CDS Exam Syllabus 2026: Complete Subject-Wise Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Preparation Strategy & FAQs
The CDS Exam Syllabus consists of English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics for candidates applying to IMA, INA and AFA. Candidates applying for OTA have only English and General Knowledge papers. English tests understanding and effective use of words; General Knowledge covers current events, everyday scientific awareness, Indian history and geography; and Elementary Mathematics covers arithmetic, algebra, trigonometry, geometry, mensuration and statistics. UPSC states that the Mathematics paper is of approximately matriculation level, while the other papers are approximately at the level expected of a graduate of an Indian university.
The CDS Exam Syllabus 2026 is one of the most important resources for candidates preparing for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Combined Defence Services Examination. A clear understanding of the syllabus helps aspirants organize their preparation for English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics while also understanding what is expected at the SSB stage.
The Combined Defence Services Examination is conducted by UPSC for admission to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). For the 2026 CDS II examination, UPSC notified 451 tentative vacancies across these courses, with the written examination scheduled for 13 September 2026.
The written examination pattern is different for IMA, INA and AFA compared with OTA. Candidates appearing for IMA, INA or AFA have three papers—English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics—while OTA candidates have two papers: English and General Knowledge. Each paper carries 100 marks and has a duration of two hours.
This detailed guide explains the CDS exam syllabus, subject-wise topics, examination pattern, marking scheme, preparation strategy, important areas, SSB syllabus, frequently asked questions and an SEO-friendly preparation roadmap.
What is the syllabus of the CDS exam?
The CDS exam syllabus includes English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics for IMA, INA and Air Force Academy candidates. OTA candidates appear for English and General Knowledge only. English focuses on understanding English and correct use of words. General Knowledge includes current affairs, science-related everyday knowledge, Indian history and geography. Mathematics includes arithmetic, number system, algebra, trigonometry, geometry, mensuration and statistics. The Mathematics standard is approximately matriculation level, while English and General Knowledge are approximately graduate level.
For quick CDS syllabus updates, preparation information and education-related guidance, candidates can also follow CampusWale.
CDS Exam Syllabus 2026 – Overview
Before studying individual subjects, candidates should understand the basic structure of the examination.
| Particular | CDS IMA/INA/AFA | CDS OTA |
|---|---|---|
| English | 100 Marks | 100 Marks |
| General Knowledge | 100 Marks | 100 Marks |
| Elementary Mathematics | 100 Marks | Not applicable |
| Total Written Marks | 300 | 200 |
| Duration per Paper | 2 Hours | 2 Hours |
| Question Type | Objective | Objective |
| Mathematics Level | Matriculation | Not applicable |
| SSB/Interview Marks | 300 | 200 |
According to the UPSC CDS II 2026 notification, the written examination consists entirely of objective-type questions. The English, General Knowledge and Mathematics papers have separate two-hour durations. For IMA, INA and AFA, the written examination and interview components carry 300 marks each; for OTA, each component carries 200 marks.
The UPSC also states that the General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics papers are set bilingually in Hindi and English.
CDS Exam Syllabus: Subject-Wise Details
The CDS written examination has three major subjects:
- English
- General Knowledge
- Elementary Mathematics
However, Mathematics is not included for OTA candidates.
Let's understand every subject in detail.
CDS English Syllabus
What Does the CDS English Paper Test?
The UPSC syllabus describes the purpose of the English paper as testing the candidate's understanding of English and workmanlike use of words.
In practical preparation, candidates should develop their vocabulary, grammar, comprehension and ability to identify appropriate usage.
The English section can include questions related to:
- Vocabulary
- Synonyms
- Antonyms
- Sentence completion
- Grammar
- Error identification
- Sentence improvement
- Idioms and phrases
- Word usage
- Reading comprehension
- Ordering of sentences
- Fill-in-the-blanks
- Appropriate words
- Parts of speech
- Basic grammatical rules
The exact distribution of questions can vary from paper to paper, so candidates should not depend on a fixed number of questions from a particular subtopic.
