The UPSC has released the Combined Defence Services (CDS 1) Notification 2025 on 11th December 2024. It is crucial for candidates to thoroughly understand the syllabus for the CDS exam. The CDS syllabus offers a detailed overview of the subjects that will be covered in the examination, helping candidates to plan their preparation effectively. Check CDS Syllabus 2025, which outlines the subjects and topics essential for candidates aspiring to join the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers Training Academy (OTA).
CDS Syllabus 2025
The CDS syllabus covers critical areas such as Mathematics, English, General Knowledge, and more, providing a clear framework for effective preparation. Understanding the CDS syllabus is vital for developing a structured study plan that aligns with the exam pattern and marking scheme.
English Syllabus for CDS Exam 2025
To boost their performance in the English section, candidates should adopt the habit of reading newspapers every day. This will help them recognize difficult words and learn their meanings, ultimately enhancing their vocabulary and comprehension skills. The English section evaluates not only candidate’s proficiency in the language but also their capability to use it effectively and in a professional manner.
| Section | Topics | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Vocabulary |
|
This section tests the candidate’s knowledge of English vocabulary. |
| Reading Passage |
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This section tests the candidate’s ability to understand and interpret written English. |
| Grammar |
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This section tests the candidate’s knowledge of English grammar. |
To prepare for the English section, we have provided you with the best Test series prepared by professionals. You should solve the practice sets that are available. It will also help you to know where you stand in your preparation.
Maths Syllabus For CDS 2025
| Topic | Description |
|---|---|
| Number System |
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| Elementary Number Theory |
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| Algebra |
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| Trigonometry |
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| Geometry |
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| Mensuration |
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| Statistics |
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CDS Maths Question Weightage
| Topic | Weightage in CDS Maths Section (Approximate Number of Questions) |
|---|---|
| Number System | 20-22 questions |
| Mensuration | 14-16 questions |
| Geometry | 10-12 questions |
| Trigonometry | 10-12 questions |
| Algebra | 10-11 questions |
CDS General Knowledge Syllabus 2025
The General Knowledge section for CDS 1 2025 encompasses current affairs and a general awareness of daily observations and experiences. This includes fundamental scientific concepts that an educated individual is expected to understand, even without specialized training in science. Furthermore, candidates should anticipate questions on geography and Indian history, which should be answerable by a well-prepared candidate without the need for extensive additional study.
| CDS Syllabus for GK | |
| Current Affairs |
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| History |
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| Geography |
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| Indian Polity and Governance |
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| Economic and Social Development |
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| Science and Technology |
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| Environmental Ecology and Biodiversity |
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| Defence and Security Issues |
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Apart from self preparation, you can also take online course from Adda247 for the same. This helps in clearing doubts. Professional guidance will boost your Josh for the exam preparation. Be true to yourself and give your best efforts for the exam as the competition is tough.
CDS Syllabus 2025 for OTA
The CDS 2025 syllabus for the Officers Training Academy (OTA) aligns closely with that of the other two academies, the Indian Military Academy (IMA) and the Indian Naval Academy (INA), with one exception: the Mathematics paper.
The syllabus for the OTA consists of only two papers: English and General Knowledge. For a detailed breakdown of the subject-wise syllabus for CDS 1 2025 OTA, please refer to the information provided below.
OTA English Syllabus For CDS Exam
To crack the English section you just need to learn some basic grammar rules and practice as many previous year questions as possible of various types.
| OTA English Syllabus For CDS |
| Sentence arrangement |
| Spotting Error |
| Selecting words |
| Synonyms and Antonyms |
| Comprehension |
| Ordering of Sentence |
| Ordering of words |
| Idioms and Phrases |
| Fill in the blanks |
CDS Syllabus for OTA General Ability Test
| CDS Syllabus 2025 OTA General Ability Test |
| Current Affairs |
| Physics |
| Chemistry |
| Biology |
| Geography |
| History |
| Politics |
| Sociology |
| Economics |
| Defence Related Awards |
| Sports and Culture |
| Environmental Science |
CDS SSB Syllabus 2025
The SSB selection process consists of two stages: Stage I and Stage II. Candidates who successfully pass Stage I advance to Stage II. In this process, three assessors—the Interviewing Officer (IO), Group Testing Officer (GTO), and Psychologist—evaluate the candidates’ personalities.
There is no specific weightage assigned to individual tests; instead, marks are determined by overall performance, which also includes the Conference results. The assessments conducted by the IO, GTO, and Psychologist are designed to identify Officer Like Qualities and the potential for trainability. Recommendations are based on the candidates’ overall performance during the SSB process.
| Stage | Test |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) |
| Picture Prescription and Descriptive Test | |
| Stage 2 | Interview |
| Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks | |
| Psychology Test | |
| Conference | |
| Stage 3 | Group Discussion |
CDS Intelligence and Personality Test
The SSB process has two stages: stage I and stage II. Only candidates who clear stage I can move on to stage II. Here are the details:
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Stage I | Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests: Evaluates intelligence through various tests. |
| Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT): Assesses candidate’s perception and expression. | |
| Candidates shortlisted based on combined performance in these tests. | |
| Stage II | Interview: Assesses candidate’s personality and suitability for the role. |
| Group Testing Officer Tasks: Involves group activities to evaluate teamwork and leadership skills. | |
| Psychology Tests: Assesses mental attributes and psychological suitability. | |
| Conference: Final assessment based on candidate’s performance in all previous tests. |
The tests conducted by IO, GTO, and Psych aim to determine if the candidate possesses Officer Like Qualities and if they are trainable. Based on these assessments, candidates are either Recommended or Not Recommended at the SSB.
UPSC CDS 2025 Marking Scheme
In the CDS 2025 examination, candidates will encounter questions with four options, with only one being correct. The scoring system is as follows:
Correct Answers: Each correctly answered question awards 4 marks.
Incorrect Answers: For every incorrect answer, a penalty of one-third of the total marks (i.e., 1.33 marks) will be deducted.
Multiple Options Selected: If a candidate selects more than one option for a question, it will be counted as incorrect, incurring the same penalty.
Unanswered Questions: Questions that are left unanswered will not incur any penalties, and candidates will receive no marks for these.
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CDS 2025 Marking Scheme |
|
| Action | Marks Awarded/Deducted |
| Correct Answer | +1 mark |
| Wrong Answer | -1/3 mark |
| More than one option chosen | -1/3 mark (considered as wrong) |
| Unanswered Question | 0 marks (no negative marking) |
CDS Syllabus PDF
Download the comprehensive CDS syllabus PDF covering English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. Get detailed topics and prepare effectively for each section to excel in the Combined Defence Services Exam.
| CDS Related Links | |
| CDS 1 2025 Exam Date | CDS 1 2025 Notification |
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