UPSC CDS Exam Syllabus, Exam Pattern & Eligibility Criteria: Everything Explained In Detail

Introduction to UPSC CDS Exam

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the CDS Exam twice a year for recruitment into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers Training Academy (OTA).

The exam is one of the most sought-after opportunities for young aspirants who want to serve the nation as Commissioned Officers in the Armed Forces. Unlike NDA, which is for 12th pass students, CDS is open to graduates, making it the gateway for college students and degree holders who aspire for a defense career.

Every year, lakhs of candidates apply for CDS I (February) and CDS II (September), making it one of the most competitive defense entrance exams in India. The selection process consists of a written exam, SSB interview, and medical examination, followed by rigorous training in respective academies.

UPSC CDS Exam Eligibility Criteria

Before applying, candidates must meet strict eligibility criteria related to nationality, age, education, and physical fitness. Let’s break down each requirement.

Nationality

A candidate must be:

• A citizen of India, OR
• A subject of Nepal or Bhutan, OR
• A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1st January 1962 intending to permanently settle, OR
• A person of Indian origin (PIO) who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or East African countries with the intention of permanent settlement.

Age Limit & Marital Status

The age limit for CDS varies depending on the academy applied for.

• Indian Military Academy (IMA): 19–24 years, unmarried male candidates only.
• Indian Naval Academy (INA): 19–22 years, unmarried male candidates.
• Air Force Academy (AFA): 19–23 years, unmarried male candidates (mathematics & physics background required).
• Officers Training Academy (OTA – Men): 19–25 years, unmarried male candidates.
• Officers Training Academy (OTA – Women): 19–25 years, unmarried female candidates (including widows & divorcees without remarriage).

Key Point: Unlike UPSC CSE, there is no category-based relaxation in CDS age limits.

Educational Qualification

• IMA & OTA: Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
• INA: Engineering degree required.
• AFA: Graduation with Physics & Mathematics at 10+2 level OR Bachelor of Engineering.

Final-year students can also apply, but they must provide proof of passing before training begins.

Physical & Medical Standards

Since CDS recruits for the Armed Forces, the physical and medical standards are very strict.

Height & Weight Standards

• Minimum height: 157.5 cm for men, 152 cm for women.
• Weight must be proportionate to height as per the official UPSC medical chart.

Vision Standards

• Myopia should not exceed -3.5D and hypermetropia should not exceed +3.5D.
• Candidates must not be color-blind or night-blind.

Other Standards

• No history of epilepsy, diabetes, or cardiac diseases.
• No deformities like flat feet or knock knees.
• Hearing should be normal without aid.

Number of Attempts

There is no limit on attempts for CDS. Candidates can appear for the exam as many times as they want, provided they fall within the prescribed age bracket.

UPSC CDS Exam Pattern

Understanding the CDS exam pattern is the first step toward effective preparation. The exam is conducted in two stages:

1. Written Examination
2. SSB Interview/Personality Test

Those who clear both stages undergo a Medical Examination before joining academies like IMA, INA, AFA, or OTA.

Written Examination Structure

The CDS written exam pattern differs slightly depending on the academy you apply for.

For IMA, INA, and AFA

The exam consists of three papers:

Subject	Duration	Marks
English	2 hours	100
General Knowledge	2 hours	100
Elementary Mathematics	2 hours	100

Total Marks = 300

For OTA (Men & Women)

The exam consists of two papers:

Subject	Duration	Marks
English	2 hours	100
General Knowledge	2 hours	100

Total Marks = 200

Marking Scheme & Duration

• Each paper is of objective type (MCQs).
• Negative marking of 1/3rd marks applies for every wrong answer.
• Each paper carries equal weightage.
• The exam is conducted in offline pen-and-paper mode.

Candidates aiming for IMA, INA, or AFA must attempt all three papers, whereas those applying for OTA need to attempt only two papers.

SSB Interview/Personality Test

Candidates who qualify the written exam are called for the Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview, which is a two-stage process spread over 4–5 days.

Stage I – Screening Test

• Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test
• Picture Perception & Description Test (PPDT)

Only those who qualify Stage I proceed to Stage II.

Stage II – Psychological Tests, Group Tasks & Interview

• Psychological Tests: Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), Word Association Test (WAT), Situation Reaction Test (SRT), Self-Description Test (SD).
• Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks: Group Discussion, Group Planning Exercise, Progressive Group Tasks, Half Group Tasks, Individual Obstacles, Command Task, Snake Race.
• Personal Interview: Conducted by senior officers to assess motivation, communication skills, general awareness, and officer-like qualities (OLQs).

The SSB carries 300 marks for IMA/INA/AFA and 200 marks for OTA candidates.

Medical Examination

Candidates recommended by the SSB undergo a comprehensive medical test to check fitness for defense services.

• Includes vision, hearing, blood tests, chest X-ray, and dental check-up.
• Candidates must meet UPSC’s detailed Armed Forces Medical Standards.