Important English Topics for CDS
1. Vocabulary
Vocabulary is an important part of English preparation. Candidates should learn words in context rather than memorizing isolated word lists.
Focus on:
- Synonyms
- Antonyms
- One-word substitutions
- Commonly confused words
- Contextual meaning
- Phrasal verbs
- Idioms
- Word formation
A daily vocabulary notebook can help candidates revise difficult words regularly.
2. Grammar
Candidates should understand the basic rules of English grammar.
Important areas include:
- Noun
- Pronoun
- Verb
- Adjective
- Adverb
- Preposition
- Conjunction
- Articles
- Subject-verb agreement
- Tenses
- Active and passive voice
- Direct and indirect speech
- Conditional sentences
- Degrees of comparison
3. Sentence Correction
Sentence-based questions test whether a candidate can recognize grammatically correct usage.
Preparation should include:
- Identifying grammatical errors
- Replacing incorrect expressions
- Selecting the most appropriate sentence
- Understanding tense consistency
- Subject-verb agreement
- Correct use of prepositions and articles
4. Reading Comprehension
Reading comprehension requires candidates to understand a passage and answer questions based on it.
Practice should focus on:
- Main idea
- Supporting information
- Inference
- Vocabulary in context
- Author's point
- Specific details
5. Idioms and Phrases
Common idioms and expressions may appear in objective questions.
Candidates should understand both the literal and contextual meanings of frequently used expressions.
How to Prepare CDS English
A practical English preparation routine can include:
- Reading an English newspaper or quality editorial content regularly
- Revising vocabulary every day
- Practising grammar questions
- Solving previous CDS papers
- Taking timed English mock tests
- Reviewing incorrect answers
- Maintaining an error notebook
The UPSC website provides previous CDS question papers, including English papers from recent examinations. Candidates should use these papers to understand actual question styles rather than relying exclusively on coaching material.
CampusWale Tip: Do not treat English as only a vocabulary subject. CDS English preparation should combine vocabulary, grammar, comprehension and repeated practice.
CDS General Knowledge Syllabus
What Does General Knowledge Include?
The UPSC syllabus states that the General Knowledge paper includes current events, matters of everyday observation and experience in their scientific aspects, Indian history and geography.
This makes General Knowledge a broad subject.
Major areas include:
- Current affairs
- Indian history
- Geography
- General science
- Defence-related awareness
- Indian polity
- Economy
- Environment
- Important national and international developments
- Everyday scientific awareness
Candidates should remember that the official syllabus describes broad areas rather than giving a chapter-by-chapter question list.
CDS Current Affairs Syllabus
Current affairs preparation should cover major national and international developments.
Important areas include:
National Current Affairs
Follow:
- Government initiatives
- Major appointments
- Important reports
- National awards
- Important institutions
- Major infrastructure developments
- Science and technology developments
- Defence developments
- Sports events
- Important national events
International Current Affairs
Focus on:
- Major international organizations
- International summits
- Important agreements
- Global economic developments
- International conflicts and developments
- Major scientific developments
- Important awards and personalities
Defence Current Affairs
Defence-related awareness is especially relevant for CDS aspirants.
Candidates can follow:
- Major defence exercises
- Military technology
- Important defence agreements
- Indigenous defence systems
- Armed forces developments
- Important military appointments
- Defence organizations
- Major acquisitions and developments
Current affairs should be studied consistently rather than accumulated shortly before the examination.
CDS History Syllabus
The official syllabus specifically mentions the History of India.
Preparation can cover:
Ancient India
Important areas include:
- Indus Valley Civilization
- Vedic period
- Mahajanapadas
- Buddhism
- Jainism
- Mauryan Empire
- Gupta period
- Ancient Indian culture
Medieval India
Study:
- Delhi Sultanate
- Mughal Empire
- Bhakti movement
- Sufi movement
- Marathas
- Medieval administration
- Art and architecture
Modern India
Modern history is an important preparation area.
