
CDS Syllabus 2025: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will conduct the CDS 2 2025 exam on September 14, 2025. The Commission prescribed the CDS syllabus along with the notification. CDS 2025 syllabus PDF is categorised into two parts- i) For IMA, INA, and AFA, and ii) For OTA. The highlights of the syllabus are provided below for the candidates:
- The CDS syllabus for IMA, INA, and AFA has three subjects whereas OTA has two subjects.
- The standard CDS Mathematics syllabus is of Class 10 standard, while for other subjects, it is of graduation level.
- To plan for the exam strategically, it is important to know the CDS syllabus
Aspirants willing to join the defence services through the CDS exam 2025 can check on this page the detailed syllabus, exam pattern, marking scheme, important books, preparation tips, and FAQs. The candidates who are preparing for the CDS exam must go through the exam syllabus and CDS exam pattern to ensure their preparation for the CDS exam.
Also Read:
UPSC CDS English Syllabus 2025
CDS General Knowledge Syllabus 2025
The authority released the CDS 2025 syllabus along with the notification. Candidates who are preparing for CDS exam 2025 must follow the syllabus to prepare for the exam. The CDS syllabus is divided into two categories-
a) INA (Indian Naval Academy), IMA (Indian Military Academy), and AFA (Air Force Academy)
b) OTA (Officers Training Academy)
The syllabus for the IMA, INA and AFA comprises three sections English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics. Further, the syllabus for OTA comprises English and General Knowledge. OTA exam syllabus does not have a Maths section
To get the detailed syllabus for INA, IMA and AFA click on the refer to the link below: https://www.shiksha.com/exams/cds-exam-syllabus.
- What is CDS Syllabus 2025?
- Overview of CDS Syllabus 2025 & its importance
- CDS Syllabus for IMA, INA & AFA: PDF Link
- CDS English Syllabus 2025
- CDS General Knowledge Syllabus 2025
- CDS Syllabus Elementary Mathematics 2025
- CDS OTA Syllabus 2025
- CDS OTA Syllabus for English 2025
- CDS OTA Syllabus for General Knowledge 2025
- CDS Exam Pattern 2025
- CDS Marking Scheme 2025
- CDS Exam Pattern for SSB Interview
- UPSC CDS Syllabus 2025: Topic-Wise Distribution of Questions
- How to Prepare for CDS 2025?
- Best Books to Cover CDS Exam Syllabus
- Other Defence Exam Syllabus
- UPSC CDS Syllabus Important Topics
- CDS Exam Important Instructions
What is CDS Syllabus 2025?
UPSC CDS syllabus consists of three subjects- Elementary Mathematics, English Language, and General Knowledge. Candidates must note that Elementary Mathematics is only for candidates who have applied for IMA, INA, and AFA. Going through the CDS syllabus candidates can make out which topics and chapters to cover for the exam. The candidates preparing for the should go through the previous years' question papers to find out the important topics for the CDS exam.
Also Read: Preparation Tips for Women to Crack CDS
Overview of CDS Syllabus 2025 & its importance
Given below is the overview of the CDS syllabus 2025.
Parameters | Details |
---|---|
Mode of exam | Offline |
Stages of exam | Written exam and SSB Interview |
Number of sections | Three sections for the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and Air Force Academy (AFA) Two sections for the Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) |
Exam subjects | English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics |
Nature of questions | Objective-type |
Level of questions | The standard of questions in Mathematics is of Class 10 standard and other subjects are of Graduation level |
Duration of test | Two hours for each subject |
Language of question paper | English and Hindi |
CDS 2025 Syllabus Importance
To understand the syllabus of the CDS exam, help candidates to prepare effectively and improve their chances of success. Scroll down for more details:
- It helps in strategic preparation.
- A clear understanding of the CDS syllabus helps candidates in allocating the time effectively to each subject based on strengths and weaknesses. Also helps in focusing on high-scoring areas and revising frequently tested topics.
- The syllabus also provides an insight into the difficulty level of questions asked in the examination.
- With the help of the syllabus, candidates will be able to choose the right study materials. Candidates should solve previous year's question papers that are syllabus relevant.
- It helps in building the conceptual understanding.
- Further, a syllabus-based preparation approach ensures that no important topic is left out in the preparation, etc.
Also Read: UGC NET 2025
CDS Syllabus for IMA, INA & AFA: PDF Link
Candidates who are willing to join the Indian defence forces must prepare for the written exam well and the CDS syllabus can help the candidates in preparing for the written exam. The syllabus contains topics from all three subjects- English, Elementary Maths, and General Knowledge. CDS Syllabus PDF can be downloaded for free through the link available below. Candidates must strategise their preparation according to the CDS syllabus to ensure they are preparing in the right direction. Check below the CDS Syllabus for 2024.
CDS Syllabus PDF: Click Here
Get the latest CDS Syllabus PDF for section-wise preparation of the exam
Download HereCDS English Syllabus 2025
The questions in this section are designed to test the candidate’s understanding of English. The CDS syllabus for the English Language is given below.
Antonyms |
Sentence improvement |
|
Synonyms |
Word substitution |
Ordering of sentences |
Selecting Words |
Ordering of words in a sentence |
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CDS General Knowledge Syllabus 2025
The General Knowledge tests the candidate’s knowledge regarding current affairs. The paper includes questions from the History of India and the Geography of nature. The CDS syllabus for General Knowledge is given below.
Economics |
Physics |
|
Politics |
Chemistry |
Sociology |
History |
Defence |
Award |
Geography |
Environment |
Sport |
Biology |
Cultural |
Book |
Statement true/false |
-- |
-- |
CDS Syllabus Elementary Mathematics 2025
Questions in Elementary Mathematics are asked from Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration, and Statistics. Check below the topics for Elementary Mathematics:
CDS Syllabus: 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.
CDS Syllabus: 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 |
HCF & LCM |
Theory of Polynomials |
Solutions of Quadratic Equations |
The Relation Between its Roots and Coefficients (Only real roots will be considered) |
Simultaneous Linear Equations in two Unknown-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 |
Law of Indices |
CDS Maths Syllabus: Trigonometry
- Sine ×, cosine ×, Tangent × when 0°
- Simple Trigonometric Identities
- Use of Trigonometric Tables
- Simple Cases of Heights and Distances
CDS Maths Syllabus: Geometry
Lines and Angles, Plane and Plane Figures, Theorems on Properties of Angles at a Point, Parallel Lines, Sides and Angles of a Triangle, Congruency of Triangles, Similar Triangles, Concurrence of Medians and Altitudes, Properties of Angles, Sides, and Diagonals of a Parallelogram, Rectangle and Square, Circles and its Properties including Tangents and Normal and Loci.
Download CURRENT AFFAIRS Guide -Download Here |
CDS Maths Syllabus: Mensuration
- Areas of Squares
- Rectangles
- Parallelograms
- Triangle and Circle
- Areas of figures which can be split up into these figures (Field Book)
- Surface Area and Volume of Cuboids
- Lateral Surface
- The volume of Right Circular Cones, Cylinders, and Surface
- Area and Volume of Spheres
Statistics |
|
---|---|
Collection and Tabulation of Statistical Data |
Graphical Representation Frequency Polygons |
Histograms |
Bar charts |
Measures of Central Tendency |
- |
Also Read:
CDS OTA Syllabus 2025
The OTA syllabus has two sections English and general knowledge. CDS OTA exam syllabus does not have a maths section. The topic-wise syllabus for the OTA has been provided for the candidates. Aspirants who are willing to appear for the OTA can go through the topic-wise syllabus for OTA CDS below on page