Best CDS Preparation Books and Free YouTube Resources
Jai Hind🇮🇳
Instead of running after multiple resources, fix one resource and revise it multiple times. In this blog, I will share the best books and free preparation resources available on YouTube.
CDS Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
First things first, let's talk about the exam pattern.
- For OTA: You only have to sit for two papers: English and General Knowledge (Note: Female candidates are eligible to apply for OTA only).
- For IMA/INA/AFA: You have to take three papers: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics.
The CDS Examination has a 1/3 negative marking policy. The duration for each paper is 2 hours.
- English: 120 Questions | +0.83 for correct | -0.27 for wrong
- General Knowledge: 120 Questions | +0.83 for correct | -0.27 for wrong
- Elementary Mathematics: 100 Questions | +1.00 for correct | -0.33 for wrong
Recommended Resources
Always try to score high in the English section.
1. English
Follow any standard English grammar book that comprehensively covers your basic grammar concepts.
Since the CDS English paper is heavily reading-based, start developing a daily reading habit by picking up a newspaper. This will simultaneously help you with your current affairs preparation.
Free YouTube Resources:
- Nimisha Bansal Mam: Visit Channel
- The Journey Extraordinary Channel: Visit Channel
2. General Knowledge
Science: Focus deeply on Class 9 and 10 NCERT textbooks. While a few advanced topics have recently begun appearing from Classes 11 and 12, you should analyze Previous Year Questions (PYQs) for those specific topics and study only those chapters.
Make the Class 9 and 10 NCERT books your absolute base. You can download them directly from the official NCERT website: NCERT Official Books.
Note that some chapters are missing in the newer rationalized NCERT books on the website; to study those missing topics, you can look up and download older versions from Google.
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Geography: Focus heavily on the following two core textbooks:
- Textbook for Class-XI (Fundamentals of Physical Geography)
- Textbook for Class-XI (India-Physical Environment)
- Textbook for Class-XII (India: People and Economy)
- Textbook for Class-XII (Fundamentals of Human Geography)
- Polity: You can completely rely on the Indian Polity book by M. Laxmikanth.
- Economy: Keep track of the Union Budget and the Economic Survey. For static and conceptual clarity, you can refer to the book by Vivek Singh.
- History: Refer to Spectrum for Modern Indian History alongside Old NCERT textbooks:
- Modern India by Bipan Chandra
- Medieval India by Satish Chandra
- Ancient India by R.S. Sharma
- Computer Science: You can watch targeted YouTube videos or solve computer-related PYQs from other UPSC exams.
- Current Affairs: You can follow the InsightsIAS website daily for current affairs and editorial analysis. For your monthly revision, pick any good monthly compilation magazine like Vision IAS, InsightsIAS, or OnlyIAS.
3. Elementary Mathematics
You can follow Mathematics for CDS by R.S. Aggarwal.
For free video lectures, you can follow Sandeep Brar Sir’s advanced maths playlist on the Chandigarh Career Group channel: Sandeep Brar Advanced Maths Playlist.
Important Tips
For all sections, heavily rely on UPSC Previous Year Question Papers. You can download them directly from the official website at UPSC PYQs or purchase a chapter-wise PYQ compilation book.
Do not switch your resources frequently after listening to different toppers. Always have faith in yourself and the teachers you follow.
Apart from academic preparation, you must actively work on your physical and mental fitness. Incorporate yoga, running, and meditation into your daily routine.
A Message to Aspirants
I hope every aspirant reading this blog successfully clears the written exam and the SSB interview to serve our nation. For those who face setbacks and cannot clear the exam, never lose heart—remember that you are a soldier in spirit, and you can continue to work for the growth of your country in other fields.
In the end, always remember: Country First.
Jai Hind! Jai Bharat! 🇮🇳
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