Prelims Syllabus of CDS Exam 2024: A Comprehensive Guide
General Knowledge
The General Knowledge paper for the CDS exam assesses a candidate’s understanding of current affairs, history, geography, economics, and general science.
Current Events
- National: Major events, policies, and developments in India, including political, economic, social, and cultural aspects.
- International: Significant global events, international relations, major organizations like the UN, and global issues like climate change, terrorism, and economic trends.
- Sports: Major sporting events, achievements of Indian athletes, and significant developments in various sports.
- Science and Technology: Breakthroughs in science and technology, their impact on society, and advancements in various fields like space exploration, medicine, and artificial intelligence.
History
- Ancient India: Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic Period, Mauryan Empire, Gupta Empire, major dynasties, art, architecture, literature, and social and religious movements.
- Medieval India: Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, Vijayanagara Empire, Maratha Empire, major rulers, administrative systems, cultural developments, and social reforms.
- Modern India: British rule, Indian National Movement, major leaders and events, independence, and post-independence developments.
- World History: Major civilizations, empires, wars, revolutions, and significant historical figures.
Geography
- Physical Geography: Earth’s structure, continents, oceans, climate, weather, natural resources, and environmental issues.
- Indian Geography: Physical features, climate, vegetation, rivers, soil, minerals, population distribution, and major industries.
- World Geography: Major geographical features, climate zones, population distribution, and important geographical regions.
Economics
- Indian Economy: Economic structure, major sectors, economic policies, planning, poverty, unemployment, and development issues.
- Basic Economic Concepts: Demand and supply, inflation, deflation, money supply, banking, and international trade.
General Science
- Physics: Basic concepts of motion, force, energy, heat, light, sound, electricity, and magnetism.
- Chemistry: Basic concepts of matter, atoms, molecules, chemical reactions, acids, bases, and salts.
- Biology: Basic concepts of living organisms, cells, tissues, organs, systems, and the environment.
English
The English paper assesses a candidate’s proficiency in the English language, focusing on grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing skills.
Grammar and Vocabulary
- Parts of Speech: Nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections.
- Tenses: Present, past, future, and perfect tenses.
- Voice: Active and passive voice.
- Sentence Structure: Simple, compound, and complex sentences.
- Punctuation: Commas, full stops, question marks, colons, semicolons, and apostrophes.
- Vocabulary: Synonyms, antonyms, idioms, and phrases.
Comprehension
- Reading Comprehension: Ability to understand and interpret written passages.
- Paragraph Completion: Ability to complete a paragraph with the most appropriate sentence.
- Sentence Completion: Ability to complete a sentence with the most appropriate word or phrase.
Writing Skills
- Essay Writing: Ability to write a well-structured and coherent essay on a given topic.
- Precis Writing: Ability to summarize a given passage in a concise and accurate manner.
- Letter Writing: Ability to write formal and informal letters.
Mathematics
The Mathematics paper assesses a candidate’s understanding of basic mathematical concepts and their application in solving problems.
Arithmetic
- Number System: Natural numbers, whole numbers, integers, rational numbers, irrational numbers, and real numbers.
- Fractions and Decimals: Operations on fractions and decimals.
- Percentage: Calculation of percentage, profit and loss, simple interest, and compound interest.
- Ratio and Proportion: Direct and inverse proportion.
- Average: Calculation of average, weighted average, and median.
Algebra
- Linear Equations: Solving linear equations in one and two variables.
- Quadratic Equations: Solving quadratic equations by factorization and formula.
- Simultaneous Equations: Solving simultaneous linear equations.
- Inequalities: Solving linear and quadratic inequalities.
- Surds and Indices: Operations on surds and indices.
Geometry
- Lines and Angles: Properties of lines, angles, triangles, quadrilaterals, and circles.
- Mensuration: Calculation of area and perimeter of plane figures and volume and surface area of solid figures.
- Trigonometry: Basic trigonometric ratios, trigonometric identities, and solutions of trigonometric equations.
Statistics
- Data Interpretation: Interpretation of data presented in tables, graphs, and charts.
- Probability: Basic concepts of probability and calculation of probability.
Preparation Tips
- Understand the Syllabus: Thoroughly understand the syllabus and the weightage of each topic.
- Refer to Relevant Books: Choose reliable and updated study materials.
- Practice Previous Year Papers: Analyze previous year papers to understand the exam pattern and difficulty level.
