyms Questions
Idioms and Phrases Questions
Sentence Arrangement or Jumbled Questions
Ordering of words in Sentence Questions
Sentence Improvement or Sentence Correction Questions

CDS Syllabus 2025 for Mathematics

The Mathematics section focuses on problem solving skills and numerical aptitude. It includes fundamental topics from high school mathematics. Check out the sub-topics wise CDS Mathematics syllabus 2025 from here:

Topic Details
Arithmetic Number System

  • Number System, Elementary Number, Theory Natural numbers, Integers, Rational and Real numbers.
  • Fundamental operations, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, Square roots, Decimal fractions.
  • Unitary method, time and work, time and distance, percentages. 
  • Applications of profit and loss, simple and compound interest, ratio and proportion, and variation.

Elementary Number Theory

  • Division algorithm. 
  • Prime and composite numbers. 
  • Tests of divisibility by 2, 3, 4, 5, 9 and 11.
  • Multiples and factors.
  • Factorisation Theorem.
  • H.C.F. and L.C.M.
  • Euclidean algorithm.
  • Logarithms to base 10, use of logarithmic tables, laws of logarithms.
Algebra
  • Basic operations and simple factors, remainder theorem.
  • H.C.F. and L.C.M. of algebraic expressions.
  • Theory of polynomials, relation between its roots and coefficients (Only real roots to be considered), solutions of quadratic equations.
  • Simultaneous linear equations in two unknowns — analytical & graphical solutions.
  • Simultaneous linear inequalities in two variables & their solutions.
  • Practical issues with solutions that result in two simultaneous linear equations, inequalities in two variables, or quadratic equations in one variable.
  • Set notation and set language.
  • Rational expressions and conditional identities.
  • Laws of indices.
Trigonometry
  • Sine x, cosine x, Tan x when 0° < x < 90° , Values of sin x, cos x & tan x, for x = 0°, 30°, 45°, 60° & 90°.
  • Simple trigonometric identities.
  • Use of trigonometric tables.
  • Simple cases of heights and distances.
Geometry
  • Plane and plane figures, lines, and angles.
  • Properties of angles at a point, parallel lines, sides and angles of triangles.
  • Congruence and similarity of triangles, concurrence of medians and altitudes.
  • Properties of sides, angles, diagonals of rectangles, parallelograms, and squares.
  • Circles: tangents, normals, loci.
Mensuration
  • Areas of parallelograms, squares, rectangles, triangles, and circles.
  •  Surface area and volume of cones, cylinders, spheres, cuboids, and other composite shapes.
Statistics
  • Collection and tabulation of data.
  • Graphical representation: frequency polygons, bar charts, histograms, pie charts.
  • Measures of central tendency: mean, median, mode.

CDS Syllabus 2025 for General Knowledge

The General Knowledge (GK) section assesses candidates’ awareness of current events and basic scientific principles. 

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CDS General Knowledge Syllabus
Indian History
Political Science
Economics
Geography
Environment
General Science – Physics, Chemistry, Biology
Current Affairs– National & International Awards, Summits, Sports, Conference; Books & Authors etc.
Defence Related Questions – Army, Navy, Air Force

CDS Syllabus for OTA

For candidates applying for the Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), the syllabus includes English and General Knowledge only, with no Mathematics paper. Knowing the syllabus well allows candidates to plan their preparation effectively and perform confidently in the written test.

Also Read: UPSC CDS Eligibility Criteria 2025

CDS Exam Pattern 2025

The CDS Exam Pattern 2025 includes three main papers: English, General Knowledge, and Mathematics for IMA, INA, and AFA. The Officers Training Academy (OTA) has only English and General Knowledge papers. All papers in the CDS exam are objective-type and aim to test candidates’ language proficiency, general awareness, and numerical skills.

CDS Exam Pattern 2025
Academy Subjects Marks per Subject Total Marks
IMA/INA/AFA English, GK, Mathematics 100 each 300
OTA English, GK 100 each 200

Ready to boost your UPSC CDS 2025 preparation? Join PW’s UPSC CDS online course today!

UPSC CDS Syllabus 2025 FAQs

The syllabus covers English, General Knowledge, and Mathematics for IMA, INA, and AFA, and only English and GK for OTA.

No, Mathematics is not part of the OTA syllabus.

Focus on improving vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension through regular reading and practice.

It includes history, geography, economics, current affairs, and basic science.

Yes, the detailed CDS syllabus PDF is available for download on the official UPSC website.
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