CDS 2025 Complete Syllabus Subject Wise & Exam Pattern 

Conducting Authority

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

Exam Name

Combined Defence Services (CDS)

Mode of Exam

Offline

Number of Sections

- IMA, INA, AFA: Three

- OTA: Two

Total Marks of the Test

- IMA, INA, AFA: 300

- OTA: 200

Nature of Paper

Objective Type

Language of CDS Question Paper

Hindi and English

Duration of CDS Exam

2 hours for each paper

• Basic Grammar
• Idioms & Phrases
• Synonyms & Antonyms
• Sentence Completion

Reading Passage

• Reading Comprehension Solving
• Para Jumbles
• Understanding the main idea and supporting details
• Answering questions based on the passage

• Error Spotting
• Sentence Improvement
• Cloze test
• Active and passive voice
• Direct and indirect speech
• Transformation of sentences

Number System

• Prime and composite numbers
• Multiples and factors
• Factorisation Theorem
• Division algorithm
• H.C.F. and L.C.M.
• Euclidean algorithm

Fundamental Operations

• Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
• Square roots
• Decimal fractions

Types of Numbers

• Natural numbers
• Integers
• Rational and real numbers

Applications

• Unitary method
• Time and work
• Time and distance
• Percentages
• Profit and loss
• Simple and compound interest
• Ratio and proportion
• Variation

Elementary Number Theory

• Tests of divisibility by 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, and 11

Logarithms

• Logarithms to base 10
• Use of logarithmic tables
• Laws of logarithms

Algebraic Concepts

• Theory of polynomials and the relationship between roots and coefficients (only real roots considered)
• Solutions of quadratic equations
• Rational expressions and conditional identities

Linear Equations and Inequalities

• Simultaneous linear equations in two unknowns — analytical and graphical solutions
• Simultaneous linear inequalities in two variables and their solutions
• Practical problems involving simultaneous linear equations, inequalities in two variables, or quadratic equations in one variable

Basic Operations

• Basic operations and simple factors
• H.C.F. and L.C.M.
• Remainder Theorem

Set Theory

• Set notation and set language

Indices

• Laws of indices

• Sine x, cosine x, Tan x when 0° < x < 90° , Values of sin x, cos x & tan x, for x = 0°, 30°, 45°, 60° & 90°.
• Simple trigonometric identities.
• Use of trigonometric tables.
• Simple cases of heights and distances.

Areas

• Areas of triangles
• Areas of squares
• Areas of rectangles
• Areas of parallelograms
• Areas of circles
• Areas of figures that can be split into these shapes (Field Book)

Surface Area

• Surface area of cuboids
• Surface area of spheres
• Lateral surface area of right circular cones and cylinders

Volume

• Volume of cuboids
• Volume of spheres
• Volume of right circular cones and cylinders

Statistical Data Representation

• Collection and tabulation of statistical data
• Graphical representation:
  • Bar charts
  • Frequency polygons
  • Histograms
  • Pie charts

Analysis

• Measures of central tendency

Current Affairs

• National & International Awards
• Summits and Conferences
• Sports
• Books & Authors

Defence Knowledge

• Army
• Navy
• Air Force

History and Politics

• Indian History
• Political Science

Economics and Geography

• Economics
• Geography

Science and Environment

• General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
• Environment

• Current Affairs
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Geography
• History
• Politics
• Sociology
• Economics
• Defence Related Awards
• Sports and Culture