Focus on:
- European arrival
- British expansion
- Revolt of 1857
- Socio-religious reform movements
- Indian National Congress
- Major freedom movements
- Gandhian era
- Constitutional developments
- Independence and Partition
Candidates should prepare important events chronologically because chronology helps connect different developments.
CDS Geography Syllabus
Geography is another area explicitly mentioned in the UPSC CDS syllabus.
Preparation should include both Indian and basic world geography.
Physical Geography
Study:
- Earth
- Latitude and longitude
- Rotation and revolution
- Atmosphere
- Climate
- Winds
- Rainfall
- Mountains
- Plateaus
- Plains
- Rivers
- Oceans
- Natural resources
Indian Geography
Important areas include:
- Indian states and boundaries
- Major rivers
- Mountain ranges
- Climate
- Soil
- Agriculture
- Mineral resources
- Industries
- Transport
- Population
- Important geographical locations
Map-based revision can improve geographical awareness.
CDS General Science Syllabus
The UPSC syllabus includes scientific aspects of everyday observation and experience.
Candidates do not necessarily need specialized scientific study. Preparation should emphasize fundamental concepts.
Physics
Important areas can include:
- Motion
- Force
- Work
- Energy
- Power
- Heat
- Light
- Sound
- Electricity
- Magnetism
- Units and measurements
Chemistry
Focus on:
- Matter
- Elements
- Compounds
- Mixtures
- Acids
- Bases
- Salts
- Metals
- Non-metals
- Chemical reactions
- Everyday chemistry
Biology
Study:
- Human body
- Nutrition
- Diseases
- Cells
- Human organs
- Plants
- Reproduction
- Genetics basics
- Environment
- Ecology
The objective should be conceptual understanding rather than highly specialized preparation.
CDS Elementary Mathematics Syllabus
The Elementary Mathematics paper is applicable to candidates appearing for IMA, INA and AFA. OTA candidates do not have a Mathematics paper.
UPSC specifies that the standard of Elementary Mathematics is approximately matriculation level.
The official syllabus covers:
- Arithmetic
- Algebra
- Trigonometry
- Geometry
- Mensuration
- Statistics
CDS Mathematics Syllabus: Arithmetic
Arithmetic is one of the major sections of Elementary Mathematics.
The official syllabus includes:
- Number system
- Natural numbers
- Integers
- Rational numbers
- Real numbers
- Fundamental operations
- Square roots
- Decimal fractions
- Unitary method
- Time and distance
- Time and work
- Percentages
- Simple interest
- Compound interest
- Profit and loss
- Ratio and proportion
- Variation
Candidates should build speed through regular practice.
Number System
Prepare:
- Natural numbers
- Integers
- Rational numbers
- Real numbers
- Basic operations
- Fractions
- Decimals
- Square roots
Percentage
Important applications include:
- Increase and decrease
- Successive percentage changes
- Percentage-based comparisons
- Profit and loss applications
- Marks-related problems
Ratio and Proportion
Focus on:
- Ratios
- Proportions
- Direct variation
- Inverse variation
- Practical word problems
Time and Work
Study:
- Work efficiency
- Individual work
- Combined work
- Work and wages
- Basic time-work relationships
Time, Speed and Distance
Prepare:
- Speed
- Distance
- Time
- Relative speed
- Average speed
- Basic train problems
- Basic journey problems
Profit and Loss
Important concepts:
- Cost price
- Selling price
- Marked price
- Discount
- Profit percentage
- Loss percentage
Simple and Compound Interest
Understand:
- Principal
- Rate
- Time
- Simple interest
- Compound interest
- Amount
Number Theory
The official syllabus includes division algorithm, prime and composite numbers, divisibility tests, multiples and factors, factorisation, HCF, LCM and the Euclidean algorithm.
