Updated on Mar 28, 2023 14:49 IST

CDS General Knowledge assesses a candidate's knowledge regarding current affairs. To score good marks, candidates should keep themselves abreast of recent events. Get here a few tips and tricks on how to prepare for CDS 1 exam General Knowledge

How to Prepare for CDS General Knowledge?

How to Prepare for CDS General Knowledge?

The General Knowledge of CDS tests a candidate’s knowledge of current events. Though the syllabus for this subject is vast, candidates can score good marks if prepared well. Candidates need to be thorough with History, Geography, Science, Polity, Economics, and Current Affairs. Usually, questions in this section are asked about these topics. Candidates must read newspapers to keep themselves abreast of recent events. To prepare for the General Knowledge, candidates need to put in a lot of hard work and time.
Table of content
  • CDS Exam Pattern
  • How to prepare for CDS General Knowledge?
  • What type of GK is asked in CDS exam?
  • What should I study for General Knowledge?

CDS Exam Pattern

The General Knowledge section of CDS exam comprises a total of 120 questions. The total marks on the test are 100. For wrong answers in this subject, 1/3 of the marks will be deducted as a penalty. Therefore, candidates are advised not to make unnecessary guesses. We have discussed in this article tips and tricks on how to prepare for CDS General Knowledge. If candidates follow these tips diligently, they can definitely score good marks in this section.

How to prepare for CDS General Knowledge?

Candidates often get worried about how to prepare for CDS General Knowledge as there are a lot of things to cover. It is true that GK cannot be prepared in a short duration. But, if candidates study this section regularly then it won’t be any problem for them. They will be able to cover the entire syllabus. Check below how to prepare for CDS General Knowledge.

Analyse the Syllabus

Analysing CDS syllabus is the first step towards preparation. Analysing the syllabus candidates will be able to find out their strong and weak areas. Candidates are advised to make a list of strong areas and those topics that need improvement. It always helps in setting the priories of topics to be studied.

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Previous Years’ Papers

Go through the last 5 years’ CDS question papers. This will help candidates to understand the pattern of questions asked in the exam basically for Science, Economics, Polity, Geography, History, etc. Going through the previous years’ papers will also help candidates to find out the important topics.

Formulate a Proper Study Plan

After getting familiar with the strong and weak areas, important topics and syllabus, it is important that candidates prepare a study plan. It is also important that in the study plan they allot time to each topic. Candidates must stick to this plan to get the maximum results.

Refer to Best Books for GK

To prepare for GK, refer to the standard books that have covered the relevant topics in the syllabus. For Geography, candidates can refer to NCERT 11th ( part 1 & 2) and certificate physical and human geography by G C Leong. Apart from that, they must buy an atlas like Oxford or orient black swan. For History, buy Ancient History and Mediaeval History from NCERT, Modern History from Spectrum: Brief History of Modern India or India's struggle for independence by orient black swan. Keep a special focus on modern history. For Polity, refer to Indian Polity by M Laxmikant. Basic Science can be covered from NCERT books. For Current Affairs, read Yojana, CSR, Pratiyogita Darpan, Manorama Yearbook, etc. Read More

Read Newspaper

Newspapers are the best source for studying current events. These questions are generally asked on the national & international events of the last six months. It is advised that candidates should develop a habit of reading newspapers daily.

Practice and Practice

Practice makes a man perfect. Practice by attempting mock tests and solving previous years’ question papers. There is no alternative to success rather than practice. Refer to the online resources to practice. This will definitely help candidates to score good marks.

What type of GK is asked in CDS exam?

The General Knowledge paper is mandatory for all candidates in CDS exam. The syllabus of the General Knowlege section is quite vast and comprises History, Geography, Science, Polity, Economics, Current Affairs. There are a total of 120 questions .

What should I study for General Knowledge?

Candidates can prepare the following topics for CDS General Knowledge:

  • Physical Geography
  • Indian and World Geography
  • Indian and World History
  • International Organizations
  • Everyday Science
  • Awards and Honors
  • Indian Economy
  • Indian Polity

Read More: 

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Answered a month 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

Jasleen Jain

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month 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

Manisha Singh

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month 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

Chanchal Shekhar

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month 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

Satyendra Garg

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month 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

Shikha Goyal

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

The methods 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

Ishita Kaur

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

Shikha Shukla

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

The CDS exam is conducted in pen and paper mode. In the paper, objective questions will be asked. Candidates required to mark their choices of answers in the sheet given during the exam.

 

J

Jasleen Jain

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

Shikha Shukla

Contributor-Level 6