CDS

The physical standards are extremely important for the CDS exam. You may be disqualified even if you are recommended by the SSB if you do not meet the physical fitness requirements. The following are the physical criteria for the CDS exam:
1. The minimum required height is around 157.5 cm for IMA through CDS.
2. It is 157 cm for the Navy and 162.5 cm for the Air Force.
3. For female candidates, the minimum required height is 152 cm.
4. The body mass index (BMI) must be below 25 for CDS.
5. Also, there is a required waist-to-hip ratio that should be below 0.9 for males and 0.8 for females.
6. The waist circumference must be less than 80 cm for females and 90 cm for males.
7. There is a prescribed weight criteria as per height, which you can SEE in the official notification of the UPSC CDS.

You can start with the NCERTs to build the foundation of concepts for the CDS exam. Here is the list of paper-wise suggested books by toppers to prepare for the CDS:
1. Elementary Mathematics: For this paper, you can refer to NCERT mathematics. Additionally, you can take help from RS Aggarwal's Mathematics for CDS or Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations. You can also refer to the Pathfinder for CDS book for this paper.
2. General Awareness: The syllabus of this paper is huge, so you must refer to the NCERTs for this section. In addition, you can refer to the Manohar Panday or Manorama Yearbook. You must regularly read the newspaper to stay updated with Current Affairs that will help you in SSB.
3. English Language: To prepare the grammar section of this paper, you can refer to the Wren and Martin book. For other topics, you can refer to Objective General English by SP Bakshi and Norman Lewis's vocabulary book.

The CDS preparation requires you to study with focus until the exam day. Here are some last-minute things you need to do before the CDS exam:
1. A month prior to the exam, stop reading all new material.
2. Examine papers from previous years to identify key themes that require multiple revisions.
3. To improve on test day, check your accuracy rate with a thorough practice test.
4. The important facts and formulas must be at your fingertips.
5. Begin preparing how you will approach the exam questions on the day of the written test.
6. Make sure you have all of the necessary items with you, such as your admit card.
7. Look after your health because you will have to take two or three papers on exam day.