CDS 2022: Everything You Need to Know

What is CDS (I) and (II) Exam?

The "Combined Defence Services" (CDS) Examination is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the recruitment of candidates into the Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Indian Air Force Academy. 

The UPSC will conduct the CDS exam twice a year in the month of February and September.  Candidates who aim to serve the nation by joining the defence forces can start applying for the CDS examination. In order to apply online for the CDS examination, candidates should meet all the eligibility requirements set by the Commission.

The selection of the candidates will be based on the written examination followed by an interview for intelligence and personality test.

The shortlisted candidates will be placed at the respective academies based on preference and merit.   

CDS 2022: Upcoming dates

  • CDS (I) and (II) 2022 exam dates were announced by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
  • CDS (I) 2022 exam will be conducted on April 10, 2022. CDS I 2022 notification will be released on December 22, 2021. The last date to apply for the CDS (I) 2022 exam is January 11, 2022.
  • CDS (II) 2022 exam will be conducted on September 4, 2022.CDS (II) 2021 notification will be released on May 18, 2022. Candidates can apply for the exam till June 14, 2022.
UPCOMING EXAMS

22 Dec '21 -11 Jan '22

CDS I 2022 application form

22 Dec '21

CDS I 2022 notification

10 Apr '22

CDS I 2022 exam

18 May '22 -

14 Jun '22

CDS II application form 2022

18 May '22

CDS II notification 2022

4 Sep '22

CDS II exam date 2022

CDS Syllabus 2022: Overview

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 Exam Pattern for IMA, INA, AFA

Subject Duration Maximum marks
English 2 hours 100
General Knowledge 2 hours 100
Elementary Mathematics 2 hours 100

CDS Exam Pattern for OTA

Subject Duration Maximum marks
English 2 hours 100
General Knowledge 2 hours 100

Timings of CDS Exam

Candidates can check below the exam timings of CDS exam.

Paper Exam timings
English 9.00 am to 11.00 am
GK 12.00 pm to 2.00 pm
Elementary Mathematics 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm

CDS Syllabus 2021: Marking Scheme

Negative marking is applicable for every wrong marked answer. In CDS 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 2021: Subject-Wise Syllabus

Candidates can check the UPSC CDS Syllabus in the table given below.

Sections Topics
English
  • * Spotting Errors Questions
  • * Sentence Arrangement Questions
  • * Synonyms & Antonyms
  • * Selecting Words
  • * Ordering of Sentence
  • * Comprehension Questions
  • * Ordering of words in a sentence
  • * Fill in the blanks questions
  • * Idioms and Phrases
General Awareness (GK)
  • * Economics
  • * Physics
  • * Current Affairs
  • * Politics
  • * Chemistry
  • * Sociology
  • * History
  • * Defence-related Awards
  • * Geography
  • * Environment
  • * Sport
  • * Biology
  • * Culture
  • * Books
  • * Statement
  • * True/False
Elementary Mathematics Algebra
  • * Basic Operations
  • * simple 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
Arithematic
  • * Number System: Natural numbers, Integers, Rational and Real numbers.
  • * Fundamental operations: addition, subtraction, 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 Algorithms
  • * Logarithms to base 10
  • * Laws of Logarithms
  • * Use of Logarithmic Tables
Trigonometry
  • * Sine x, cosine x, Tangent x when 0° < x < 90°
  • * Values of sin x, cos x and tan x, for x= 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 their 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

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