Introduction

Combined Defense Services (CDS) exam is a gateway through which young

men and women can join any of the three wings of the Indian Defense
Services- Indian Army, Indian Air Force or Indian Navy. The exam is
conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
The two phases of the exam are known as CDS I and CDS II which are
conducted in February and November respectively. However, CDS 2019
exam will be conducted in February and September as per the official
calendar released on UPSC website.
 Syllabus

CDS Syllabus is declared on the official portal of UPSC CDS . CDS is conducted for
recruitment to Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air
Force Academy (AFA) and Officer’s Training Academy (OTA). The syllabus and
exam pattern for all the exams is similar, except for OTA paper.

 CDS 2019 (session 1) is scheduled for February 3, 2019 in offline mode.

 Candidates appearing for OTA exam can check the exam pattern for this session.
 All the questions in recruitment entrance test are objective type in nature.
 The Competitive examination comprises:
 Written examination
 Interview for intelligence and personality test
The subjects of CDS written exam, the time allowed and the maximum marks
allotted to each subject is tabulated below:
For Indian Military, Indian Naval and Air Force Academy
Subject Duration Max. Marks

English 2 hours 100

General Knowledge 2 hours 100

Elementary 2 hours 100

Mathematics
For Officers’ Training Academy
Subject Duration Max. Marks

English 2 hours 100

General Knowledge 2 hours 100

 CDS English Syllabus

English section tests the candidates’ understanding of English and workmanlike use
of words. Given below are the topics to prepare English section for CDS exam.

Topics Topics Topics

Antonyms Sentence improvement Comprehension

Synonyms Word substitution Ordering of sentences

Spotting Errors Selecting Words Ordering of words in a sentence

CDS Recommended Books: English

 Objective General English by Arihant

 Objective General English by RS Aggarwal
 Word Power Made Easy: Norman Lewis
 CDS Syllabus for General Knowledge
 The questions in CDS General Knowledge paper are based on current affairs,
History of India, Geography, Politics, and Economy.
 A regular update of the past few months is necessary to score well in this section.
 In the following table, topics are mentioned on which questions are asked.

Topics Topics Topics

Economics Physics Current Awareness
Politics Chemistry Sociology
History Defense Related Award
Geography Environment Sport
Biology Cultural Book
Statement true/false --- ---

Best Books for General Knowledge

 Manorama Yearbook 2018
 Lucent’s General Knowledge
 Competition in Focus (Half Yearly and Yearly)
 CDS Syllabus for Elementary Mathematics

Mathematics section is thought-out as a scoring CDS Exam. To score good marks,

candidates should know its complete syllabus. Mathematics paper consists of
questions from arithmetic, algebra, mensuration, geometry, trigonometry and
statistics. Given below is the detailed syllabus, on which questions are based on:

Algebra: Basic Operations, simple factors, Remainder Theorem, H.C.F., L.C.M. Set
language and set notation, rational expressions and conditional identities, Laws of
indices. Theory of polynomials, solutions of quadratic equations, relation between its
roots and coefficients (Only real roots to be considered). Simultaneous linear in
equations in two variables and their solutions. Simultaneous linear equations in two
unknowns-analytical and graphical solutions. Practical problems leading to two
simultaneous linear equations or in equations in two variables or quadratic equations
in one variable & their solutions.

Trigonometry: Simple cases of heights and distances. Use of trigonometric tables.

Sine x, cosine x, Tangent x when fn< x < 90° Values of sin x, cos x and tan x, for x =
0°, 30°, 45°, 60° and 90° Simple trigonometric identities.
Geometry: Lines and angles, Plane and plane figures, Sides and angles of a triangle,
Similar triangles, Concurrence of medians and altitudes, Congruency of triangles,
Theorems on Properties of angles at a point Parallel lines, Properties of angles,
rectangle and square Circles and its properties including tangents and Normals, sides
and diagonals of a parallelogram, Loci.

Mensuration: Areas of squares, parallelograms, rectangles, triangle and circle.

Surface area and volume of cuboids, Areas of figures which can be split up into these
figures (Field Book), 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, pie

charts, histograms, bar charts, frequency polygons, etc. Measures of central
tendency.
 Topics Topics Topics Topics

HCF&LCM of
Number System Simple interest Area
polynomials

HCF & LCM of Linear Equations in Surface area and

Compound interest
numbers one and two Variables volume of solids

Quadratic Equations
Decimal fraction Ratio and proportion Lines and angles
and Inequations

Square roots and

Average Set theory Triangles
cube roots

Measurement of
angles and Quadrilateral and
Time and distance Profit and loss
trigonometric polygon
measurement

Time and Work logarithm Height and distance Circle

Basic operations and Statistical Data

percentage Ratio Expressions
factorization Analysis

Locus --- --- ---

Best Books for Elementary Mathematics
 Arihant Pathfinder
 Quantum CAT by Sarvesh Verma
 Mathematics for CDS by RS Aggarwal
 Quantitative Aptitude for examinations paperback 2018 by RS Aggarwal

CDS Important Instructions

 Write only in Black ballpoint pen, your Centre and subject followed by the CDS
2019 test booklet series (in bracket), subject code and the exam roll number at the
appropriate space provided on the answer sheet at the top.

