UPSC CDS Books - Subject-wise Best Books

Union Public Service Commission has released the recruitment notification for the Combined Defence Services Examination 2021. UPSC conducts this recruitment drive twice in a year and lakhs of students fill the online applications with a dream to serve the country by being a part of Indian Forces (Military/Naval/Air Force). 

  • Many of you must be wanting to start your preparation but are confused as an abundance of books are available in the market for UPSC CDS examination. Choosing the right ones will bring you a step closer to your success.
  • To help you with that, here is the list of Best Books for UPSC CDS examination recommended by experts which covers the entire syllabus.

These subject-wise lists of UPSC CDS Books will help you to kick start your preparation without further delay.


UPSC CDS Books 2021

The UPSC CDS exam is being taken up by many students every year, however only a few gets the chance to taste success. The written test will have three subjects i.e. English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics and it is important that the candidates have proper access to study material and popular books for the UPSC CDS exam as it has a positive impact in their exam preparation. To help you in this, we have compiled a subject-wise list of the best books for the UPSC CDS exam that will help you learn all necessary topics and concepts covering the entire syllabus. Go through the suggested list of UPSC CDS Books given below in this article.


Best Books for UPSC CDS English Language

This subject tests your grammar and vocabulary skills. A total of 100 marks is allotted to this section and the candidates will have a time duration of 2 hours for this section.

Best Books for UPSC CDS - English

Books

Author

Remarks

Objective General English

S.P. Bakshi (Arihant Publications)

Buy amazon

Best for Beginner, Solved examples & Exercises to Practice along with detailed theory.

High School English Grammar & Composition

Wren and Martin

buy amazon

Good book with proper rules and applications mentioned in detail

Word Power Made Easy

Norman Lewis

buy amazon

One Stop solution for Vocabulary


Best Books for UPSC CDS General Knowledge

This is the most scoring section if given dedicated time on a daily basis. A total of 100 marks is allotted to this section and the candidates will have a time duration of 2 hours for this section too.

Best Books for UPSC CDS - General Knowledge

Books

Author

Remarks

General Awareness

Manohar Panday (Arihant Publications)

amazon

This book covers Indian History, Indian Polity, Geography, Indian Economy along with the current affairs

Manorama Yearbook

Philip Mathew

 

Effective & recommended book for preparing General Awareness

Pratiyogita Darpan (Magazines)

Pratiyogita Darpan Editorial Team

 

Covers complete news along with practice set & previous year papers

Newspapers

Hindu, The Indian Express, The Economic Times

 

This is a must. Reading regularly will help you to stay updated with all the topics relevant for the exam


Best Books for UPSC CDS Elementary Mathematics

This section will be asked in the test for IMA, INA and AFA. Candidates appearing for Short Service Commission at Officers' Training Academy, this section will be excluded. A total of 100 marks is allotted to this section too and the candidates will have a time duration of 2 hours.

Books for UPSC CDS Elementary Mathematics

Books

Author

Remarks

Mathematics for C.D.S.

R.S. Aggarwal

 amazon

This book if focussed on the topics which are frequently in CDS examination. It covers all the topics which has high weightage with proper solved examples, practice sets etc.

Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations

R.S. Aggarwal

 amazon

This book is best to clear various topics of maths from basics as it has many solved examples (different varieties of questions) along with practice sets (simple & tough both).

Pathfinder for CDS

Arihant Publications

 amazon

Another book followed by many aspirants which covers entire syllabus of maths which has to be covered for this subject


UPSC CDS Exam Pattern 2021

Check the table given below for admission to Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy through UPSC CDS examination 2021

Subject

Duration

Maximum Marks

English

2 Hours

100

General Knowledge

2 Hours

100

Elementary Mathematics

2 Hours

100

Total

6 Hours

300


For Admission to Officers’ Training Academy

Subject

Duration

Maximum Marks

English

2 Hours

100

General Knowledge

2 Hours

100

Total

4 Hours

200

Best Books for UPSC CDS Officer Intelligence Rating & Picture Perception Description Test 

Candidates will need to clear the description test of Officers Intelligence Rating and Picture Perception Description Test while appearing for the Interview round. Suggested books for the same are given below. 

Books on Officer Intelligence Rating & Picture Perception Description Test 

Books

Publisher

Remarks

Breaking The Code of SSB Psychological Tests - SSB Interview

SSBCrack

 amazon

Even though this book is made for SSB but it is very useful for cracking the Psychological test section of UPSC CDS examination. Psychology is a time-based procedure and candidates need the knowledge to correct it. This book lets candidates have that required knowledge.

Let's Crack SSB Interview 

SSBCrack

 amazon

This is a combined book for preparing both sections of the interview. It also offers tips for cracking the interview with full confidence. 

SSB OIR & PPDT : Complete Guide To SSB Interview

DDE-DEFENCE DIRECT EDUCATION

 amazon

A good book for preparing the Officer Intelligence Rating section. It helps a beginner to cover all topics asked in this section. This book offers enough examples and exercises to complete your practice in the OIR test of UPSC CDS Examination.