UPSC CDS English Syllabus 2025: Check Revised Topics, Previous Year Question Papers & Pattern
Combined Defence Services Exam 2026 ( CDS )
Registration - 20 May '26 - 9 Jun '26
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.
Also Read:
- 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
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.
Commonly asked questions
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.
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.
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
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 |
Upcoming Sarkari Exam Dates
27 Mar '26 - 16 Apr '26
20 Apr '26
1 Apr '26 - 30 Apr '26
1 Apr '26 - 30 Apr '26
21 Jun '26
19 Jul '26
22 Aug '26 - 23 Aug '26
31 Aug '26
31 Mar '26 - 30 Apr '26
6 Oct '26 - 5 Nov '26
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 3 days ago
There are various coaching institutes for CDS in Dehradun. Some of them are Doon Defence Dreamers, Centurion Defence Academy, Brigadier Defence Academy, etc. It will be better to visit personally to the coaching institutes in Dehradun, take the reviews regarding faculties, infrastructure, requiremen
C
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 days ago
Doon Defence Dreamers as per the results and reputation is considered to be the top choice institute for the CDS preparation. But before joining any institute, it will be better to visit the campus in Dehradun, evaluate the faculty, infrastructure and the guidance provided there.
M
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 days ago
There are several CDS coaching institutes in Dehradun which provides comprehensive written and SSB guidance. Some of the academies are mentioned below:
Centurion Defence Academy
Prasad's Banking SSC and CDS Coaching Institution
Major Kalshi Classes
Dehradun Defence School, etc.
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 days ago
The top CDS coaching institute in Dehradun include Cadets Defence Academy, often recognised for high selection rates and tailored SSB training, and Dehradun National Academy of Defence (DNAD). Candidates can check below for some of the other notable institutes -
1. Centurion Defence Academy
2. Doon De
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
In the CDS exam, a good score varies as per the academy. Generally as per the experts, 120 to 150+ in the written exam for IMA/INA/AFA and 90 to 110+ for OTA are considered to be the good score along with the strong SSB performance. Also, cutoff changes every year and candidates required a minimum
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months ago
Generally, the CDS 1 exam is considered to be moderate to difficult level as the syllabus is vast and consists of challenges which are subject specific. But as per the previous year trend it is moderate in difficulty level. With proper strategy, consistency and hard work exam can be cracked by the c
C
Contributor-Level 6
Role: Editorial Domain
Education: Mass Com & Journalism, MSC Mathematics
Expertise: Sarkari Exam Expert
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