CDS 2025 Books: Check Best Books for CDS Preparation
Combined Defence Services Exam 2025 ( CDS )
Result - 9 Oct '25
CDS Books 2025: The CDS 2 exam will be 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 Books PDF
- 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
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 | |
Commonly asked questions
CDS Books PDF
The CDS books 2025 are available online for download by candidates. It's simple and convenient to read online books anywhere. Candidates can read these books anywhere they choose, and using e-books has the benefit of being readily available. The books can be used as a basis for the candidates' plans. It can be simple to prepare in advance using widely available books.
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
CDS Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a week 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 week 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 a month ago
Apart from the salary, CDS officers receive several allowances, including DA, high altitude allowance, uniform allowance, transport allowance, medical aid, accommodation, children's education allowance, etc. It depends upon the amount of salary, and it varies depending on the designation and academy
G
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
Candidates can check below the CDS 2 2025 age limit:
- IMA: Candidates for IMA should be unmarried and must have been born not earlier than July 2, 2002, and not later than July 1, 2007.
- INA: Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than July 2, 2002, and not later than July 1, 2007, can apply for INA
N
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month 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
Answered 2 months ago
No, the CDS 1 2025 result will be released after the conduction of an exam on the official website. The result will be released in the form of a PDF and consists of the roll numbers of candidates who have qualified for the SSB interview.
M
Contributor-Level 6
Upcoming Sarkari Exam Dates
Bihar STET Notification 2025 19 Sep '25 - 31 Oct '25
Is there a negative marking in the CDS exam?