Official topic-wise syllabus and examination pattern for UPSC Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2026 conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Complete stage breakdown, subject weightage, duration, and marking scheme.
Official syllabus curriculum and subject topics prescribed by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Spotting errors in sentences.
Sentence arrangement and para-jumbles.
Reading comprehension passages and analytical inference.
Synonyms, Antonyms, and Idiomatic expressions.
Ordering of words in a sentence.
Fill in the blanks (prepositions, conjunctions, vocabulary).
Parts of speech identification and sentence improvement.
Current events of national and international importance, defense developments, summits, bilateral pacts.
History of India, Indian National Movement, freedom struggle, and cultural heritage.
Physical, social and economic geography of India and the world.
Indian Polity and Constitution (Preamble, Fundamental Rights & Duties, DPSP, Parliament, Judiciary, Panchayati Raj).
Indian Economy, economic policies, planning, fiscal and monetary concepts, social sector schemes.
General Science: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Class IX and X standard scientific principles and everyday applications).
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 unknownsâanalytical 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 Ã, cosine Ã, Tangent à when 0° <= à <= 90° Values of sin Ã, cos à and tan à for à = 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 Properties of angles at a point, Parallel lines, Sides and angles of a triangle, Congruency of triangles, Similar triangles, Concurrence of medians and altitudes, Properties of angles, sides and diagonals of a parallelogram, rectangle and square, Circles and its properties including tangents and normals, 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.
Stage 1 (Screening Test): Intelligence Test (verbal & non-verbal) and Picture Perception & Discussion Test (PPDT).
Stage 2: Psychological Test Battery, Group Testing Officers (GTO) indoor and outdoor tasks, Personal Interview, and Final Board Conference.
Candidates are advised to prepare systematically covering all prescribed topics, solve previous years' question papers, and practice mock tests under timed conditions.
Note: This syllabus and exam pattern is published purely for general informational purposes. Candidates are strongly advised to visit the official website and refer to the official syllabus circular to verify any recent changes, scheme updates, or revisions. We are not responsible for any inadvertent error, omission, or subsequent modifications made by the conducting authority.
