CDS Exam Study Plan, 3-Month and 6-Month Strategies
The UPSC conducts the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination twice a year. It is one of the most respected defense exams for candidates aspiring to become officers in the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, or Officers Training Academies. With the CDS exams just a month away, it’s crucial for candidates to focus on their preparation during these final days.
These last few weeks are critical and can greatly impact your exam performance. Read this article thoroughly to ensure you follow an effective CDS exam study plan for optimal results.
CDS Exam Study Plan 2025
The CDS 2025 exam requires a structured approach for effective preparation. Begin with building a strong foundation in the first month by focusing on basic concepts in English, General Knowledge, and Mathematics. In the second and third months, strengthen your skills by integrating intermediate topics and practicing regularly.
The fourth month should cover advanced topics, while the fifth month is dedicated to revision and solving mock tests. The final month should focus on full-length practice tests, revision of weak areas, and improving speed and accuracy. Stay consistent and disciplined to achieve success.
CDS Exam Pattern 2025
The UPSC CDS exam has different patterns for its various military academies. Below is the exam pattern for the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and Air Force Academy (AFA):
UPSC CDS Exam Pattern for IMA, INA, and AFA
The exam consists of three sections: English, General Knowledge (GK), and Elementary Mathematics. Each section is worth 100 marks, and the duration for each section is 2 hours.
| CDS Exam Pattern for IMA, INA and AFA | ||
| Subject | Duration (In hours) | Maximum marks |
| English | 2 | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 | 100 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 2 | 100 |
UPSC CDS Exam Pattern for OTA
The Elementary Mathematics section is not part of this exam. However, the exam duration and total marks will remain as mentioned earlier.
| CDS Exam Pattern for OTA | ||
| Subject | Duration | Maximum marks |
| English | 2 hours | 100 |
| General Knowledge | 2 hours | 100 |
CDS Exam 3- Month Study Plan 2025
Consistency and discipline are essential for effective CDS preparation. This CDS Exam 3- 3-Month Study Plan will guide you through the entire syllabus, incorporating time for revision, practice, and mock tests.
Week 1 – Week 3: Foundation
Start building a strong foundation across all subjects. Focus on understanding basic concepts and assess your strengths and weaknesses during this phase. Create a study routine and get familiar with the syllabus.
| Day | Subject | Topics |
| Monday | English | Synonyms, Antonyms, Reading Comprehension |
| Tuesday | General Knowledge | Indian History (Ancient to Modern) |
| Wednesday | Mathematics | Basic Arithmetic (Percentage, Profit, Loss) |
| Thursday | English | Spotting Errors, Sentence Improvement |
| Friday | General Knowledge | Indian Polity (Constitution, President, Prime Minister) |
| Saturday | Mathematics | Algebra (Quadratic Equations) |
| Sunday | Revision | Review & Practice Tests (English & GK) |
Week 4 – Week 6: Intermediate
This stage focuses on deeper topics and better integration of concepts. Work on problem-solving skills and apply knowledge through practice.
| Day | Subject | Topics |
| Monday | English | Cloze Test, Para Jumbles |
| Tuesday | General Knowledge | Geography (Physical & Indian) |
| Wednesday | Mathematics | Geometry (Triangles, Circles) |
| Thursday | English | Fill in the Blanks, Error Detection |
| Friday | General Knowledge | Current Affairs (Defense News, International Relations) |
| Saturday | Mathematics | Trigonometry (Basic Trigonometric Ratios) |
| Sunday | Mock Tests | Full-Length Practice Tests (English & GK) |
Week 7 – Week 9: Advanced
Tackle advanced topics during these weeks and refine your problem-solving techniques. Focus on improving speed and accuracy in preparation for the actual exam.
| Day | Subject | Topics |
| Monday | English | Idioms & Phrases, Sentence Correction |
| Tuesday | General Knowledge | Science & Technology, Economics |
| Wednesday | Mathematics | Mensuration (2D & 3D Solids) |
| Thursday | English | Reading Comprehension (Speed & Accuracy) |
| Friday | General Knowledge | Indian Economy (Budget, Policies) |
| Saturday | Mathematics | Statistics (Mean, Median, Mode) |
| Sunday | Mock Tests | Timed Full-Length Tests |
Week 10 – Week 12: Revision & Practice
Focus on revising your entire syllabus and taking mock tests under timed conditions. This phase ensures you are exam-ready and strengthens weak areas.
