Atul Kumar | Updated: Apr 21, 2022 15:50 IST
For candidates who wish to join the defense services, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), brings wonderful opportunities in the form of the Combined Defense Service Exam (CDS). The Commission conducts this exam twice a year to select eligible candidates for admission to the Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Indian Air Force Academy. Lakhs of candidates appear for this exam, making it highly competitive. Hence, to ensure that you ace the examination, you must know how to prepare for CDS. In this article, we bring to you an expert recommended and subject-wise set of UPSC CDS Exam Preparation tips.
The UPSC CDS Recruitment is prestigious and candidates must know about the Exam Pattern, Syllabus, and other important tips. So read further to know more about the CDS Exam Preparation tips!
The UPSC CDS Recruitment takes place twice a year. The Commission conducts the CDS Exam in the month of February and September. The CDS Exam is a written exam that comprises three subjects namely –
In the section below we have provided the expert-recommended topic-wise CDS Exam preparation tips for each of the aforementioned subjects –
English section is asked for a total of 100 marks. Although this section appears to be easy, it requires regular practice. Refer to the below points for more –
The Mathematics section is asked for a total of 100 marks. This section is often dreaded by the candidates. However, consistent practice and regular revision are all that is needed. Below are some important tips to keep in mind-
The General Knowledge section is asked for a total of 100 marks. This section is often ignored by the candidate. However, it is one of the most scoring sections. Below are some important tips for the same.
Check CUET Prepration Tips Here
Let us dive deeper into this article, as we now provide you with some basic UPSC CDS Exam preparation tips. These tips, however basic, are crucial to formulating an effective study schedule for yourself.
The exam pattern helps you to understand the subject-wise marks weightage and the duration of the examination. Knowing the exam pattern and enables the candidates who plan a better study schedule.
Below is the UPSC CDS 1 Exam pattern –
| Subjects/ Section | Duration | Maximum Marks |
| English | 2 hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 hours | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 2 hours | 100 |
| Total | 6 hours | 300 Marks |
Note – There is a negative marking of 0.33 marks.
Next, up in our UPSC CDS Exam preparation tips is understanding the exam syllabus. The exam syllabus helps the candidates to understand the topic for each subject. Therefore it will help them prepare an overall study schedule.
| Subjects | Syllabus |
| General Knowledge | EconomicsPhysicsCurrent AffairsPoliticsChemistrySociologyHistoryDefense-related AwardGeographyEnvironmentSportBiologyCulturalBooksStatementTrue/FalseStatic GK – Online course for CDS |
| English | Basic GrammarIdioms & PhrasesSynonyms and AntonymsReading Comprehension SolvingSubstitution of WordsError SpottingPara Jumbles |
| Mathematics | ArithmeticNumber System: Natural numbers, Rational & Real numbers, Integers. Fundamental operations, subtraction, multiplication, addition, division, Square roots, and Decimal fractions. Unitary method, time and work, percentages, time and distance, applications to simple & compound interest, ratio and proportion, profit and loss, variation. Elementary Number Theory: Division algorithm. Prime and composite numbers. Tests of divisibility by 2, 3, 4, 5, 9 and 11. Multiples and factors. Factorisation Theorem. L.C.M. and H.C.F. Euclidean algorithm. Logarithms to base 10, use of logarithmic tables and laws of logarithms. AlgebraBasic Operations, simple factors, H.C.F., L.C.M., Remainder Theorem, Theory of polynomials, solutions of quadratic equations, the relation between its roots & coefficients (Only real roots to be considered). Simultaneous linear inequations in two variables and their solutions. Simultaneous linear equations in two unknowns—analytical & graphical solutions. Practical problems leading to two simultaneous linear equations or inequations in two variables or quadratic equations in one variable & their solutions. Rational expressions and conditional identities, Set language & set notation, Laws of indices. |
The important topics for the UPSC CDS Exam 2022, as recommended by our experts are mentioned below.
| Subjects | Important topics covered under each subject |
| General Knowledge | EconomicsPhysicsCurrent AffairsPoliticsDefence-related issuesGeographySportsEnvironment |
| Elementary Mathematics | Number SystemSimple & Compound InterestPolynomialsLaw of indicesQuadratic equations. |
| English | Basic GrammarIdioms & PhrasesSynonyms & AntonymsComprehensionOne word SubstitutionError Spotting |
The answwe to how to prepare for CDS Exam will be incomplete without mentioning about best prep books. Following are the expert-recommended books for preparations for the CDS Exam 2022.
| Subject | Books | Author/Publisher |
| General Knowledge | General Knowledge | Manohar Pandey |
| General English | Objective General English for Competitive Exams | SP Bakshi |
| Mathematics | Pathfinder for CDS | – |
Candidates can find similar preparation tips for the UPSC NDA 1 here.
We hope that our article on the UPSC CDS preparation tips is useful. Consistent efforts and regular practice are the keys to success. We wish you all the best!
The UPSC CDS Exam is held twice a year in February and September.
Candidates must go through the exam pattern, know the syllabus, revise regularly, and refer to the expert-recommended list of books for preparation, to prepare for the UPSC CDS 1 Exam.
The Written exam is conducted in three sections – Mathematics, English, and General Knowledge for a total of 300 marks and 2 hours each.
Yes, candidates must follow a study schedule, and our UPSC CDS Exam preparation tips, to ace the examination.
Yes, 0.33 marks are deducted for the UPSC CDS Examination.