CDS Syllabus

The CDS Exam has three papers. English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics. The syllabus for each is as described below:

1. English: This section covers general English topics to test a candidates proficiency in English

• Questions based on a given Passage
• Antonyms/Synonyms
• Sentence Correction
• Error detection
• Sentence and Paragraph jumbles
• Fill in the blanks

2. General Knowledge: This is the toughest part of the exam. Comprises of a variety of topics from the recent history and current affairs. Topics include:

• Polity
• Geography
• History of India
• Science
• Economy

3. Elementary Mathematics:

• Arithmetic
  • Number System
    • Natural numbers
    • Integers
    • Rational and Real numbers
    • Fundamental operations
  • Unitary method
    • Time and distance
    • Time and work
    • Percentages
    • Applications to Simple and Compound Interest
    • Profit and Loss
    • Rratio and Proportion, Variation
  • Number Theory
    • Prime and composite numbers
    • Tests of divisibility by 2, 3, 4, 5, 9 and 11.
    • Multiples and factors
    • Factorization Theorem
    • H.C.F. and L.C.M
    • Euclidean algorithm
    • Logarithms to base 10, laws of logarithms, use of logarithmic tables.
• Algebra
  • Basic Operations
  • Theory of polynomials
  • Solutions of quadratic equations
  • Simultaneous linear equations
  • Rational expressions and conditional identities
  • Laws of indices.
• Trigonometry
• Geometry
  • Lines and angles
  • Plane and plane figures
  • Theorems on (i) Properties of angles at a point (ii) Parallel lines, (iii) Sides and angles of a triangle, (iv) Congruency of triangles, (v) Similar triangles, (vi) Concurrence of medians and altitudes, (vii) Properties of angles, sides and diagonals of a parallelogram, rectangle and square (viii) Circles and its properties including tangents and normals, (ix) Loci.
• Mensuration
  • Areas of squares, rectangles, parallelograms, triangle and circle.
  • Surface area and volume of cuboids, lateral surface and volume of right circular cones and cylinders, surface area and volume of spheres.
• Statistics
  • Collection and tabulation of statistical data
  • Graphical representation frequency polygons, histograms, bar charts, pie charts, etc.
  • Measures of central tendency

Useful Books:

1. Study Package For CDS by Atul Bhardwaj
2. CDS Exam Guide: Combined Defence Services Exam by Datason Rp
3. CDS Previous Years Papers (Solved) by Rph Editorial Board
4. General Knowledge & Current Affairs by Rph Editorial Board
5. Encyclopedia Of General Knowledge & General Awareness by R. P. Verma
6. 4. General Knowledge Manual by UPSCportal Editorial Board