CDS Syllabus

CDS Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2025

Particulars Details
Exam Conducting Body Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Exam Name Combined Defence Services (CDS 2 2025)
Mode of Exam Offline
CDS 2 Exam Date 2025 14th September 2025 (Sunday)
Sections IMA/INA/AFA – 3 Sections
OTA – 2 Sections
Total Marks IMA/INA/AFA – 300 Marks
OTA – 200 Marks
Nature of Questions Objective Type
Languages Hindi & English
Duration 2 Hours for Each Paper

CDS Exam Pattern 2025 (IMA, INA & AFA)

Subject Duration Maximum Marks
English 2 Hours 100
General Knowledge 2 Hours 100
Elementary Mathematics 2 Hours 100

CDS Exam Pattern 2025 (OTA)

Subject Duration Maximum Marks
English 2 Hours 100
General Knowledge 2 Hours 100

Marking Scheme

Correct Answer Full Marks Awarded
Wrong Answer 1/3 Marks Deducted
Multiple Answers Treated as Incorrect
Unanswered No Penalty

CDS English Syllabus

Spotting Errors
Sentence Arrangement
Synonyms & Antonyms
Selecting Words
Ordering of Sentences
Reading Comprehension
Fill in the Blanks
Idioms & Phrases
Sentence Improvements/Corrections

CDS General Knowledge Syllabus

Economics
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
History
Geography
Polity
Environment
Sociology
Sports
Current Affairs
Cultural & Awards
Books & Defence Related Topics

CDS Mathematics Syllabus

SectionTopics
Algebra Basic Operations, Factors, Remainder Theorem, HCF, LCM, Polynomials, Quadratic Equations, Simultaneous Linear Equations, Sets, Indices, Rational Expressions
Arithmetic Number System, Square Roots, Fractions, Time & Work, Time & Distance, Percentages, Profit & Loss, Ratio & Proportion, Variation, Simple & Compound Interest, Logarithms
Trigonometry Sine, Cosine, Tangent, Trigonometric Identities, Heights & Distances
Geometry Lines & Angles, Triangles, Congruency & Similarity, Circles, Parallelogram, Rectangle, Square, Theorems on Angles & Properties
Mensuration Area & Volume of Squares, Rectangles, Triangles, Circles, Cuboids, Cones, Cylinders, Spheres
Statistics Data Collection, Frequency Tables, Graphs, Bar Charts, Pie Charts, Histograms, Mean, Median, Mode