Shikha
Shikha Goyal
Assistant Manager
Updated on Feb 6, 2025 15:47 IST

The CDS Mathematics section focuses on problem-solving skills and numerical aptitude. It consists of topics like Number System, Elementary Number Theory, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration, and Statistics. Scroll down to know in detail about the CDS Elementary Mathematics syllabus 2025.

CDS Maths Syllabus

CDS Maths Syllabus

CDS 2025: The authority will conduct the CDS 1 2025 exam on April 13, 2025.  In the CDS exam, the Mathematics paper is important for candidates who apply for the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and Air Force Academy (AFA). Candidates for the Officers Training Academy (OTA) are not required to appear for Mathematics papers. The Mathematics section comprises 100 objective-type questions and carries 100 marks. The standard of the CDS Maths syllabus is of an Intermediate level. Questions in Elementary Mathematics are moderate in terms of difficulty level. To ace the section, candidates are advised to solve as many previous years’ question papers as possible to score good marks in this section. Read below for more details on the CDS Mathematics syllabus.

The CDS exam is scheduled to be conducted at various centres across the country and the CDS answer key will be made available on the same day. However, the answer key will be unofficial as it will be released by the coaching institutes. The official CDS answer key will be released after the completion of the CDS recruitment process. 

CDS Maths Syllabus Highlights

The CDS exam is conducted for admission to IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA. Candidates can check below some of the important highlights of the CDS exam Maths syllabus:

  • The Mathematics paper is conducted for candidates who apply for IMA, INA, and AFA
  • The paper is of Class 10 level and consists of 100 questions
  • The duration of the paper is two hours
  • The marking scheme of each question is one mark for the correct attempt and 0.33 marks are deducted for the wrong attempt
  • There is no deduction of marks for unattempted questions

Also Read: CDS Exam Pattern

CDS Maths Syllabus

CDS Maths syllabus PDF comprises questions from topics such as Number System, Elementary Number Theory, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Mensuration, and Statistics. The best way to clear the concept of the CDS Elementary Mathematics syllabus is to refer to the Class 9 and 10 books. Understanding the concepts will help candidates to create their own shortcuts. Candidates can check below CDS Maths topic-wise weightage below.

CDS Maths Syllabus PDF for Number System

Natural numbers

Integers

Rational and Real Number

Additions

Subtractions

Multiplications

Square Roots

Decimal fractions

Unitary method

Time and Work

Percentages

Applications to simple and compound Interest

Ratio and Proportion

Variations

Profit and Loss

Time and distance

Division

Fundamental Operations

Maths Syllabus for CDS Elementary Number Theory

Division algorithm

Prime and composite numbers

Tests of divisibility by 2, 3, 4, 5, 9 and 11

Multiples and factors

Factorization Theorem

H.C.F. and L.C.M.

Euclidean algorithm

Logarithms to base 10

Laws of logarithms

Use of logarithmic tables

Elementary Mathematics Syllabus for CDS Algebra

Basic Operations

Simultaneous linear equations in two unknowns—analytical and graphical solutions

Simple Factors

Simultaneous linear inequalities in two variables and their solutions

Remainder Theorem

Practical problems leading to two simultaneous linear equations or inequalities in two variables or quadratic equations in one

Theory of Polynomials

Set Language and set notation

HCF & LCM

Relation between its roots and coefficients (Only real roots will be considered)

Solutions of quadratic equations

Variable & their solutions

Law of Indices

Rational Expressions and Conditional Identities

CDS Maths Syllabus for Trigonometry

  • Simple trigonometric identities
  • Use of trigonometric tables
  • Simple cases of heights and distances
  • Sine x, cosine x, Tan x when 0° < x < 90° , Values of sin x, cos x & tan x, for x = 0°, 30°, 45°, 60° & 90°.

CDS Maths Topic-wise Weightage for Geometry

  • Lines and angles
  • Plane and plane figures
  • Properties of angles at a point
  • Sides and angles of a triangle
  • Congruence 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 normal and Loci

CDS Maths Syllabus for Statistics

  • Collection and tabulation of data.
  • Measures of central tendency: mean, median, mode.
  • Graphical representation: frequency polygons, bar charts, histograms, pie charts.

CDS Syllabus Maths for Mensuration

Areas of squares

Rectangles

Parallelograms

Triangle and Circle

Areas of figures which can be split up into smaller figures

Surface area and volume of cuboids

Lateral Surface, Area and volume of spheres

Volume of Right Circular Cones, cylinders and Surface

CDS Maths Topic-wise Weightage

The topic-wise weightage of CDS Maths syllabus is given below. Candidates can also check the difficulty level of different topics in UPSC CDS Maths syllabus

Topics Level of difficulty Number of Questions (Approx)

Number System

Easy

20

Mensuration

Moderate

13-15

Geometry

Moderate to Difficult

11-15

Time, Speed and Distance

Moderate

6

Simple Interest/ Compound interest

Easy

2-5

Trigonometry

Moderate

12

Algebra

Moderate to Difficult

7-10

Percentage

Easy-Moderate

2-4

Mixture

Moderate

1

Time and Work

Moderate

5

Ratio and Proportion

Moderate

2

Profit and Loss

Moderate

1

DI and DS

Moderate

3

Statistics

Easy

8

How to Prepare for CDS Mathematics?

The tips and tricks to prepare for the CDS exam are given below. The candidates can get the idea to cover the maths syllabus by going through the enlisted points below:

  • Candidates can use books of NCERT upto Class 10 to clear the concept of topics
  • Candidates should learn the tricks of the sum of natural numbers, the sum of squares, the sum of cubes, tests of Divisibility and HCF AND LCM as well as few important formulas
  • Candidates should choose the easy methods of solving questions
  • Remember all the important formulas in Algebra
  • To master any topic, do practice several different familiar types of questions
  • Write the geometry formulas down on a piece of paper and stick them onto the wall where you can see them regularly
  • Candidates should prepare for Mean, Median, Mode, Variance, and Standard deviation

Also Read: CDS Preparation Tips 

CDS Mathematics Books

The candidates preparing for the upcoming CDS exam must go through the CDS Mathematics books given below to ensure the best preparation for the exam.

Name of Books Author/Publisher

Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examination

RS Aggarwal(S Chand Publication)

Mathematics for CDS Examination

RS Aggarwal(S Chand Publication)

Quicker Mathematics

M.Tyra

About the Author
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Shikha Goyal
Assistant Manager

Shikha Goyal is an author with expertise in various domains, especially engineering. She has postgraduate degrees in Mathematics as well as Mass Communication and Journalism. She has devoted her life to helping stud... Read Full Bio

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