Logarithms
Candidates should cover:
- Base-10 logarithms
- Laws of logarithms
- Basic applications
- Use of logarithmic tables as specified by the syllabus
CDS Mathematics Syllabus: Algebra
The Algebra portion includes:
- Basic operations
- Simple factors
- Remainder theorem
- HCF and LCM
- Polynomials
- Quadratic equations
- Relation between roots and coefficients
- Simultaneous linear equations
- Linear inequations
- Practical algebraic problems
- Set language
- Rational expressions
- Conditional identities
- Laws of indices
The official syllabus specifies that only real roots are considered for quadratic equations.
Algebra Preparation Strategy
Candidates should first strengthen basic algebraic manipulation.
Then move toward:
- Linear equations
- Quadratic equations
- Factorization
- Polynomials
- Inequalities
- Word problems
Regular timed practice is important because algebra questions can become lengthy if basic operations are slow.
CDS Mathematics Syllabus: Trigonometry
The official syllabus includes:
- Sine
- Cosine
- Tangent
- Standard angle values
- Simple trigonometric identities
- Trigonometric tables
- Heights and distances
The specified standard angles include:
- 0°
- 30°
- 45°
- 60°
- 90°
Candidates should memorize standard values and understand the basic relationships among trigonometric ratios.
Important Trigonometry Areas
Prepare:
- Basic ratios
- Standard values
- Simple identities
- Right-angled triangles
- Heights and distances
- Applications of trigonometric ratios
CDS Mathematics Syllabus: Geometry
Geometry covers:
- Lines
- Angles
- Plane figures
- Parallel lines
- Triangles
- Congruency
- Similarity
- Medians
- Altitudes
- Parallelograms
- Rectangles
- Squares
- Circles
- Tangents
- Normals
- Loci
The UPSC syllabus specifically lists properties and theorems involving triangles, parallelograms, rectangles, squares and circles.
Geometry Preparation
Understand theorems rather than simply memorizing formulas.
Practice diagrams involving:
- Angle relationships
- Similar triangles
- Congruent triangles
- Circle properties
- Parallel lines
- Quadrilaterals
CDS Mathematics Syllabus: Mensuration
Mensuration includes two-dimensional and three-dimensional figures.
Two-Dimensional Areas
Prepare:
- Square
- Rectangle
- Parallelogram
- Triangle
- Circle
- Composite figures
Three-Dimensional Mensuration
Prepare:
- Cuboid
- Cone
- Cylinder
- Sphere
The official syllabus specifically includes surface area and volume of cuboids, right circular cones and cylinders, and spheres.
Formula revision should be part of regular practice.
CDS Mathematics Syllabus: Statistics
The Statistics section includes:
- Collection of data
- Tabulation
- Graphical representation
- Frequency polygons
- Histograms
- Bar charts
- Pie charts
- Measures of central tendency
Candidates should understand how to interpret basic graphs and calculate measures of central tendency.
Important concepts include:
- Mean
- Median
- Mode
- Data tables
- Graph interpretation
CDS SSB Syllabus and Selection Process
Clearing the written examination is not the end of the CDS selection process.
Candidates who qualify in the written examination can be called for intelligence and personality testing at the Services Selection Board, according to the applicable course and preference.
The UPSC notification describes the SSB procedure as a two-stage selection process.
Stage I
Stage I includes:
- Officer Intelligence Rating test
- Picture Perception and Description Test
Candidates are shortlisted based on their performance in the Stage I assessments.
Stage II
Stage II includes:
- Interview
- Group Testing Officer tasks
- Psychology tests
- Conference
UPSC states that these assessments are designed to assess the candidate through different techniques and consider performance holistically.
Therefore, CDS preparation should not stop with written-test subjects.
CDS Exam Marking Scheme
CDS uses objective-type papers and includes negative marking.
According to the UPSC notification, one-third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for an incorrect answer. If more than one answer is marked, it is treated as an incorrect response and the same penalty applies. No penalty is imposed when a question is left unanswered.
This makes accuracy important.
