Table of Contents
The Union Public Service Commission designs the UPSC CDS Syllabus for both papers. The syllabus is divided into two forms for both streams. The UPSC CDS syllabus is the same for the INA, AFA, and IMA papers, and different for the UPSC CDS OTA papers. The INA, AFA, and IMA papers have three subjects, namely English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics, while the CDS OTA has only two sections, i.e., English, and General Knowledge.
The UPSC CDS 1 2025 Exam is all set to be held on Apr 13, 2025. The CDS Elementary Mathematics is of 10th standard, while the other two subjects are of graduation level. The candidates must follow the subject wise CDS syllabus provided in the sections below. Candidates can also find the UPSC CDS negative marking, marking scheme, best books, and preparation tips as well.
UPSC CDS INA, AFA, and IMA Syllabus
The papers of INA, AFA, and IMA consist of three subjects- English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. Find the detailed syllabus below.
UPSC CDS English Syllabus
The important topics of CDS English syllabus are as follows:
- Synonyms
- Antonyms
- Reading Comprehension
- Para Jumbles
- Error Spotting
- Jumbled Sentences
- Sentence Correction
- Fill in the Blanks
UPSC CDS General Knowledge Syllabus
The sections of the General Knowledge includes the following chapters:
- General Knowledge including knowledge of current events and everyday observation and experience in scientific aspects expected from an educated person who does not have special knowledge of any scientific subject.
- The paper includes questions on the History of India and the Geography of nature.
UPSC CDS Elementary Mathematics Syllabus
The important topics of the Mathematics sections are listed below:
- Arithmetic- The arithmetic portion under the Elementary Mathematics syllabus covers the following topics
- Number System- Natural numbers, Integers, Rational and Real numbers.
- Fundamental operations- addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, Square roots, Decimal fractions.
- Unitary method- time and distance, time and work, percentages, applications to simple and compound interest, profit and loss, ratio and proportion, variation.
- Elementary Number Theory- Division algorithm, Prime and composite numbers, Tests of divisibility by 2, 3, 4, 5, 9 and 11, Multiples and factors, Factorization Theorem, H.C.F. and L.C.M., Euclidean algorithm, Logarithms to base 10, laws of logarithms, use of logarithmic tables.
- Algebra- Basic Operations, simple factors, Remainder Theorem, H.C.F., L.C.M, Theory of polynomials, solutions of quadratic equations, the relation between its roots and coefficients (Only real roots to be considered), Simultaneous linear equations in two unknowns-analytical and graphical solutions. Simultaneous linear equations in two variables and their solutions, Practical problems leading to two simultaneous linear equations or inequations in two variables or quadratic equations in one variable & their solutions, Set language and set notation, Rational expressions, and conditional identities, Laws of indices.
- Trigonometry- Sine x, cosine x, Tangent x when 0
- Geometry- Lines and Angles, Plane and plane figures
- Theorems- Properties of angles at a point, Parallel lines, Sides and angles of a triangle, Congruency of similar triangles, The concurrence of medians and altitudes, Properties of angles, sides, and diagonals of a parallelogram, rectangle, and square, Circles and their properties including tangents and normals
- Mensuration- Areas of squares, rectangles, parallelograms, triangles, and circles. Areas of figures can be split up into these figures (Field Book) Surface area and volume of cuboids, lateral surface and volume of right circular cones and cylinders, surface area, and volume of spheres.
- Statistics- Collection and tabulation of statistical data, Graphical representation frequency polygons, histograms, bar charts, pie charts, etc. Measures of central tendency.
UPSC CDS OTA Syllabus
The CDS OTA syllabus consists of two papers- English and General Knowledge. The detailed syllabus is as follows:
UPSC CDS OTA English Syllabus
The topics included are:
- Sentence Arrangement
- Synonyms and Antonyms
- Jumble Words
- Idioms and Phrases
- Ordering Sentences
- Ordering Words
- Fill up the blanks
UPSC CDS GK Syllabus
The topics included are as follows:
- Current Affairs
- History
- Polity
- Geography
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Sociology
- Defence Related Awareness
- Sports and Culture
- Environmental Studies
Downloadable Resources for UPSC CDSs
UPSC CDS Syllabus PDF Download Link
The applicants can click on the pdf link provided below to access the UPSC CDS syllabus PDF.
| Particulars | Download Link |
| UPSC CDS Subject-Wise Syllabus | Download Here |
UPSC CDS 2025 Exam Pattern
The UPSC CDS exam pattern 2025 is described below for both papers.
