http://mrunal.org/2013/06/studyplan-combined-defense-services-cds-booklist-strategy-free-study-material-previous-papers-cutoffs-physical-medical.html#294

1. Topicwise Breakup: 2. Grab the weapons (Booklist) 3. 1: History & Culture

1. Ancient 2. Medieval 3. Modern History 4. Culture

4. 2: Science 1. Physics 2. Chemistry 3. Biology

5. 3: Geography 1. Physical Geography

1. Universe 2. Earth: Basics 3. Rocks/Geology related 4. Atmosphere and Climate related 5. Ocean related 6. Disaster related

2. Indian Geography 3. World, Human and Economic Geography 4. Agriculture

6. 4: Environment and Biodiversity (EnB) 7. 5: Polity 8. 6: Economy 9. 7: International relations/events/diplomacy 10. 8: Defense 11. 9: Misc GK 12. Conclusion / summary / final tips 13. Appendix1: Download Links

1. NCERT and NIOS (Essential/Core) 2. History 3. Science 4. EnB 5. Economy 6. Geography 7. India yearbook 8. NCERT and NIOS (Peripheral)

14. Appendix2: CDS notification, cutoffs, previous papers 1. CDS(II) 2013 Notification 2. Cutoffs 2011 3. CDS Previous papers

15. Appendix3: Physical Standards, Medical checkup rules for CDS

1. Height 2. Weight 3. Weight: Females 4. Eye standards 5. Radial keratotomy 6. Laser Surgery 7. Visual Standards for Navy 8. Pregnancy 9. X-ray Exams 10. Other physical criteria 11. Physical Conditioning Test 12. Airforce: Special tests 13. Appeals after rejections

Topicwise Breakup:

CDS exam is held twice a year, so let’s see how were last three papers?

Topic 2012(I)

2012(II)

2013(I)

Science 26 19 28History n Culture 19 22 18

Geography 15 24 15Economy 12 5 14Polity 11 20 14Misc.GK 7 6 14IR 6 6 10EnB 11 7 7Defense 8 7 0Agro 5 4 0

Often the new players make mistake of preparing too much current affairs, but as you can see in the table, majority of the paper is made up of static/theory topics only. Even in Economy and Polity while lot of current events take place but majority of the MCQS are centered on theory only.

Grab the weapons (Booklist)In the market, there is no dearth of jholachhap publications with readymade guides on CDS and mock tests and what not. But Looking at the previous papers, all I can say is that you need only three sources to cover up majority of the syllabus:

1. NCERT and NIOS textbooks (even here, you’ve to do very limited study of specific chapters, as explained in this article. free download links @bottom)

2. Indian Polity by M.Laxmkanth (religiously mugup this book for ~10 marks in the exam.)3. General Studies Manual (for filling up the gaps/topics left in NCERTs + for practice of

mock questions) you don’t need to buy latest edition, because static topics (history, geography, science) remain one and same in all edition. So grab second hand/used copy for a cheaper price or borrow it from a friend. Any publication will work: Unique, TMH, Spectrum etc.

First we’ll see how to approach static topics (history, geography, science, EnB, economy and polity.) then we’ll see how to approach the current affairs (for IR and Misc.GK)

1: History & CultureUpdate Feb-24-2014:

for History/culture portion, use the Tamilnadu (TN) State education board books, they’re better than NCERTs. Click me for free download

–end of update-can be sub-classified into following:

Ancient Harappa, Asoka etc.Medieval Delhi sultanate, Mughals etc.Modern British raj and freedom struggle.Culture Music, painting, dance, religion, architecture, books etc. in above 3 periods.World history

update: in CDS(II)2013, UPSC did ask a few questions from World history. You may consult Lucent’s GK book + Mrunal.org/history for this. more details soon.

Let’s see how much history was asked in last three papers?

Topic 2012(I 2012(II 2013(I

) ) )Ancient 3 4 1Medieval 0 2 1Modern 12 6 5Culture 4 10 11total 19 22 18% out of 120 15.83 18.33 15

In old times, UPSC used to ask trivial GK question from kings, war timelines etc. =waste of time in preparation.

But nowadays, questions usually centered around culture or just ‘true/false/find correct statement; cause-effect-reasons’ type questions.

