CDS 2025 Books: Check Best Books for CDS Preparation
Combined Defence Services Exam 2025 ( CDS )
Registration - 10 Dec '25 - 30 Dec '25
CDS Books 2025: The CDS 2 exam was conducted on September 14, 2025. A total of 453 vacancies were released. Books play an important role in the preparation journey. It helps to excel on the exam and secure a desired position in the IMA, INA, AFA, or OTA.
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 with this article on CDS books. Candidates can buy the recommended books provided here to ace the exam.
The CDS books will help the candidates to prepare for the CDS exam 2025. Candidates can start their CDS exam preparation by going through the CDS best preparation books given below for the aspirants.
- CDS Exam Pattern
- Best Books for CDS Preparation
- CDS Syllabus 2025
- CDS Books 2025 FAQs
CDS Exam Pattern
Before proceeding to the best books for the UPSC CDS 2025 exam, candidates must understand the exam pattern. The CDS exam pattern is divided into a written exam and an interview. The 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 2024 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 |
Also Read: UGC NET 2024
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
For the English section in the CDS 2025 exam, it is crucial to improve vocabulary, understand grammar, and practice comprehension or unseen passage. For vocabulary: "Word Power Made Easy" by Norman Lewis, English Grammar & Composition by S.C. Gupta, Wren & Martin's High School English Grammar & Composition by S. Chand Publication, Objective General English by SP Bakshi, etc.
Best Books for CDS Preparation
Compiled below are the section-wise CDS books that will help candidates to prepare for the exam:
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
Also Read: UGC NET
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 | |
CDS Syllabus 2025
The CDS syllabus exam 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 |
CDS Books 2025 FAQs
Refer to CDS Books 2025 FAQs here
Commonly asked questions
In the last month of preparation for CDS 1 2026, candidates should focus on comprehensive revision of all the key topics, practice mock tests regularly, Work on weak areas, frequent revision, update yourself with current affairs, maintain physical and mental health, focus on areas in which you feel less confident, go through previous year question papers, analyse performance after each mock test, focus on time management, etc.
The Commission released the CDS 1 and 2 exam date 2026 on the official website in a calendar. The CDS 1 exam will be conducted on April 12, 2026 and the CDS 2 exam will be conducted on September 13, 2026. The candidates must be aware that these dates are released by UPSC through the exam calendar. However, the candidates can prepare for the CDS exams according to the exam date.
CDS Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 2 weeks ago
Here are the list of some of the books which can help candidates in their preparation.
- 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
J
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 weeks ago
The authority released a total of 453 vacancies for the CDS 2 exam 2025 for admission to the Indian Air Force, Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Officers’ Training Academy for courses.
M
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 weeks ago
It is recommended to the candidates to reach the CDS exam centre at least one hour prior to the reporting time. The CDS exam centre allotment is done on a first-apply-first-allot basis.
C
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 weeks ago
Yes, the English section of the CDS exam is scorable if it is prepared properly. Usually the difficulty level of the exam is moderate.
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 weeks ago
Candidates can check the cut off marks for the CDS exam by visiting the official website at upsc.gov.in. The UPSC will release the cutoff according to the academy or course.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
The steps to check the CDS cut off marks is provided below:
- Visit at upsc.gov.in
- Click on the :Examination" tab
- Go to the "Cut Off Marks" dropdown menu.
- Click on the download link and save it for future reference
I
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
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.
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
The CDS exam is conducted in an offline mode that is in a pen-paper mode. The exam consists of objective type questions and need to mark their answers in an OMR sheet.
J
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months ago
Yes, the CDS 2 application last date to apply was extended to June 20 from June 17, 2025. A one-time extension was provided by the commission. The application correction window was opened from July 7 to July 9, 2025.
S
Contributor-Level 6
Upcoming Sarkari Exam Dates
CSIR NET 2025 Dec Application Correction window 30 Oct '25 - 1 Nov '25
What are the best books for the English subject for CDS preparation?