CDS Syllabus 2026 is prescribed by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the Combined Defence Services Examination. The examination is conducted for admission to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA) and Officers' Training Academy (OTA).

The CDS written examination consists of English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics for IMA, INA and AFA, while candidates applying for OTA appear only for English and General Knowledge.

This article provides the CDS Syllabus 2026, subject-wise important topics, exam pattern, preparation strategy and FAQs.

Note: Candidates should refer to the latest UPSC CDS notification for the exact examination applicable to their attempt.

CDS Syllabus 2026 – Overview

CDS 2026 Exam Pattern

The CDS examination pattern depends on the academy selected by the candidate.

IMA, INA and AFA

Candidates applying for the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Air Force Academy have to appear for three papers.

Officers' Training Academy (OTA)

Candidates applying for OTA appear for two papers.

The papers are objective-type. The Mathematics and General Knowledge papers are generally set bilingually in Hindi and English.

CDS English Syllabus 2026

The English paper tests candidates' understanding of the English language and their practical use of words.

Important Topics

• Grammar

• Vocabulary

• Sentence structure

• Sentence completion

• Spotting errors

• Synonyms

• Antonyms

• Idioms and phrases

• One-word substitution

• Fill in the blanks

• Ordering of sentences

• Reading comprehension

• Cloze test

• Word usage

• Correct grammatical usage

Important Preparation Areas

Candidates should focus particularly on:

Grammar → Tenses, Articles, Prepositions, Conjunctions, Subject-Verb Agreement, Voice and Narration

Vocabulary → Synonyms, Antonyms, One-word Substitution, Idioms and Phrases

Comprehension → Reading passages and inference-based questions

CDS General Knowledge Syllabus 2026

The General Knowledge paper covers current events and general awareness, along with basic knowledge of everyday science and Indian and world affairs.

Major areas include:

• Current Affairs

• History

• Geography

• Indian Polity

• Economy

• General Science

• Physics

• Chemistry

• Biology

• Environment

• Defence

• Sports

• Awards

• Important personalities

• National and international events

1. CDS History

Important topics include:

Ancient India

• Indus Valley Civilization

• Vedic Civilization

• Buddhism

• Jainism

• Mauryan Empire

• Gupta Empire

• Ancient Indian culture

Medieval India

• Delhi Sultanate

• Mughal Empire

• Bhakti Movement

• Sufi Movement

• Marathas

• Medieval administration and culture

Modern India

• Arrival of Europeans

• British expansion

• Revolt of 1857

• Social and religious reform movements

• Indian National Congress

• Swadeshi Movement

• Non-Cooperation Movement

• Civil Disobedience Movement

• Quit India Movement

• Indian Independence

World History

Basic knowledge of:

• American Revolution

• French Revolution

• Industrial Revolution

• Russian Revolution

• World Wars

• United Nations

• Major international developments

2. CDS Geography

Important topics:

Physical Geography

• Earth

• Solar system

• Latitude and longitude

• Rotation and revolution

• Interior of Earth

• Rocks

• Mountains

• Plateaus

• Plains

• Rivers

• Oceans

• Atmosphere

• Climate

• Winds

• Rainfall

• Natural vegetation

Indian Geography

• Physical features of India

• Himalayas

• Northern Plains

• Peninsular Plateau

• Indian rivers

• Indian climate

• Monsoon

• Agriculture

• Mineral resources

• Industries

• Transport

• Population

3. CDS Indian Polity

Important topics:

• Indian Constitution

• Preamble

• Fundamental Rights

• Fundamental Duties

• Directive Principles of State Policy

• President

• Vice-President

• Prime Minister

• Council of Ministers

• Parliament

• Supreme Court

• High Courts

• Election Commission

• CAG

• Constitutional bodies

• Panchayati Raj

• Municipalities

• Emergency provisions

• Constitutional amendments

4. CDS Economy

Important topics:

• Basic economic concepts

• National income

• GDP

• Inflation

• Unemployment

• Poverty

• Banking

• RBI

• Fiscal policy

• Monetary policy

• Budget

• Taxation

• Public finance

• Economic planning

• Government schemes

• Indian economy

• Agriculture and industry

5. CDS General Science

General Science is an important part of the GK paper.