I suggest you look at last 2-3 years papers by yourself (given in the appendix) and see it yourself.

AncientIn Ancient period, the MCQs mostly come from 2 topics:

1. Harappa2. Jainism-Buddism (includes Asoka etc.)- Although this can be classified under culture.

I’ve already uploaded the NCERTs according to topics (and not according to standards/classes), so just download from appendix and start reading. If you already have downloaded NCERTs from any other source, then prepare in following sequence:

*subject*, *class*,*chapter no.*, *chapter name*

1. History6_1_What, Where, How And When2. History6_2_On The Trail Of The Earliest People3. History6_3_From Gathering To Growing Food4. History6_4_In The Earliest Cities5. History6_5_What Books And Burials Tell Us6. History6_6_Kingdoms, Kings And An Early Republic7. History6_7_New Questions And Ideas8. History6_8_Ashoka, The Emperor Who Gave Up War9. History6_9_Vital Villages, Thriving Towns10. History6_10_Traders, Kings And Pilgrims11. History6_11_New Empires And Kingdoms12. History6_12_Buildings, Paintings And Books13. History12_1_Bricks Beads and Stones_Harappa14. History12_2_King farmer towns15. History12_3_Kinship Caste Class16. History12_4_Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings

After that: GS Manual and finally mock questions.

MedievalIf you’re willing to take the risk (or running out of time), you can even skip this topic (kings, wars, dynasties etc.). Because rarely 1-2 question come from medieval portion nowadays. But do prepare culture related things from medieval period.

1. Hist7_1_Tracing Changes Through A Thousand Years2. Hist7_2_New Kings And Kingdoms3. Hist7_3_The Delhi Sultans4. Hist7_4_The Mughal Empire5. Hist7_5_Rulers And Buildings6. Hist7_6_Towns, Traders And Craftspersons7. Hist7_7_Tribes, Nomads And Settled Communities8. Hist7_8_Devotional Paths To The Divine9. Hist7_9_The Making Of Regional Cultures10. Hist7_10_Eighteenth-Century Political Formations11. History12_1_Foreign Travelers to India12. History12_2_Bhakti -Sufi Traditions13. History12_3_Vijayanagara-An Imperial Capital14. History12_4_Mughal Empire and Agrarian Society15. History12_5_Mughal Courts

After that: Read the Medieval history section in your GS Manual and finally mock questions. But keep in mind: GS manuals contain truckload of kings and timelines in the medieval period, don’t waste time mugging them up.

Modern HistoryImportant: NCERTs don’t cover all MCQ worthy topics from within the Modern history / freedom struggle. Therefore you must do following

Read GS manual multiple times for this section. OR use Spectrum publication’s brief history of Modern India. And then solve the Mock Questions given in the GS Manual.

here is the list of NCERT chapters:

1. History8_1_How When and Where2. History8_2_From Trade to Territory3. History8_3_The Company Establishes Power4. History8_4_Ruling the Countryside5. History8_5_Tribals Dikus and the Vision of a Golden Age6. History8_6_1857 and After When people rebel

7. History12_1_Colonialism Official Archives8. History12_2_1857 Revolt And Its Representations9. History12_3_Colonial Cities Urbanisation, Planning And Architecture10. History12_4_Mahatma Gandhi And The Nationalist Movement11. History12_5_Understanding Partition12. History12_6_Framing The Constitution

CultureWhile reading above NCERTs, you’ll come across lot of culture related topics (in painting, literature, dance, music, religion etc.) however for better and consolidated preparation, I suggest you also go through the NIOS study material for Culture. (Free download links @bottom)

2: Science@Arts/commerce students“yeh mujse nahi hoga / science is not my cup of tea” = this is loser talk. You want to pass CDS or SSC, then science has to be prepared, whether you like it or not. Besides, NCERT textbooks explain the science in very lucid, layman friendly manner, so science is that not difficult, just read and revise often.

@Science/Engineer/Medical studentsdon’t live in some overconfidence that “Just because I’m M.Sc (Botany) so I don’t need to read these stupid class7 NCERT science textbooks. I know everything!”