UPSC CDS OTA Exam Pattern
UPSC CSD OTA exam pattern details are mentioned below:
| Papers | Subjects | Marks | Duration |
| Paper 1 | General Knowledge | 100 | 2 hrs |
| Paper 2 | English | 100 | 2 hrs |
UPSC CDS IMA/ INA/ AFA Exam Pattern
The candidates willing for the UPSC CDS IMA/INA/AFA exam can refer to its exam pattern described below:
| Papers | Subjects | Marks | Duration |
| Paper 1 | General Knowledge | 100 | 2 hrs |
| Paper 2 | English | 100 | 2 hrs |
| Paper 3 | Mathematics | 100 | 2 hrs |
UPSC CDS Marking Scheme
The UPSC CDS marking scheme is given below.
| Specifications | English | GK | Mathematics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Marks | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Marks for Correct Answer | +1 mark for each correct option | +1 mark for each correct option | +1 mark for each correct option |
| Negative Marking | -0.33 marks for each wrong answer | -0.33 marks for each wrong answer | -0.33 marks for each wrong answer |
UPSC CDS SSB Interview: Intelligence and Personality Test
The important details of the SSB interview process include:
- In addition to the interview, the candidates will have to take an Intelligence test that includes verbal and non-verbal skills to assess their basic intelligence.
- They will also be put to Group Tests such as group discussions, group planning, and outdoor group tasks, and asked to give brief lectures on specified subjects.
- All these tests are conducted to judge and understand the mental calibre of the candidate.
- In broad terms, this is an assessment of not only his intellectual qualities but also his social traits and interests in current affairs.
The applicants are advised to go through the important questions asked in SSB interview to prepare well for it.
UPSC CDS Marks Distribution
Candidates appearing for the UPSC CDS 2025 Exam must have a detailed understanding of the marks distribution of each chapter.
UPSC CDS Elementary Mathematics Marks Distribution
| Topic | No. of Questions | Topic | No. of Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Logarithm |
2 |
Time & Work |
2 |
|
Trigonometry |
16 |
2D Mensuration |
1 |
|
Number System |
12 |
Remainder Theorem |
1 |
|
Percentage |
2 |
LCM & HCF |
2 |
|
Time & Distance |
2 |
Sequence & Series |
1 |
|
Profit & Loss |
2 |
Divisibility Rule |
2 |
|
Simplification |
11 |
Circle |
1 |
|
Statics |
5 |
Polynomial |
3 |
|
Triangle |
10 |
Average |
2 |
|
3D Mensuration |
16 |
Quadrilateral |
3 |
|
Data Interpretation |
4 |
-- |
-- |
UPSC CDS General Knowledge Marks Distribution
| Topics | Number of Questions | Topics | Number of Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Current Affairs |
12 |
Defence |
3 |
|
Economics |
13 |
Static GS |
3 |
|
Geography |
18 |
Chemistry |
12 |
|
Medieval History |
5 |
Biology |
9 |
|
Modern History |
16 |
Physics |
9 |
|
Polity |
20 |
-- |
-- |
UPSC CDS English Marks Distribution
| Topics | Number of Questions | Topics | Number of Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Comprehension |
10 |
Completion of sentence |
10 |
|
Synonyms |
10 |
Preposition & Determinants |
10 |
|
Antonyms |
10 |
Ordering of words in a sentence |
10 |
|
Parts of Speech |
10 |
Ordering of sentence |
10 |
|
Cloze Test |
10 |
Fill in the blanks |
10 |
|
Spotting Error |
10 |
-- |
-- |
Applicants are advised to carefully review the UPSC CDS syllabus 2025 for both phases and prepare for the examination.
