UPSC CDS English Syllabus 2025: Check Revised Topics, Previous Year Question Papers & Pattern
Combined Defence Services Exam 2025 ( CDS )
Registration - 10 Dec '25 - 30 Dec '25
The CDS 2025 syllabus of English is provided here along with the exam pattern and previous year question papers. Candidates can check and analyse the syllabus as it plays an important role in the preparation. The CDS 1 2025 exam will be conducted on April 13, 2025. Scroll down for more details.
CDS 2025 English Syllabus
CDS 2025 English Syllabus: The CDS examination is one of the most competitive examinations in India, where candidates show utmost dedication towards the preparation to clear both the phases of the CDS exam. The CDS examination 2025 consists of two phases, namely the written examination and the SSB interview. It is essential to pass both the stages for the selection. And for this, it is important for the candidates to understand the syllabus of the CDS thoroughly. Here we have provided the CDS 2025 English syllabus along with the previous year's question papers and exam pattern. Scroll down for details.
- CDS 1 2025 Exam
- CDS 2025 Syllabus Highlights
- CDS 2025 English Syllabus
- CDS 2025: Topics to be revised
- CDS 2025: Exam Pattern
- CDS Previous Year Question Papers
CDS 1 2025 Exam
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
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.
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will conduct the CDS 1 2025 exam on April 13, 2025. The CDS 1 2025 admit card will be released soon on the official website at upsc.gov.in. Candidates will be able to download the CDS 1 2025 hall ticket from the official website.
CDS 2025 Syllabus Highlights
Candidates can check below the CDS 2025 Syllabus overview.
| Parameters | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of exam |
Combined Defence Services Examination |
| Conducted by |
|
| Exam Level |
National |
| Exam frequency |
Twice a year (April and September) |
| Exam mode |
Offline |
| Exam stages |
Written exam and SSB Interview |
| Exam timing |
The time allotted to each paper such as English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics is two hours |
| Language of question paper |
English and Hindi |
| No.of papers |
Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and Air Force Academy (AFA): Three (English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics) Officers’ Training Academy (OTA): Two (English and General Knowledge) |
| Written Exam IMA, INA and AFA: 300 Marks OTA: 200 Marks SSB Interview IMA, INA and AFA: 300 each Marks OTA: 200 each Marks |
|
| Marking scheme |
One mark for the correct answer One-third mark is deducted for wrong answers |
| Nature of Questions |
Multiple Choice Questions |
CDS 2025 English Syllabus
Upcoming Sarkari Exam Dates
31 Oct '25 - 8 Nov '25
23 Oct '25 - 9 Nov '25
9 Nov '25
9 Nov '25
10 Nov '25
SSC CHSL
SBI
21 Oct '25 - 20 Nov '25
31 Oct '25 - 30 Nov '25
24 Oct '25 - 23 Nov '25
The CDS 2025 English syllabus consists of vocabulary, grammar, and reading comprehension. The main aim is to assess a candidate's ability to use the English language professionally. Scroll down to know the CDS syllabus of the English subject.
| Vocabulary
|
| Reading Passage
|
| Grammar
|
CDS 2025: Topics to be revised
As per the previous year's trends, check below the topics that are to be revised in the English subject for the upcoming CDS 1 2025 exam.
- Synonyms
- Antonyms
- Active/Passive
- Rearrangement of sentences.
- Direct/In Direct
- Common Errors
- Idioms and Phrases
- Spotting errors
- Spelling check, etc.
CDS 2025: Exam Pattern
For INA, AFA, IMA
The UPSC CDS exam pattern has been given below for INA, IMA, and AFA:
| Subject |
Duration (In hours) |
Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English |
2 |
100 |
| General Knowledge |
2 |
100 |
| Elementary Mathematics |
2 |
100 |
For OTA
| Subject | Duration (In hours) | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English |
2 |
100 |
| General Knowledge |
2 |
100 |
CDS Previous Year Question Papers
Candidates can check below the CDS 1 and 2 Question Papers for the year 2024 and also for previous years.
| Subjects | CDS1 2024 Paper |
|---|---|
| CDS English Question Paper | Download Here |
| Subjects | CDS 2 2024 Paper |
|---|---|
| CDS English Question Paper | Download Here |
| Subjects | CDS 1 2023 Paper |
|---|---|
| CDS English Question Paper | Download Here |
| Subjects | CDS 2 2023 Paper |
|---|---|
| CDS English Question Paper | Download Here |
| Subjects | CDS 2022 Previous Year Paper |
|---|---|
| CDS English Question Paper | Download Here |
| Subjects | CDS 1 Previous Year Paper 2021 |
|---|---|
| CDS 1 English Question Paper | Download Here |
| Subjects | CDS 2 Previous Year Paper 2021 |
|---|---|
| CDS 2 English Question Paper | Download Here |
| Subjects | CDS 1 Previous Year Paper 2020 |
|---|---|
| CDS 1 English Question Paper | Download Here |
| Subjects | CDS 2 Previous Year Paper 2020 |
|---|---|
| CDS 2 English Question Paper | Download Here |
| Subjects | CDS 1 Previous Year Paper 2019 |
|---|---|
| CDS 1 English Question Paper | Download Here |
| Subjects | CDS 2 Previous Year Paper 2019 |
|---|---|
| CDS 2 English Question Paper | Download Here |
Read More:
CDS Maths Syllabus 2025, Download CDS Mathematics Syllabus PDF
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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
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.