Because, you may be good at the technical and latest things happening in your graduation field, but UPSC asks from basic principles and theories that might have evaporated from your head after you left highschool years ago. Therefore, no matter what your academic qualification is, always start with NCERTs.

anyways, continuing on…Science can be further divided into

Science subtopic CommentPhysics 1. This is to be prepared from NCERTs, then General Studies (GS)

Manual and finally mock questions at the end of GS Manual.2. (optional): you may also read NIOS material on Geography for

additional grip over the subject. Free download links @bottom.3. Please note: in GS Manuals, they often go into very minute details,

like chemical formulas of hormones etc. don’t waste that much time. You just need basic  science concepts, principles and their

ChemistryBiology

day-to-day application clear.

Current affairs, biotech, nanotech, computer IT, space etc.

You can ignore this if you’re running out time. otherwise

Go through www.Mrunal.org/snt goto library, read whatever competitive magazine you get (CST,

Pratiyoigta, Chronicle, Wizard) and note down important things from science-tech pages.

Science: Internal breakup in last 3 CDS

Topic 2012(I)

2012(II)

2013(I)

Physics 8 7 6Chemistry 5 5 10Biology 6 4 11Sci-Tech 7 3 1*total 26 19 28% of out 120 22% 16% 23%

* (one Qs on Chemistry noble prize 2012)

here is the list of NCERT chapters to be prepared:

Physics1. Sci10_13_Magnet2. Sci10_12_electricity3. Sci10_10_light4. Sci9_12_Sound5. Sci9_11_Work And Energy6. Sci9_10_Gravitation7. Sci9_9_Force And Laws Of Motion8. Sci9_8_Motion9. Sci8_16_Light10. Sci8_14_Chemical Effects Of Electriccurrent11. Sci8_13_Sound12. Sci8_12_Friction13. Sci8_11_Force And Pressure14. Sci7_15_Light15. Sci7_14_Electric Current and its Effects16. Sci7_13_Motion and Time

17. Sci7_4_Heat18. Physics11_1_What is Physics

Chemistry1. Sci7_5_Acids,Bases andSalts2. Sci7_6_Physical and Chemical Changes3. Sci8_3_Synthetic Fibres And Plastics4. Sci8_4_Materials Metals And Non-Metals5. Sci8_5_Coal And petroleum6. Sci8_6_Combustion And Flame7. Sci9_1_Matter In Our Surroundings8. Sci9_2_Is Matter Around Us Pure9. Sci9_3_Atoms And Molecules10. Sci9_4_Structure Of The Atom11. Sci10_1_Chemical Reactions and Equations12. Sci10_2_Acids, Bases and Salts13. Sci10_3_Metals and Non-metals14. Sci10_4_Carbon and its Compounds15. Sci10_5_Periodic Classification of Elements

Biology1. Sci7_1_Nutrition in Plants2. Sci7_2_Nutrition inAnimals3. Sci7_10_Respiration in Organisms4. Sci7_11_Transportation in Animals and Plants5. Sci7_12_Reproduction inPlants6. Sci8_2_Microorganisms Friend And foe7. Sci8_8_Cell Structure And Functions8. Sci8_9_Reproduction In Animals9. Sci8_10_Reaching Theage Of Adolescence10. Sci9_5_The Fundamental Unit Of life11. Sci9_6_Tissues12. Sci9_7_Diversity In Living Organisms13. Sci9_13_Why Do We Fall ill14. Sci10_6_Life Processes15. Sci10_7_Control and Coordination16. Sci10_8_reproduction17. Sci10_9_evolution18. Sci10_11_human eye19. Biology12_11_Biotechnology Principle and Processes20. Biology12_12_Biotechnology and its Applications

3: GeographyGeography can be further classified into

Physical Universe, earth, atmosphere, weather, climate etc.

Indian Topics related to India (e.g. industry, drainage etc.)

World Again not much asked from this.

Geography + Agro: Internal breakupTopic 2012(I

)2012(II)

2013(I)

Physical 9 12 8Indian 3 10 7World 3 2 0Agro 5 4 0Total 20 28 15% out of 120 17% 23% 13%

Earlier geography used to encompass Environment biodiversity (EnB) + agriculture, but now both of them have grown up and getting more ‘special’ attention from UPSC Examiners. (Although in 2013’s CDS-1, the agro MCQs were conspicuously absent.)

