CDS Syllabus for 2026 Exam
CDS Syllabus 2026: Complete Subject-Wise Syllabus for English, Maths & GK
The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) twice a year to recruit commissioned officers into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers' Training Academy (OTA). Understanding the CDS syllabus 2026 is the first and most critical step for any aspirant aiming to clear the written examination. The syllabus is prescribed by UPSC in the official notification and remains consistent across years with minor updates.
The CDS written exam tests candidates on three subjects: English, General Knowledge (GK), and Elementary Mathematics. Candidates applying for OTA appear in only English and GK, while those applying for IMA, INA, and AFA appear in all three papers.
CDS 2026 Exam Structure Overview
|
Academy |
Papers |
Total Marks |
Duration |
|
IMA (Indian Military Academy) |
English + GK + Maths |
300 |
6 Hours |
|
INA (Indian Naval Academy) |
English + GK + Maths |
300 |
6 Hours |
|
AFA (Air Force Academy) |
English + GK + Maths |
300 |
6 Hours |
|
OTA (Officers' Training Academy) |
English + GK |
200 |
4 Hours |
Each paper carries 100 marks and lasts 2 hours. All questions are objective type (MCQs). There is negative marking of 1/3rd of marks for each wrong answer.
CDS English Syllabus 2026
The English paper tests the candidate's understanding and command of the English language. It does not test advanced grammar rules but focuses on practical language usage.
|
Topic |
Key Areas |
|
Spotting Errors |
Identifying grammatical mistakes in sentences |
|
Sentence Improvement |
Replacing underlined parts with correct options |
|
Ordering of Words in a Sentence |
Rearranging jumbled words to form meaningful sentences |
|
Ordering of Sentences in a Passage |
Para-jumbles – arranging sentences in logical order |
|
Fill in the Blanks |
Choosing appropriate words/phrases to complete sentences |
|
Synonyms & Antonyms |
Vocabulary-based questions |
|
Comprehension Passages |
Reading passages followed by questions |
|
Selecting Words |
Choosing the correct word from given options |
CDS General Knowledge (GK) Syllabus 2026
The GK paper covers a vast range of topics from history to current affairs. Consistent daily reading of newspapers and monthly magazines is essential.
|
Subject |
Key Topics |
|
History |
Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Indian History; World History milestones |
|
Geography |
Indian and World Geography – physical, economic, social; rivers, mountains, climate |
|
Indian Polity & Constitution |
Constitutional provisions, Parliament, Judiciary, Fundamental Rights & Duties |
|
Economics |
Basic economic concepts, Five-Year Plans, budget, banking, inflation |
|
Physics |
Laws of motion, optics, electricity, magnetism, sound |
|
Chemistry |
Elements, compounds, chemical reactions, common substances |
|
Biology |
Human body systems, diseases, nutrition, ecology |
|
Current Affairs |
National & international events, defence news, sports, science & technology |
|
Defence & Military News |
Recent developments, operations, appointments in Indian Armed Forces |
CDS Maths Syllabus 2026
The Mathematics paper is based on Class 10 level syllabus. It is only for candidates applying to IMA, INA, and AFA. The level is elementary but requires speed and accuracy.
|
Topic |
Sub-Topics |
|
Number System |
Natural numbers, integers, rational/irrational numbers, LCM, HCF |
|
Fundamental Operations |
Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division of algebraic terms |
|
Elementary Number Theory |
Prime & composite numbers, divisibility rules, Euclid's algorithm |
|
Algebra |
Basic algebraic identities, simple equations, simultaneous equations |
|
Matrices & Determinants |
Basic matrix operations, determinants up to 3×3 |
|
Trigonometry |
Trigonometric ratios, identities, heights and distances |
|
Geometry |
Lines, angles, triangles, circles, polygons, congruence, similarity |
|
Mensuration |
Areas and volumes of 2D and 3D figures |
|
Statistics |
Mean, median, mode, bar graphs, pie charts, histograms |
|
Set Theory |
Union, intersection, subsets, Venn diagrams |
CDS Notes & Study Material
For structured preparation, candidates should organise their study material subject-wise:
|
Resource Type |
Recommended Material |
|
CDS English Notes |
Grammar rules, error-spotting practice sheets, vocabulary lists |
|
CDS GK Notes |
Topic-wise handwritten notes on history, polity, geography |
|
CDS Maths Notes |
Formula sheets, shortcut tricks, solved examples |
|
Previous Year Papers |
Last 10 years' CDS question papers (topic-wise analysis) |
|
Mock Tests |
Weekly full-length mock tests to build exam temperament |
CDS Preparation Strategy
-
Start with NCERT books (Class 6–12) for GK and Maths foundation.
-
Practice English daily through error-spotting exercises and comprehension passages.
-
Revise GK topic-wise and maintain short notes for quick revision.
-
Solve previous year papers to understand the difficulty level and frequently asked topics.
-
Attempt mock tests under timed conditions to improve speed and accuracy.
-
Read newspapers daily – especially for current affairs, defence updates, and science news.
The CDS 2026 syllabus is manageable with a disciplined study plan of 3–4 months. Candidates should give equal attention to all three subjects and avoid neglecting current affairs, which carries significant weight in the GK paper. Always refer to the official UPSC notification at upsc.gov.in for the most accurate and updated syllabus details.
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