| Day | Subject | Focus Area |
| Monday | English | Vocabulary Revision, Error Spotting |
| Tuesday | General Knowledge | Current Affairs Revision |
| Wednesday | Mathematics | Formulae Revision & Practice |
| Thursday | Mock Test | Full-Length Test (English & General Knowledge) |
| Friday | General Knowledge | Revision of Science & Polity |
| Saturday | Mock Test | Full-Length Practice Test |
| Sunday | Final Revision | Quick Review of Key Concepts |
CDS Exam 6-Month Study Plan 2025
Preparing for the CDS 1 2025 exam requires dedication and a structured approach. Below is a detailed 6-month study plan designed to help you cover the entire syllabus, with enough time for revision, practice, and mock tests. This plan balances foundational learning with advanced problem-solving, ensuring you are fully prepared for the exam.
Month 1: Foundation Phase
In the first month, focus on laying a solid foundation for all subjects. This includes understanding basic concepts and getting comfortable with the exam pattern. Start practicing consistently.
| Week | Subject | Topics |
| Week 1 | English | Synonyms, Antonyms, Vocabulary Building |
| General Knowledge | Indian History (Ancient) | |
| Mathematics | Arithmetic (Percentage, Profit & Loss, Simple & Compound Interest) | |
| Week 2 | English | Reading Comprehension, Sentence Improvement |
| General Knowledge | Indian History (Medieval to Modern) | |
| Mathematics | Basic Algebra (Linear Equations, Quadratic Equations) | |
| Week 3 | English | Spotting Errors, Fill in the Blanks |
| General Knowledge | Indian Polity (Constitution, President, Prime Minister) | |
| Mathematics | Number Systems, Average, Ratio and Proportion | |
| Week 4 | English | Para Jumbles, Cloze Test |
| General Knowledge | Indian Geography (Physical) | |
| Mathematics | Mensuration (2D Figures, Areas, Volumes) |
Month 2: Strengthening Basics
In the second month, deepen your understanding of fundamental concepts and start solving more complex problems in each subject.
| Week | Subject | Topics |
| Week 5 | English | Idioms & Phrases, Sentence Correction |
| General Knowledge | Indian Polity (Parliament, Judiciary) | |
| Mathematics | Geometry (Triangles, Circles, Polygons) | |
| Week 6 | English | Spotting Errors, Vocabulary Expansion |
| General Knowledge | Geography (Indian States, Rivers) | |
| Mathematics | Algebra (Polynomials, Factorization) | |
| Week 7 | English | Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test |
| General Knowledge | Science (Basic Physics, Chemistry, Biology) | |
| Mathematics | Ratio & Proportion, Mixtures & Alligation | |
| Week 8 | English | Antonyms, Synonyms Practice |
| General Knowledge | Current Affairs (National News, Economy) | |
| Mathematics | Profit & Loss, Simple & Compound Interest (Practice Problems) |
Month 3: Intermediate Phase
During the third month, integrate and apply your knowledge. Focus on mastering core subjects and start incorporating time management techniques in your preparation.
| Week | Subject | Topics |
| Week 9 | English | Cloze Test, Para Jumbles, Error Detection |
| General Knowledge | Geography (International) | |
| Mathematics | Coordinate Geometry, Linear Programming | |
| Week 10 | English | Spotting Errors, Sentence Improvement |
| General Knowledge | General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) | |
| Mathematics | Trigonometry (Basic Ratios, Angles, Heights & Distances) | |
| Week 11 | English | Comprehension Practice, Sentence Correction |
| General Knowledge | International Relations, UN & Global Organizations | |
| Mathematics | Probability, Permutations & Combinations | |
| Week 12 | English | Practice on Vocabulary, Sentence Formation |
| General Knowledge | Current Affairs, International Relations | |
| Mathematics | Statistics (Mean, Median, Mode, Range) |
Month 4: Advanced Phase
The fourth month should focus on more challenging topics. Work on speed and accuracy, integrating all your learning and solving more advanced problems in each section.