Final Merit List

The final merit list is prepared based on:

• Written Exam Marks (300 for IMA/INA/AFA, 200 for OTA)
• SSB Interview Marks (300 for IMA/INA/AFA, 200 for OTA)

The medical exam is qualifying in nature. Only medically fit candidates who score high in written + SSB make it to the final list.

Key Highlights of CDS Exam Pattern

• Two-tier selection: Written + SSB Interview
• Negative marking: Yes (1/3rd)
• Exam frequency: Conducted twice a year (CDS I in February, CDS II in September)
• Mode: Offline (pen-and-paper)
• Languages: English and Hindi (except English paper)

UPSC CDS Syllabus (Detailed Subject-wise)

The CDS syllabus is designed to test a candidate’s language ability, general awareness, and mathematical skills. Since the exam recruits future officers for the Army, Navy, and Air Force, the syllabus focuses on both academic knowledge and aptitude-based testing.

CDS English Syllabus

The English paper is common for all academies (IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA). It tests a candidate’s command over the English language, focusing on vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension.

Key Topics:

• Reading Comprehension Passages
• Spotting Errors
• Sentence Improvement
• Fill in the Blanks (Vocabulary/Grammar based)
• Synonyms & Antonyms
• Ordering of Words in a Sentence
• Ordering of Sentences (Para-jumbles)
• Cloze Test (Passage Completion)
• Idioms & Phrases
• Direct & Indirect Speech
• Active & Passive Voice

Preparation Tip: Reading newspapers like The Hindu or Indian Express improves both vocabulary and comprehension.

CDS General Knowledge (GK) Syllabus

The GK section checks awareness of current events and knowledge of history, polity, economy, and defense. This paper is often considered challenging because of its vast syllabus.

Key Topics:

History

• Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Indian History
• Indian Freedom Struggle & Important Leaders
• Important Movements (Revolt of 1857, Non-Cooperation, Quit India, etc.)

Polity

• Indian Constitution & Preamble
• Fundamental Rights & Duties
• Parliament & State Legislatures
• Important Amendments
• Judicial System

Geography

• Physical Geography (Earth, Latitude & Longitude, Climate)
• Indian Geography (Rivers, Soil, Agriculture, Industries)
• World Geography (Continents, Countries, Oceans)

Economics

• Basic Economic Concepts
• Indian Economy (Planning, GDP, Inflation, Poverty, Employment)
• Budget & Economic Surveys
• Banking & Monetary Policy

Science

• Physics (Mechanics, Motion, Heat, Sound, Electricity, Magnetism)
• Chemistry (Elements, Compounds, Mixtures, Acids & Bases, Everyday Chemistry)
• Biology (Human Body, Plants, Diseases, Nutrition, Genetics)

Current Affairs

• National & International Events
• Government Schemes & Policies
• Defense Exercises, Military Exercises & Ranks
• Important Appointments & Awards
• Sports & Cultural Events

Preparation Tip: Follow PIB, Yojana Magazine, Manorama Yearbook, and monthly current affairs compilations.

CDS Mathematics Syllabus (For IMA, INA, AFA only)

Elementary Mathematics is included only for IMA, INA, and AFA candidates. OTA candidates are exempt from this paper.

Key Topics:

Arithmetic

• Number System, HCF & LCM
• Ratio & Proportion
• Simple & Compound Interest
• Time & Distance, Time & Work
• Percentage, Profit & Loss, Discount
• Average, Mixtures & Alligation

Algebra

• Basic Operations
• Laws of Indices
• Simple Equations (Linear & Quadratic)
• Set Theory

Geometry

• Lines, Angles, and Triangles
• Circles & Tangents
• Quadrilaterals & Polygons
• Loci

Trigonometry

• Trigonometric Ratios & Identities
• Heights & Distances
• Values of Trigonometric Functions

Mensuration

• Areas & Volumes of Geometric Shapes (Cone, Cylinder, Sphere, Cube, etc.)

Statistics

• Data Interpretation
• Graphs, Charts, and Tables
• Measures of Central Tendency (Mean, Median, Mode)

Preparation Tip: NCERT Maths (Class 6–10) is the foundation. For advanced practice, RS Aggarwal and CDS-specific guides help.

CDS SSB Interview Syllabus

The Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview is designed to assess a candidate’s Officer-Like Qualities (OLQs), leadership potential, and decision-making skills. It is not a typical syllabus-based exam but focuses on psychological and personality assessment.

Stage I – Screening Test

• Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test (verbal & non-verbal reasoning)
• Picture Perception & Description Test (PPDT)

Stage II – Psychological Tests

• Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) – writing stories based on pictures
• Word Association Test (WAT) – writing sentences based on words shown
• Situation Reaction Test (SRT) – writing responses to different situations
• Self-Description Test (SD)

Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks

• Group Discussion
• Group Planning Exercise
• Progressive Group Tasks
• Half Group Tasks
• Lecturette (short speech on given topic)
• Command Task (leadership-based)
• Snake Race (Group Obstacle Race)

Personal Interview

• Background questions (family, education, hobbies)
• Defense-related questions (current affairs, armed forces knowledge)
• Psychological questions (Why do you want to join defense?)

