For graduates aspiring to join the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), or Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) through the CDS (Combined Defence Services) examination, understanding the syllabus for CDS 2 2025 is the crucial first step in your preparation journey. Knowing what you need to study will enable you to create a focused and effective strategy. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the CDS 2 2025 syllabus and highlights key areas you should prioritize.
Understanding the CDS 2 2025 Written Examination Structure:
The CDS written examination comprises different papers depending on the academy you are applying for:
- For IMA, INA, and AFA:
- English: (Maximum Marks: 100)
- General Knowledge: (Maximum Marks: 100)
- Elementary Mathematics: (Maximum Marks: 100)
- For Officers’ Training Academy (OTA):
- English: (Maximum Marks: 100)
- General Knowledge: (Maximum Marks: 100)
Each paper has a duration of 2 hours.
CDS 2 2025 Syllabus Overview and Key Areas:
Let’s delve into the syllabus for each subject:
1. English:
- Key Areas:
- Grammar and Usage: Tenses, articles, prepositions, conjunctions, subject-verb agreement, voice, narration, etc.
- Vocabulary: Synonyms, antonyms, idioms, phrases, comprehension of words.
- Comprehension: Ability to understand and interpret written passages.
- Sentence Improvement, Error Detection, Fill in the Blanks, Ordering of Words and Sentences.
- Preparation Focus: Build a strong foundation in grammar rules, regularly improve your vocabulary through reading, and practice comprehension passages.

2. General Knowledge:
- Key Areas:
- Current Events: National and International importance.
- History of India and Indian National Movement.
- Geography: Physical, Social, and Economic Geography of India and the World.
- Indian Polity and Economy.
- General Science.
- International Affairs and Institutions.
- Preparation Focus: Stay updated with current events through newspapers and magazines, have a good understanding of basic concepts in history, geography, polity, economy, and science. Focus on India’s context.
3. Elementary Mathematics (for IMA, INA, and AFA):
- Key Areas:
- Arithmetic: Number Systems, HCF, LCM, Decimal Fractions, Ratio and Proportion, Percentage, Simple and Compound Interest, Profit and Loss, Time and Work, Time and Distance.
- Algebra: Elementary operations, Factors, LCM, HCF, Quadratic Equations, Relations between roots and coefficients, Arithmetic and Geometric Progressions.
- Trigonometry: Trigonometric ratios, Identities, Heights and Distances.
- Geometry: Lines and Angles, Triangles, Quadrilaterals, Circles, Mensuration (Area and Volume).
- Statistics: Collection and Tabulation of Data, Graphical Representation, Measures of Central Tendency.
- Preparation Focus: Brush up on your basic mathematical concepts up to the Class X level. Practice solving problems from each topic, focusing on speed and accuracy.
First Steps to CDS 2 2025 Success:
- Thoroughly Review the Syllabus: Download the official CDS 2 2025 syllabus once released by UPSC and go through each topic in detail.
- Identify Your Strengths and Weaknesses: Based on the syllabus, assess your current understanding of each subject.
- Start with Fundamentals: Begin by strengthening your basic concepts in each subject. NCERT books can be a good starting point.
- Choose the Right Study Material: Select reliable books and online resources that cover the CDS syllabus comprehensively.
- Create a Study Plan: Allocate time to each subject based on its weightage and your proficiency level.
- Stay Updated with Current Affairs: Make it a habit to read newspapers and follow reliable news sources regularly.
Understanding the CDS 2 2025 syllabus and identifying the key areas within each subject is the first crucial step towards effective preparation. By starting with a clear understanding of what you need to study, you can create a focused strategy and maximize your chances of success in the examination. Begin your preparation with a clear roadmap and stay consistent in your efforts.
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