Candidates planning to appear in the UPSC CDS 2 2024 Exam must be aware of the syllabus and exam pattern. CDS syllabus 3 subjects: English, General Knowledge, and Mathematics. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is responsible for conducting the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination for recruiting candidates for the Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Indian Air Force Academy and the upcoming CDS 2 2024 Exam is scheduled to be held on 01st September 2024 (Sunday).
UPSC CDS Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2024
The CDS Exam will be conducted in offline mode and there will be Multiple Choice Questions asked in the examination.
Knowing the CDS Syllabus 2024 helps candidates create a structured study plan,
allocating appropriate time to each section based on its weightage in the exam.
Check an overview glimpse of the UPSC CDS Syllabus 2024 and Exam Pattern from the below table.
| CDS Syllabus 2024- Overview | |
| Exam Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Combined Defence Services (CDS 2 2024 ) |
| Mode of exam | Offline |
| Number of sections | Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA) and Air Force Academy (AFA) – Three Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) – Two |
| Total marks of the test | IMA, INA and AFA – 300 OTA – 200 |
| Nature of questions | Objective type |
| CDS 2 Exam Date 2024 | 01st September 2024 |
| Language of question paper | Hindi and English |
| Duration of the test | 2 hours for each section of the test |
CDS Exam Pattern 2024
Candidates gearing up for the CDS 2 2024 Exam must thoroughly understand the exam pattern to prepare effectively. Familiarity with the exam pattern is an important aspect of the preparation process, outlining the topics and subtopics from which questions may be asked in the exam. Check the complete CDS Exam Pattern 2024 here to plan a foolproof preparation strategy.
CDS Exam Pattern for Written Exam
The exam pattern for Admission to Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy has been shared here.
- The CDS Exam comprises 3 subjects namely, English, general knowledge, and elementary mathematics.
- The exam will consist of objective-type questions.
- The question papers on General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics will be set bilingually in Hindi and English.
- Time duration will be provided 02 hours for each subject.
| Subject | Duration | Maximum marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 hours | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 2 hours | 100 |
CDS Exam Pattern for Officers’ Training Academy (OTA)
- The questions will consist of objective-type questions.
- The question papers for General Knowledge will be set in bilingually in Hindi and English.
- The exam will comprise 02 subjects, English and General Knowledge, and each subject consists of 100 marks.
- The time duration for each subject is 02 hours.
| Subject | Duration | Maximum marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 hours | 100 |
Marking Scheme for UPSC CDS Exam
Negative marking is applicable for every wrong-marked answer. In the CDS 2 2024 paper, each question carries 4 options and out of which only 1 option is correct. For each incorrect answer, 1/3 of the marks will be deducted. More than one option marked is treated as incorrect. However, if a question is left unanswered there will be no negative marking.
CDS Syllabus 2024- Subject-Wise Syllabus
The detailed syllabus for all three subjects including English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics are tabulated below.
CDS English Syllabus
- Spotting Errors Questions
- Sentence Arrangement Questions
- Synonyms & Antonyms
- Selecting Words
- Ordering of Sentence
- Reading Comprehension Questions
- Ordering of words in a sentence
- Fill in the blanks questions
- Idioms and Phrases
- Sentence Improvements or Sentence Corrections
CDS General Knowledge (GK) Syllabus
- Economics
- Physics
- Current Affairs
- Politics
- Chemistry
- Sociology
- History
- Defence related Award
- Geography
- Environment
- Sport
- Biology
- Cultural
- Book
CDS Mathematics Syllabus
| Sections | Topics |
| Algebra | Basic OperationsSimple factors* Remainder Theorem* H.C.F.* L.C.M.* Theory of polynomials* solutions of quadratic equations* relation between its roots and coefficients (Only real roots to be considered)* Simultaneous linear equations in two unknowns—analytical and graphical solutions* Simultaneous linear inequations in two variables and their solutions* Practical problems leading to two simultaneous linear equations or inequations in two variables or quadratic equations in one variable & their solutions* Set language and set notation* Rational expressions and conditional identities* Laws of indices |
| Arithmetic | * Number System: Natural numbers, Integers, Rational and Real numbers.* Fundamental operations: addition, substraction, multiplication, division, Square roots, Decimal fractions* Unitary method* time and distance* time and work* percentages* applications to simple and compound interest* profit and loss* ratio and proportion* variation* 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* H.C.F. and L.C.M.* Euclidean algorithm* Logarithms to base 10* laws of logarithms* use of logarithmic tables |
| 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 | * Lines and angles* Plane and plane figures* Theorems on Properties of angles at a point* Parallel lines* Sides and angles of a triangle* Congruency of triangles* Similar triangles* Concurrence of medians and altitudes* Properties of angles* sides and diagonals of a Parallelogram* rectangle and square* Circles and its properties including tangents and normals* Loci |
| Mensuration | * Areas of squares* rectangles* parallelograms* triangle and circle* Areas of figures which can be split up into these figures (Field Book)* 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 |
CDS 2 Notification 2024 Out for 459 Vacancies – Click to Check
UPSC CDS Previous Year Question Paper PDFs
Important Instructions for the CDS Exam
- Write only in Black ballpoint pen, your Centre and subject followed by the CDS 2024 test booklet series (in brackets), subject code and the exam roll number at the appropriate space provided on the answer sheet at the top.
- Encode your CDS 2024 booklet series (A, B, C, or D as the case may be), subject code and roll number in the circles provided for the purpose in the answer sheet.
- In case the CDS booklet series is not printed on the test booklet or the answer sheet is un-numbered then candidates should report immediately to the invigilator and get the test booklet/answer sheet replaced.
- Candidates should note that any omission/mistakes/discrepancy in encoding/filling of details in the CDS 2024 OMR answer sheet, especially with regard to the Roll Number and Test Booklet Series Code, will render the answer sheet liable for rejection.
- Immediately after the commencement of the CDS 2024 please check that the test booklet supplied to you does not have any unprinted or torn or missing pages or items etc., if so, get it replaced by a complete test booklet of the same series and subject.
- Do not write your name or anything other than the specific items of information asked for, on the CDS answer sheet/test booklet/sheet for rough work.
- Do not fold or damage or put any extraneous marking over the CDS Answer Sheet. Do not write anything on the reverse of the answer sheet.