The Combined Defense Services (CDS) Exam is a highly competitive exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for recruitment into the Indian Armed Forces.
The exam is held twice a year, and it comprises three stages: a written exam, an interview, and a medical examination. The written exam consists of three papers: English, General Knowledge, and Mathematics. In this blog, we will discuss some of the best books for CDS exam preparation in 2023.
The paper is conducted on three subjects:
Being one of the competitive exams with a vast and huge syllabus, one needs a proper strategic approach and planning to outshine other candidates.
Moreover, all these books have a specific role to play as they can enhance or degrade your preparatory phase and can create a major impact on your results.
Below is a compilation of all the necessary and most reliable CDS 2022 books recommended by toppers and scholars themselves. Take a look and see what reference suits you the best.
Name of the Book | Author/ Publishing House |
High School English Grammar & Composition | Wren & Martin |
Objective General English | S.P. Bakshi |
Word Power Made Easy | Normal Lewis |
The total mark for this paper is 100 with a time duration provided of 160 minutes.
Name of the Book | Author/ Publishing House |
Mathematics for CDS | R.S. Aggarwal |
NCERT Mathematics (XI & XII) | NCERT Committee |
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examination | R.S. Aggarwal |
Pathfinder for CDS | Arihant Publications |
For Mathematics, the part can be considered a bit easier in comparison to NDA as it has questions based only on elementary-level topics.
But that doesn’t mean it can be aced easily. You require rigorous hard work and ample practice to grasp the speed required for it.
The General knowledge section balances the Mathematics section as it is considered tougher than the NDA.
Therefore, if one is willing to crack the competition with flying colors, one must be up to date with all the current Affairs and other important events of recent times.
Name of the Book | Author/ Publishing House |
General Knowledge | Lucent’s Publication |
General Knowledge | Arihant Publications |
Weekly/ Monthly Magazines | Arihant Publications |
Newspapers | Times of India, The Business Times |
Candidates are advised to study the complete syllabus thoroughly and focus on the topics that are most important and frequently asked in the exam. Practicing previous years’ question papers and taking mock tests can also help candidates prepare effectively for the CDS exam 2023.
Listyaan Learning brings one of the best test series to enhance your preparation with various questions helping you score more.
Exam Name | |
OTA English Mock Test – 1 |
In conclusion, the CDS exam is a tough nut to crack, but with the right resources and preparation, success is achievable. These books mentioned above are some of the best resources available for CDS exam preparation in 2023.
It is crucial to study hard and follow a disciplined study plan to achieve success in the exam. Additionally, it is important to stay updated with the latest news and events happening around the world to improve your performance in the General Knowledge paper.
With dedication, hard work, and the right resources, you can clear the CDS exam and pave your way to a career in the Indian Armed Forces. Best of luck!
The CDS exam consists of three papers: English, General Knowledge, and Mathematics. The English and General Knowledge papers are of 100 marks each, and the Mathematics paper is of 300 marks. The exam is conducted in offline mode, and each paper is of two hours duration. Negative marking is also applicable in the exam. You can prepare for the exam by referring to the best books available in the market, practicing previous years’ papers, and following a disciplined study plan.
The CDS exam is conducted twice a year in February and November. The dates for the 2023 exams have not been announced yet. You can apply for the exam through the UPSC official website by filling in the application form and paying the required fee.
After clearing the CDS exam, you can join the Indian Army, Indian Navy, or Indian Air Force as per your eligibility and choice. You can also opt for a short service commission or a permanent commission based on your preference.
There is no limit to the number of attempts for the CDS exam. However, the age limit for appearing in the exam is 20-24 years for IMA and AFA, and 20-25 years for OTA. For NA, the age limit is 20-27 years.
Yes, there is a negative marking in the CDS exam. For every wrong answer, one-third of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted. The minimum qualifying marks required to clear the exam are decided by the UPSC based on the difficulty level of the paper and the number of vacancies.
Some of the best books available for CDS exam preparation are Pathfinder CDS Examination Conducted by UPSC by Arihant Experts, CDS 10 Years Topic-wise Solved Papers by Disha Experts, Mathematics for CDS Entrance Examination by RS Aggarwal, and Objective General English by SP Bakshi. These books are easily available on various online platforms and bookstores.
The SSB interview is conducted by the Services Selection Board (SSB) after the written exam. The interview is conducted to assess the candidate’s personality, leadership qualities, and communication skills. The interview includes a series of tests, including a personal interview, group discussion, group planning exercise, and individual obstacles.
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