Physics

• Motion

• Force

• Work

• Energy

• Power

• Gravitation

• Heat

• Temperature

• Sound

• Light

• Reflection

• Refraction

• Electricity

• Magnetism

• Simple machines

Chemistry

• Matter

• Elements

• Compounds

• Mixtures

• Atoms

• Molecules

• Chemical reactions

• Acids

• Bases

• Salts

• Metals

• Non-metals

• Carbon

• Everyday chemistry

Biology

• Cell

• Human body

• Human organs

• Nutrition

• Vitamins

• Diseases

• Blood

• Digestive system

• Respiratory system

• Circulatory system

• Nervous system

• Reproductive system

• Plants

• Ecology

• Environment

6. CDS Current Affairs 2026

Current Affairs should be prepared regularly.

Important Areas

• National news

• International news

• Defence news

• Military exercises

• New defence technology

• Government schemes

• Sports

• Awards

• Important appointments

• Science and technology

• Space missions

• International organisations

• Important summits

• Books and authors

• Important personalities

Defence Current Affairs

Special attention should be given to:

• Indian Armed Forces

• Defence exercises

• New weapon systems

• Military agreements

• Defence production

• Missiles

• Aircraft

• Naval developments

• Space and defence technology

CDS Elementary Mathematics Syllabus 2026

Elementary Mathematics is applicable to candidates appearing for IMA, INA and AFA.

The standard of the paper is broadly based on the Matriculation level.

1. Arithmetic

Important topics:

• Number system

• Natural numbers

• Integers

• Rational numbers

• Decimal fractions

• Percentage

• Ratio and proportion

• Profit and loss

• Simple interest

• Compound interest

• Time and work

• Time and distance

• Average

• HCF and LCM

• Unitary method

2. Elementary Number Theory

Important topics:

• Prime numbers

• Composite numbers

• Divisibility

• Factors

• Multiples

• HCF

• LCM

• Remainders

• Decimal representation

3. Algebra

Important topics:

• Basic algebraic operations

• Factorisation

• Algebraic identities

• Linear equations

• Quadratic equations

• Simultaneous equations

• Polynomials

• Indices

• Laws of exponents

• Ratio and variation

Important Identities

Candidates should revise:

• (a + b)²

• (a − b)²

• a² − b²

• (a + b)³

• (a − b)³

4. Geometry

Important topics:

• Lines and angles

• Triangles

• Congruency

• Similarity

• Quadrilaterals

• Parallelogram

• Rectangle

• Square

• Circle

• Tangents

• Chords

• Areas

• Theorems related to triangles and circles

5. Mensuration

Important topics:

• Area of square

• Area of rectangle

• Area of triangle

• Area of circle

• Surface area

• Volume

• Cube

• Cuboid

• Cylinder

• Cone

• Sphere

6. Trigonometry

Important topics:

• Trigonometric ratios

• sin θ

• cos θ

• tan θ

• cot θ

• sec θ

• cosec θ

• Trigonometric identities

• Heights and distances

• Simple trigonometric problems

Candidates should memorise standard values and important identities.

7. Statistics

Important topics:

• Collection of data

• Classification of data

• Frequency distribution

• Graphical representation

• Histogram

• Frequency polygon

• Pie chart

• Mean

• Median

• Mode

CDS Syllabus 2026 – Subject-wise Priority

CDS IMA/INA/AFA vs OTA

Therefore, OTA candidates do not have to appear for the Mathematics paper.

CDS Selection Process

The CDS selection process generally consists of:

Stage 1 – Written Examination

Candidates first appear for the UPSC CDS written examination.

Stage 2 – SSB Interview

Candidates qualifying in the written examination are called for the Services Selection Board (SSB) assessment.

The SSB process evaluates:

• Intelligence

• Personality

• Leadership

• Communication

• Decision-making

• Teamwork

• Officer-like qualities

Stage 3 – Medical Examination

Candidates recommended by the SSB undergo medical examination as per applicable defence service standards.

Stage 4 – Final Selection

Final selection is based on merit, vacancies, eligibility and applicable selection requirements.

