Ace Your UPSC CDS Exam with These Comprehensive Booklists and Proven Tips

English Preparation: Mastering the Basics and Beyond

Boost your English proficiency with these essential resources:

• Wren and Martin High School English Grammar & Composition (For building a strong foundation)
• Any Good Dictionary (To enhance your vocabulary)
• English Newspaper: The Hindu/The Indian Express (For reading and comprehension skills)
• Plinto Paramount by Neetu Singh 
• Solve Previous Year Question Papers of CDSE/NDA/CAPF/SSC/CAT (Download)

Pro Tips:

• Aim for a high score (80+), as the English section is very scoring.
• Create handnotes and prioritize multiple revisions.
• Understand each topic thoroughly, practice questions regularly.
• Stay updated on trends; recent exams have included questions on active & passive voice, direct & indirect speech, idioms & phrases. 

General Knowledge: Diverse Subjects, Strategic Preparation

a) Polity:

• Indian Polity by M. Laxmikant (Highly recommended)
• Mindmapcharts for Indian Polity (Online resource for quick revision and facts)
• NCERT Class 11 & 12th ( Download )

b) Geography:

• NCERT Class 06 to 12 (Download)
• Oxford Atlas 

c) History:

• Ancient - Class 6 , 12th Theme - 01 ( Download ) 
• Medieval - Class 7 , 12th Theme - 02 ( Download ) 
• Modern - Class 8 , 12th Theme - 03 ( Download ) 
• Art and culture - Class 11 ( Download )

d) Science:

• NCERT class 6 to 8 for basics ( Download )
• NCERTs 9th & 10th (Questions also come from NCERTs) ( Download )
• Lucent GK (For facts)

e) Current Affairs:

• Cover 8-9 months of current affairs before the exam.
• Read Daily Current Affairs from NDI Website ( Click here )
• Read Newspaper on Daily basis 

f) Miscellaneous GK:

• Arihant General knowledge 
• LUCENT GK (Crucial for AFCAT & CDS)

g) Economy & h) Environment:
Economy:

• NCERT Class 11 ( Download )
• NCERT Class 12 ( Download ) 
  

Environment: Covered in Arihant General Science biology chapters.

Strategic Tips:

• Concentrate more on current affairs, polity, science, and geography.
• Use the elimination method for GS questions.
• Solve Previous year question papers of CDSE/NDA/CAPF (Download)

Mathematics: Equipping Yourself for Success

Sharpen your math skills with these resources:

• Fast Track Objective Arithmetic Book by Rajesh Verma
• Quantitative Aptitude by S. Chand.
• Arihant Objective Arithmetic (For left-over chapters not covered in S. Chand)
• Solve Previous year question papers of CDSE/SSC/CAT (Download) 

Pro Tips:

• Speed and accuracy are paramount, so focus on mastering the basics.
• Utilize shortcuts for complex problem-solving and time efficiency.
• Create handnotes for formulas & concepts, undergo multiple revisions, and regularly solve MCQs.
  
  

Prepare systematically and strategically to confidently face the UPSC CDS examination. Good luck !