The Union Public Service Commission releases the CDS Syllabus 2023 along with the official notification, and it is crucial for candidates to get familiar with the detailed subject-wise syllabus. Knowing the syllabus is the foremost and pivotal step in preparing for the upcoming exam as it plays a key role in driving candidates towards success. To perform exceptionally well and outperform other candidates, applicants must be fully prepared with the CDS syllabus. The written exam includes subjects such as English, General Awareness, and Mathematics for IAFA, IMA, and INA posts. For OTA posts, candidates will be screened based on their knowledge of the UPSC CDS syllabus for General Knowledge and English.
CDS Syllabus for General Knowledge
- Economics
- Physics
- Current Affairs
- Politics
- Chemistry
- Sociology
- History
- Defense-related Award
- Geography
- Environment
- Sport
- Biology
- Cultural
- Books
- Statement
- True/False
CDS English Syllabus
- Basic Grammar
- Idioms & Phrases
- Synonyms and Antonyms
- Reading Comprehension Solving
- Substitution of Words
- Error Spotting
- Para Jumbles
CDS Maths Syllabus
Arithmetic
- Number System: Natural numbers, Rational & Real numbers, Integers
- Fundamental operation: Subtraction, multiplication, addition, division, Square roots, Decimal fractions
- Time and work
- Percentage
- Time and distance
- Simple & Compound interest
- Ratio and proportion
- Profit and loss
- 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
- Laws of logarithms
Algebra
- Basic Operations
- Simple factors
- H.C.F. and L.C.M.
- Remainder Theorem
- Theory of polynomials
- Solutions of quadratic equations, the relation between its roots & coefficients (Only real roots to be considered)
- Linear inequalities in two variables and their solutions
- Linear equations in two unknowns—analytical & graphical solutions
- Practical problems leading to two simultaneous linear equations or inequalities in two variables or quadratic equations in one variable & their solutions
- Rational expressions and conditional identities
- Set language & set notation
- Laws of indices.
Trigonometry
- Sine ×, cosine ×, Tangent × when 0° < × < 90° Values of sin ×, cos × and tan ×, for × = 0°, 30°, 45°, 60° and 90°
- Simple trigonometric identities.
- Use of trigonometric tables.
- Simple cases of heights and distances.
Geometry
- Plane & plane figures, Lines & angles
- Theorems on
- Properties of angles at a point
- Parallel lines
- Sides & angles of a triangle
- Congruency of triangles
- Similar triangles
- Concurrence of medians and altitudes
- Properties of angles, sides and diagonals of a parallelogram, square and rectangle
- Circles and its properties including tangents and normals
Mensuration
- Areas of squares, rectangles, parallelograms, triangles and circles.
- Surface area and volume of cuboids, lateral surface and volume of right circular cones and cylinders, Areas of figures which can be split up into these figures (Field Book), surface area and volume of spheres
Statistics
- Collection and tabulation of statistical data
- Graphical representation frequency: Polygons, Histograms, Bar charts, Pie charts
- Measures of central tendency
Important Topics in UPSC CDS Syllabus
If you are short on time to prepare for the CDS syllabus, it is advisable to prioritize learning the crucial topics first. The following are the important topics in the UPSC CDS syllabus 2023 for English, General Knowledge, and Mathematics that candidates should focus on:
- English: Synonyms and Antonyms, Idioms and Phrases, Jumbled Sentences, Reading Comprehension, Fill in the blanks, Spotting errors, One-word Substitution, etc.
- Mathematics: Percentage, Profit and Loss, Time and Work, SI and CI, Trigonometry, Lines and Angles, Mensuration, etc.
- General Knowledge: Current Affairs, Indian History, Polity, Constitution, Basic Science, Geography, etc.