Again, our approach is NCERT => GS Manual => Mock questions. (optional): you may also read NIOS material on Geography for additional grip over the

subject. Free download links @bottom. Note: In GS manual, they sometimes go in very minor details e.g. state where particular

breed of goat/pig/cow/buffalo is found. don’t waste time in such details. Even for Indian geography, you should know broad things. If you try to prepare every detail, you’ll be stuck there forever.

Physical Geography

UniverseWhen you go to universe, there is no dearth of GK regarding relative size, color, distance of various planets etc. but again keep the time factor in mind.

1. Sci8_17_Stars And The solar system

2. Geo6_1_The Earth in the Solar System3. Geo11_2_The Origin and Evolution of the Earth

Earth: BasicsFrom earth basics, UPSC usually asks a few questions on

1. Latitudes, Longitudes and timezones (perhaps to test the level of the wanna be navy officers.)

2. oceanography3. atmosphere, climate, weather phenomenon related

Anyways, here is the list of NCERT chapters

1. Geo6_2_Globe  Latitudes and Longitudes2. Geo6_3_Motions of the Earth3. Geo6_4_Maps4. Geo6_5_Major Domains of the Earth5. Geo6_6_Major Landforms of the Earth6. Geo11_1_Geography as a Discipline (although doesn’t fit in this classification!)7. Geo11_3_Interior of the Earth8. Geo11_4_Distribution of Oceans and Continents

Rocks/Geology related1. Geo11_5_Minerals and Rocks (after that, immediacy read the Indian geography

chapters related to distribution of mines and minerals in India)2. Geo11_6_Geomorphic Processes3. Geo11_7_Landforms and their Evolution.

Atmosphere and Climate related1. Geo11_8_Composition and Structure of Atmosphere2. Geo11_9_Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature3. Geo11_10_Atmospheric Circulation and Weather Systems4. Geo11_11_Water in the Atmosphere5. Geo11_12_World Climate and Climate Change

Ocean related6. Geo11_13_Water (Oceans)

7. Geo11_14_Movements of Ocean Water

Disaster related8. Geo11_7_India_Natural Hazards and Disasters

9. Sci7_8_Winds, Storms and Cyclones

10. Sci8_15_Some Natural Phenomena lightening earthquakes

Misc11. Geo11_1_Geography as a Discipline

12. Geo11_Glossary

Indian GeographyHere UPSC often asks questions on rivers-tributaries. but then again, no point in mugging up beyond a level. Apart from NCERT, also read chapter 30 from India Yearbook (free download link @bottom).

India: Physical Geography1. Geo6_7_Our Country India2. Geo9_1_size and location3. Geo9_2_physical4. Geo9_4_CLIMATE5. Geo11_1_India_Location6. Geo11_2_India_Structure and Physiography

India: rivers1. Geo9_3_drainage2. Geo10_3-water resources3. Geo11_3_India_Drainage System4. Geo12_India_6_Water Resources

India: Economic geography1. Geo10_1_resources & Development2. Geo10_5-mines & ENERGY RESOURCES

3. Geo10_6-industries4. Geo10_7-transport5. Geo12_India_7_Mineral and Energy Resources6. Geo12_India_8_Manufacturing Industries7. Geo12_India_9_Planning and Sustainable Development  in Indian Context8. Geo12_India_10_Transport and Communication9. Geo12_India_11_International Trade10. Geo12_India_12_Geographical Perspective on Selected  Issues and  Problems

India: Human geography1. Geo9_6_Population2. Geo12_India_1_Population – Distribution, Density, Growth and Composition3. Geo12_India_2_Migration – Types, Causes and Consequences4. Geo12_India_3_Human Development5. Geo12_India_4_Human Settlements

World, Human and Economic Geography1. Geo7_7_transport2. Geo7_8_Life in tropical areas3. Geo7_9_life in Grasslands4. Geo7_10_life in Deserts5. Geo8_1_Resources6. Geo8_3_minerals and energy7. Geo8_5_industries_steel_IT8. Geo8_6_Human Resources9. Geo12_1_Nature n Scope10. Geo12_2_The World Population Distribution, Density and Growth11. Geo12_3_Population Composition12. Geo12_4_Human Development13. Geo12_6_Secondary Activities14. Geo12_7_Tertiary and Quaternary Activities15. Geo12_8_Transport and Communication16. Geo12_9_International Trade17. Geo12_10_Human Settlements

AgricultureAgriculture MCQs are slowly getting more attention in both CSE and CDS exams. Here is the list of NCERT chapters that should be specifically read and revised. More emphasis on soil-types, crops and cropping technologies.

