CDS Syllabus 2023

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.