CDS Syllabus 2022: Download Subject-wise Syllabus PDF

CDS Exam Syllabus 2022: UPSC conducts the “Combined Defence Services” (CDS) Examination twice a year for admission to the Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Indian Air Force Academy. Candidates can check the syllabus from the notification on the official website. The UPSC CDS I exam consists of three subjects: Elementary Mathematics, English Language, and General Knowledge.

Only unmarried graduates are eligible to sit for the exam. Following an interview with the Services Selection Board, successful candidates are accepted into their respective Academies (SSB). To pass the exam, candidates must first have complete information about the CDS exam syllabus, paper pattern, curriculum and previous year’s exam analysis.

UPSC CDS Exam Syllabus 2022: Overview

The following table shows a summary of the UPSC CDS exam 2022:

Learn UPSC CDS Exam Concepts

Appearing for the Combined Defence Services I exam requires aspirants to be in line with the needed CDS eligibility criteria, failing which there will be no applications considered for the exam. Those who satisfy the eligibility are called to participate in one of the rounds included in the CDS selection process. To get to the next round of the selection, i.e. SSB interview, all aspirants must first clear the first round, a Written Test.

UPSC CDS Subject-wise Syllabus

The question in the UPSC Combined Defence Services exam comes from various subjects. Furthermore, the number of subjects varies for different training courses. Candidates can check the UPSC CDS Subjects for the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and Air Force Academy (AFA) below:

• Elementary Mathematics
• English
• General Knowledge (GK)

In comparison, UPSC CDS Subjects for the Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) are as follows:

• English
• General Knowledge (GK)

Let us get to know the subject-wise syllabus for UPSC CDS 2022 in detail below:

CDS Maths Syllabus

The CDS Maths syllabus for Elementary Mathematics exam derives topics from the high school syllabus, namely Arithmetic, Geometry, Algebra, Trigonometry, Statistics, and Mensuration. The Maths syllabus is further divided into sub-topics that the registered applicants can check to have a better clarity:

CDS Elementary Mathematics Syllabus – Arithmetic

The Arithmetic section basically tests your knowledge of Number systems, Elementary Number Theory, and other basic concepts as below:

• Basic Operations (Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division)
• Number Series (Natural numbers, Integers, Rational and Real Numbers)
• Square Roots, Decimal Fractions
• Unitary Method
• Time and Distance
• Time and Work
• Percentage
• Applications to Simple and Compound Interest
• Profit and Loss
• Ratio and Proportion
• Variation
• Division Algorithm
• Prime and Composite Numbers
• Tests of Divisibility by 2, 3, 4, 5, 9 and 11
• Multiples and Factors
• Factorisation
• Theorems
• Highest Common Factor (HCF)
• Lowest Common Multiple (LCM)
• Euclidean Algorithm
• Logarithms to Base 10
• Laws of Logarithms
• Use of Logarithmic Tables

CDS Elementary Mathematics Syllabus – Algebra

The CDS Maths syllabus for Algebra is given below:

• Simple Factors
• Remainder Theorem
• Highest Common Factor
• Lowest Common Multiple
• Theory of Polynomials
• Solutions of Quadratic Equations
• The relation between Quadratic Equation Roots and Coefficients
• Simultaneous Linear Equations- Analytical and Graphical Solutions
• Simultaneous Linear Inequations in Two Variables and their Solutions
• Practical problems leading to two simultaneous linear equations or inequations in two variables or quadratic equations in one variable and their solutions
• Set Language and Set Notation
• Rational Expressions
• Conditional Identities
• Laws of Indices

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CDS Elementary Mathematics Syllabus – Geometry

The CDS Maths syllabus for Geometry is given below:

• Lines and Angles, Plane and Plane Figures, Theorems on Properties of Angles at a Point
• Parallel Lines
• Sides and Angles of a Triangle
• Congruency of Triangles
• Similar Triangles
• The concurrence of Medians and Altitudes
• Properties of Angles, Sides, and Diagonals of a Parallelogram, Rectangle, and Square
• Circles and its Properties Including Tangents and Normals
• Loci

CDS Elementary Mathematics Syllabus- Statistics

The CDS Maths syllabus for Statistics is given below:

• Collection and Tabulation of Statistical Data
• Graphical Representation
• Frequency Polygons
• Histograms
• Bar Charts
• Pie Charts
• Measures of Central Tendency

CDS Elementary Mathematics Syllabus – Trigonometry

The CDS Maths syllabus for Trigonometry a is given below:

