CDS 2026 Books: Check Best Books for CDS Preparation
Combined Defence Services Exam 2026 ( CDS )
Exam On - 12 Apr '26
CDS Books 2026: The Union Public Service Commission conducts the CDS exam to recruit Commissioned officers for the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. candidates can clear the CDS exam by referring to good books. They act as a relevant study material to clear the exam. It covers the concepts of the chapters provided in the syllabus. Books help in the preparation and clear the concepts of the subjects covered for the exam. Candidates must choose those books which covers the syllabus. Choosing the right books will help candidates to one step closer to the success. It helps to excel on the exam and secure a desired position in the IMA, INA, AFA, or OTA.
The CDS books will help the candidates to prepare for the CDS exam 2026. Candidates can start their CDS exam preparation by going through the CDS best preparation books given below for the aspirants.
- CDS Books 2026
- CDS Exam Pattern 2026
- CDS Syllabus 2026
- How to Prepare for CDS 2026 Exam?
- CDS Books 2026 FAQs
CDS Books 2026
CDS Books are the best resource for the exam. Many students appear in the exam as such the competition is tough. Students need to prepare well for the exam. The first and foremost step towards preparation is choosing the best books for CDS. Students must have access to excellent books to get success in the CDS exam. Often students get confused and ask questions such as 'Which CDS book is best?' and 'How do I buy CDS books?'. To address the queries of students, we have come up here with the list of CDS books. Candidates can buy the recommended books provided here to ace the exam. Go through the CDS books list:
CDS books for English Language
Questions in this subject of CDS are asked from topics such as Vocabulary, Grammar, Syntax, and its correct usage. The following books are recommended for this section:
- High School English Grammar & Composition Edition by Wren and Martin
- Objective General English by SP Bakshi
- Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
CDS books for GK
This is the section where candidates can perform well and secure good marks. Questions are asked about Economics, Current Affairs, Physics, Geography, Politics, Awards, Sports, Chemistry, etc. Candidates can refer to the following books for this section:
- General Awareness by Manohar Panday
- Manorama Yearbook
- Magazines such as Pratiyogita Darpan, Competition Success Review (CSR), and Yojana
- Newspapers
CDS books for Elementary Mathematics
Questions in this section are of Class 10 standards. Questions in Elementary Mathematics are asked from Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration and Statistics. It is recommended to candidates that they should clear their basics and concepts. Candidates can check below CDS books for Elementary Mathematics:
- Mathematics for CDS by RS Aggarwal
- Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by RS Aggarwal
- Pathfinder for CDS by Arihant Publications
Related Links:
| CDS Salary | CDS Selection Process | |
Commonly asked questions
Some of the books, help candidates in their CDS preparation are given below:
- High School English Grammar & Composition Edition by Wren and Martin
- Objective General English by SP Bakshi
- Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
- English Grammar & Composition by S.C Gupta
CDS Exam Pattern 2026
Before proceeding to best books for UPSC CDS 2026 exam, candidates must understand exam pattern. CDS exam pattern is divided into written exam and interview. Exam pattern is given below:
| Stage of Exam | Subjects | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Written Exam
|
English |
100 |
| GK |
100 |
|
| Mathematics |
100 |
|
| Total marks |
|
300 |
| SSB Interview |
Intelligence Test |
IMA, INA, AFA is 300 marks each while for OTA it is 200 |
| Psychological Test |
||
| Group Discussion |
||
| Group Activities |
CDS Marking Scheme
The latest marking scheme for the CDS exam has been given below for the candidates. The candidates should peg down that the CDS exam follows a negative marking scheme where 1/3 marks are deducted as a penalty. The CDS marking scheme has been given below:
| Specifications | English | GK | Mathematics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum marks | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Marks for the correct answer | +1 mark for each correct option | +1 mark for each correct option | +1 mark for each correct option |
| Negative marking | -0.33 marks for each wrong answer | -0.33 marks for each wrong answer | -0.33 marks for each wrong answer |
Commonly asked questions
In CDS, written exam comprises three papers namely English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics aiming for Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA) and Air Force Academy (AFA). There are two papers for candidates aiming for the Officers Training academy (OTA).
For IMA, INA, AFA: English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics
For OTA: English and General Knowledge
It is important to improve vocabulary and understand the usage of grammar for the CDS exam English section. Candidates can check here some of the books that can help in the preparation-"Word Power Made Easy" by Norman Lewis, Wren & Martin's High School English Grammar & Com, etc.