CDS Preparation Strategy 2026

1. Start with the Basic Syllabus

Before beginning preparation, divide the syllabus into:

English + GK + Mathematics

For OTA:

English + GK

2. Give Daily Time to Mathematics

IMA/INA/AFA candidates should practise Mathematics every day.

Focus on:

• Arithmetic

• Algebra

• Geometry

• Trigonometry

• Mensuration

• Statistics

3. Improve English Vocabulary

Learn approximately 10–20 new words daily and revise previously learned vocabulary.

Practise:

• Synonyms

• Antonyms

• Idioms

• One-word substitution

• Error detection

• Sentence improvement

4. Prepare GK Subject-wise

Instead of studying GK randomly, divide it into:

History → Geography → Polity → Economy → Science → Current Affairs

5. Follow Defence Current Affairs

CDS aspirants should regularly follow major developments related to:

• Indian Army

• Indian Navy

• Indian Air Force

• Defence exercises

• Defence technology

• Military appointments

• New equipment

• International defence cooperation

6. Solve Previous-Year Papers

CDS previous-year papers are useful for understanding:

• Question trends

• Difficulty level

• Frequently tested topics

• Time management

• Subject-wise weightage

CDS 2026 Daily Study Plan

OTA candidates can use the Mathematics time for additional GK and English practice.

CDS Preparation Tips

• Understand the syllabus before starting preparation.

• Build strong fundamentals.

• Practise Mathematics regularly.

• Read English every day.

• Revise static GK frequently.

• Follow current affairs regularly.

• Give special attention to defence-related developments.

• Solve previous-year CDS papers.

• Take full-length mock tests.

• Analyse mistakes after every test.

• Maintain short revision notes.

• Improve speed and accuracy.

CDS Syllabus 2026 – Quick Revision

English

Grammar → Tenses, Articles, Prepositions, Voice, Narration, Subject-Verb Agreement

Vocabulary → Synonyms, Antonyms, Idioms, One-word Substitution

Comprehension → Reading passages and inference

General Knowledge

History → Ancient, Medieval, Modern India, World History

Geography → Physical Geography, Indian Geography, Climate, Resources

Polity → Constitution, Parliament, Judiciary, Constitutional Bodies

Economy → Banking, Budget, Inflation, GDP, Monetary & Fiscal Policy

Science → Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Everyday Science

Current Affairs → Defence, Sports, Awards, Science & Technology, National & International Events

Mathematics

Arithmetic → Percentage, Ratio, Average, Profit & Loss, SI/CI, Time & Work

Algebra → Equations, Factorisation, Identities

Geometry → Lines, Angles, Triangles, Circles

Mensuration → Area, Surface Area, Volume

Trigonometry → Ratios, Identities, Heights & Distances

Statistics → Mean, Median, Mode, Graphical Representation

CDS Syllabus 2026 FAQs

What is the CDS syllabus?

The CDS written examination consists of English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics for IMA, INA and AFA. OTA candidates appear for English and General Knowledge.

Is Mathematics compulsory for CDS?

Mathematics is compulsory for IMA, INA and AFA, but not for OTA.

What is the total marks for CDS?

The written examination carries 300 marks for IMA/INA/AFA and 200 marks for OTA.

What is the level of CDS Mathematics?

CDS Elementary Mathematics is broadly based on the Matriculation level.

Is Current Affairs important for CDS?

Yes. Current Affairs is an important part of the General Knowledge preparation. Candidates should regularly cover national, international, defence, sports, awards and science & technology news.

Is CDS English difficult?

The difficulty depends on the candidate's preparation. Regular practice of grammar, vocabulary, comprehension and previous-year questions can improve performance.

How should I prepare for CDS 2026?

Follow a structured study plan covering English, GK and Mathematics, practise previous-year papers, revise regularly and take mock tests.

Conclusion

The CDS Syllabus 2026 covers English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics for IMA, INA and AFA, while OTA candidates have to prepare only English and General Knowledge.

A successful CDS preparation strategy should combine conceptual study, current affairs, previous-year questions, regular MCQ practice, mock tests and revision.

Candidates should give special attention to English vocabulary and grammar, History, Geography, Polity, General Science, Defence Current Affairs and Elementary Mathematics.

With consistent preparation and proper time management, aspirants can systematically cover the CDS syllabus and improve their performance in the written examination.