UPSC CDS II Syllabus 2023
The UPSC Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination is a national-level competitive examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) of India. It is conducted twice a year, usually in February and November, in two stages: a written examination followed by an interview process conducted by the Services Selection Board (SSB).
The CDS examination is held to select candidates for admission into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers' Training Academy (OTA). The examination is open to both male and female candidates, but certain academies/entries are only available to male candidates.
The CDS II examination is typically held in the second half of the year, usually in November. The notification for the examination is released a few months prior to the exam date, and interested candidates can apply online through the UPSC website.
Eligibility Criteria:
Nationality: Candidates must be Indian citizens.
Age Limit:
For Indian Military Academy: Unmarried male candidates aged between 19 and 24 years.
For Indian Naval Academy: Unmarried male candidates aged between 19 and 22 years.
For Air Force Academy: Unmarried male candidates aged between 20 and 24 years.
For Officers' Training Academy (SSC Course for Men): Unmarried male candidates aged between 19 and 25 years.
For Officers' Training Academy (SSC Women Non-Technical Course): Unmarried women, issueless widows, and divorcees (in possession of divorce documents) aged between 19 and 25 years.
Educational Qualifications:
For Indian Military Academy and Officers' Training Academy: Candidates must possess a bachelor's degree from a recognized university or equivalent.
For Air Force Academy: Candidates must have completed a bachelor's degree from a recognized university with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level or a bachelor of engineering.
For Indian Naval Academy: Candidates must have completed a bachelor's degree in engineering from a recognized university or institution.
The selection process for the CDS examination consists of a written examination followed by an interview conducted by the Services Selection Board (SSB). The written examination includes three papers: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. Candidates who qualify in the written examination are called for the SSB interview, which includes psychological tests, group tasks, and personal interviews.
Upon successful completion of the selection process and medical examination, candidates are offered admission to the respective academies based on their merit and preferences. Training at the academies prepares candidates for commissioned officer positions in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
It is important to note that the information provided here is based on the cutoff date of my knowledge in September 2021. For the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the CDS examination, I recommend visiting the official website of the UPSC or referring to the latest notifications and official documents related to the examination.
UPSC CDS II Syllabus 2023
The syllabus for the UPSC CDS II examination consists of three papers: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. Here's a detailed breakdown of the syllabus for each paper:
English:
The question paper is designed to test the candidates' understanding of English and workmanlike use of words.
The topics covered include comprehension, spotting errors, sentence formation, fill in the blanks, synonyms, antonyms, idioms, and phrases, etc.
The standard of the paper is that of graduation-level English.
General Knowledge:
The General Knowledge paper covers a wide range of topics, including current affairs, history, geography, polity, economics, science, and technology.
Candidates are expected to have knowledge of current events and the matters of everyday observation and experience in their scientific aspects.
The paper also includes questions on Indian polity, geography, history, economy, and defense-related matters.
It is important to stay updated with current affairs from various sources, including newspapers, magazines, and reliable online portals.
Elementary Mathematics:
The Elementary Mathematics paper covers topics from basic arithmetic, algebra, trigonometry, geometry, and statistics.
The syllabus includes areas such as number system, percentage, ratio and proportion, averages, profit and loss, simple and compound interest, time and work, time and distance, algebraic expressions, quadratic equations, trigonometric ratios, heights and distances, triangles, circles, areas, volumes, statistics, and probability.
The questions are generally of matriculation (10th standard) level.
It is important to note that the syllabus provided here is a general overview, and the exact topics and subtopics may vary. Candidates are advised to refer to the official notification and syllabus provided by the UPSC for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Additionally, it is recommended to refer to standard textbooks and study materials specifically designed for the CDS examination preparation. These resources will help candidates gain a better understanding of the topics and practice questions in line with the exam pattern.