The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) twice a year (February and September). The purpose of the examination is to select eligible candidates for recruitment into the Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Indian Air Force Academy. The CDS syllabus covers a wide range of topics, including English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics and Military Aptitude.
Audience
The CDS Syllabus is designed for individuals who are preparing for the Combined Defence Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. It is suitable for candidates who are looking to join the Indian Armed Forces as officers. The syllabus covers a wide range of topics such as General Knowledge, English, Mathematics, General Science, and General Studies. It also includes some optional subjects such as Economics, History, Geography, Political Science, and Psychology.
Prerequisites
The CDS syllabus does not have any specific prerequisites. However, knowledge of and experience with basic computer skills are highly recommended for the successful completion of the syllabus. Also, knowledge of the English language is important to understand the material and complete the assessments.
CDS Syllabus – Structure of Examination
The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) twice a year to recruit candidates for the Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Indian Air Force Academy. The examination syllabus is designed to test a candidate’s aptitude, knowledge and skills required for a career in the armed forces. The CDS Examination consists of three sections:
1. English: The English section measures the language proficiency of the candidate. It includes comprehension, grammar, vocabulary and usage of words.
2. General Knowledge: This section covers topics like history, geography, economics, politics, current affairs and other general knowledge related topics.
3. Elementary Mathematics: The Elementary Mathematics section tests the candidate’s knowledge of basic arithmetic, geometry, algebra, trigonometry and mensuration.
In addition to the written examination, candidates will also have to appear for an Intelligence and Personality Test (IPT) conducted by the Service Selection Board (SSB).
CDS Syllabus – Eligibility
To be eligible to appear for Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination, a candidate must be:
• An Indian citizen
• A graduate from a recognized university
• Between 19 and 25 years of age as on the date of commencement of the course
• Physically fit according to the prescribed physical standards.
The syllabus for the CDS Examination is divided into four papers:
• English
• General Knowledge
• Elementary Mathematics
• Armed Forces Special Paper (For Officers’ Training Academy)
The English paper consists of topics such as English grammar, comprehension, vocabulary, precis writing, and essay writing.
The General Knowledge paper covers topics such as Indian history, geography, politics, current events, and general science.
The Elementary Mathematics paper includes topics such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and mensuration.
The Armed Forces Special Paper consists of topics such as military subjects, leadership, strategy and tactics, and management.
CDS Syllabus – Examination Center
CDS Preliminary Exam Center
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is responsible for conducting the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Central Teacher Eligibility Test (C-TET) Preliminary Examination. The exam is conducted across the country at different exam centers. The examination centers are determined by the CBSE, and a list of the exam centers is available on their official website.
Preliminary Exam Center
1. Ahmedabad – Gujarat College
2. Bengaluru – Mount Carmel College
3. Bhopal – Oriental Institute of Science & Technology
4. Chennai – Loyola College
5. Delhi – Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University
6. Hyderabad – St. Francis College for Women
7. Jaipur – Maharaja College
8. Kolkata – St. Xavier’s College
9. Lucknow – Indian Institute of Management
10. Mumbai – I.E.S. Management College & Research Centre
11. Patna – Patna University
12. Thiruvananthapuram – University College
CDS Syllabus – How to Apply
To apply for the CDS (Combined Defence Services) exam, candidates must fulfill the eligibility criteria set by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Candidates must have a graduation degree from a recognized university or institute.
The application process for the CDS exam involves a few simple steps:
1. Register for the CDS exam by visiting the UPSC website.
2. Fill in the online application form with your personal and academic details.
3. Select the exam centers of your choice.
4. Upload your scanned photograph and signature.
5. Pay the application fee.
6. Take a printout of the application form for future reference.
The exam syllabus for the CDS exam includes topics from English, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics and a choice of any two optional subjects. The syllabus for the CDS exam is available on the UPSC website. Candidates can download the syllabus and prepare for the exam accordingly.
CDS Syllabus for Written Exam
1. General Awareness/Knowledge:
• Current Affairs
• Indian History
• Indian Politics
• Indian Geography
• Indian Economy
• Science & Technology
• General Science
• Environment & Ecology
• Sports
• Art & Culture
2. Quantitative Aptitude:
• Number Systems
• Problem Solving
• Simplification
• Ratio & Proportion
• Percentage
• Profit & Loss
• Simple & Compound Interest
• Time & Work
• Time & Distance
• Permutation & Combination
• Data Interpretation
• Mensuration
3. English Comprehension:
• Vocabulary
• Grammar
• Sentence Structure
• Reading Comprehension
• Verbal Ability
• Synonyms & Antonyms
• Idioms & Phrases
4. Reasoning Ability:
• Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning
• Analytical & Logical Reasoning
• Puzzles
• Coding & Decoding
• Blood Relations
• Series
• Direction Sense
• Alphabet Test
• Number & Alphabet Test
• Data Sufficiency
• Syllogism
Intelligence and Personality Test
The CDS (Career Diagnostic Services) offers a variety of intelligence and personality tests to help people identify career paths and job opportunities that best suit their individual strengths and interests. The tests are designed to measure a variety of cognitive and non-cognitive factors, including intellectual abilities, personality traits, and values. Some of the tests offered by CDS include the Wonderlic Cognitive Ability Test, the Personality Inventory, the Values and Interest Inventory, and the Career Interest Inventory. These tests are used to assess a person’s readiness for various careers and to help them make informed decisions about their future.
The Intelligence and Personality Test is conducted in two stages by Services Selection Board (SSB) as part of the selection process for Indian Armed Forces.
The first stage is the Psychological Tests, which measure the intelligence, personality, and aptitude of the candidate. The tests include the Picture Perception Test, Word Association Test, Thematic Apperception Test and Situation Reaction Test.
The second stage is the Interview. The interview is conducted by a board of three to four officers. The board assesses the candidate’s personality, aptitude, intelligence, and motivation. The board also evaluates the candidate’s communication skills, leadership potential, and team spirit. The interviewers also ask questions based on the candidate’s bio-data, educational background, experience, hobbies, and interests.