- Time Management: Develop effective time management skills to complete the exam within the stipulated time.
- Mock Tests: Take regular mock tests to assess your preparation level and identify areas that need improvement.
- Stay Updated: Keep yourself updated with current affairs through newspapers, magazines, and online resources.
- Focus on Weak Areas: Identify your weak areas and dedicate extra time to improve them.
- Stay Calm and Confident: Maintain a positive attitude and avoid stress during the exam.
Important Resources
- UPSC Website: Official website of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for exam notifications, syllabus, and other relevant information.
- NCERT Textbooks: NCERT textbooks for classes 6th to 12th provide a strong foundation in various subjects.
- Reference Books: Several reference books are available for each subject, including those by Arihant, R.S. Aggarwal, and M. Tyra.
- Online Resources: Websites like Jagran Josh, GKToday, and StudyIQ provide study materials, mock tests, and current affairs updates.
Exam Pattern
- Mode of Exam: Offline (pen-and-paper based)
- Duration: 2 hours for each paper
- Number of Questions: 120 questions for each paper
- Marking Scheme: 1 mark for each correct answer, 1/3 mark deducted for each incorrect answer.
- Total Marks: 100 marks for each paper
Table 1: Subject-wise Weightage
| Subject | Weightage |
|---|---|
| General Knowledge | 300 |
| English | 100 |
| Mathematics | 100 |
| Total | 500 |
Table 2: Paper-wise Distribution of Questions
| Paper | Subject | Number of Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | General Knowledge | 120 |
| Paper 2 | English | 120 |
| Paper 3 | Mathematics | 120 |
Note: The syllabus and exam pattern are subject to change at the discretion of the UPSC. Candidates are advised to refer to the official notification for the latest updates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the CDS Exam 2024 Prelims Syllabus:
General Knowledge:
- Q: What are the best resources for preparing for the Current Events section?
- A: Newspapers like The Hindu, Indian Express, and The Times of India, along with magazines like Yojana and Kurukshetra, are highly recommended. Online resources like GKToday and Jagran Josh are also helpful.
- Q: How much emphasis should I give to Ancient and Medieval Indian History?
- A: While all periods are important, focus on major dynasties, rulers, administrative systems, and cultural developments.
- Q: What are the key areas to focus on in World History?
- A: Major civilizations, empires, wars, revolutions, and significant historical figures are crucial.
- Q: How can I prepare for the General Science section effectively?
- A: NCERT textbooks for classes 6th to 10th provide a strong foundation. Focus on basic concepts and their applications.
- Q: Is it necessary to memorize all the facts and figures for the Geography section?
- A: Focus on understanding key concepts and geographical features. Memorizing specific data is less important.
English:
- Q: How can I improve my grammar and vocabulary for the English paper?
- A: Practice grammar exercises, read English newspapers and books, and use vocabulary building apps.
- Q: What are the best strategies for tackling Reading Comprehension passages?
- A: Read the passage carefully, identify the main idea, and answer questions based on the text.
- Q: How can I improve my essay writing skills?
- A: Practice writing essays on various topics, focus on structure, clarity, and coherence.
Mathematics:
- Q: What are the most important topics in Arithmetic for the CDS exam?
- A: Percentage, profit and loss, simple and compound interest, ratio and proportion, and average are crucial.
- Q: How can I solve quadratic equations effectively?
- A: Practice factorization and the quadratic formula.
- Q: What are the key concepts in Geometry that I need to know?
- A: Properties of lines, angles, triangles, quadrilaterals, circles, and mensuration are essential.
- Q: How can I improve my data interpretation skills?
- A: Practice interpreting data presented in tables, graphs, and charts.
General:
- Q: What is the best way to prepare for the CDS exam?
- A: Understand the syllabus, refer to relevant books, practice previous year papers, take mock tests, and stay updated with current affairs.
- Q: How many attempts are allowed for the CDS exam?
- A: There is no limit on the number of attempts for the CDS exam.
- Q: What is the age limit for the CDS exam?
- A: The age limit varies for different branches of the armed forces. Refer to the official notification for details.
- Q: What is the selection process for the CDS exam?
- A: The selection process involves clearing the written exam, SSB interview, and medical examination.
- Q: What are the benefits of joining the Indian Armed Forces?
- A: Serving in the armed forces offers a challenging and rewarding career, with opportunities for personal and professional growth, and the chance to contribute to national security.