1. Geo8_4_agri

2. Geo10_4-agriculture3. Geo11_6_India_Soils4. Geo12_5_Primary Activities5. Geo12_India_5_Land Resources  and Agriculture6. Sci7_3_Fibre to Fabric7. Sci7_9_Soil8. Sci8_1_Crop Production And Management9. Sci9_15_Improvement In Food Resources

4: Environment and Biodiversity (EnB) As far as CDS is concerned, majority of EnB questions are centered around static/theory

portion. For EnB, the foundation /base material is NIOS (free download links @bottom). Go through the articles posted on Mrunal.org/enb

Besides, certain chapters of NCERT Geography and Science textbooks also help in EnB. Here is the list:

1. Biology12_13_Organisms and Populations2. Biology12_14_Ecosystem3. Biology12_15_BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION4. Biology12_16_Environmental Issues5. Chemistry11_14_ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY6. Economy11_9_ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT7. Geo6_8_India  Climate, Vegetation and Wildlife8. Geo7_1_environment9. Geo7_2_rocks10. Geo7_3_Rivers11. Geo7_4_Air12. Geo7_5_water13. Geo7_6_Jungle14. Geo8_2_Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resource15. Geo9_5_forest and wildlife16. Geo10_2-forest & wildlife resources17. Geo11_4_India_Climate18. Geo11_5_India_Natural Vegetation19. Geo11_15_Life on the Earth20. Geo11_16_Biodiversity and Conservation21. Sci7_7_Weather, Climate and Adaptations of Animals to Climate22. Sci7_16_Water A Precious Resource23. Sci7_17_Forests Our Lifeline24. Sci7_18_Waste water Story25. Sci8_7_Conservation Of Plants And animals26. Sci8_18_Pollution Of Air And Water

27. Sci9_14_Natural Resources carbon cycle28. Sci10_14_Source of energy29. Sci10_15_environment_food chain30. Sci10_16_ Management of natural resources

(You’ll find their download link @the Bottom of this article)

5: PolityIn both Civil service exam and CDS exam, polity MCQs form a signification portion. The cost: benefit ratio is quite good.

Primary source

1. Indian Polity by M.Laxmikanth (click to buy from flipkart, pay on delivery) 2. India Yearbook chapter number 3 and 20. (you don’t need to specifically

buy the latest edition for CDS, just use India 2011, Free download link @bottom)

Peripheral3. Depending on your time and mood, the NCERT, NIOS political science and

sociology textbooks. (again free download @bottom).

Here are some tips on how to Laxmikanth’s book efficiently and get a good grip over the polity within a short period of time?

Don’t study the book in a linear fashion (that is chapter 1,2,3,4…sequence)

Instead I suggest you read the book in following direction:

1. First you read the chapter on President, Vice President and immediately move to the chapter on governor. Then read on Emergency provisions.

2. Read chapter on PM and cabinet, then move to CM and state council of Ministers.3. Chapter on “Parliamentary system” and then directly to parliament, but after budget topic

is done pause this chapter and move to on CAG. Then come back and resume the chapter on parliament.

4. Once parliament is finished, move to State legislative assembly.5. Supreme Court and then High court, tribunals.6. Attorney Gen =>Advocate General7. UPSC  =>State PSC8. Finance Commission =>Planning Commission=>Nat.Development council9. Now Centre State relation and Interstate relations.10. Election Commission=> chapter on election, Anti-defection11. All the National Commissions on Women, SC, ST,OBC, CVC, Lokpal and so on.

Once ^this is done. Move to

1. Citizenship, Fundamental rights, DPSP, duties.2. Amendment of Constitution=> preamble3. Jammu Kashmir => Scheduled and Tribal Areas.4. UT, Panchayati Raj, municipalities

After ^this is done. Read whatever chapters are remaining. Ultimately

Appendix for union-state-concurrent list, table of precedence etc. the mock MCQ questions given in Laxmikant + also in your General studies manual.

