UPSC CDS Syllabus 2020: One cannot emphasize the importance and relevance of the syllabus when it comes to preparing for any competitive exam. Especially for national level examinations like the Combined Defense Services (CDS) exam, one must refer to the CDS exam syllabus 2020 and plan preparations accordingly. UPSC has indicated the CDS Syllabus 2020 through the official notification published at upsc.gov.in. However, we have also made CDS 2020 syllabus available through this page. Besides, we have also included information about the exam pattern and suggested important books for CDS 2020 preparations. Read on to find out in this article.
UPSC CDS Syllabus 2020
CDS Syllabus 2020 is based on the graduate education level. The only exception is the Mathematics paper which is based on the syllabus and difficulty level of the matriculation level. There are three main subjects namely English, General Knowledge, and Mathematics. Know the subject-wise CDS syllabus from the information provided below.
English (Code No. 01):
The question paper is designed to test the candidates’ understanding of English and workmanlike use of words.
General Knowledge (Code No. 02)
General Knowledge including knowledge of current events and of such matters of everyday observation and experience in their scientific aspects as may be expected of an educated person who has not made a special study of any scientific subject. The paper also include questions on History of India and Geography of nature which candidate should be able to answer without special study.
Elementary Mathematics (Code No. 03)
Arithmetic: 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 algorithm. Logarithms to base 10, laws of logarithms, use of logarithmic tables.
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.
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 (i) Properties of angles at a point, (ii) Parallel lines, (iii) Sides and angles of a triangle, (iv) Congruency of triangles, (v) Similar triangles, (vi) Concurrence of medians and altitudes, (vii) Properties of angles, sides and diagonals of a parallelogram, rectangle and square, (viii) Circles and its properties including tangents and normals, (ix) 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.
UPSC CDS Syllabus for 2020
Download CDS Exam Syllabus 2020
Exam Pattern for UPSC CDS 2020
Now that the CDS syllabus for 2020 exam is known in detail, one must also be aware of the exam pattern in its totality. Know how the question paper is, learn about the language, marks distribution, type of questions here in this section.
Language: Question papers of Elementary Mathematics and General Knowledge are bilingual and available in both Hindi and English.
Exam Mode: Exam of UPSC CDS 2020 is conducted through OMR Sheets.
Negative Marking: One third (0.33) marks assigned to that question are deducted for the wrong answer.
Type of Questions: All the subjects have Objective Type Questions only.
Distribution of number of questions and marks is given below:
| Subject | No.. of Questions | Marks |
| English | 120 | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 120 | 100 |
| Mathematics | 100 | 100 |
Intelligence Test and Personality Test for UPSC CDS 2020
Intelligence and Personality test are part of the SSB procedure. This procedure is conducted in two phases, where candidates have to clear the first stage to qualify for the second stage.
- In Stage I candidates have to clear the Picture Perception*Description Test (PP&DT) and Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR). Based on the result of both the test, candidates are shortlisted and sent to Stage II.
- After coming in Stage II candidates have to go through the Conference, Psychology Tests, and Group Testing Officer Tasks. Tenure of these tests is 04 days.
Assessors of three different types, which are Group Testing Officer (GTO), Psychologist and Interviewing Officer (IO), assess the personality of the candidate. No separate weightage is given to any of the test, assessors consider the candidate’s performance holistically including all tests. In addition to all, marks obtained in Conference session are allotted on the basis of candidate’s initial performance in all three techniques including the Board’s decision. All of these carry equal weightage.
Criteria for Disqualification for UPSC CDS 2020
Candidates applying for CDS 2020 could rejected on following basis:
- Candidates who after getting admission in National Defence Academy, Air Force Academy, Indian Military Academy, Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai, Indian Naval Academy were removed on the basis of the disciplinary issue are not considered for the recruitment.
- Candidates who were asked to withdrew previously for lacking the officer like qualities from Indian Military Academy are not allowed to get admitted to the academy
- Candidates selected previously as the Special Entry Naval Cadets but withdrawn from the Naval Training Establishments or National Defence Academy for not having the officer like qualities are not eligible to get admission in Indian Navy
- Candidates are withdrawn from Officers’ Training Academy, Indian Military Academy, Graduate course or NCC for lacking in officer like qualities are not given admission by the Short Service Commission in the Army.
- Candidates withdrawn previously from Graduate and NCC courses due to the absence of officer-like qualities do no get admitted to Indian Military Academy.
Restrictions During UPSC CDS 2020 Training
Once the candidate gets admission to Air Force Academy, Indian Naval Academy, or Indian Military Academy, they cannot be considered by any other commission. After getting selected for the training, candidates are not allowed to appear in any other examination or interview for Air Force Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Indian Military Academy.
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