| Week | Subject | Topics |
| Week 13 | English | Advanced Grammar, Idioms & Phrases |
| General Knowledge | Science & Technology, Innovation | |
| Mathematics | Mensuration (3D Solids, Volumes) | |
| Week 14 | English | Advanced Vocabulary, Error Spotting |
| General Knowledge | Indian Economy, Banking & Financial Systems | |
| Mathematics | Advanced Algebra (Complex Numbers, Polynomials) | |
| Week 15 | English | Reading Comprehension (Advanced Passages) |
| General Knowledge | Economics (Growth, Development, Budget) | |
| Mathematics | Trigonometry (Inverse Trigonometric Functions, Heights & Distances) | |
| Week 16 | English | Revision of Phrases, Sentence Correction |
| General Knowledge | Indian History Revision (Detailed) | |
| Mathematics | Data Interpretation, Probability, Permutations & Combinations |
Month 5: Revision Phase
The fifth month will focus on revisions of all subjects, reinforcing key concepts, formulas, and practice problems.
| Week | Subject | Topics |
| Week 17 | English | Vocabulary Revision, Grammar Practice |
| General Knowledge | Geography (Revisions of States, Rivers) | |
| Mathematics | Revision of Key Formulas & Topics | |
| Week 18 | English | Focus on Common Error Detection, Comprehension Practice |
| General Knowledge | Current Affairs Revision | |
| Mathematics | Revision of Mensuration, Geometry, Algebra | |
| Week 19 | English | Sentence Formation, Phrasal Verbs |
| General Knowledge | Revision of Indian Economy & Polity | |
| Mathematics | Statistics & Probability (Mock Tests) | |
| Week 20 | English | Practice Tests (Spotting Errors, Cloze Test) |
| General Knowledge | Science & Technology Revision | |
| Mathematics | Final Revision of Major Topics (Mock Tests) |
Month 6: Mock Tests & Final Preparation
The final month will focus on timed mock tests, last-minute revisions, and strengthening your weak areas. It’s time to practice solving full-length papers in an exam-like environment.
| Week | Subject | Focus Areas |
| Week 21 | Mock Tests | Full-Length Practice Test (English & General Knowledge) |
| Revision | Key Formulae Revision, General Knowledge Updates | |
| Week 22 | Mock Tests | Timed Full-Length Test, Focus on Speed & Accuracy |
| Revision | Review of Mistakes, Focus on Weak Areas | |
| Week 23 | Mock Tests | Subject-specific Practice Tests (Maths & General Knowledge) |
| Final Revision | Focus on Difficult Topics, Quick Revision Notes | |
| Week 24 | Full-Length Test | Simulate Exam Conditions, Full Mock Exam |
Study Materials for CDS 1 2025
Proper study materials are critical for comprehensive preparation for the CDS 1 2025 exam. Below are the key resources you should use:
| Study Materials for CDS 1 2025 | |
| Subject | Books/Resources |
| English | “Word Power Made Easy” by Norman Lewis, Previous Year Papers |
| General Knowledge | Lucent’s General Knowledge, Daily Newspapers (The Hindu) |
| Mathematics | RS Aggarwal’s Quantitative Aptitude, Pathfinder for CDS by Arihant |
CDS Exam Study Plan 2025 FAQs
Q.1. What is the CDS exam pattern for 2025?
Ans. The CDS exam consists of English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics (for IMA, INA, AFA) with 100 marks and 2 hours for each section.
Q.2. How should I prepare for the CDS exam in the last month?
Ans. Focus on full-length mock tests, revision of weak areas, and time management to improve speed and accuracy.
Q.3. What are the essential study materials for the CDS exam 2025?
Ans. Key resources include “Word Power Made Easy” by Norman Lewis, Lucent’s General Knowledge, and RS Aggarwal’s Quantitative Aptitude.
Q.4. How can I improve my speed for the CDS exam?
Ans. Regular practice with timed mock tests and focusing on time-saving techniques will improve speed and accuracy.
Q.5. How many months of preparation are recommended for the CDS exam 2025?
Ans. A 3- to 6-month preparation plan is ideal, with 6 months allowing for thorough revision and deep learning.