How Negative Marking Affects Preparation
Candidates should avoid random guessing.
A good strategy is to:
- Attempt questions you understand first
- Avoid spending excessive time on one question
- Eliminate options when reasonably possible
- Keep track of accuracy in mock tests
- Analyze incorrect answers
- Avoid unnecessary attempts
CDS Exam Question Papers
Previous-year papers are one of the most useful resources for understanding the actual examination.
UPSC's official previous-question-paper section provides CDS papers, including recent English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics papers.
Candidates should solve previous papers for several reasons:
Understand Question Style
The syllabus tells you what to study, but previous papers show how concepts are tested.
Identify Repeated Concepts
Certain broad concepts can appear in different forms.
Improve Time Management
Timed practice helps candidates understand how quickly they can solve different sections.
Discover Weak Areas
Mistakes can be categorized into:
- Conceptual mistakes
- Calculation mistakes
- Vocabulary mistakes
- Knowledge gaps
- Misreading
- Time-management errors
CDS Syllabus Preparation Strategy
A syllabus becomes useful only when converted into a preparation plan.
Step 1: Understand the Complete Syllabus
Begin by dividing the syllabus into:
- English
- General Knowledge
- Mathematics, if applicable
Do not begin preparation randomly.
Step 2: Create a Topic Checklist
Make a checklist of every major topic.
For Mathematics, divide preparation into:
- Arithmetic
- Algebra
- Trigonometry
- Geometry
- Mensuration
- Statistics
For General Knowledge:
- History
- Geography
- Science
- Current affairs
- Other general-awareness areas
For English:
- Grammar
- Vocabulary
- Comprehension
- Sentence usage
Step 3: Build Basic Concepts
Start with fundamentals.
This is especially important in Mathematics and English grammar.
Step 4: Add Current Affairs Regularly
Do not postpone current affairs preparation.
A consistent daily or weekly revision system is more practical.
Step 5: Solve Previous-Year Papers
After completing a topic, solve questions from previous papers.
Step 6: Take Mock Tests
Mocks help measure:
- Accuracy
- Speed
- Time management
- Question selection
Step 7: Analyze Your Mistakes
A mock test is useful only if you analyze it.
Create categories such as:
| Error Type | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Concept error | Revise the topic |
| Calculation error | Practise more questions |
| Guessing error | Improve question selection |
| Vocabulary error | Build word bank |
| Time error | Practise timed sets |
| Careless mistake | Slow down on final checks |
CDS 90-Day Preparation Plan
Candidates with approximately three months can divide their preparation into three phases.
Phase 1: Foundation
Focus on:
- Basic grammar
- Basic mathematics
- History fundamentals
- Geography fundamentals
- Science basics
- Current affairs habit
Phase 2: Practice
Begin:
- Topic-wise question practice
- Previous-year papers
- Sectional tests
- Vocabulary revision
- Mathematics speed practice
Phase 3: Revision and Mock Tests
The final phase should emphasize:
- Full-length mocks
- Previous papers
- Formula revision
- Current affairs revision
- Vocabulary revision
- Error notebook
- Weak-topic revision
CDS Preparation for IMA, INA and AFA
Candidates applying for IMA, INA and AFA need to prepare all three written papers:
English + General Knowledge + Elementary Mathematics
Because Mathematics is an additional paper for these entries, candidates should not leave it for the final weeks.
A balanced schedule can rotate subjects throughout the week.
For example:
Morning: Mathematics
Afternoon: General Knowledge
Evening: English
Night: Current affairs and revision
The exact timetable should be adjusted according to individual strengths and available study hours.
CDS Preparation for OTA
OTA candidates appear for:
- English
- General Knowledge
There is no Elementary Mathematics paper for OTA in the CDS written examination scheme.
OTA candidates can therefore allocate more study time to:
- English practice
- Current affairs
- History
- Geography
- General science
- General awareness
- Previous-year papers
However, the absence of Mathematics does not mean the examination requires less preparation. Strong accuracy and broad General Knowledge remain important.
