Combined Defence Services
CDS Information
"The Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for recruitment into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Officers Training Academy (OTA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and Indian Air Force Academy (AFA). Held twice a year, it demands the right guidance — and that’s where expert CDS Coaching in Dehradun helps aspirants excel in their CDS Exam Preparation in Dehradun"
Designation Posts
- IMA : Commissioned officers in the Indian Army.
- OTA : Short Service Commission officers in the Army, Navy, and Air Force
- INA : Officers in the Indian NAvy
- AFA : Officers in the Indian Air Force
Qualifications Required
- IMA, INA, AFA, : required Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
- OTA : Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification
- Marital Status: Unmarried
- Gender: Male/Female
Age Criteria
IMA, INA, AFA
For OTA age reuired 19 - 25.
Exam Conductor
Union Public Service Commission
UPSC conducts the CDS exam twice a year (April & September)
Exam Pattern
The CDS exam consists of three papers:
- Paper 1: English - 100 marks, 2 hours
- Paper 2: General Knowledge - 100 marks, 2 hours
- Paper 3: Elementary Mathematics - 100 marks, 2 hours
Total Marks: 300
Negative Marking: 1/3 mark deducted for wrong answers.
Mode: Offline (Pen and Paper)
Detailed Syllabus
"Master these topics to crack the CDS exam for FLY"
English - 100 Marks
The CDS English syllabus for English Language comprises questions to evaluate the candidates’ understanding of fundamental English Grammar. Topics included in this section are Synonyms & Antonyms, idioms, Phrases etc.
- Spotting Errors: Questions on spotting grammatical errors in sentences
- Sentence Improvement: Improving sentences by correcting grammatical mistakes or rephrasing
- Reading Comprehension: Passages followed by questions on vocabulary, inference, and main ideas
- Synonyms & Antonyms: Words with similar or opposite meanings
- Ordering of Words in a Sentence: Arranging jumbled words to form meaningful sentences
- Idioms & Phrases: Understanding common idiomatic expressions
- Fill in the Blanks: Completing sentences with appropriate words
- One Word Substitution: Replacing phrases with single words
- Active & Passive Voice: Converting sentences between active and passive forms
- Direct & Indirect Speech: Converting direct speech to indirect and vice versa
Elementary Mathematics - 100 Marks
This paper tests concepts major topics are as follows:
Arithmetic
- Number System: Integers, Fractions, Decimals
- HCF & LCM: Highest Common Factor, Lowest Common Multiple
- Ratio & Proportion: Simple and Compound Ratios
- Percentage: Profit & Loss, Discount, Simple & Compound Interest
- Time & Work: Work efficiency, Pipes & Cisterns
- Time & Distance: Speed, Average Speed, Relative Speed
Algebra
- Basic Operations: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division
- Linear Equations: Solving equations with one or two variables
- Quadratic Equations: Factorization, Roots
- Polynomials: Degree, Roots, Factors
- Logarithms: Basic properties and applications
Geometry
- Lines and Angles: Parallel lines, Transversal
- Triangles: Properties, Congruence, Similarity
- Quadrilaterals: Properties of squares, rectangles, parallelograms
- Circles: Chords, Tangents, Angles
- Coordinate Geometry: Distance formula, Section formula
Trigonometry
- Trigonometric Ratios: Sine, Cosine, Tangent
- Trigonometric Identities: Basic identities
- Height and Distance: Applications of trigonometry
- Trigonometric Equations: Solving equations
Mensuration
- 2D Figures: Area and Perimeter of squares, rectangles, circles, triangles
- 3D Figures: Volume and Surface Area of cubes, spheres, cylinders
Statistics
- Data Interpretation: Bar graphs, Pie charts
- Mean, Median, Mode: Central Tendency
- Probability: Basic concepts and applications
General Knowledge - 100 Marks
TThe CDS General Knowledge section tests candidates’ general understanding and awareness of what is happening around the world. It covers subjects like Political Science, History, Economics, and Geography, etc.
History
- Ancient Indian History: Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic Period, Mauryan Empire
- Medieval Indian History: Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, Maratha Empire
- Modern Indian History: British Rule, Freedom Struggle, Post-Independence India
- World History: Major events, wars, revolutions
Geography
- Indian Geography: Physical features, rivers, mountains, climate
- World Geography: Continents, countries, capitals, international boundaries
- Environmental Geography: Ecology, biodiversity, natural disasters
Polity
- Indian Constitution: Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles
- Governance: Parliament, President, Prime Minister, Judiciary
- Public Administration: Civil Services, Local Governance
Physics
- Mechanics: Laws of Motion, Work, Energy, Power
- Optics: Reflection, Refraction, Lenses
- Electricity: Current, Resistance, Circuits
- Modern Physics: Atomic Structure, Radioactivity
Chemistry
- Physical Chemistry: States of Matter, Chemical Reactions
- Organic Chemistry: Carbon compounds, Polymers
- Inorganic Chemistry: Metals, Non-metals, Acids, Bases
Biology
- Human Physiology: Digestive system, Respiratory system, Circulatory system
- Plant Physiology: Photosynthesis, Respiration
- Ecology: Food chains, Biodiversity
- Genetics: Heredity, DNA, RNA
Current Affairs
- National and International Events
- Government Policies and Schemes
- Sports, Awards, Books & Authors
- Defence and Security Issues
Tips & Tricks
The most imprtant way to prepare for CDS exam with dedication.
- Focus on conceptual clarity rather than rote learning.
- Practice time management with mock tests.
- Stay updated with current affairs through newspapers and magazines.
- Improve English comprehension through regular reading.
- Strengthen basics in algebra, trigonometry, Matrices, etc.,
- Solve previous years' question papers regularly.
- Practice Shortcut Methods for calculations.
- Read newspapers daily for current affairs.
- Improve English vocabulary through reading.
- Complete all subjects NCERT books.
- Make notes of important events and dates.
- Regular exercise and sports.
- Prepare for SSB interview and physical tests.