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UPSC CDS Syllabus 2024, Download Subject Wise Syllabus PDF

PWOnlyIAS June 21, 2024 05:49 2082 0

UPSC CDS Syllabus 2024 covers English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. Read on for a detailed UPSC CDS Syllabus and Exam Pattern.

UPSC CDS Syllabus 2024, Download Subject Wise Syllabus PDF

UPSC CDS Syllabus 2024: The UPSC Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exam is conducted for recruitment to the IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA. While preparing for this exam, candidates must ensure that they have familiarized themselves with the UPSC CDS Syllabus 2024.

The UPSC CDS Syllabus 2024 is distributed into three main subjects: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics, each designed to test the candidate’s proficiency and aptitude in relevant areas. A thorough understanding of the subject-wise CDS syllabus is essential for effective preparation and strategizing study plans for success.

UPSC CDS Syllabus 2024 PDF

The UPSC CDS Syllabus PDF 2024 is available for download on the website of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Candidates aspiring to join coveted officer positions in the Indian Armed Forces need to understand the pattern and syllabus of the CDS exam which will be held in two phases: the written test and the SSB Interview.

The CDS Exam Syllabus 2024 mainly covers the written stage of the exam which has the following key subjects: 

  1. General Knowledge
  2. English
  3. Elementary Mathematics/Arithmetic

The CDS syllabus is crucial to ace this competitive exam as it provides details of the topics that candidates need to prepare. Download the CDS Syllabus 2024 PDF Here:

UPSC CDS Syllabus PDF Download 

UPSC CDS Syllabus 2024 Highlights

The UPSC CDS exam, which is conducted twice a year, has a well-defined syllabus set to evaluate the aptitude of aspiring candidates. PDFs of the UPSC CDS syllabus in Hindi and English are made available in advance by authorities so that candidates can start their preparation well in time. 

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Here are the UPSC CDS 2 Exam highlights for candidates:

UPSC CDS Syllabus 2024 Highlights
Particular Details
Exam Name Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination
Authority Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Exam Mode Offline
Total Sections
  • Three For the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and Air Force Academy (AFA)
  • Two For Officers’ Training Academy (OTA)
Total Marks OTA – 200

IMA, INA, and AFA – 300

Nature of Questions Objective Type
Language  Hindi and English
Total Duration 2 hours each
Negative Marking in CDS Exam 1/3rd for each incorrect answer

UPSC CDS English Syllabus 2024

According to the latest notification, the UPSC CDS Syllabus 2024 for English is designed to test the candidates’ understanding of English and workmanlike use of words. This section can be tackled with standard books and the daily reading of newspapers. Key topics that are covered in UPSC CDS English Syllabus are:

  • Reading Comprehension 
  • Direct and Indirect Speech
  • Sentence Improvement
  • Rearrangement of Sentences
  • Grammar and Usage
  • Fill in the Blanks
  • Comprehension Passages
  • Vocabulary
  • Active and Passive Voices
  • Jumbled Sentences
  • Error Spotting
  • Synonyms and Antonyms
  • Cloze Test
  • Idioms and Phrases
  • Parts of Speech

UPSC CDS Mathematics Syllabus 2024

The UPSC CDS Mathematics Syllabus 2024 is aimed at testing the mathematical proficiency of candidates and encompasses topics such as Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration, and Statistics. Here is the detailed UPSC CDS syllabus for Mathematics:

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Subject Topics Covered
Arithmetic Number System

  • Natural numbers, Integers, Rational and Real numbers.
  • Fundamental operations, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, Square roots, Decimal fractions. 
  • Unitary method, time and distance, time and work, percentages, applications to simple and compound interest, profit and loss, ratio and proportion, 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, laws of logarithms, use of logarithmic tables.
Algebra
  • Basic Operations, simple factors, Remainder Theorem, H.C.F., L.C.M., Theory of polynomials, solutions of quadratic equations, the relation between its roots and coefficients (Only real roots to be considered). 
  • Simultaneous linear equations in two unknowns—analytical and graphical solutions. 
  • Simultaneous linear inequations in two variables and their solutions. Practical problems leading to two simultaneous linear equations or inequations in two variables or quadratic equations in one variable & their solutions. 
  • Set language and set notation, Rational expressions and conditional identities, and Laws of indices. 
Trigonometry
  • Sine ×, cosine ×, Tangent × when 0° < × < 90° Values of sin ×, cos × and tan ×, for × = 0°, 30°, 45°, 60° and 90°
  • Simple trigonometric identities.
  • Use of trigonometric tables.
  • Simple cases of heights and distances.
Geometry Lines and angles, Plane and plane figures, Theorems on

(i) Properties of angles at a point,

(ii) Parallel lines, 

(iii) Sides and angles of a triangle, 

(iv) Congruency of triangles, 

(v) Similar triangles, 

(vi) Concurrence of medians and altitudes, 

(vii) Properties of angles, sides, and diagonals of a parallelogram, rectangle, and square, 

(viii) Circles and its properties including tangents and normals, 

(ix) Loci.

