CDS Preparation 2025: Best Tips for Written Test & Interview

CDS Preparation 2025: The UPSC CDS exam will be conducted on 13 April, 2025. With only a few days remaining, candidates must be close to completing the CDS syllabus. However, candidates must also review the CDS exam pattern and make the most out of the preparation tips to better understand the exam. Furthermore, they must practice CDS questions and take mock tests to measure their performance.

*Steps to practice UPSC CDS unlimited questions are mentioned below in this article.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam twice a year for candidates who want to join the Indian Air Force, Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, or Officer’s Training Academy. UPSC released official Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2025 notification on December, 2025. Candidates can check the detailed preparation strategy for General Awareness, Elementary Mathematics, and English sections of the exam from this article. Scroll down to know more!

UPSC CDS 2025 Latest Updates: 
— UPSC released official CDS Phase 1 notification on December, 2025. Download CDS 1 notification PDF to learn more about the Phase 1 exam.
— CDS exam 2025 session 1 will be conducted on 13 April, 2025 and CDS session 2 will be held on 14 September, 2025.
— We strongly advise that all registered aspirants practice our CDS mock test series to improve their test-taking skills and performance in the test. Or check out the topic-wise practice lessons from the links given below.

UPSC CDS Exam Preparation Tips 2025

A good study strategy will help aspirants obtain higher UPSC CDS exam 2025 scores. Here are a few general study tips for aspirants to follow:

• Candidates should review the latest exam pattern to learn about the topics covered, the number of questions, total marks, and test duration.
• They must check the syllabus to understand the exam topics. It ensures that the candidates do not waste time on irrelevant topics.
• They must prepare a timetable and stick to it.
• Aspirants must refer to the most recommended books to understand the concepts easily.
• They must solve the previous year’s paper & attempt a mock test daily to check their preparation level.

UPSC CDS Exam Time Management Tips

Candidates must successfully manage their time to complete the paper in the allotted time. The time management tips are given below:

• Candidates appearing for the CDS 2025 should begin their preparation at least 3 to 6 months before the exam.
• They should maintain a regular study timetable to ensure that the entire syllabus gets covered.
• Candidates must keep track of the weekly revisions.
• They can boost their confidence level by staying up to date with all the current events.

How To Practice Questions on UPSC CDS Exam?

Know the steps to practice questions on the UPSC CDS exam 2025 below:

• 1st Step: Visit Embibe’s official website, i.e., embibe.com.
• 2nd Step: Use the mobile number/email to log in.
• 3rd Step: Click on the menu bar “Getting a Government Job”.
• 4th Step: Select the Goal “Defence” from the dropdown and click “Next”.
• 5th Step: Search and select “UPSC CDS” on the search bar and click “Next”.
• 6th Step: Select the preferred language and click “Done”.
• 7th Step: Click “Practice” from the header section.
• 8th Step: Scroll down to the “Subjects” section.
• 9th Step: Click on any UPSC CDS Exam subjects.
• 10th Step: Scroll down to click on the chapters from the selected subject to begin the practice.

CDS Study Tips for Mathematics

The Mathematics section of the CDS exam is a bit difficult. Since the syllabus for Maths is vast, candidates need to have a high level of problem-solving ability to clear this section. Below is the study plan for the Mathematics section:

• Candidates must start the CDS preparation by listing the easy and difficult chapters per the weightage.
• They should note down formulas and read them daily to memorise them.
• They should understand the theory behind every concept and then go through example problems to understand how to approach them.
• Candidates must avoid memorising steps for any particular type of problem. Instead, practice the sum and understand the theory and steps to solve it.
• They must practice NCERT Maths to understand the question pattern.
• Aspirants should not leave important and complex chapters like Trigonometry, Quadratic Equations or Geometry for the last minute.
• They should revise regularly.
• They must focus more on the important chapters, weak chapters, and any particular type of questions that candidates find difficult. Solve them regularly.

CDS Study Tips for the English Language

This section tests the ability to use grammatical rules as well as vocabulary. Below is the CDS Preparation plan for the English Language:

• Candidates must work on English grammar and refer to standard books like Wren & Martin.
• They should not only glance at the grammar exercises but also practice them. The practice would help understand the application and usage of rules better.
• They should develop reading habits, jot down the words that cannot be understood, and find their meaning. Learn their usage as well.
• Candidates must use the new words learned in day-to-day activities like writing or talking. It will help in memorising the words.
• While attempting comprehension, they should read the passage thoroughly and attentively.
• When solving the Cloze Test, they must read the entire passage properly and work on it backwards with the help of the options present.
• Candidates must read books and newspapers regularly to increase word building and revise regularly.

CDS Study Tips for General Knowledge

This has been the most avoided and taken-for-granted section. The fact is, this section plays an important role when it comes to performance. This section basically tests a candidate’s knowledge of current events happening around them. Look below to get detailed CDS 2025 preparation tips for GK:

• Firstly, prepare a timetable with a fixed set of hours a candidate must devote to the GK section.
• Candidates must go through NCERT textbooks covering History, Civics, and Geography for sound preparation.
• They should read newspapers and journals regularly to stay up-to-date with the recent happenings at the national and international levels.
• Candidates must make notes of important points during the study.
• They should create a strong foundation for the GK section, review previous years’ papers and make notes.
• They must stay updated with topics like current military exercises, important dates, the formation of forces, awards, books, etc.
• Candidates must keep revising the notes prepared regularly.
• They should also take GK mock tests daily. It will help in mastering this section.

How to Prepare for SSB Interview?

After clearing the CDS exam, candidates must appear for a personal interview with the SSB. The SSB interview assesses a candidate’s intelligence, personality, and ability to hold ranks among the Defense Forces’ officers. Here are some pointers on how to ace the interview:

• Candidates must maintain their confidence and avoid being nervous throughout the personal interview.
• Candidates must be able to communicate their thoughts to the interview panel.
• They must enhance their ability to communicate.
• They must stay updated with the latest and most interesting events worldwide.
• Candidates must speak and act in the manner of an officer.

CDS Tips for Physical & Medical Exams

Candidates for positions in the defence sector must be mentally and physically strong. They must also undergo a physical and medical exam and a written exam. There should be no history of mental illness. For the physical exam, applicants can use the following guidance:

• The candidate’s weight and height must be measured on a standard scale.
• To stay fit, candidates must train and exercise regularly.
• Before attempting the exam, candidates must get a full body checkup to ensure they are of any illness or disease.

UPSC CDS Important Topics

The exam date for CDS 1 & CDS 2 has been released. Candidates must go through the important topics for each subject from the below table:

CDS English Important Topics

Check out the important topics for this section below:

CDS General Knowledge Important Topics

Check out the important topics for this section below:

CDS Maths Important Topics

The Maths important topics are further divided into sub-topics that the registered applicants can check to have better clarity:

Also, check:

FAQs on CDS Preparation Tips 2025

Here, we have provided some of the frequently asked questions and answers related to the CDS exam preparation tips 2025.

We hope this detailed article on CDS Preparation Tips 2025 will be helpful. Feel to check our app if you have any queries regarding the exam.

Stay tuned to Embibe for the latest UPSC CDS exam 2025 updates!