CDS Syllabus and Recommended Study Resources
A strong preparation system generally combines:
Official UPSC Notification
Use the official notification as the final authority for syllabus and examination rules. The CDS II 2026 notification is available through UPSC.
Previous-Year Question Papers
Use official UPSC question papers to understand actual questions.
Standard School-Level Mathematics
For Elementary Mathematics, focus on fundamentals corresponding to the matriculation-level standard specified by UPSC.
Current Affairs Sources
Maintain one consistent current-affairs source rather than collecting too many resources.
Revision Notes
Create concise notes for:
- Important dates
- Historical events
- Geography facts
- Science concepts
- Current affairs
- Formulas
- Vocabulary
Common Mistakes While Preparing for CDS
Mistake 1: Studying Without the Syllabus
Candidates sometimes collect multiple books without first identifying the actual syllabus.
Mistake 2: Ignoring Previous Papers
Without previous papers, it is difficult to understand the practical level and style of questions.
Mistake 3: Neglecting Current Affairs
General Knowledge includes current events, so current-affairs preparation should be continuous.
Mistake 4: Overlooking Negative Marking
Random guessing can reduce the score because one-third of the marks assigned to an incorrect question is deducted.
Mistake 5: Ignoring Time Management
Knowing the answer is not enough if the candidate cannot solve questions within the allotted time.
Mistake 6: Studying Only One Subject
A candidate may become strong in Mathematics but neglect English or General Knowledge.
Mistake 7: Not Analyzing Mock Tests
Simply taking mock tests without reviewing mistakes reduces their usefulness.
How CampusWale Can Help CDS Aspirants
Students preparing for competitive examinations need reliable information about:
- Exam syllabus
- Exam dates
- Admit cards
- Results
- Previous papers
- Preparation guidance
- Educational opportunities
- Competitive-exam updates
CampusWale can be used as an education-information destination for students looking for exam-related updates and academic guidance.
For CDS aspirants, the best approach is to combine information resources such as CampusWale with the official UPSC website. The UPSC notification and official examination documents should remain the final authority whenever there is a difference between sources.
CDS Exam Syllabus: Quick Revision Table
| Subject | Major Areas |
|---|---|
| English | Grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, sentence usage |
| General Knowledge | Current affairs, history, geography, science, general awareness |
| Mathematics | Arithmetic, algebra, trigonometry, geometry, mensuration, statistics |
| SSB | OIR, PP&DT, interview, GTO tasks, psychology tests, conference |
The Mathematics syllabus applies to IMA, INA and AFA written examinations, while OTA candidates have English and General Knowledge only.
CDS Exam Syllabus 2026: Important Points at a Glance
- CDS is conducted by UPSC.
- The written examination is objective type.
- IMA, INA and AFA candidates have three papers.
- OTA candidates have two papers.
- Each written paper carries 100 marks.
- Each paper has a two-hour duration.
- Mathematics is approximately matriculation level.
- English and General Knowledge are approximately graduate level.
- General Knowledge includes current events, science-related everyday awareness, Indian history and geography.
- Mathematics includes arithmetic, algebra, trigonometry, geometry, mensuration and statistics.
- One-third marks are deducted for an incorrect answer.
- No penalty applies to an unanswered question.
- Written examination qualifiers may be called for SSB testing.
- SSB includes Stage I and Stage II assessments.
How to Make Your CDS Syllabus Preparation More Effective
The syllabus should become the foundation of your preparation calendar.
Start by marking every topic as:
Not Started → Learning → Practising → Revised → Mastered
This simple system can prevent important topics from being forgotten.
For example:
| Topic | Status |
|---|---|
| Percentage | Practising |
| Algebra | Learning |
| Trigonometry | Revised |
| Modern History | Practising |
| Geography | Learning |
| Grammar | Mastered |
| Current Affairs | Ongoing |
Review the list every week.
