The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination, conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), is one of the most prestigious gateways to a career in the Indian Armed Forces. Through this examination, aspirants are selected for admission into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers’ Training Academy (OTA).
For thousands of aspirants, clearing the CDS exam is the first step towards becoming a commissioned officer and serving the nation with honor. However, success requires structured preparation, deep understanding of the exam pattern, and disciplined practice.
As the Best CDS Coaching in Dehradun, Siddhu Defence Academy brings years of expertise and a proven record of selections. In this blog, we will explain the CDS Exam Pattern & Syllabus 2025, along with effective strategies to help you prepare.
CDS Exam 2025: Key Highlights
Before diving into the syllabus, let’s look at the major details:
- Conducting Authority: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
- Exam Mode: Offline, Pen-and-Paper
- Exam Frequency: Twice a year (CDS I and CDS II)
- Level of Exam: National
- Selection Stages: Written Exam + SSB Interview + Medical Test
Courses Offered Through CDS:
- Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun
- Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala
- Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad
- Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai
CDS Exam Pattern 2025
Understanding the exam structure is the foundation of preparation. The CDS exam follows a multiple-choice format with negative marking (1/3rd of the marks deducted for every wrong answer).
For IMA, INA, and AFA:
| Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge (GK) | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Total | 6 Hours | 300 Marks |
Mathematics is compulsory for these academies.
For OTA (Officers’ Training Academy):
| Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 Hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge (GK) | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Total | 4 Hours | 200 Marks |
No Mathematics paper for OTA aspirants.
CDS Syllabus 2025: Subject-Wise Breakdown
The CDS exam is designed to test academic knowledge, analytical ability, and awareness of current events.
1. English (100 Marks)
The English paper tests grammar, comprehension, and vocabulary skills.
Important Topics:
- Reading Comprehension passages
- Spotting Errors & Sentence Correction
- Synonyms and Antonyms
- Idioms and Phrases
- Jumbled Sentences (Sentence Arrangement)
- Fill in the Blanks
- Cloze Test
Preparation Tips from Siddhu Defence Academy:
- Practice at least 2 unseen passages daily.
- Build vocabulary by learning 10–15 new words daily.
- Revise Wren & Martin grammar rules.
- Solve CDS previous years’ question papers.
2. General Knowledge (100 Marks)
GK is often considered the game-changer in CDS because it covers a wide range of subjects.
Major Areas Covered:
- History: Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Indian History
- Polity: Constitution, Governance, Political Structure
- Geography: Physical, Indian, and World Geography
- Economics: Indian Economy, Current Developments
- Science: Physics, Chemistry, Biology basics
- Environment & Ecology
- Defence-related Current Affairs
- Sports, Awards, Books & Authors, Summits
Preparation Tips:
- Read newspapers like The Hindu or Indian Express daily.
- Follow monthly current affairs magazines.
- Revise NCERT books (6th–10th for Science, 6th–12th for History & Geography).
- Attempt GK quizzes regularly at Siddhu Defence Academy.
3. Elementary Mathematics (100 Marks)
Only for IMA, INA, and AFA aspirants. The paper tests basic mathematical concepts up to Class 10 level.
Key Topics:
- Arithmetic: Number System, Ratio, Proportion, Percentage, Average, Time & Work, Time & Distance, Profit & Loss, Interest
- Algebra: Quadratic Equations, Basic Identities
- Geometry: Properties of Lines, Angles, Triangles, Circles
- Mensuration: Area, Volume, Surface Area of Solid Figures
- Trigonometry: Heights & Distances, Simple Problems
- Statistics: Graphs, Pie Charts, Data Interpretation
Preparation Tips:
- Focus on NCERT Class 6–10 Mathematics.
- Practice short-cut tricks to save time.
- Revise important formulas daily.
- Solve timed mock tests at the academy.
CDS Eligibility Criteria 2025
Before applying, candidates must meet the following conditions:
Nationality:
- Citizen of India, or
- Subject of Nepal, or
- Person of Indian origin migrated from select countries with intent of permanent settlement.
Age, Gender & Marital Status:
- IMA (Army): 19–24 years, Male, Unmarried
- INA (Navy): 19–24 years, Male, Unmarried
- AFA (Air Force): 20–24 years, Male, Unmarried
- OTA: 18–24 years, Male/Female, Unmarried
Educational Qualification:
- IMA/OTA: Graduation from a recognized university.
- INA: Engineering Degree.
- AFA: Graduation with Physics & Maths at 10+2 or Engineering Degree.
SSB Interview Process
Once candidates clear the written exam, they proceed to the Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview, which is a 5-day selection process.
Stage I (Screening Test):
- Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR Test)
- Picture Perception & Description Test (PPDT)
Stage II:
- Psychological Tests
- Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks
- Personal Interview
- Conference
Training at Siddhu Defence Academy:
- Daily physical training for stamina & endurance.
- Mock PPDT & group discussions.
- Personalized personality development sessions.
- Mentorship from ex-Defence officers.
Why Choose Siddhu Defence Academy for CDS Coaching in Dehradun?
When it comes to CDS preparation, right guidance matters more than anything. At Siddhu Defence Academy, we ensure every aspirant is guided with precision.
- Expert Faculty: Highly experienced teachers specializing in CDS subjects.
- Updated Study Material: Covers UPSC pattern and syllabus.
- Regular Mock Tests: Improves accuracy and speed.
- Physical Training: To meet SSB requirements.
- Proven Track Record: Hundreds of successful selections.Doubt-Clearing Sessions: Extra focus on weak students.
Preparation Strategy for CDS Exam 2025
-
Understand the Pattern First: Know the marks distribution and paper format.
-
Set a Study Schedule: Divide time equally between English, GK, and Mathematics.
-
Focus on NCERTs: Build strong fundamentals before advanced study.
-
Daily Current Affairs: Read newspapers and make short notes.
-
Practice PYQs (Previous Year Questions): Identify repeating question trends.
-
Weekly Mock Tests: Simulate real exam pressure.
-
Balance Written + SSB Prep: Success depends on both.
Conclusion
The CDS Exam 2025 is an excellent opportunity for aspirants who dream of becoming officers in the Indian Armed Forces. With the right strategy, discipline, and expert guidance, clearing CDS is absolutely achievable.
At Siddhu Defence Academy, Dehradun, we provide comprehensive CDS coaching – from written exam preparation to physical training and SSB interview guidance. Our proven track record, expert faculty, and result-oriented approach make us the best CDS coaching institute in Dehradun.
Your dream of wearing the uniform starts here. Join Siddhu Defence Academy and take the first step toward a proud career in defence.