Note: the short explanations given in appendix of every chapter= should be read.

Single time reading of Laxmikanth= useless. Revise his book, minimum 3 times.

An allied topic of Polity is “rights-issue” for example women rights, children rights, SC/ST/OBC/PH/Minorities and various schemes meant for that. Although not much is asked from It and Most of that stuff is already covered under my economic survey chapter summaries :Mrunal.org/economy and Mrunal.org/polity

6: EconomyDon’t waste your time in mugging up stupid numbers (like IIP in xyz month, how much sharemarket went up or down etc.). In CDS/IAS exam the Economy MCQs are mostly static/theory based. To prepare Economy use following resources

1. NCERT class 11 and 12. (free download link @bottom.)2. NIOS material for economy (free download link @bottom)3. Mrunal.org/economy 4. Finally GS Manual Mock questions for practice.

You don’t need to specifically buy “Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh” for CDS exam, but if you have it (or can borrow from a friend) then do read it.

7: International relations/events/diplomacy until now we saw how to prepare the static / theory areas viz. history, geography, science,

polity, EnB and economy. Now comes a ‘current-affairs-oriented’ topic: International events.

What separates CDS exam from CSE (IAS/IPS) exam is the specific attention paid to IR and defense MCQs. So, what type of questions are asked in International events and from where to prepare their answers?

1. Various international summits, their locations, themes

Goto library, read whatever competitive magazine you get (CST, Pratiyoigta, Chronicle, Wizard) and note down important things from diary of international events + Person in news.

2. Agreements and dispute between countries for some border, island etc.

3. Joint military exercises (although I count them under “Defense” topic.)

4. Election of President / PM and which party does he belong to. (Although I count them under “Misc.GK=>Person in New (PIN)).

5. Basic things about international organizations such as UN, UNESCO, WTO, ASEAN, NATO etc.

you’ll find them covered under your GS Manual + in sociology/political science related NCERTs

8: Defense The questions about various missiles, DRDO technology, joint-military exercises with

other countries. although 2013’s CDS(I) did not contain any specific questions from Defense but 2012’s

both CDS (I & II) had questions from defense. A lot of topics that happened from 2012 upto March 2013, are already compiled in the

following article

http://mrunal.org/2013/03/defense-current-affairs-compilation-2012-13-missiles-joint-exercises-operations-organizations.html

beyond that, again Goto library, read whatever competitive magazine you get (CST, Pratiyoigta, Chronicle, Wizard) and note down important things from diary of international events + Person in news.

for basics about army, navy, airforce: organization, recruitment, training etc. read Chapter 9 “Defense” From India Yearbook. (You don’t need to specifically buy India 2013, just refer the India 2011 free PDF given at bottom of this article. Because that chapter remains almost one and same in all editions of India yearbook.)

9: Misc GKIt involve sports, awards, books-authors, persons in news and all other stupid infinite trivial database.

Topic 2012(I)

2012(II)

2013(I)

Awards 2 2 2Books-authors 1 0 3PIN (Persons in News) 3 2 6

Sports 1 2 3total 7 6 14% ouf of 120 6% 5% 12%

I’ve published compilation from 2012 to March 2013 click me after that, goto library, read whatever competitive magazine you get (CST, Pratiyoigta, Chronicle, Wizard) and note down important names/details. Following areas to concentrate

1. Within sports: lawn tennis2. Within PIN: international personas (PM, President, chiefs of various organization etc.)3. Books: award-winners or someone who recently died.

Conclusion / summary / final tips Revision is essential. Whatever you read in NCERT, NIOS or Laxmikanth, keep a target

of revising it multiple times. Otherwise, you won’t be able to recall the exact details in the exam and UPSC’s MCQs are very tricky.

If you’ve applied for this exam, then focus on your studies only. Don’t underestimate the level of competition. Don’t waste time in day-dreaming, facebook, orkut, random net surfing, chatting, TV, cricket, weddings of distant relatives etc. Time-pass activities will always be there, but once you cross the age-limit, there is no restart button. (This rule applies to all competitive exams.)