Preparation Tip: Work on communication, confidence, and physical fitness. Reading newspapers and participating in group discussions helps.

Key Highlights of CDS Syllabus

• English: Tests vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension.
• GK: Vast section covering history, polity, geography, science, economics, and defense current affairs.
• Maths: Only for IMA, INA, AFA aspirants, testing 10th-level concepts.
• SSB Interview: More of a personality test than an academic exam.

Preparation Strategy for UPSC CDS Exam

Cracking the CDS exam requires smart planning, consistency, and discipline. Since the exam has multiple stages, aspirants must balance their preparation for written exam, SSB interview, and physical fitness.

Subject-wise Preparation Strategy

English

• Read newspapers (The Hindu, Indian Express) daily to improve comprehension and vocabulary.
• Practice grammar rules from books like Wren & Martin.
• Attempt previous year CDS English papers to identify frequently asked topics.

General Knowledge

• Focus on current affairs for the last 6–8 months.
• Study NCERTs (Class 6–12) for History, Geography, Polity, and Science.
• Read Manorama Yearbook and monthly magazines like Pratiyogita Darpan.
• Defense-related updates (joint military exercises, ranks, awards) are often asked.

Mathematics (For IMA, INA, AFA)

• Revise NCERT Mathematics (Class 6–10).
• Practice questions from RS Aggarwal and Pathfinder for CDS.
• Focus on Time & Work, Speed & Distance, Trigonometry, and Geometry – high-weightage topics.

SSB Interview

• Improve communication skills by practicing group discussions.
• Stay updated with national and defense issues.
• Work on physical fitness (running, push-ups, endurance training).
• Be confident and authentic during interviews.

Best Books for CDS Exam Preparation

Here’s a booklist for CDS preparation:

• English: Objective General English by SP Bakshi (Arihant)
• GK: General Knowledge by Lucent, Manorama Yearbook
• Maths: Pathfinder for CDS by Arihant, Quantitative Aptitude by RS Aggarwal
• Current Affairs: The Hindu, PIB, Yojana Magazine

Importance of Mock Tests & Previous Year Papers

• Attempting mock tests helps in time management.
• Previous year papers highlight question trends and difficulty level.
• Solving them improves accuracy and speed.

Balancing Written Exam & SSB Preparation

Many aspirants focus only on the written exam, ignoring SSB. This is a mistake. Start preparing for personality development, leadership skills, and fitness along with academics.

Important Details about UPSC CDS Exam

• Frequency: Conducted twice a year – CDS I (February) and CDS II (September).
• Mode: Offline (pen-and-paper).
• Vacancies: Vary each year (generally 300–400 across academies).
• Training Academies:
  • IMA (Dehradun): Army training
  • INA (Ezhimala): Naval training
  • AFA (Hyderabad): Air Force training
  • OTA (Chennai): Officer training for men & women

Career Growth after CDS

After clearing CDS and completing training, candidates are commissioned as Lieutenants (Army), Sub-Lieutenants (Navy), or Flying Officers (Air Force).

Promotions:

• Lieutenant → Captain → Major → Lieutenant Colonel → Colonel → Brigadier → Major General → Lieutenant General → General (Army)
• Similar ranks exist in Navy and Air Force.

With dedication, officers can rise to the highest ranks in the Armed Forces.

Common Myths about CDS Exam

1. “CDS is easier than UPSC CSE.”
   Wrong – Though different in scope, CDS requires immense discipline, physical fitness, and strong academic foundation.
2. “Girls cannot apply for CDS.”
   Wrong – Women can apply through OTA Chennai.
3. “Mathematics is compulsory for all candidates.”
   Wrong – Maths is compulsory only for IMA, INA, and AFA, not for OTA.
4. “Only science students can clear CDS.”
   Wrong – Candidates from arts and commerce backgrounds regularly clear CDS.

Conclusion

The UPSC CDS exam is not just an exam but a gateway to a prestigious career in the Armed Forces. With the right eligibility, preparation strategy, syllabus knowledge, and dedication, aspirants can crack it and fulfill their dream of serving the nation.

If you’re preparing for CDS, remember:

• Be consistent with studies.
• Stay fit physically and mentally.
• Focus on officer-like qualities (OLQs).

This exam tests not only knowledge but also leadership, decision-making, and commitment.

Also Read: UPSC CAPF AC Eligibility Criteria, Syllabus & Exam Pattern: CAPF AC Exam Full Details

UPSC CDS Exam Syllabus, Exam Pattern & Eligibility Criteria: FAQs