Why Previous-Year Papers Matter for CDS
Previous-year papers are not merely practice material.
They help answer practical questions such as:
- What type of English questions appear?
- Which mathematical concepts require speed?
- What kind of General Knowledge questions are asked?
- How difficult are the questions?
- Which topics create repeated mistakes?
- How much time is required for each section?
UPSC officially publishes previous CDS question papers, including recent papers for English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics.
A useful routine is:
Learn → Practise → Solve Previous Paper → Analyze → Revise → Test Again
CDS Syllabus: Final Preparation Checklist
Before the examination, candidates should confirm that they have:
- Completed the official syllabus
- Solved previous-year papers
- Taken full-length mocks
- Revised Mathematics formulas
- Revised English vocabulary
- Practised grammar
- Revised history
- Revised geography
- Revised science
- Covered current affairs
- Analyzed mock-test mistakes
- Practised OMR-style answering
- Understood negative marking
- Prepared for the next stage of selection
Candidates should also follow all examination-day instructions issued by UPSC. The 2026 notice specifies, among other things, the use of a black ball pen for marking the OMR sheet and restrictions on electronic devices and calculators.
CDS Exam Syllabus FAQs
1. What is the CDS exam syllabus?
The CDS syllabus includes English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics. Mathematics is applicable to IMA, INA and AFA candidates, while OTA candidates appear for English and General Knowledge.
2. Is Mathematics compulsory for CDS?
Mathematics is compulsory for candidates appearing for IMA, INA and AFA. OTA candidates do not have Mathematics in the written examination.
3. What is the level of CDS Mathematics?
UPSC specifies that the Elementary Mathematics paper is approximately of matriculation level.
4. What topics are included in CDS Mathematics?
The major areas are arithmetic, elementary number theory, algebra, trigonometry, geometry, mensuration and statistics.
5. What is included in CDS General Knowledge?
The General Knowledge paper includes current events, everyday scientific awareness, Indian history and geography.
6. What does the CDS English paper test?
The English paper tests understanding of English and effective use of words. Preparation generally involves grammar, vocabulary, comprehension and sentence-based practice.
7. Is there negative marking in CDS?
Yes. UPSC specifies a penalty of one-third of the marks assigned to a question for an incorrect answer. There is no penalty for leaving a question unanswered.
8. How many papers are there in CDS?
IMA, INA and AFA candidates have three written papers: English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics. OTA candidates have two: English and General Knowledge.
9. What comes after the CDS written examination?
Candidates who qualify in the written examination may be called for intelligence and personality testing at the Services Selection Board. The SSB process includes Stage I and Stage II assessments.
10. Where can I find official CDS previous-year papers?
UPSC publishes previous CDS question papers on its official website. Recent papers include English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics.
Conclusion
The CDS Exam Syllabus 2026 provides a clear framework for preparation. IMA, INA and AFA aspirants need to prepare English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics, while OTA aspirants need to focus on English and General Knowledge. The Mathematics paper is based approximately on the matriculation standard, while the other written papers are approximately at graduate level.
The most effective approach is to combine the official syllabus with consistent practice. Begin with the syllabus, build fundamental concepts, solve previous-year papers, revise current affairs, take mock tests and analyze mistakes. Candidates should also remember that the CDS process continues beyond the written examination, with qualified candidates proceeding to the SSB stage according to the applicable selection process.
For the latest official information, candidates should always verify examination dates, notifications, syllabus changes, admit cards, results and other instructions through UPSC. The official UPSC website currently lists CDS II 2026 among its examinations and has published its notification, timetable, question papers and provisional answer keys.
Students looking for exam updates, academic information and preparation resources can also explore CampusWale. Use CampusWale for convenient education-related information, while treating official UPSC notifications as the authoritative source for examination rules and syllabus.
Start with the syllabus, follow a structured timetable, practise consistently and revise intelligently. Your CDS preparation becomes much more manageable when every study session has a defined topic and measurable target.