 Encode your CDS 2019 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 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 2019 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 2019 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.
 CDS Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must fulfill the minimum eligibility requirements at the time of applying
for CDS 2019. Check below educational qualifications, age criteria and marital status
required for appearing in CDS Exam.

Educational Qualification

The eligibility criteria are different for all the posts. Candidates must check the
required eligibility before applying for the exam. If a candidate is pursuing final
year/ semester of their Degree course at present are also eligible to apply for CDS
Exam 2019 on provisional basis.
 For Indian Military Academy (INA): Bachelor’s degree from a recognized
university.

 For Indian Naval Academy (INA): Bachelor’s degree in

Engineering/Technology from a recognized university or equivalent.

 For Air Force Academy (AFA): Bachelor’s degree of Engineering/Technology

from a recognized university OR degree from a recognized university with Physics
& Mathematics as subjects.

 For Officers Training Academy (OTA): Bachelor’s degree from a recognized

university or equivalent.

 For Officers Training Academy (SSC Women Non-Technical course):

Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
 Age Limit

Candidate should be not less than 19 years to apply for any academy. The age limit
will be calculated as on January 01, 2019.

 For IMA – 19 years to 24 years

 For AFA – 19 years to 23 years
 For INA – 19 years to 22 years
 For OTA – 19 years to 25 years

Nationality
 Candidates must be citizens of India.
 Subjects of Bhutan, Nepal, Tibet, Burma, Sri Lanka & various East African
Countries are also eligible.
 Candidates will have to produce a certificate issued by authorities of Government
of India certifying the claim.
 Marital Status

 Candidate should be unmarried to apply for IMA, INA & AFA.

 Male Applicants at OTA are exempted from this restriction.
 Unmarried women, issueless widows and divorcees can apply for OTA.

Physical Standards

Candidates must be physically fit according to physical standards for admission to

Combined Defense Services Examination (I), 2018 as per guidelines of UPSC.
 Exam Pattern for CDS Exam 2019
Exam pattern is categorized as the following:
 Elementary Mathematics exam will take place for the duration of 2 hours. It will
be for 100 marks.
 General Knowledge will take place for the duration of 2 hours. It will also be for
100 marks.
 Elementary Mathematics exam will take place for the duration of 2 hours. It will
be for 100 marks.
 In total, time duration will be 2 hours and total marks counted will be 300.

Exam Duration for OTA

 General Knowledge will take place for the duration of 2 hours. It will also be for
100 marks
 For subject like English, the candidate has to spend the duration of 2 hours. It will
also be for 100 marks
 In total, time duration will be 2 hours and total marks counted will be 200
 Exam Pattern for CDS Exam
The written exam will be held through offline mode. Objective Type Questions will
be asked from English, Elementary Mathematics, and General Knowledge sections.
There will be negative marking and 1/3rd of the marks assigned to the question will
be deducted for the wrong answer. So, candidates are advised not to try guessing
work as it will cost them heavily.
For Indian Military Academy, Air Force Academy and Indian Naval Academy, the
exam pattern is as follows:

Subject Duration Max. Marks

English 2 hours 100

Elementary 2 hours 100

Mathematics

General Knowledge 2 hours 100

For Officers’ Training Academy, the exam pattern is as follows:

Subject Duration Max. Marks

English 2 hours 100

General Knowledge 2 hours 100

Interview and Personality Test Pattern

Services Selection Board (SSB) conducts the Intelligence and Personality

Test/Interview for candidates who have qualified the CDS written examination. The
SSB Interview is conducted in two stages.

 Stage I comprises of Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) and Picture Perception and
Description Tests.

 Stage II comprises of Interview, Psychology Tests, Group Testing Officer tasks,

and Conference.
 CDS Exam 2019 Important Dates
UPSC has released the official examination calendar for the year 2019 on its official
website. As per the calendar, here are the important dates related to CDS I and CDS
II:

Exam Events For CDS I For CDS II

st th
Release of the official notice 31 October 2018 12 June 2019

st th
Online application process 31 October 2018 12 June 2019
begins
th th
Last date for the receipt of 26 November 2018 8 July 2019
application form
Issuance of CDS admit card 3 weeks before the exam 3 weeks before the exam

rd th
Date of written examination 3 February 2019 (Sunday) 8 September 2019
(Sunday)
Announcement of result March 2019 October 2019
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 Address:
Chandigarh Branch – SCO: 215-216-217, (Near
ICICI Bank) Sector – 34 A Chandigarh
Contact: 08427414076, 08427287963

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