Mensuration
  • Areas of squares, rectangles, parallelograms, triangles, and circles. 
  • Areas of figures which can be split up into these figures (Field Book), Surface area and volume of cuboids, lateral surface and volume of right circular cones and cylinders, surface area and volume of spheres. 
Statistics
  • Collection and tabulation of statistical data, Graphical representation frequency polygons, histograms, bar charts, pie charts, etc. 
  • Measures of central tendency. 

UPSC CDS General Knowledge Syllabus 2024

The UPSC CDS General Knowledge Syllabus 2024 covers current events, everyday scientific observations, and general topics expected of an educated individual. It includes questions on Indian history and geography, which can be easily answered without specialized study. Here are the topics that will be covered:

Topic Subtopics
Economics
  • Economic trends and policies
  • National and international economic issues
  • Economic development and growth
Physics
  • Basic concepts of physics
  • Mechanics
  • Thermodynamics
  • Electricity and magnetism
  • Optics
  • Modern physics
Current Affairs
  • National and international news
  • Defence and security issues
  • Science and technology news
  • Sports and awards
  • Books and authors
Polity
  • Constitution of India
  • Indian polity and governance
Chemistry
  • Basic concepts of chemistry
  • Organic and inorganic chemistry
  • Physical chemistry
  • Analytical Chemistry
History
  • Ancient, mediaeval, and modern Indian history
  • Indian national movement
Defence 
  • Awards and honours related to defence and military service
  • Internal and external threats, and the role of Armed Forces
  • Ranks in military services
Geography
  • Indian Geography
  • World Geography
Environment
  • Environment and Ecology 
  • Biodiversity
Biology
  • Basic concepts of biology
  • Botany and Zoology
  • Human biology

UPSC CDS Syllabus 2024 for OTA

According to the CDS OTA Syllabus PDF 2024, the Elementary Mathematics section is not included in the syllabus. The written exam of the Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) consists of two papers: English and General Knowledge. 

Candidates will be required to answer questions worth 100 marks in 2 hours on both papers to be eligible for the next stage. The rest of the syllabus is the same for the CDS OTA exam.

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UPSC CDS Intelligence and Personality Test Syllabus 2024

Candidates who clear the written test have to appear in front of the Service Selection Board (SSB) board for a personality test that will evaluate a candidate’s mental and physical potential to excel in a military environment. 

The SSB assessment includes a variety of psychological tests, group tasks, and an interview aimed at gauging leadership qualities, communication skills, decision-making abilities, and overall personality. Here UPSC CDS Intelligence and Personality Test procedure:

Stage Components
Stage I
  1. Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test
  2. Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT)
Stage II
  1. Interview 
  2. Group Testing Officer Tasks
  3. Psychology Tests
  4. Conference

UPSC CDS Exam Pattern 2024

The UPSC CDS Exam Pattern 2024 for the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Indian Air Force Academy (IAFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) have been structured into two main parts. Part A is the written test which is subdivided based on the academy and Part B is the SSB interview. 

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Here is the UPSC CDS Exam Pattern 2024 for the upcoming exam:

UPSC CDS Exam Pattern 2024 for Written Exam
Academy Subjects Exam Duration  Maximum Marks
IMA/INA/IAFA

 

 

English 2 hours 100
General Knowledge 2 hours 100
Elementary Mathematics 2 hours 100
OTA

 

English 2 hours 100
General Knowledge 2 hours 100
UPSC CDS Exam Pattern 2024 for Interview
SSB Interview Various Tasks 5 Days 300

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UPSC CDS Syllabus FAQs

The UPSC CDS exam syllabus includes English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics for IMA, INA, IAFA and English and General Knowledge for OTA.

The subjects in the CDS 2024 exam are English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics.

The syllabus for UPSC CDS OTA 2024 includes English and General Knowledge. Elementary Mathematics is not included in the OTA syllabus.

The core subjects of the CDS syllabus generally remain consistent, but minor changes or updates may occur. It's advisable to refer to the latest official notifications for any updates.

The Mathematics section in UPSC CDS 2 can be challenging depending on individual proficiency. Candidates should focus on understanding fundamental concepts and regular practice to excel in this section.
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AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD SOON
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Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
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Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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