CDS Syllabus 2026
The CDS covers outlines the topics and sub-topics that candidates are required to cover for the examination. The CDS syllabus for different subjects is given below.
| Subjects | Syllabus |
|---|---|
| Mathematics |
Number System, Decimal fractions, Time & Distance, Time & Work, Percentages, Simple & compound interest, Profit & Loss, Ratio & proportion, Division algorithm, H.C.F. & L.C.M, Logarithms to base 10, Theory of polynomials, Solutions of quadratic equations, Linear equations in two variables & their solutions, Laws of indices, Trigonometry, Simple cases of heights and distances, Geometry, Lines & angles, Mensuration, Statistics |
| General Knowledge |
History of India, Geography, Polity, Economics, General Science |
| English |
Comprehension, Error Spotting, Cloze Test, Sentence Completion, Jumbled Sentences, Synonyms, Antonyms, Idioms & Phrases |
Other Defence Exam Books:
| NDA Books | AFCAT Books |
How to Prepare for CDS 2026 Exam?
CDS is a competitive exam which need proper dedication and preparation. Before beginning for the exam preparation candidate should understand the pattern of an exam and then the syllabus in which subject wise topics are given to cover for the exam point of view. Some of the preparation strategy for the CDS exam is provided below:
- Go through the CDS exam pattern
- Check the syllabus to know the subjects
- Solve mock tests for CDS exam
- Do frequent revision
- Make note of things that you learn
Also Read: CDS Selection Process
Commonly asked questions
Yes, the examination authority will release the CDS Question Papers 2026 officially at upsc.gov.in. The question papers will be released in the form of PDF. Candidates can download the CDS question papers 2026 from this page also for free. The question papers will help candidates to check the difficulty level of the exam, questions asked, pattern changed or not, etc.
The CDS 2026 exam dates were released by the authority. In the last month of the preparation, candidates should focus more on revision of all the important topics. Give test regulary. Revise and update yourself with current affairs. Maintain physical and mental health. Take proper sleep. Revise and practice previous year question papers. Also, focus on time management, etc.
CDS Books 2026 FAQs
Refer to CDS Books 2026 FAQs here
Commonly asked questions
The CDS exam is conducted in two stages, the written exam and the SSB interview. The CDS exam is an offline exam conducted in pen paper-based format. The CDS marking scheme, negative marking, total marks, exam timing, and the paper pattern for the IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA are available on this page for the CDS exam.
It is important to improve vocabulary and understand the usage of grammar for the CDS exam English section. Candidates can check here some of the books that can help in the preparation-"Word Power Made Easy" by Norman Lewis, Wren & Martin's High School English Grammar & Com, etc.
The CDS 2026 exam dates were released by the authority. In the last month of the preparation, candidates should focus more on revision of all the important topics. Give test regulary. Revise and update yourself with current affairs. Maintain physical and mental health. Take proper sleep. Revise and practice previous year question papers. Also, focus on time management, etc.
The CDS exam is conducted offline or pen and paper mode. Objective questions will be asked in the examination. Candidates need to mark their choices of answers in the sheet that was provided during the exam. CDS 1 2026 notification released on December 10.
The Commission released the CDS 1 and 2 exam date at upsc.gov.in. The CDS 1 exam will be conducted on April 12, 2026 and the CDS 2 on September 13. Candidates must be aware that these dates are released by the UPSC.
The General Knowledge syllabus of CDS exam consists of History, Polity, Economics, Geography, Science, etc. The subject requires the knowledge of current events whether national or international. The CDS 1 2026 notification will be released on December 10.
The syllabus of Mathematics consists of Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration, and Statistics.
In the CDS exam, the GK subject consists of Current Affairs, History, Geography, Polity, Sociology, Science (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology), Environment, Sports etc. It is advised to the candidates to know about the exam and solve previous year question papers.
Yes. In the CDS exam there is a negative marking. One-third mark will be deducted for an incorrect answer. No mark will be deducted for unanswered questions.
In CDS, written exam comprises three papers namely English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics aiming for Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA) and Air Force Academy (AFA). There are two papers for candidates aiming for the Officers Training academy (OTA).
For IMA, INA, AFA: English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics
For OTA: English and General Knowledge
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