• Sin x, Cosine x, Tangent x when 0 degree < x< 90 degree values of sin x
• cos x and tan x for x= degree 0, 30, 45, 60 and 90
• Simple Trigonometric Identities
• Use of Trigonometric Tables
• Simple Cases of Heights and Distance

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CDS Elementary Mathematics Syllabus – Mensuration

The CDS Maths syllabus for Mensuration is given below:

• Area of Square
• Rectangle
• Parallelograms
• Triangle
• Circle
• Area of Figures which can be Split up into Figures (field book)
• Surface Area and Volume of Cuboids
• Lateral Surface
• Volume of Right Circular Cones and Cylinders
• Surface Area and Volume of Spheres

CDS Syllabus for English

Just like the syllabus for other subjects, the syllabus for English is also imperative. The CDS Syllabus for English focuses on vocabulary, grammar, comprehension, sentence structure, and a lot more. Take a look below to get an in-depth understanding of the syllabus:

• Spotting Errors
• Sentence Arrangement
• Synonyms and Antonyms
• Selecting Words
• Ordering of Sentences
• Comprehension
• Ordering of Words in a Sentence
• Fill in the Blanks, etc.

CDS Syllabus for General Knowledge

There is also a section in the CDS syllabus that sheds light on current affairs, general knowledge, and other day-to-day affairs. Have a glimpse of the General Knowledge syllabus below to get insights on what type of questions are likely to be asked:

• History of India
• Geography
• Politics
• Economics
• Sociology
• Physics, Chemistry, Biology
• Environment
• Sports
• Awards
• Books & Authors
• Culture and Traditions, etc.

To score good marks in the General Knowledge segment, all candidates should keep an eye on the current affairs happening around the world (not just in India). The questions might be asked from any country, irrespective of the location.

UPSC CDS Exam Pattern

While studying the CDS exam pattern, all participants must understand that General Knowledge, Elementary Math, and English are required when preparing for admission into AFA, INA, and IMA. However, for OTA, there is a need for Math; only the first two subjects have been considered in the exam pattern. To know more about which subjects need to be studied, please refer to the CDS exam pattern.

Let us have a look at the exam pattern to have a better understanding:

CDS Exam Pattern for IMA/ INA/ AFA

Here’s the CDS 2022 exam pattern for admission to IMA/INA/AFA:

CDS OTA Exam Pattern

For admission to Officers’ Training Academy, the CDS 2022 exam pattern is as under:

CDS Intelligence and Personality Test

Candidates who qualify for the Written Test will be called for the SSB Interview. The SSB Interview consists of Stage I and Stage II. Aspirants who clear Stage I will go ahead for Stage II.

Stage I: This stage has tests based on Picture Perception (PP), Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR), and Description Test (DT). Aspirants are shortlisted based on their combined performance in OIR Test, PP and DT.

Stage II: This stage comprises an Interview, Psychology Tests, Group Testing Officer Tasks, and the Conference. This stage takes over 4 days to get completed.

FAQs on UPSC CDS Syllabus

Below are the frequently asked questions regarding UPSC CDS Syllabus 2022:

Q.1: Who prescribes UPSC CDS Syllabus?
Ans: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) prescribes the syllabus for CDS.

Q.2: What is the level of the CDS Mathematics Syllabus?
Ans: The questions asked in the Mathematics section will be of Class 10 (Matriculation) level. Whereas, for other subjects, the questions will be of Graduation level.

Q.3: How many sections are in the CDS exam?
Ans: CDS for IMA/ INA/ AFA has three sections, i.e., Elementary Maths, English, and General knowledge (GK). However, CDS for OTA has only two sections, i.e., English and General knowledge (GK).

Q.4: What is the CDS syllabus for English?
Ans: The English syllabus contains topics like Spotting Errors, Sentence Arrangement, Synonyms & Antonyms, Ordering of Sentences, Reading Comprehension, Fill in the blanks, etc.

Q.5: What is the syllabus for CDS General Knowledge?
Ans: The syllabus for CDS General Knowledge consists of History of India, Geography, Politics, Economics, Sociology, Sports, Awards, Books & Authors, Culture & Traditions, etc.

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With a detailed CDS syllabus, Embibe hopes you have a great preparation ahead. Learn the topics properly and solve a sufficient number of CDS practice questions. Along with that, solve CDS Question papers. Practice will help you a lot and with time, you will soon find yourself in a position to take the exam with confidence.

If you have any queries related to the CDS Syllabus 2022, then feel free to ask in the comment section below. We will get back to you at the earliest.

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