When you get bored reading General studies, then solve maths / English question. when you get bored with maths/english, resume your General studies preparation.

Don’t go in the exam-hall with a ‘cutoff’ mindset. Don’t push luck in negative marking. Don’t tick answers based on guesswork.

maths, english strategy will be posted soon.

Appendix1: Download Links1. Foxit PDF reader (necessary prerequisite for using Mrunal’s autonotemaker) click me to

download2. Almost all of these PDF files provides direct copying of text. => That means you can use

Mrunal’s autonotemaker to quickly make notes and mindmaps out of it, just use mouse cursor to highlight a particular line /phrase and my software will copy its text in a separate file. for more instructions click me

NCERT and NIOS (Essential/Core)NIOS (for Culture) https://files.secureserver.net/0fdAWETp4sONW5

NCERT files: topicwise: https://files.secureserver.net/0fHCh0CLd6Az63

You’ll find the material organized in various folders. Click on individual folder and download zip files. Here is the description about the contents of individual folder:

Folder Comment

History Contains NCERT history chapters from class 7 to 12, in three zip files:

ancient, medieval and Modern +NIOS Culture material

Science

Contains class 7 to 10 NCERT Science in three zips: physics, chemistry, biology.

+NIOS Science material. (although there will be lot of overlapping) Class 11, 12 Science books given in the peripheral section below.

EnB

Contains selective chapters from class 6 to 12 from science and geography textbooks that are relevant for Environment and biodiversity.

+NIOS material for environment and biodiversity EnB.

Economy

Contains NCERT class 11 + NCERT 12 Macro economics +NIOS economy material. Class 12 Micro-economics not included because not worth the time for

CDS. although download link in the peripheral section below.

Geograph Contains NCERT class 6 to 12 in five zip folders: physical, India, World, Agro and glossary.

y +NIOS material on geography (although lot of overlapping)

India yearbook earlier government used to upload free PDF files for India yearbook (e.g. India 2010,

India 2011 etc.) But since 2012, they stopped. However, for CDS you don’t need a latest edition and you

don’t need to refer all chapters. just download the India 2011 edition click me

And read chapter following chapters

1.Land and the People 2.National Symbols 3.The Polity (for polity) 9. Defense 20 Justice and Law (for polity segment) 30. State and UT (for geography related questions)

NCERT and NIOS (Peripheral)read these if depending on your time and mood.

NIOS

Single folder contains many courses from NIOS: sociology, political science etc. download as per your time, mood and requirement.

Download

NCERTs

Biology 12 Biology Downloa

d

Chemistry 12 Chemistry 1 Downloa

d

Chemistry 12 Chemistry 2 Downloa

d

Economics 12 Introductory Microeconomics Downloa

d

Economics 10

Understanding Economic Development Class X Social Science

Download

Economics 9 Economics for Class 9 Download

Physics 1 Physics 1 Downloa

2 d

Physics 12 Physics 2 Downloa

dPolitical Science

12 Contemporary World Politics Political Science Class 12 Downloa

dPolitical Science

12 Political Science 2 for Class 12 Downloa

dPolitical Science

11 Political Theory Political Science Class 11 Downloa

dPolitical Science

11 Indian Constitution at Work Political Science Class 11 Downloa

dPolitical Science 7 Social and Political Life Part 2 – Class 7 Downloa

dPolitical Science 8 Social and Political Life – Class 8 Downloa

d

Social sci. 10 Democratic Politics Part 2 for Class X Social Science Downloa

d

Sociology 12 Sociology Indian Society Downloa

d

Sociology 12 Sociology Social Change and Development in India for Downloa

d

Sociology 11 Introducing Sociology Class 11 Downloa

d

Sociology 11 Understanding Society Sociology Class 11 Downloa

d

World history 9 India and Contemporary World 1 for Class 9 Download

World history 10 India and the Contemporary World 2 Class X Social Science Downloa

d

Cutoffs 2011As per earlier R.T.I:

There is no provision for reservation (category wise) in CDS examination however, course-wise cut-off marks of written examination are as under

Name IMA

AFA

INA

OTA

CDSE(I)-2011 90 111 45 72CDSE(II)-2011 93 126 78 68