UPSC CDS Syllabus & Exam Pattern: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination twice a year to recruit candidates for prestigious academies such as the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). A thorough understanding of the exam pattern and syllabus is crucial for aspirants aiming to secure a position in these esteemed institutions.
This UPSC CDS Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2025 article provides a comprehensive overview of the CDS 2025 exam, including its scheme, syllabus, marking scheme, and preparation insights to help candidates streamline their efforts and excel in the examination.
UPSC CDS Exam Pattern
The UPSC Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination 2025 consists of the following stages:
- Written Examination
The written examination evaluates candidates on key subjects as detailed in section 2 below. - Interview for Intelligence and Personality Test
Candidates who qualify for the written examination are called for an interview conducted at one of the Services Selection Centres (detailed in Part ‘B’ of the official syllabus). This interview assesses the candidate’s overall intelligence, aptitude, and personality suitability for the armed forces.
Structure of the Written Examination
The subjects, duration, and maximum marks for the written examination vary based on the academy for which a candidate is applying:
- For Admission to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and Air Force Academy (AFA):
| UPSC CDS Exam Pattern IMA, INA, Air Force Academy WWW.SARKARIJOBLIST.COM | |||
| Subject | Code | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 11 | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 12 | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 13 | 2 Hours | 100 |
- For Admission to the Officers’ Training Academy (OTA):
| UPSC CDS Exam Pattern Officers’ Training Academy WWW.SARKARIJOBLIST.COM | |||
| Subject | Code | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 11 | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 12 | 2 Hours | 100 |
The total marks for the written examination and interview stage are as follows:
| UPSC CDS Syllabus & Exam Pattern Overall Marks WWW.SARKARIJOBLIST.COM | |||
| Academy | Written Exam Marks | Interview Marks | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy | 300 | 300 | 600 |
| Indian Naval Academy | 300 | 300 | 600 |
| Air Force Academy | 300 | 300 | 600 |
| Officers’ Training Academy | 200 | 200 | 400 |
Examination Format
- The written examination consists of objective-type questions.
- The General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics papers are available bilingually, in both Hindi and English, while the English paper is set exclusively in English.
Penalty for Wrong Answers
- Mark Deduction for Incorrect Responses
- Each question has four alternatives, and selecting an incorrect option will result in a penalty.
- One-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted for every wrong answer.
- Penalty for Multiple Answers
- If a candidate selects more than one option for a single question, it will be treated as a wrong answer, even if one of the selected answers is correct.
- The same penalty of one-third (0.33) of the marks will apply in such cases.
- No Penalty for Unanswered Questions
- If a candidate does not attempt a question (i.e., leaves it blank), there will be no negative marking for that question.
UPSC CDS Syllabus 2025
Standard
The level of questions in the Elementary Mathematics paper corresponds to the Matriculation level (Class 10). For other subjects, the standard aligns with what is expected from a graduate of an Indian university.
Detailed Syllabus
1. English (Code No. 11)
The English paper aims to evaluate a candidate’s understanding of the language and their ability to use words effectively. This includes comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar.
2. General Knowledge (Code No. 12)
The General Knowledge section encompasses:
- Current events of national and international importance.
- Everyday observations and experiences, particularly in their scientific context.
- Basic knowledge of Indian History and Geography, with a focus on general awareness rather than in-depth study.
3. Elementary Mathematics (Code No. 13)
This section tests fundamental mathematical concepts across various topics, including:
- Arithmetic:
- Number systems, including natural numbers, integers, rational, and real numbers.
- Basic operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and square roots.
- Applications: time and work, time and distance, percentages, profit and loss, simple and compound interest, ratios, and proportions.
- Elementary Number Theory:
- Division algorithms, prime and composite numbers, divisibility rules, multiples, factors, and Euclidean algorithms.
- HCF and LCM, factorization, and basic logarithmic operations.
- Algebra:
- Basic operations, polynomials, remainder theorem, and solving quadratic equations.
- Simultaneous equations and inequalities in two variables, set theory, and laws of indices.
- Trigonometry:
- Basics of sine, cosine, and tangent for angles between 0° and 90°.
- Use of trigonometric tables and solving height and distance problems.
- Geometry:
- Lines, angles, triangles, parallelograms, circles, and loci.
- Properties of various shapes, including medians, altitudes, and diagonals.
- Mensuration:
- Calculation of areas and volumes of basic shapes like squares, rectangles, parallelograms, triangles, and circles.
- Surface area and volume of cones, cylinders, and spheres.
- Statistics:
- Data collection, tabulation, and graphical representation (bar charts, histograms, pie charts).
- Measures of central tendency, such as mean, median, and mode.
Intelligence and Personality Test
The Services Selection Board (SSB) interview process evaluates a candidate’s personality, intelligence, and leadership qualities. This is a two-stage process:
Stage I
- Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Tests: Assess logical reasoning and problem-solving skills.
- Picture Perception and Description Test (PP&DT): Evaluates observation, interpretation, and storytelling abilities.
Stage II
This stage includes:
- Interview: One-on-one interaction to evaluate communication, confidence, and overall suitability.
- Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks: Practical group activities to assess teamwork and leadership.
- Psychology Tests: Written assessments to gauge personality traits and mental fortitude.
- Conference: Final assessment by a panel based on cumulative performance in all tests.
The tests are designed to identify Officer-Like Qualities (OLQs) and the candidate’s ability to be trained as a future officer. Performance is judged holistically, and candidates are either recommended or not recommended for further selection.
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